Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-12-28
HUNS. IMPOSED
ABSURD FINES
State Department Archives at
\ Washington Record the
II Story OflSlssOnne.
COMMUNE tlpABLE TO PAY
won BuelOv On What eaount, Threat
! aned u Destroy iosps o. Prince
vOf Msnaeo; he kpssaIed to
Ii srssldeSt gtlsop.

/ ~ 800
| T'hsGaivegsasl cosdsmned Ger
ns6N; system 81 sStortitisg money from
captured communities Is shown By
the following documents published
By the committee on public infornaG-
ton:
A striking illustration of the fierce
brutality of German methods is con-
tanned in the archives OF the state de-
partment because the prince of Mon
AGO appealed to President Wilson
against the injustice of a fine imposed
upon small and impoverished viii
lage. The following documents from
the state department archives tell the
story. They need no comments.
paris, Oct. 81, 1914.
Secretary of State, Washington.
Prince of Monaco called this morn
Ing and asked that the following case
be submitted to the president:
prince states that General Won
Buelow for weeks has been inhabiting
princes ancestral chateau near
Reims, historical monument, contain
ing works of art and family heir
looms; that Won BuelOw has imposed
fine of 100000 francs on village of
Sissonne some miles distant from chat
eau, because of broken glass found on
road near village. Sissonne being un-
able alone to pay has raised with
number of other neighboring villages
125,O00 francs, but Won Buelow has
sent two messengers from Sissonne to
prince that unless latter pays fine for
Sissonne the chateau and adjoining vii
lage, as well as Sissonne, will be de-
stroyed on November LIST. Prince
has answered refusing to pay sum now
but willing to give his word to Ger
man emperor that amount would be
paid after removal of danger of fresh
war Incidents. Prince now fearful
lest returning messengers, as well as
male employees on his estate, be shot
because Of refusal to pay.
II have arranged meeting this after
noon between Spanish ambassador and
prince, to whom have suggested that
matter be presented to German gov
eminent through Spanish ambassador
at Berlin inasmueh as princes threat
ened property is In France.
"HERRICK."
Won 5ueloV's Threat.
'To the Mayor of the Commune of
Sissonne.
at has been conclusively proven
that the road between Sissonne and the
railway station Of Montaigu was, on
September 18th, strewn with broken
glass along a distance of one kilome-
ter and at intervals of 80 meters, for
the purpose, no doubt, of impeding
automobile traffic.
II hold the commune Of Sissonne
responsible for this act of hostility
on the part of its Inhabitants, and I
punish the said community by levylng
upon 1t a contribution of 100000
francs (flve hundred thousand
francs).
'"This sum must be entirely paid
into the treasury of the Etape by oc-
tober 10Th.
"The inspection of the Etape now
at Montcornet has been directed to
enforce execution Of this order.
''rhe General Commander In Chief of
the Army.
won BUELOW."
Protest Of Prince Of Monaco.
Monaco. Oct, 22nd, 1914.
"Sire:
II forward to your majesty several
documents relating to very grave
and urgent matter.
1.-THE General Won Buelow has caused
ia be occupied since one month and
half my residence of Marchnis, sit
sAted at five kilometers from the vii
Elage of. Sissonne. The general has lev
led upon the 1900 inhabitants of this
poor ruined village a war contribution
of 100000 francs, Of which they are
unable to pay more than 0ne-quar-
ter. Moreover, he has sent to me two
emlssaries bearing a document In
which he threatens to destroy my
property and the village of Marchais,
over and above that of Sissonne, in the
event OF my not dlsbursing myself the
sum in question before the end of the
month of October.
"That is how a Prussian general
treats a reigning prince who for As
years has been a friend to Germany,
and who in all the countries Of the
world is surrounded with respect and
gratitude for his work.
"In reply to the summons of the
General Won Buelow have given my
word Of honor to complete the above
contribution In order to avert hOr-