Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-12-28

ElMuEB hl lAt ubkANuh~@s
German Promises Worthless
In the early days Of the German sd
vnnce into Belgium, the people had
learned TO fear the worst. This was
particularly true In Antwerp. In or
der to alleviate their fears and to Cd
tain guarantees which might hasten
the restoration OF settled conditional
Cardinal Mercier secured from the
German government at Antwerp prom
Ises, and 10 a circular letter dated Oc-
tober 10th, 1914, asked the clergy OF
the province Of Antwerp to communi-
cate them to the people:
THE governor of Antwerp, Baron
Won Hoiningen, General o Huene,
has authorized me TO inform you In his
name and TO communicate by your
oblIglng intermediary to our popula-
lions, the three following declara-
lions:
I'D The young men need not fear
being taken to Germany. either to be
enrolled into the army or 10 be en-
plOyed at forced labors.
"(2) II individual ~lnfraetions Of po-
lice regulations are committed the
authorities will institute q search for
the responsible authors and win pun
ish them, without placing the respon-
sibillty on the entire population
"(3) The German and Belgian au-
thOrties will neglect nothing to zee
that food Is assured to the p0pula-
ton"
ION March 23d, 1915, at the arsenal
at Luttre the German authorities post
ed a notice demanding return to work.
On April 2lst, 200 workmen were call
ed for. On April 27th soldiers went
to fetch the workmen from their
homes and take them to the arsenal.
In the absence Of a workman, a mem
Der Of the family was arrested.
Workmsn Imprisoned on TraIns.
However, the men maintained their
refusal to work, because they we're
unwilling to cooperate In acts Of war
ukulnbt tnelT cOuntry.
ION May 9TH, "A workmen detained
in prison Mt Nivelles were tried Mt
Mons by n court-martial, on the charge
Of being members Of a secret society.
having for Its aim to thwart the carry
ing out OF German military measures
They were condemned to imprlson-
ment.
"On Mny 9th, 1915, 4S workmen
were shut up In a freight car and
taken to Germany.
"On May 18th, 4b men were deport-
ed TO Germany.
ION May 18th q fresh proclamation
announced that the prisoners would
receive only dry bread and water, and
hot food only every four days. On
May 22d three cars with 104 work
men were sent toward Charleroi."
"A similar curse was adopted at
Mnlines, where by various methods
Of intimidation, the German authort-
ties attempted to force the workers at
the arsenal TO work on material for
the railways. as II II were not plain
that this material would become war
material sooner or later.
1.-THE following notice was placard-
ed at Menin In July-August, 1915:
BY order: From today the town will
no longer afford aid Of any descrip-
tion-lncluding assistance to their
families, wives, and children-to any
operatives except those who work
regularly at military work, and other
tasks assigned to them. All other OPP
eratives and their families can hence
forward not be helped In any fashion
Punished for Refusal to Work.
"Similar measures were taken In
October, 1915, at Harlebekelez-Cou
raj, Bisseghem, Lokeren, and Mons.
From Harlebeke 20 inhabitants we're
transported to Germany. At Mons.
In NJ. Lenoir's factory, the directors.
| foreman, and 81 workmen were i'm
prisoned for having refused to work
in the service Of the German army. M.
Lenoir was sentenced to Ave years i'm
%prisonment, the Ave directors to q
year each, six foremen to six months
and the 81 workmen to eight weeks.
THE general government had re-
course also TO indirect methods OF
compulsion. 1t seized the Belgian
Red Cross, confscatc' Its property.
and changed Its PURPOSE arbitrarily.
1t attempted to make itself master OF
the public charities, and to control the
national MD and food committee.
"If we were to cite In extenSo the
decree Of the governor general Of Aug
ust 4th. 1918, concerning measures In
tended to assur the carrying out Of
works of public usefulness, and that
of August 18th, concerning the unem-
ployed, who, through l~dleness, refrain
from work. It would be seen by what
%tortuous means the occupying power
attempts to attack at once the mas
tiers aud the men,"
Fines Imposed Without Reason.
The German authorities were not
satisfied with l. impoverishing levy.
In November. 1918, one month before
the expiration OF the twelve-month
period fixed for the levy. they dscreed
that the contribution Of 100000
francs y month should be paid for RR
indefinite period. In November. 1916,
they increased the levy to @.000,000
francs a month. In addition, faithful
TO the method laid down by the hiKh