The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-11
FROM
FRENCH DIARY
Continued from Page IL

manded 10000 francs in taxes from
Savy Corn, clover and oats must b,
supplied also. M. Grannier report.
| from st. Quentin that the French
army has been cut in two.
| Oct. 10: All bicycles, guns and
blankets must be collected and taker
| to Vimand by tomorrow. The Ger
mans also require eggs, Roads viii
have to be kept In condition or 6
fine of 5000 francs will be levied.
Oct. 20; All pigeons have to bt
killed.
Oct. %: A German officer says the
war will be over by end of October
Oct. %: All males, 18 to 60, mus
report to town hall. Nobody allowed
| in streets between p. m. and s a
m. Laisses-passers required.
Oct. 81: Rumored that French
have taken Lille, Liege. etc, that
Belgian's army has been reformed
that Russians have entered Berlin
Sound OF guns continually heard
Constant traffic through village.
CNote. Curiously enough the diary
| contains no rumors of battle on the
Marine. proving the German soldiers
on one spot were kept in utter ignor.
ance Of what was going on in anoth-
err
Nov. 10: Notice served that all
French, English or Belgian soldiers
hidden away must be reported under
severe penalty.
Nov. 10: Three Germans came to
They said that America is declaring
war on England.
Dec. z: All telephones must be
deposited at town hall.
Dec. 10: We received a visit from
four Germans who demanded If we
had any arms cartridges. wine or
money. On leaving they marked an
on our door.
April 25 Q915): The Garde Cham.
petre (village constable) has been or
dered to inform farmers that they are
not to cut hay or clover under 500
francs penalty.
April 80: Germans make house to
house search for grain. The carde
distributes forms to be filled out by
farmers showing how much grain
they are planting.
May L: Russian prisoners brought
here to pull up sugar beets for the
Germans.
May A.: The inhabitants have been
deprived Of bread four days because
M. Lebrun, the baker, is refused flour
unless he buys it with German money
and there is no German money among
Savy civilians.
May 10: Germans, employing Rus
sian prisoners, have broken the last
four millstones in Gronnier's mill.
May IT: The Germans have shear
ed all sheep and taken the wool.
May ri: Beginning today Lebrun
is baking bread made of American
flour. The ration is $50 grams per
head per day.
May %: 1oday is Pentacost. The
cure went to Etroillers to celebrate
mass but as he had no 1aissez-passer
the Germans seized him, took him in
cart to Holnon and fined him so
francs.
May %: Rumor that Italy has de-
clared war against Germany.
July /: The garde was sent by the
kommandantur to Henri Catry's
house to ask how many wagons he
had in his barn. C's only answer was
to hit him in the face, and he is to
go to prison in st. Quentin for four
teen days.
July 81: Notice on church door
states men, women, girls and boys
will continue to be requisitioned for
work in the fields between 4 a. M and
s p. m. Those who idle in the fields
will be hit with sticks. Those who
refuse to work will be put into prison
July %: This morning garde an
that all civilians must salute
German officers, men by tipping hats.
women by bowling. Fine or impris-
for refusal.
July rs: At the general census Of
horses, owners had to stand at their
horses heads for six hours. Henry
Catry happened to be standing two
yards away from his horse and he
was hit with a stick by German gen
darme. When he protested he was
beaten more severely. An old man
lay down by his horse and was beaten
and made to stand up. Others were
treated in the same brutal manner.
July %: Germans are making the
rounds examining every house for
bronze and brass objects.
August II: All fruit must be pick
ed and turned over to the Germans.
October 10: Rumor Of French vic
;ory in Champagne.
October %: American committee |
has offered carbide lamps. These can |
De had at town hall.
October 81: The Germans who ar