Evening journal., 1918-01-26

8 There was no lighting either 10 the
town itself or in the immediate neigh
borhood." states the Mayor, "and the
forts had been evacuated by our
troops" The Germans imposed reuuisi-
tions on Reims, for which they de-
manded a security OF 100000 francs In
cash. and on Sept. 4 the Mayor was
Negotiating about this with German
officers at The Hotel-de-Nille when a
German battery began to lombard the
town. On this occasion the damage suf-
fcred by the cathedral was slight, and
the homhardment did not begin agun
till sept. y, when the town was cyacu-
ated bv the Germans on that date they
seized a oily of civilian hostases TO
cover their retreat. A proclamation was
nosted in the streets, signed THE Cen
sral Commandmg." and dated 'Relms,
sept. i2 i9i9'-"ln ORDER II an
n0unced. sufficiently 30 ensure the
safety our troops and the tranquil
iity OF the population OF Reims, the
.ersons mentioned have been seized as
hostages by the Commander Of the
German Army. These hostages will be
shot II there is the least disorder. on
the other hand, II the town remains
absolutely quiet, these hostages and
inhabitants will be placed, under the
protection OF the German Army" Tho
Mayor was compelled to make the same
announcement in a proclamation signed
by himself. A list Of so hostages WAS
appended, with a note that several
others" had been taken as well. "A
hundred hostages" states the Mayor In
his evidence. Including myself, were
led out into the country, five hundred
yards beyond the last houses OF keims "
The work Of destruction that followed
is notorious. Driven out OF the town,
the Germans vented their spite on the
cathedral and the inhabitants. BY Oc-
fober 7. 1914. three hundred OF the civil
ian population which the German
Army had "taken under It's protection
had already been killed by German
shells.
Narfaux, southwest Of Relms, was
entered by The elisabeth Regiment Of
the Prussian Guard on Sept. 3 Nine
teen houses were burnt out Of thirty
six states an inhsbitant; THE pillage
was systematic. The yaluables and
linen taken by the soldiers were loaded
AZ once on wagons. I and several other
inhabitants tried to save our beasts. we
were Immediately seized and lined up
against wall by order OF the Comman-
dant. We were kept there I'LL 10 next
morning"
At Jonquery, on Sept. 3. German
aeroplane alighted, and was followed by
a detachment Of infantry in the course
OF the day. Next day the Mayor was
conveyed by a German officer In a mo-
tur-car to the spot where the aeroplane
lay, and was informed Though this
was not the fact that inhabitants OF
the commune had fired on the aviators,
and ,arr.ed off the corpse OF one OF
them towards Romigny. HE gave me
till s o'clock next morning., states the
Mayor ito reveal the names Of these
persons. II I failed TO furnish the In
formation, I should be shot and the
village burnt" Next morning the Mayor
was duly seized. taken to farm, and
placed against a wall with three other
men and q woman. one of the men at
tempted to escape, and the Germans
shot him. Then they led the Mayor
round the commune, to make the peo-
pie come out Of doors with their cat
tie AT this moment the school was
set on fire, aud soon seventeen houses
out OF the thirty-flve in the village
were in flames
Epernay, on the Marne, was for a
brief time the quarters Of Won Moltke,
the Chief OF the German General Staff.
"Prlvate property he announced in z
proclamation dated "Epernay, Sept. a.,
l9i4," and signed with his name, will
be absolutely respected by the German
troops. Supplies OF all kinds serving
the requirements Of the German troops
and particularly provisions, will be
paid for In CASH Meanwhile. the Di-
rector OF the Commissarlat Of the Prus-
sian Guard, an official named Kahn, had
demanded from the municipality, for
sept. 5, 10000 kllogrammes OF oats,
2i.OO0 Of bread. 800 OF roasted coffee,
10000 OF preserved vegetables and sem
olina, and 1900 Of salt bacon and lard.
The municipality met the whole OF this
requisition within the appointed time,
except Tor the salt bacon, OF which
there were only 1000 kilos in the town
whereupon Kahn imposed fine Of i76.-
$50 francs on Epernay, payable on Sept
s, at noon. for having failed to deliver
In time the provisions necessary Tor
the troops" An emergency meeting OF
The municipal council was held that
evening at 9i5 p. m IN spite Of the
Mayors endeavors," Il is recorded I'm
the minutes Of this meeting. "he had
not been able TO obtain either the items
Of the sum claimed or any reduction In
the amount Of the fine. In default OF
payment OF this sum, the German au-
thorities threatened to take the most
rigorous proceedings against the popu-
lation itself, and to conduct forcible
pere1isitions In the houses Of the in
habitants. On account OF the threats
made" the municipality appealed to
private individuals to collect the sum
demanded Won Bulow. in his procla-
nation OF the day before, had Informed
the people Of Epernay that the civil
authorities. by obeying his injunctlons