The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-01-11
HUN FINES ARE HEAVY
State Department Archives at Wash
ingtOn Record the Story
of Sissonne


captured communities Is ShoWn By
the foEowing documents published
By the committee on public informa-
ti0n:
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 fine imposed
upon small and impoverished vii
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
| tReims, 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 I'M
/ able alone to pay has raised with q
number of other neighboring villages
| t125,000 francs, but Won Buelow has
| sent two messengers from Sissonne to
prince that unless latter pays fine for
/ Sfssonne the chateau and adjoining viii
/ I~~m III L. Il,
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 web as
male employees on his estate, be shot
because OF refusal to pay.
ST 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 inasmuch as princes threat
/ ened property is In France.
.sHERRICK."
Won BueIow's Threat
ITO the Mayor Of the Commune Of
Sissonne.
"It has been conclusively proven
| that the road between Sissonne and the
railway station of Montaigu was, on
| September 18th, strewn with broken
| glass along distance of one kilome-
| ter and at intervals of 80 meters, for
the purpose, no doubt, of impeding
automobile traffic.
81 hold the commune of Sissonne
responsible for this act of hostility
/ on the part of its inhabitants, and I
punish the said community by levying
upon it contribution of 100000
francs Give hundred thousand
francs).
'This sum must be entirely paid
into the treasury of the Etape by Oc-
| tober 18th.
'aThe inspection of the Etape now
at Montcornet has been directed to
enforce execution of this order.
| 'aThe General Commander in Chief of
the Army,
"VON BUELOW."
Protest OF Prince OF Monaco.
Monaco, Oct, 22nd, 1914.
"Sire:
ST forward to your majesty several
documents relating to a very grave
and urgent matter.
'The General Won Buelow has caused
, to be occupied since one month and
| half my residence of Marchais, sit
uated at five kiIometers from the vii
| lage 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 one-quar-
ter. Moreover, he has sent to me two
emissaries bearing 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 disbursing myself the
sum in question before the end of the
month of October.
'sThat is how a Prussian general
treats a reigning prince who for 10
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.
'sIn reply to the summons of the
General Won Buelow have given my
word of honor to complete the above
contribution in order to avert a hor-
| rible action accomplished in cold
blood, fbut adding that as a sovereign
prince / submit, this matter to the
Judgment of the emperor by declar-
ing that the said sum shall be paid
when the Chateau de Marchais will
be free from the danger of Intentional
destruction.
ST am. with great respect, your ma
jesty's devoted servant and cousin,
"ALBERT. Prince of Monaco"
/ Letter Addressed to Won 5ueIow.
Monaco, Oct. %. 1914.
ssTo avert from the commune of