Williston graphic., 1918-03-07
huns IMPOSED
ABSURD fines
State Department Archives at
Washington Record the
Story Of Sissonne.
COMMUNE UNABLE TO PAY
Won 6uelow, on That Account, Threat
ened to Destroy Home Of Prince
Of Monaco, Who Appealed to
President Wilson.

Of Monaco, Who Appealed to
President Wilson.
The universally condemned Ger
man system of ertorting money from
captured communities is shown By
the following documents published
by the committee on public inforna-
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 a small and impoverished vii
lage. The following documents from
the state department archives tell the
story. They need no comments.
"Paris, Oct. %, 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 a,
number of other neighboring villages
125,OOO francs, but Won Buel0w 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 1st. 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
ernment through Spanish ambassador
at Berlin inasmuch as princes threat-
ened property is in France.
'HERRICK."
Won 1uelowps Threat.
ITO the Mayor of the Commune OF
'Sissonne.
1T 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 SO meters, ZOE
the purpose, no doubt, Of impeding
automobile traffic.
II hold the commune of Siss0nne
responsible for this act of hostility
on the part Of its inhabitants, and
punish the said community by levying
upon it a contribution of 5OOOOO
francs five hundred Thousand
francs).
"This sum must be entirely paid
into the treasury of the Etape by Oc-
tober 18TH
"The inspection Of the Etape now
at Montcornet has been directed 70
enforce execution of this order
.orhe General Commander in CHIEF OF
the Army,
"voN BUELOW."
Protest Of Prince Of Monaco.
Monaco, Oct, 22nd, 1914.
"Sire:
II forward to your majesty sevelal
documents relating to very gra'e
and urgent matter.
"The General Won Buelow has causseo
to be occupied since one month anu
a half my residence of Marcnals' S.
uated at five kilometers from the VI
lage of Sissonne. The general mas ie.-
led upon the 1900 inhabitants OF this
poor ruined village a war contrlputlon
of 100000 francs, Of which they are
unable to pay more than one one-quaI
ten Moreover, he has sent TO me W.
emissaries bearing q document =
which he threatens to destroy ny
property and the village OF Marcil'.s' =,
over and above that of Sissonne' - .no
event of my not disbursing myseiI tne
sum in question before the end OF 'ne
month of October.
..rhat is how Prussian genera. u
treats reigning prince who 1or =
wears has been friend to derlluns' =,
and who in all the countries o. ln
world is surrounded with respect auu
gratitude for his work.
'In reply to the summons u -.
General Won Buelow have given iny
word Of honor to complete the aoove
contribution in order to avert nul
rible action accomplished IN cou
blood, but adding that as sovere.sn
prince I submit this matter TO tne
Judgment of the emperor by declar,
ing that the said sum shall be paiu
when the Chateau de Marchais VII,