The daily Alaskan., 1918-02-20
HUNS" IMPOSED ABSURD FINES
State Department Archives at Washington Record the
 Story of SiSSonne.
COMMUNE UNABLE TO PAY
Won 5ueIoW, on That Account, Threat ened to Destroy Home of Prince of Monaco, Who Appealed to
 President Wilson.

The universally condemned ter man system of ertorting money from captured communities IS ShOWn by the following documents published by the committee on public infOrmG- ton: . A striking illustration of the fierce brutality of German methods is con- talned in the archives of the state de- partment, because the prince ot Mon aco appealed to President Wilson against the injustice of fine Imposed upon small and impoverished will lage. The following documents from the state department archives tell the story. They need no comments.
 Paris, Oct. 27, 1914. Secretary of State, Washington.
 Prince of Monaco called this morn- ing and asked that the following case be submitted to the president:
 "Prlnce states that General von BuelOw for weeks has been inhabittLg princess ancestral chateau near Relms. historical monument, contain ing works of art and family heir looms; that VOn Buelow has imposed fne of 5OO,OOO 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 neighhoring villages 125OOO francs. but NOn BuelOw has sent two messengers from SlSSonne to prince that unless latter pays fine for SlsSonne the chateau and adjoining Vii- lage. as well as SiSSonne, will he de- Strnyed 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 bald 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.
 "I have arranged meeting this after- noon between Spanish ambassador ana prince. to whom have suggested that matter be presented to German gov ernment through Spanish ambassador ot Berlin lnaSmuCh as princes threat ened property Is In France.
 "HERRICK."
 Won Buelow's Threat.
 .OTo 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- fer and at intervals of 90 meters. for the purpose. no doubt, of impeding automobile traffic.
 "I hold the commune of Sissonne resDonsible for this act of hostility on the part of Its inhabitants, ana l punish the said community by levying mon 1t contribution of 5OO,OOO francs Give hundred thousand francs).
 ,aThis sum must be entirely paid into the treasury of the Etape by Oc- tober 18th.
 .The inspection of the Etape now ot Montcornet has been directed to enforce execution of this order. "The General Commander In Chier or
 the Army.
 "yON BUELOW."
 Protest of Prince of Monaco. Monaco, Oct. 22nd, 1914. Sire;
 .I forward to your majesty several documents relating to very grave and urgent matter.
 "The General vou Buelow has caused | to be occupied since one THonth ana half my residence of Marchais' sit uoted at five kilOmCtcrS from the VII | Ispe of Sissonne. The general has lev led upon the 1900 inhabitants or this noor ruined village war contribution of 5OOOOO francs, of wl.ich they are unable to pay more than One-Quar' ter Moreover. he hHS sent to me two | emIssarles bearing Il document ID which he threatens to destroy my property and the village of Marchais 1 over md above that of SissOnne, In the event of my not disbursIng myself the sum in question before the end Of the month of October.
 1 mThat Is how PrusSlan general treats a reigning prince who for 4t ] years has been q friend to Germany | and who in all the countries or the world Is surrounded with respect ano gratitude for his work.
 "In reply to the summons or the General yon Buelow I have given my word of honor to complete the above contribution in order to avert a nor rIble action accomplished in colo blood, but adding that as sovereign nrInce I submit this matter to tht judgment of the emperor by declar inc that the said sum shall be pait when the Chateau de Marchais VII he free from the danger of intenaona destruction.
 | ar nm, with great respect, your me