The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-03-26


ually led TO believe that it was neces- |
sary 10 fight a defensive war against /
INSCRIPTIONS foes, but also that these |
foes would violate every precept Of hui /
mainly, and consequently must be
crushed without mercy as a measure
of self-defense. The fruits Of this
campaign of suspicion and hatred be-
came evident when almost at the out
break of the war many Germans be-
came possessed with the belief that
the whole population of Belgium, the
first country TO be invaded, had vio-
lated every rule of honorable warfare,
that the francs-tireurs (guerrillas)
were everywhere present doing their
deadly work in secrecy or under the
cover of darkness; that women and
even children were mutilating and kill
ing the wounded or helpless prisoners.
Extract from a letter written by a
German soldier to his brother. CThis
letter, now in the possession of the
ed for this pamphlet from Mr.. J. G.
Grew, formerly secretary to the United
States embassy at Berlin.)
November 4, 1914.
'"The battles are everywhere ex-
remely tenacious and bloody. The
Englishmen we hate most and we want
to get even with them for once. While
one now and then sees French prison
ers, one hardly ever beholds French
black troops or Englishmen. These
good people are not overlooked by our
infantrymen; that sort of people is
moved down without mercy. The
losses of the Englishmen must be enor-
nous. There is desire to wipe them
out, root and all"
Urged to KIN Without Pity.
Extract from another letter to a
brother:
Schleswig, 25, 8 Ii (Aug. %, 1914.
"Dear Brother, You viii
shortly go to Brussels with your regi-
ment, as you know. Take care to pro-
tect yourself against these civilians,
especially in the villages. Do not let
anyone come too near. They are very
clever, cunning, fellows, these Bel
CLANS; even the women and children
are armed and fire their guns. Never
go inside a house, especially alone.
If you take anything to drink make
the inhabitants drink first, and keep at
q distance from them. The newspa-
pers relate numerous cases in which
they have fired on our soldiers whilst
they were drinking. You soldiers must
spread around so much fear Of your
selves that no civilian win venture
| TO come near you Remain always In
| the company of others. I hope that
! you have read the newspapers and that
! you know how to behave. Above all
have no compassion for these cut
| throats. Make for them without pity
with the butt-end Of your rife and the
/ bayonet.
"Your brother WILL
The emperor gave his sanction to
the reports Of the brutal acts Of the
/ BeIgians In a telegram to President
Wilson.
Berlin, via Copenhagen, Sept. z, 1014.
"T feel it my duty, Mr.. President,
to inform you as the most prominent
representative of principles Of human
ity, that after taking the French fort
ress of Longwy, my troops discovered
there thousands of dumdum cartridges
made by special government machin-
cry. The same kind Of ammunition
4 was found on killed and wounded
troops and prisoners, also on the Brit
4 ish troops. You know what terrible
wounds and suffering these bullets In
fiict and that their use Is strictly for
hidden by the established rules OF In
ternational law. I therefore address
a solemn protest to you against this
kind of warfare, which, owing to the
methods of our adversaries, has be
J come one of the most barbarous known
in history. Not only have they en-
J ployed these atrocious weapons, but
J vhe Belgian government has openly en-
couraged and long since carefully pre-
pared the participation of the Belgian
civil population in the fighting. The
atrocities committed even by women
: and priests in this guerrilla warfare
also on wounded soldiers, medical stat
and nurses, doctors killed, hospitals
attacked by rife fire, were such thai
my generals finally were compelled tC
take the most drastic measures in or
/ der to punish the guilty and to fright
en- the bloodthirsty population from
{ continuing their work Of vile murder
( and horror. Some villages and ever
: the old town of Loewen Uouvain)
. excepting the. fine hotel de vile, hat
J TO be destroyed in self-defense, ant
!. for the protection Of my troops. M!
I heart bleeds when / see that suci
e measures have become unavoidable
g and when I think of the numerous In
? nocent people who lose their home ant
]. property as a consequence Of the bar
q ,barous behavior of those criminals
Z Signed. William, Emperor and King
aGFpApn Parlin -