The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1918-05-15
4'HUNS" IMPOSED
ABSURD fines
State Department Archives at
/ Washington Record the
Story of Sissonne.
COMMUNE UNABLE TO PAY
Won BueIow, on That Account, Threat
ened to Destroy Home of Prince
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 informal
ton:
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 a 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. q, 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
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
number of other neighboring villages
l125,000 francs, but Won Buelow 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-
istroyed 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 well as
male employees on his estate, be shot
because Of refusal to pay.
81 have arranged meeting this after
moon between Spanish ambassador and
prince, to whom have suggested that
matter be presented to German gov
lernment through Spanish ambassador
at Berlin inasmuch as princes threat
iened property is in France.
! "HERRICK."
Won BueIow's Threat.
ITO the Mayor Of the Commune of
Sissonne.
'Tt has been conclusively proven
that the road between Sissonne and the
railway station of Montaigu was, on
September 18th, strewn with broken
glass along a distance Of one kilome-
ter and at intervals of so 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 1
punish the said community by levying
upon it a contribution of 100000
francs Give hundred thousand
francs).
ssThis 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 to
enforce execution of this order.
ssThe General Commander in Chief of
the Army,
"vON BUELOW."
Protest of Prince of Monaco.
Monaco, Oct, 22nd, 1914.
sSire:
81 forward to your majesty several
documents relating to a very grave
and urgent matter.
srThe General Won Buelow has caused
to be occupied since one month and
a half my residence Of Marchais, sit
mated at five kilometers from the vii
lape of Sissonne. The general has lev
led upon the 1900 inhabitants of this
door ruined village war contributor
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 II
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.
"That is how a Prussian genera
treats a reigning prince who for Al
years has been a friend to Germany
and who in all the countries of thu
world Is surrounded with respect ant
gratitude for his work.
tIn reply to the summons OF tn
General Won Buelow have given m.
word of honor to complete the abov'
contribution In order to avert hor
rible action accomplished in coli
blood, but adding that as a sovereign
prince / submit this matter to tn
Judgment Of the emperor by declar
ing that the said sum shall be pai'
when the Chateau de Marchais vii
be free from the danger of intentiona
destruction.
ST am, with great respect, your ma
1esty's devoted servant and cousin,
ALBERT, Prince Of Monaco"
Letter Addressed to Won sueIow.
Monaco, Oct. %, 1914.
nUr- .-c~k <~ox,. Tho aoYpUunna n