The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1918-02-08
BELGIANS FORCED
TO AID GERMANS
kaiser'S Officers Showed Open
Disregard of Interna-
ti0nal Law.
WORKMEN SEIZED AS SLAVES

Cardinal Mercier Moved to Bitter Con-
demnation of Acts of German Au-
thorities Which Aroused Detes-
tation Of christendom.
Contrary to rules laid dowm By
the Hague convention, and all prirs-
c'pzes Of civilized warfare, German
authorities forced Bezgians to aid
!! them IN the prosecution of the avar.
The. committee on public informa-
taon gives the facts concerning
these atrocious deeds IN a pamphlet
recently made public, from which ne
take the folzoaOing:
October ~, 1915, the German author
, tiles took long step in the develop
{ ment of their policy Of forcing the Bel
:, gians to aid them in prosecuting the
war. The decree of that date reveals
the matter and openly discloses con-
tempt for international law.
''Article 1. Whoever, without reason,
refuses to undertake or to continue
! work suitable to his occupation, and ir
! the execution of which the military
administration is interested, such work
! being ordered by one or more of the
military commanders, will be liable to
Imprisonment not exceeding one year.
J He may also be transported to Ger
many.
''1n vOking Belgian laws or even in
ternational conventions to the con-
trary, can, in no case, justify the re
fusal to work.
"Article 2. Any person who by force,
! threats, persuasion, or other means
attempts to influence another to refuse
work as pointed out in Article 1, is
liable to the punishment of imprisOn-
ment not exceeding five years.
"Article 3. Whoever knowingly by
means of aid given or in any other way
abetS a punishable refusal to work,
will be liable to a maximum fine Of
10000 marks, and in addition may be
condemned to a years Imprisonment.
eff communes or associations have
rendered themselves guilty Of such an
Offense the heads of the cOmmunes will
be punished.
ARTICLE 4. In addition to the penal
ties stated in Articles 1 and 3, the Ger
man authorities may, in case of need,
impose on communes, where without
reason, work has been refused, fine
or other coercive police measures.
'"This present decree comes into
force Immediately.
"Der Etappeinspekteur,
"VON UNGER,
"Generalleutnant.
"Ghent, October IL, 1852
"sIavery," Said Cardinal MERCER.
Cardinal Mercier's brief comment is
as follows: 'The injustice and arbi-
trariness of this decree exceed all that
could be imagined. Forced labor, col
lective penalties and arbitrary punish
ments, all are there. 1t is slavery, nei-
Their more nor less"
Cardinal MERCER was in error, FOR
the German authorities were able to
imagine much more terrible measure.
In October, 1916, when the need for
an additional labor supply in Germany
had become urgent, the German gov
eminent established the system of
forced labor and deportation which
has aroused the detestatiOn of Chris
tendon. The reader will not be misled
by the clumsy effort of the German au-
thorities to mask the real purpose of
the decree.
II. People able to work may be
compelled to work even outside the
place where they live, in case they
have to apply to the charity Of others
for the support of themselves or their
dependents on account of gambling,
drunkenness, loafing, unemployment or
idleness.
I'll. Every inhabitant of the country
is bound to render assistance in case
of accident or general danger, and also
to give help in case of public calami-
ties as far as he can, even outside the
place where he lives; in case Of refu
sal he may be compelled by force.
iii. Anyone called upon to work,
under Articles I or II, who shall re-
fuse the work, or to continue at the
work assigned him, will incur the pen
atty of Imprisonment up to three years
and of a fine up to 10000 marks, or
one or other of these penalties, unless
a severer penalty is provided for by
the laws in force.
eff the refusal to work has been
made in concert or in agreement with
several persons, each accomplice will
be sentenced, as If he were a ring
leader, to at least a weeks imprison-
ment.
NV. The German military authOr1-
ties and military courts will enforce
the proper execution of this decree.
saTHE QUARTERMASTER GEN
ERAL, SAUBERZWEIG.
"Great Headquarters Sd October,
1916"
Military Rulers Responsible.
The responsibility for this atrOciOuS