The Washington times., 1918-12-22

fate Of the beautiful cathedral and the historic old build
ings at Noyon. There may always be question whether
not the wreekng Of the cathedral itself which was
built in 1131 accident of war; number Of times
the city in the line Of shell fire. Il may have been
impossible to spare it But shells on legitimate errands
could not rip the of paintings that were treas
ures of from their frames and carry them back to
Germany The great vauted roofs were blown away but
the central panels Of the huge stained glass windows q
exquisite as rare old tapestry were not blown, but
carried of Even the brass candlesieks disappeared
painting of the Crucxion which had attracted tour
lists from all the world cut into patches that al
the officers of the regiment then stationed at Noyon
might have one patch souvenir Of their visit
In the centre of the square at NoyOn leaden statue
topped fountain which marked spot where armies in
the Roman days had bivouacked. The fountain was
carved from immense block Of white marble. Around
the feet of the statue countless marble dyad each
dantily carved apparently fragile, yet they had wealth
cred centuries
The leaden statue pulled down and shipped TO
Prussan muntion works. The dryads were hacked OF
and distributed among German officers One Of them
sent by military post to Colonel Berkersburg by
friend who knew of his "fondness for art It stood On
the Coonels dressing table IN my chateau long the
Colonel remained one of my unweleome guests.
OF the cathedral at Laon the troops made stable for
their horses cavalry division stationed there for
time and other building adapted to the
comfort Of the officers horses.
The higher German officers commanders of regiments
and brgades, particularly eager to find and remove
valuable pictures That the Government itself desired
these paintings for museums at Berlin, Potsdam and
various other art centres in Germany frankly dis
cussed at my table during the most active period Of sy
tematic looting
st st Quentin the entire contents Of the Lecuyer
Museum we're taken away. The eustodians Of this
had argued to themselves when the invaders drew
near that they hid their valuable paintings the Ger
might consider it sport to find and destroy them
They could not send them to Paris then Surely they
persuaded themselves they left their open and
undsturbed the enemy would consider their trust thing
to be respected q matter Of honor.
The included the world famous collection Of
Quentin de la Tours pasels the most notable specimens
Of pastel conceived and probably the most valuable
single collection of its kind in the world The Germans
exhibited this collection in Maubeuge for the benefit Of
soldier art lovers there and then sent it tour OF the
empire told it taken finally to the Kaisers
palace at Potsdam. The public library, which was
housed in the museum building, was thrown into pile
and burned.
Even wilhelm himself was not above the theft Of
painting General Won der Waldau himself told this
story to other officers of rank my table, and he told It
with considerable secret enjoyment General Waldau,
who had been protege of Bismarck in his boyhood had
quite forgiven his chief for the dismissal Of the
Chancellor.
In the Grand Place at St. Quentin there is large
obong space divided by avenue OF beautiful stately
trees, presented to the town by Napoleon Here in Q
large residence lived NJ and Nine Basqun leaders Of St.
Quentin social life. When the Kaiser on visit to the
'front.' which shall describe later in detail announced
that he would rest for while at St. Quentin NJ Basquin
and his wife and servants notified to Immediately
remove themselves from their residence They
dered to take baggagebut to leave everything in the
house Just 1T was at that moment
The officer bringing the order insisted upon their
leaving Immediately He would not let either N. Bas-
qun his wife step of his sight until having pro-
cured their hats and wraps they had reached the street
Nine Basquin given opportunity to change from
house gown to street dress. The officer explained
that officers especially detailed would prepare the house
for the reception of the Kaiser and if the personal effects
of NJ. and Nine. Basquin be disturbed he would
oversee the disturbing.
1t two days before the Kaiser arrived with his
suite and staff. On the wall Of the bedroom
assigned to Wilhelm hung small Madonna, by
known artist which had pleased Nine Basquin, not be-
Of its value but because of the originality Of the
conception. Wilhelm professed to in the Madonnas
face likeness to that of the Kaserin He ordered it
carefully packed and forwarded under imperial stamp,
to the Kaisern who then staying at Bellevue Palace.
One of the Kasers personal attendants had the
age to his imperial master that the Madonna
not important In that case, Wilhelm replied
according to General Waldaus informant ait will not be
important that receipt be left We will pay for it out
right When his visit terminated the Kaiser left q
five mark piece $ the esereoire which the pie
ture had hung. As unimportant it was Nine Basqun
probably had paid thousand times that amount for the