The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-01-18
KaiSer'S Officers Showed Open
Disregard of Interna-
tional Law.
WoRKMEN SEIZED AS SLAVES
Cardinal Mereier Moved to Bitter Con-
demnation Of Acts Of German Az
thorities Which Aroused Detes-
tation Of christendom.

Contrary to rules laid dOWH by
the Hague contention, and all prin-
ctples Of civilized warfare, German
authorities forced Belgians to AID
them IN the prosecution Of The wdr.
The committee on public intorma-
ton giUes the facts concerning
these dtrocious deeds in a pamphlet
recently made public, from pkich ws
take the following:
October u, 1915, the German author
tiles took long step In the develop
ment of their policy OF forcing the Bel
CLANS to aid them In prosecuting the
war. The decree of that date reveals
the matter and openly discloses a con-
tempt for international law.
Article l. Whoever, without reason,
refuses to undertake or to continue
work suitable to his occupation, and in
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.
He may also be transported to Ger
many.
'In voklng Belgian laws or even in
ternational conventions to the con-
trary, can, In no case, justify the re
fusaI to work.
article >. Any person who by force,
threats, persuasion, or other means
at -, Tod -.
work as pointed out In Article l, 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 punishable refusal to work,
10000 marks, and in addition may be
condemned to years Imprisonment.
IF 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 and 3, the Ger
man authorities may, in case of need.
impose on communes, where without
reason, work has been refused, a fine
or other coerclve police measures.
This present decree comes into
force Immediately.
"Der Etappeinspekteur,
"VON UNGER,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
"Ghent, October 10, 1915"
slavery" Said Cardinal MercIer.
Cardinal Mercler's brief comment is
as follows: The injustice and arbi-
trRriness OF this decree exceed all that
could be imagined. Forced labor, col
lective penalties and arbitrary punish
ments, all are there. II 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 additions! 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 mlsled
by the clumsy effort Of the German au-
thorities to mask the real purpose Of
the decree.
Il. People able to work may be
compelled TO work even outside the
place where they live, In case they
have 10 apply to the charity Of others
for the support Of themselves or their
dependents on accouct Of gambling
drunkenness, loahng, unemployment or
ldlenoSs.
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 caIumt-
ties as far as he can, even outside the
place where he lives; IN case If refu-
sal he may be compelled by force.
iii. Anyone called upon 20 work.
under Articles / or II. who shall re-
fuse the work, or to continue at the
work assigned him. VIII incur the pen
atty Of Imprisonment up 10 three years
and Of fne up 10 10000 marks. or
one or other u these penalties. unless
n seyerer penalty IS provided for by
the laws in force.
IF the refusal 10 work has been
made In concert or In agreement with
several persons each aceOmplice viii
be sentenced. as II he were Il ring
leader, 20 at least a weeks impri-on-
ment.
Nv. The German military aurho-i-
ties and military courts viii enforce
the proper execution ~ this decree.
'TIIE QUARTEEMASTER GEN
ERAL. SAUBERZWEIG
Great Headquarters. Sd October
1916"
Military Rulers Responsible.
The responsibility FOR this atroclous
program rests upon the military rulers
Of Germany, who had iabored 50 zeal
Ously 10 infect the army aud the