The Carlisle independent., 1918-01-03
Kaiser'S Officers Showed Open Disregard of lnterna-
 ti0nal Law.
WORKMEN SEIZED AS SLAVES
Cardinal Mercier Moved to Bitter Con demnation of Acts of German Au- thorities Which Aroused Detes-
 taton of Christendom.

Contrary to rules laid dotgn by the Hague convention, and all prira- ciples of civiIized eearfare, German authorities forced BeIgians to aid them ia the prosecution of the war. Tue committee on public informa- ton gives the facts concerning these atrocious deeds in q pamphlet recently made public, from sVhich We take tbe folIowing:
 October 12, 1915, the German author ities 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 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 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 punishable refusal to work, will be liable to maximum fine of 10000 marks, and in addition may be condemned to a years imprisonment.
 If communes or associations have rendered themselves guilty of such m offense the heads of the communes will be punished.
 Article 1. In addition tC the penal ties stated in Articles l 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 coercive police measures.
 This present decree comes into force immediately.
 Der Etappeinspekteur,
 WON UNGER.
 "Generalleutnant.
 "Chent, October 12, 1915"
 Slavery" Said Cardinal Mercer.
 Cardinal Mercier's brief comment is as follows: ''The injustice and arbi- trariness of this decree exceed ali that could be imagined Forced labor, col lective penalties and arbitrary punish ments, all are there. It is slavery, nei- ther more nor less.''
 Cardinal Mercier 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 ernment 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.
 T. 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 accouet of gambling drunkenness, loafng. unemployment or likeness.
 ''II 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.
 I'll. 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 alty of Imprisonment up to three years and of a fine up to 10000 marks, or one or other of these penalties unless ti NNNNANA BNAAfiiAs AS lApNALNh 1O1 bs the laws in force.
 If 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.
 ''IV. The German military authori- ties and military courts will enforce the proper execution of this decree. THE QUARTERMASTER GEN
 ERAL. SAUBERZWEIG.
 "Great Headquarters, Sd October.
 l916."
 Military Rulers Responsible.
 The responsibility for this atrocious program rests upon the military rulers of Germany. who had labored so zeal ously to infect the army and the people with the principles of ruthless ness. It is significant that the decree of October 8. 1916 followed hard upon the elevation of Hindenburc to the sll-