Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-06

| ed German soldiers to pass.
all the facts from his minister il
brussels.
one asked.
Herbert Spencer says somewhere
that in every rumor there is some
basis of fact. though the rule dc
not seem to be without its eNcep-
ton in our experience IN Brussels
and there was truth in so much OF
that rumor as said that the presi-
dent had all the facts from his min.
lister in Brussels, who had a cable
gram from Washington approving
the course he had followed, and say
ing that MIR. Grew had been In
structed to make representations or
the basis of the keen interest that
the American government felt in
the Belgian civil population, and
promised an explanation.
Then hope for a space returned
again. The brave Lemonnier. haV.
ing refused to gin up the lists OF
the chomeurS in Brussels, had been
arrested for his resistance, but when
the Germans could not daunt him
he had been released again. He had
been to see Villalobar and me, not
Tor himself-he never asked any
thing for himself-but 10 see if
could not do something to tighten
the lot Of NJ. Max, who, the report
was, had been transferred TO tbs
cell of common felon at Berlin.
Days passed. The hope grew. II,
German purpose is as infleXible as
German patience is limitleSs. A plan
once formed is never abandoned and
one day suddenly the burgom2stCrs
OF Greater BRUSSELS and of Brahanr
received an Identical circular. II was
: nnETnH &
no secret. 1t was the first explicit
/ declaration that the turn of Brus-
sells had come. The letter read:
Government OF Brussels and
OF Brabant.--bile No. 2766 1 =
Brussels, November IL. 1915.
Notice
For All the Mayors OF Greater
Brussels and of Brabant.
The removal of the unem-
plOyed and of the men who re-
fuse TO work and are public
charges is decreed by the Gov
ernor-General, likewise and par
i.cularly in the interest of the
entire Belgian population. A re-
munerative salary is to be given
IN Germany to those workmen
who nave been without employ
ment Tor years, while these
workmen cannot find wages in
Belgium mainly because of the
lack of raw materials.
II is the duty OF all Belgian
communal administrations to
lend their aid to these measures.
All mayors should at once pre-
pare the lists requested of them
or workers who are without suf-
hcient occupation, and transmit
these lists to the >kreischef (ad-
miniStrator of the district). i'm
the case of Greater Brussels to
the kommandantUr-as from to-
Gay the communeS are to be
ready to hand over the unem-
ployed to be taken away.
The German authorities them
selves will proceed to make a
Cholce Of those to be deported in
those communes which do not
transmit the lists in due course.
however, the authorities do not
nave the time or the means to
examine individual cases. There
fore, if, when the choice is made.
severe and unyielding measures
are Uaken, the responsibility for
the same Will accrue to the
mayors who refuse their co-oper-
alton L call attention further to
me Iact that workmen once taken
to Germany will not return TO
Belgium except in the most ex-
cepuonal and urgent cases, and
cannot be made the ground for
any complaints
l SHAH act with the greatest
severity against those MAYORS
VINO DO not prepare the lists or
VINO act negligently, not alto
gether because of their disobe-
dlence as regards the orders of
the German authorities, but also
because of their lack of duty as
regards the population confided
70 their care.
GOVERNOR HURT.
Lieutenant General
There was no hesitation. inst .i,,,
I enough 10 meet in joint session. anC
me stout burgomasters of the ff.
Teen communes of Greater Brussels
sent this reply:
Communal Administration OF
81 IS99eis~Oince Of the Mayor.
Brussels, Nov. 16. 1916.
ar: Commander: Following the
meeting of November IL. 1gI6
me mayors OF Greater Brussels
nave authorized US to inform
you' In their name as well as
our own, that we are OF the
opinion that we can not accent
the invitation made to us TO
prepare lists of workmen with.
OUT employment to be transmit
ted TO the German authorities.
we can but refer again to the
inherent reasons which have al
ready been cited in SUPPORT OF
this decision. First and fore
most, We think that we could nos
deliver to the German authori-
ties the names Of fellow citi
Gems who are to be torn from
their families. to be constrained
TO forced labor in Germany,
without misinterpreting the
voice OF our conscience and ou;.
duties to our country.
In expressing ourselves thus
we are convinced that we are
yoicing the unn nimous senti-
ments of the entire population.
Accept. Mr.. Commander. the
assurance Of our high consid-
Grafton.
The Council Of Aldermen.
Isl MAURICE IEMONNIER.
Secretary &c Council