The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1918-02-08
BELGIANS EASILY
OuTWlT GERMANS
Hugh Gibson Says Governor Gen
eral Gets Suppressed News
paper Regularly.
SPIRIT REMAINS UNBROKEN
stupid Proelamatlons Of German Com
n,snders Cause Much Amusement
Among 6elslsns--says Stories
Of Atrocities Are All True.

New 1Ork.-Op 10 the tnuautv "
the United States In the war against
Germany, approximately 5000 Bel
CLAN civilians had been shot. taken
into Germany as prisoners. or Ened for
offending the German authorities In
Belgium 10 various ways according 70
Hugh Gibson. former secretary Of the
American legation at Brussels and az
present chief OF the division OF foreign
intelligence OF the state department.
described with many poignant details
the sufferings OF the Belginns and the
irrepresSible and buoyant spirit OF the
people, which. he said. has not been
Quenched by the Teuton Invaders.
The stupid proclamatloDs Of the Ger
man commandments posted daily and
oftener on the buildings and boardings
OF the streets OF Belgian cities caused
the population considerable amuse-
ment at FIRST, Mr.. Gibson said. until
Il was announced from German head
quarters that any one seen laughing
around an Official bulletin would be &C.
verely punished. Thereafter persons
reading the bulletins would muiie
themselves up In neckcloths that con-
cealed half their faces and laugh 10
themselves.
All the Belgian newspapers were
suppressed. and the population re-
ceiycd It's news from publications 10
sued by the Germans. which told or
their military victories. Mr.. Gibson de-
clared.
Papers Published Secretly.
''In spite OF this fact. the Belsians.
under the very nose OF the governor
general, published clandes,ine newspa-
pers." he continued. THE governor
general would get his copy regularly.
Sometimes he found II under his plate.
sometimes Il came into his home With
the vegetables. sometimes II was
mailed TO him IN an Official envelope
OF tho German military headquarters
Itself, but. In spite Of the fact that he
offered 10000 marks for Information
leading TO the arrest Of those con
eerned in publishing the paper. Il
ayalled him nothing, and when left
II was reported that every time be
saw a copy Of one Of the Belgian ~
cret newspapers he fell into a tan.
trum."
English and Dutch newspapers were
struggled into Belgium. Mr.. Gibson
continued though q copy Of London
paper sold as high as $50 at time
when the German authorities were do
Ing their utmost 10 stop the smng-
Cling. The papers smugglcd In were
rented by the hour and the owner
would sit on a mans doorstep until
he had finished Il. when he would pass
Il on 10 receive another fee from the
next customer. Mr.. Gibson referred
to Cardinal MERCER as "the splendid
old figure whose work has undone the
labors OF many German army corps
The stories OF arson. plllage. murder.
torture. and mutIlation committed by
the German invaders are all too true.
according 70 Mr.. Gibson. The true
story, he said. will not be told until
he Germans have been driven cat OF
Belgium and northern France. when
the population OF the invaded districts
viii show the world the proofs Of the
German atrocities.
German Spies Poorly Paid
The hordes OF spies hired By the
Germans are for the most part poor
and III paid. according TO Mr.. Gibson.
who said that he had the honor Of
having one assigned TO follow him con-
,tnntly. The man would stand in front
If Glbson's house 10 all sorts Of wealth
er and would scan the visitors. Fro
luently Mr.. Gibson would INFORM the
spy that he might leave, rs he wns
not expecting any more visitors.
Members OF the secrstary's stan would
lso the spy as n messenger, and would
oestow liberal tips on him In rsturnI
'or fetching cigarettes and othsr o..
1clas.