Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-04-19
What A German RnIe Means To A
Conquered Land.


Conquered Land.
The systematic exploitation Of Belgium
by the Germans under the so-called 'Rathe-
nau Plan" is revealed for the first time to
the American people in the latest publi-
cation of the Committee on Public Infor-
nation, just issued. entitled German
Treatment Of Conquered Territory" 1t is
based upon unpublished reports to our
Department Of State. and other sources as
yet little known in this country, and pre-
sents an appalling record Of calculated
German greed and brutality. Much Of the
most damnine evidence is derived from
the official orders and other utterances Of
the Germans themselves.
The Rathenau Plan was suggested early
in August. 1914. by DIR. Walter Rathenau.
president Of the General Electric Company
Of Germany. 1t consisted essentially in
the formation. under his direction, of a
bureau to procure an unfailine supply of
essential raw materials for the war, such
as rubber, saltpetre. metals. etc.. both by
purchase in neutral markets and by seizure
in occupied territories. Secretly a more
dastardly purpose was pursued. The
plan aimed not merely at making war
support war by contributions and requisi-
tons forced from the conquered peoples.
II also sought to destroy the industries
among the subject peoples SO that it might
not be possible to build them up again for
some years. II at all. In the meantime,
the German authorities counted upon their
ability to capture the markets Of the world
for their own wares"
As an example Of the deliberate crushing
Of Belgian competition, the case Of the
glass industry is cited. This was one of
the most fiourishine industries Of Belgium
before the war, and German glass manu-
facturers could not compete with it in the
export trade. In the words Of the head of
the German organization of glass manu-
facturers. ut became vital to the German
manufacturers Of glasswares that the Bel
gian manufacturers should be stopped
from going to neutral markets" Accord
ingly. the German administration in. Bel
GUM was appealed to, and it promulgated
IAN order stopping importation. transit
and expectation" of these goods. Seizure
Of Belgian trade secrets was another fea-
ture of this typically German plan.
The extent to which Belgium has been
denuded Of its wealth. war materials. ma
chinery. means Of transport and man power
under this iniquitous plan is almost I'M
believable. IAN crude materials indis-
pensable for Belgian industries" reported
Brand Whitlock. our Minister to Belgium,
as early as August 2. 1915, were requisi-
toned and sent to Germany-leather,
hides. copper. wool. fax. etc. Further
more. II not the entire stock. at least the
greatest number possible Of machinery
parts were shipped to Germany. to be used,
according to German statements. in max
ing munitions which Belgian factories
had refused to produce" Belgian draft
horses. the best in the world. were seized
and sent to Germany to be sold to German
farmers. A long list compiled from the
German official ordinances is given of the
articles ordered seized in Belgium. 1t
comprises some 800 separate items, listed
under such headings as minerals and
metals. chemicals. machinery. food. cloth
ing. textiles. household articles. old ma
terial, oils and explosives, metal products
for industrial establishments, medical sup
plies, etc. The articles range from tung-
stem steel to ground Stag. from electric
condensers and conductors to p.inter's
slugs and matrices. from all grains for
breadmakine to oat straw. from bath tubs
TO stair-carpet rods and doorknobs, from
old rags to the skins. horns. feet. bones
and carcasses Of horses, cattle, goats, rab-
bits. and dogs. Nothing apparently il
overlooked or forgotten in the ruthless rob
berry of the quiverins victim. II is Ger.
man efficiency Joined to German unscrupu.
lousness and disregard Of all rights on the
part of those not able to defend them
selves.
Other chapters In this publication, which
may be obtained free by writing to s
jackson Place. Washington. D. c.. are de
voted to pillage and arson as practiced b,
German officers and troops; to the DELHI
crate burning Of the rich city Of Louvain
on the false charge that the citizens haC
fred on German troops and to the wan
ton destruction Of houses. orchards. anC
every work Of man carried out last sprinS
In northern France when Hindenburg wa,
forced to fall back from the region Of tn,
Somme.
Professor Dana C. Munro. Of Princeton
University. is the compiler. assisted b,
George C. Sellery. Of the University Of Wis.
consin. and August c. Krey. Of the Uni
versity Of Minnesota. The pamphlet /,
part two Of German War Practices" the
first part Of which. by the same authors
was Issued several months ago.
I'm some respects the material in THU
part" write the authors in the introduc
ton. (which deels with the treatment Of