The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-01-04
huns" IMPOSED
ABSURD fines
State Department Archives al
Washington Record the
Story Of Sissonne.
COMMUNE UNABLE TO PAY
Won Bueiow, on That Account, Threat.
ened to Destroy Home Of Prince
Of Monaco, Who Appealed to
President Wilson.

The universally condemned Ger
r'san system Of ertorting money from
"aptured communities Is shoun BY
he ~folloming documents published
By tie committee IN public informa-
ton:
A striking illustration OF the fierce
brutality OF German methods is CON
aimed In the archives of the state de-
%par.,ment. because the prince Of Mon
tco appealed to President Wilson
against the injustice OF a fine imposed
upon a sulall and Impoverished vii
3age. The following documents from
the state department archives tell the
story. They need no comments.
Paris, Oct. 81, 1914.
Secretary OF State, Washington.
Prince OF Monaco called this morn
ing and asked that the following case
be submitted to the president:
prince states that General Won
EueioW for weeks has been inhabiting
princes ancestral chateau near
ASSihIc, 8iStOItIui iIONItIcut. cUIllGlu-
ing works of art aud family heir
looms that Won Buelov. has imposed
fine Of 100000 francs OH village Of
SiSsonne some miles distant from chat
cuu. because Of broken glass found on
road near village. Sissonne being un-
able alone to pay has raised with a
number Of other neighboring villages
$4,000 francs, but Won Buelow has
sent two messengers from Sissonne to
prince that unless latter pays fine for
Sissonne the chateau and adjoining vii
iaec. rs We'll as SissOnne. will be de-
>iroyed on November 1st. Prince
has answered refusing to pay sum now
but willing to give his word to Ger
man emperor that amount would be
paid after removal Of danger OF fresh
war incidents. Prince now fearful
Test returning messengers, as we'll as
maie employees on his estate, be shot
because OF refusal to pay.
II have arranged meeting this after
noon between Spanish ambassador and
prince. To WHOM l have suggested that
matter be presented TO German gov
e.rnment through Spanish ambassador
at Berlin inaslnuch as princes threat
encd property Is in France.
"HERR1Ck."
Won Bue!oW's Threat.
ITO the Mayor Of the Commune OF
SiSsonnc.
1T has been conclusiyely proven
That the road between Sissonne and the
railway station OF MOntaigu was. on
September 18th, strewn with broken
glass along a distance Of II kilome-
ter and at intervals of 30 meters. for
The purpose. no doubt. OF impeding
automobile traffic.
II hold the OF Sissonne
responsible for this act of hostility
an the part of rs inhabitants, and |
punish the said community by levying
upon it a contribution of 100000
francs Give hundred thousand
francS).
into the treasury Of the Etape by De-
totser 18th.
ssThe inspection OF the Etape now
at MOntcornet has been directed to
enforce execution of this order.
The General Commander in Chief Of
the Army.
"vON RUELOW."
Protest Of Prince Of Monaco.
Monaco, Oct. o2nd, 1914.
tSire:
II forward to your majesty several
documents relating to a very grave
aud urgent matter.
.s11ne General Won BuelOw has caused
to be occupied since u month and
a half my residence Of Marchais, sit
nated ut five kilometers from he vii
,nyc OF Sissonne. The general hns lev
led upon the 1900 inhabitants Of this
poor ruined village a war contribution
Of 500, 600 francs. OF which they are
unnble to pay more than one-quar-
ter. Moreover, he has sent to me two
rmissaries bearing a document in
which lie threatens to destroy my
property and the village of Marchais,
over and above that Of Sissonne, in the
event Of my not disbursing myself the
Aim in question before the end OF the
alontil OF October.
.srhat is how a Prussian general
treats n reigning prince who for 40
years has been a friend to Germany,
and who In all the countries Of the
world is surrounded with respect and
gratitude for his work.
I'm reply to the ummon Of the
~,:pneral Won BuelOw l have given my
word Of honor to complete the Q
contribution in order to avert q hor-
CONVERSATIONS