South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-26
Brussels Burg0n1aSter Tells of Huns

~ ~
ented himself with a request for the
key % the Gothic hall. the door OF
which was not locked.
81 have not the key with me,
I replied Tell your general that
this night I shall be the sole occu-
pant OF the Hotel de Vile. and
that the door of my room will re-
main unlocked. as viii that OF the
Gothic hall
VI. Max's Resolve.
To those around me in those days
I said, THE situation is grave.
must conduct myself like a man.
am a bachelor. and having no fami-
ly to look after I have no such
excuse 10 make as have some others
who may be tempted to show weak
ness"
one day a German officer. ciga-
rette in mouth and helmet on head,
marched into my room without be-
ing announced. I promptly rebuked
him for his rudeness, and ordered
him out OF the room. The officer
refused to leave. whereupon I ap-
pealed TO Won Jarotsky. who, when
he had heard the facts, turned on
the officer and reprimanded him In
the edifying manner which all junk
ers employ towards their subordi-
mates.
Although It was my constant en-
deavor to keep peace between the
citizens and the German soldiery.
/ refused TO allow any indignity TO
be inflicted on the city or the peo-
pie
one day I noticed some German
soldiers smoking at one Of the win
dows Of the Royal palace. I cried
out to them from the street that
was the burgomaster, and that It
was forbidden 10 smoke in that
building. 1 ordered them to throw
away their cigars and exti1guish
their pipes They obeyed me at
once.
/ also issued the following proc
lamation: Il learn that in certain
quarters OF the town, people pre-
tending TO act in the name Of the
communal administration, have
been going from door 10 door bid
ding the inhabitants remove the ma
tional flag from the fronts Of their
houses. I wish TO make II known
that administration has given no per
son any order so at variance with
the patriotic sentiment which IL has
always shown"
Fight Against German Rapacity.
The chief reason for my arrest
was perhaps. my resistance TO the
German demand for a war contribu-
ton. After almost interminable
discussions I had come 10 an agree
ment TO pay a sum Of 2O,OOO,OOO
francs instead of the $4,000 900 war
contribution. But I insisted that the
sum contributed should be eXpend-
ed only on acquisitions; that not
penny of il should be regarded as
war contribution
This proposal of mine was pro-
visionally agreed upon, and 5000
I 600 had already been paid over.
There was still the 4,Go0 600 mil
lions due when Gen. Won Luttwitz
suddenly declared that the 20,00O,O00
were only to be regarded as pay
ment on account Of the total war
contribution Of 50,0O0,000.
protested. and refused TO pay
/ the 100000 unless under guarantee
/ that it was to be employed solely
/ for acquisitions.
The German governor then posted
Iup placards announcing that all re-
/ QUESTIONS would no longer he paid
/ for in cash. but with German re-
ouisition bonds Thereupon l wrote
\ to the principal bankers forbidding
them to pay these requ.sition bonds.
one Of these letters came into the
possession Of Won Luttwitz, who on
! Saturday. Sept 26. sent for me.
VI. Max Arrested.
He demanded 10 know if 1 had
written the letter l answered in
the affirmative. and endeavored to
exp1ain the reason for writing It.
They refused to listen 20 me. and l
was told that I was arrested.
The following day the Germans
I ..-~.~r-rN-r-r-Ta DN DACE- 2