The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-01-02
LAWS OF OCCUPATION.

In view OF the PROBABILITY That the f1uicA
troops will remain in the Rhinelands Of Germany
for some time to come, it is interesting to know
the exact status Of these troops their duties, and
the scope and limitations of their powers. It
may not be generally known that such an army
of occupation is bound by definitely laid down
rules of international law, and these rules cover
almost every emergency which might arise.
One of the first rules laid down is that the
commander-in-chief of an army of occupation
cannot compel any of the inhabitants to take an
oath Of allegiance of any kind. The Germans in
the Rhinelands will, hwoever, be expected to help
the French, British and American armies in ev-
cry way they are asked except war work Of any
kind, and to obey any reasonable orders that
may be given to them.
None of the ordinary civil laws will be altered
in the occupied German territory, and if Ger
man commits crime that is not crime,
he will be punished in his own law courts, which
will carry on much as though there were no army
of occupation
If he commits any crime against our troops,
however, as for example, attempting to shoot
soldier or assault him, he will be dealt with
by one of the Allied military courts and not by
his own judges.
The financial affairs Of the Rhinelands come
under the control of the Allies commander -in-
chief. He will appoint officials to collect all the
proper taxes already in force, and after he has
paid the expenses of collection to the officials and
so on, he what remains for the Allied
troops.
But if he collects local taxes such as the poor
rate, he must not take any part of it for the use
of the army, but use it for the purpose for which
it is collected Only State taxes, such as the
tobacco tax can be taken by the army of occu-
patton.
The Allied armies take over the administration
of all means Of transport, public and private, in
the Rhinelands. All railways, motor cars, horse
and canal traffic, will be under their control, as
well as the telegraphs and telephons. A German
may, if he likes, send private telegram, how
ever, so long as the wires are not being used by
the military.
One of the most stringent laws which is laid
down for an army of occupation is that it shall
allow absolute freedom of worship; but, the
other hand, the clergy must not make any re-
ference from their pulpits to incite their con-
gregations against the troops.
The Allied commander-in-chief,t too, will allow
all schools to continue though the Allied troops
weren't there, but here again the teachers must
not say anything against the Allied soldiers.
The Germans in the occupied territories will
not be allowed to communicate with the German
government in Berlin save for peaceful purposes.
They are not allowed to take any orders from
Berlin except those of which the Allies approve,
or they are liable to be shot at once.
One Of the strictest laws about occupied terri
tory applies to the press. The Allied command
er-in-chief is allowed to suppress any German
newspaper he likes in the occupied territory, and
limit the circulation of any he allows to be pub
ished. He will probably order, for this is the
usual custom, that one more copies of every
newspaper shall be read in proof by the Allied
-
AS long the Germans refrain from hostile
acts however, the life of an ordinary civilian in
the occupied country under the Allies will not be
very different from when it was unoccupied. He
won't be quite as free in his movements, that is
all.
WORK OF RED CROSS
Provost Marshall General Crowder is of the
opinion that THE work of the Red Cross will be
increased rather than diminished by the arrival
of peace. Discussing the Christmas roll call of