The only serious difference between the two texts was that at Liége the burgomaster of Brussels guaranteed the truth of the _communiqué_. So the impression was given that it was Herr von Kolewe who had the idea of bringing M. Max's name into this ridiculous statement, in the hope of giving it some weight. But no! Von Kolewe was innocent of the forgery; it was the work of the German General Staff, and was distributed by the Wolff Agency, as we learned a little later. The Liége _communiqué_ is precisely the official German telegram as published everywhere--for example, in _Les Nouvelles_, "published by the authorization of the German Military Authority," at Spa, on the 30th August, 1914; by the _N.R.C._, on the 28th August; by the _K.Z._ (see _Kriegs-Depeschen_, p. 41); and by the _Frankfurter Zeitung_ (see _Der Grosse Krieg_, p. 172). What, then, is the meaning of the first telegram posted in Brussels--that of the 25th August, in which no mention of the burgomaster occurs? Simply this: the German Government was announcing to the whole world an item of "news" whose improbability required to be supported by the word of an honest man, such as the burgomaster of Brussels. A lie so gross and flagrant might be published at Liége, but not in Brussels itself. Unfortunately the Germans had not succeeded in cutting off communication between Liége and Brussels; on the day after its appearance the Liége placard had reached M. Max, and he was able to issue his famous denial. The effect was tremendous. From that moment the people of Brussels no longer believed any "official news."[36] Did the Germans make any attempt to reply to the denial? None: why attempt the impossible? But they prohibited, with their usual heaviness, the publication of any placards, even by the municipality. IMPORTANT NOTICE. The publication of placards, unless they have received my special permission, is strictly prohibited, those of the municipality of the city being included. (_Signed_) VON LÜTTWITZ, _General_. Translated into the vulgar tongue this means: "When we Germans lie we do not wish attention called to the fact." _How the Officers Lie to their Men._