In the following pages we shall first of all examine the _violation of Belgian neutrality by Germany_, then the _infractions of the Hague Convention of 18th October, 1907_. We shall be careful to invoke only _precise and unquestionable facts_; but for that matter the number of German infractions of the law of nations in Belgium is so enormous that we have been able provisionally to exclude all those which are not established in the most positive manner. At the same time we shall endeavour to derive from these facts a few indications as to our enemies' manner of thinking. This last will be studied in further detail in a third chapter: _German Mentality Self-depicted_. INTELLECTUAL LIFE IN BELGIUM. A few words as to the documents utilized. As the Germans occupied our country they took pains to isolate us from the rest of the world. They immediately suppressed all our journals, as these naturally refused to submit to their censorship. At the same time the Germans forced certain journals to reappear; notably _L'Ami de l'Ordre_, at Namur, and _Le Bien Public_, at Gand. The first of these journals took care frankly to inform its readers that the military authorities were forcing it to continue publication. As for foreign newspapers, their introduction was forbidden under heavy penalties. _Prohibition of Newspapers and Verbal Communications._[2] OFFICIAL NOTICE. Although the District Commandant[3] is continually causing authentic news of the military operations to be published, the foreign newspapers are intentionally publishing false news. It is brought to the knowledge of the public that it is therefore strictly forbidden to any one whomsoever to introduce into Spa and the surrounding district newspapers other than German, without the previous authorization of the District Commandant. Offenders will be punished according to the laws of war. The same penalties will be applied to those who have verbally spread false news. THE DISTRICT COMMANDANT, ASKE, _Colonel_. SPA, _22nd September, 1914_. (_Placard posted at Spa._) NOTICE. I call the attention of the population of Belgium to the fact that the sale and distribution of newspapers and of all news reproduced by letterpress or in any other manner which is not expressly authorized by the German censorship is strictly prohibited. Every offender will be immediately arrested and punished by a long term of imprisonment. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL IN BELGIUM, BARON VON DER GOLTZ, _Field-Marshal_. BRUSSELS, _4th November, 1914_. (_Posted in Brussels._) MILITARY COURT. In pursuance of 18, 2 of the Imperial decree of 28th December 1899, the following persons have been punished:-- (_a_) The coal-merchant Jules Pousseur, of Jambes, with 2 months' imprisonment and a fine of 100 marks, or 20 days' additional imprisonment.