As to the fate which awaits the hostages if the German army is attacked, it is plainly stipulated in the proclamations: they will be shot, "without previous judicial formalities." Thus, it would have been enough for a Belgian patrol to renew its usual activities near Forest, and two hostages would have immediately been shot "without previous judicial formalities." GENERAL GOVERNMENT IN BELGIUM. TO THE PEOPLE OF FOREST. Despite my repeated warnings attacks have again been made during the last few days by the civil population of the neighbourhood against German troops, and also upon the railway between Brussels and Mons. By the order of the Military Governor-General of Brussels each locality must consequently provide hostages. Thus at Forest the following are arrested: (1) M. Vanderkindere, Communal Councillor. (2) M. le curé François. I proclaim that these hostages will immediately be shot without previous judicial formalities if any attack occurs on the part of the population upon our troops or the railway lines occupied by us, and that moreover the most severe reprisals will be carried out against the commune of Forest. I request the population to keep calm and to refrain from all violence; in this case it will not suffer the slightest harm. THE COMMANDANT OF THE LANDSTURM, HALBERSTADT BATTALION, VON LESSEL. FOREST, _26th September, 1914_. If hostages try to escape they will be hanged and their village burned. WARNING. As fresh attempts at assassination have been made upon persons forming part of the German army I have had persons from many localities arrested as hostages. These will guarantee with their lives that no inhabitant will again dare to commit a malevolent action against German soldiers or attempt to damage the railway, telegraph or telephone line, or other objects useful to the operations of our army. Persons not belonging to the army surprised in committing such actions will be shot or hanged. The hostages of the surrounding localities will suffer the same fate. I shall then have the neighbourhood burned to the last house, even if important towns are in question. If the hostages attempt to escape the locality to which they belong will be burned, and if captured the hostages will be hanged. All inhabitants who give proof of their goodwill toward our troops are assured of the safety of their lives and property. THE COMMANDANT ENTRUSTED WITH THE PROTECTION OF THE RAILWAYS, FREIHERR VON MALZAHN. (_Posted at Spa, Aywaille, Châtelineau.... 17th August, 1914._) We do not know if hostages were shot or hanged in Belgium. But in the north of France, according to a military correspondent of the _K.Z._, at least one hostage was killed; this assassination was the more criminal in that it punished not a hostile act of the inhabitants, but a perfectly normal and regular operation of war: a bombardment. A WAR PICTURE.