“All the French, though civilians, were shot,” writes another, “_if they only looked suspicious or ill-disposed_. We shot them all: men and even young boys.” “I have seen three convoys of French peasants pass by,” writes a third; “all will be shot.” An officer admits that the allegation that civilians took part in the fighting is a mere excuse. “_We shall say_,” he writes, “_that it was not the civilians who fired_, but it was the custom-house officers and foresters.” The same admission is also made by a Saxon officer of the 178th regiment, who writes: “Near Lisogne, the 23rd August. The company lost its way. Our men say that they could not advance any further, as francs-tireurs were firing upon them from the houses. _We seized these alleged francs-tireurs, placed them in three ranks so that a single shot would hit three men at once._” Lieutenant Eberlein, who (in the _Münchener Neueste Nachrichten_) tells the story of the barbarous manner in which the troops entered Saint Dié, added on his part: “Everybody who showed himself in the streets was shot.” On the other hand, the commandant of the garrison of Hay was so enraged at the disgraceful conduct of the troops that he issued the following order of the day, which constitutes a terrible accusation against the Germans— “25th August, 1914. “Last night a terrible fusillade took place. It has not been proved that the inhabitants of the town were still in possession of arms. Neither has it been proved that civilians took part in the firing. _On the contrary, according to all appearances the soldiers were under the influence of alcohol, and opened fire through incomprehensible fear of an enemy attack._ “_The conduct of the soldiers_, with few exceptions, _appears to have been disgraceful_. “When officers, or non-commissioned officers set fire to houses without permission or order of the commandant, or at least of the senior officer, and encourage their troops to burn and pillage, it is an act in the highest degree to be deplored. “I expect that in every case strict instructions shall be given as to the attitude to be observed towards the life and property of civilians. I forbid any one to fire into a town without the order of an officer. “The regrettable conduct of the troops has had the result that a non-commissioned officer and a soldier have been seriously wounded by German fire. “VON BASSEWITZ (Major), “Commandant.” Even the proclamations issued by the German authorities show for what hateful purposes the hostages were taken away, and how precarious was their condition as soon as the slightest check was inflicted on the German troops, or the slightest attack was made upon them.