"It has been conclusively proven that the road between Sissonne and the railway station of Montaigu was, on September 18th, strewn with broken glass along a distance of one kilometre and at intervals of 50 metres, for the purpose, no doubt, of impeding automobile traffic. "I hold the commune of Sissonne responsible for this act of hostility on the part of its inhabitants and I punish the said commune by levying upon it a contribution of 500,000 francs (five hundred thousand francs). "This sum must be entirely paid into the Treasury of the Etape by October 15th. "The Inspection of the Etape now at Montcornet has been directed to enforce execution of this order. "The General Commander in Chief of the Army. "VON BÜLOW." LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE GERMAN EMPEROR. "MONACO, _Oct. 22nd, 1914_. "SIRE: "I forward to Your Majesty several documents relating to a very grave and urgent matter. [Sidenote: Prince of Monaco writes Emperor William.] "The General von Bülow has caused to be occupied since one month and a half my residence of Marchais, situated at five kilometres from the village of Sissonne. The general has levied upon the fifteen hundred inhabitants of this poor ruined village a war contribution of five hundred thousand francs, of which they are unable to pay more than one-quarter. Moreover, he has sent to me two emissaries bearing a document in which he threatens to destroy my property and the village of Marchais, over and above that of Sissonne, in the event of my not disbursing myself the sum in question before the end of the month of October. "That is how a Prussian general treats a reigning Prince who for 45 years has been a friend to Germany, and who in all the countries of the world is surrounded with respect and gratitude for his work. "In reply to the summons of the General von Bülow I have given my word of honor to complete the above contribution in order to avert a horrible action accomplished in cold blood, but adding that as a sovereign Prince I submit this matter to the judgment of the Emperor by declaring that the said sum shall be paid when the Château de Marchais will be free from the danger of intentional destruction. "I am, with great respect, Your Majesty's devoted servant and cousin, "ALBERT, _Prince of Monaco_." LETTER ADDRESSED TO GEN. VON BÜLOW. "MONACO, _Oct. 22nd, 1914_. "GENERAL: "To avert from the Commune of Sissonne and that of Marchais the rigorous treatment with which you have threatened them, I give my word of honor to remit to His Majesty the Emperor William, should the war come to an end without intentional damage being caused to my residence or to these two communes, the necessary sum to complete the amount of five hundred thousand francs imposed by you upon Sissonne.