For the guidance of the officers in case the inhabitants of conquered territory should take up arms against the German Army, the _German War Book_ quotes with approval the letter Napoleon sent to his brother Joseph, when the inhabitants of Italy were attempting to revolt against him: "The security of your dominion depends on how you behave in the conquered province. Burn down a dozen places which are not willing to submit themselves. Of course, not until you have first looted them; my soldiers must not be allowed to go away with their hands empty. Have three to six persons hanged in every village which has joined the revolt; pay no respect to the cassock" [that is, to members of the clergy.] [Sidenote: German war proclamations in French translations.] Some of the rules laid down in the _German War Book_ are illustrated and their spirit made more definite in _L'Interprète Militaire_. _Zum Gebrauch im Feindesland_ (Military Interpreter for Use in the Enemy's Country). This is a manual edited at Berlin in 1906. "It contains," says the introduction, "the French translation of the greater part of the documents, letters, and proclamations, and some orders of which it may be necessary to make use in time of war." Thus, eight years before this war began, the German military authorities were not only preparing their officers to wage war in a manner wholly contrary to the Hague regulations, but also were looking forward to the use of these proclamations in French or Belgian territory. Among its forms, ready for use by inserting names, date, and place, are the following: "A fine of 600,000 marks in consequence of an attempt made by ---- to assassinate a German soldier, is imposed on the town of O. By order of ----. "Efforts have been made, without result, to obtain the withdrawal of the fine. "The term fixed for payment expires to-morrow, Saturday, December 17, at noon ----. "Bank notes, cash, or silver plate will be accepted." * * * * * "I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 7th of this month, in which you bring to my notice the great difficulty which you expect to meet in levying the contributions. * * * I can but regret the explanations which you have thought proper to give me on this subject; the order in question which emanates from my Government is so clear and precise, and the instructions which I have received in the matter are so categorical that if the sum due by the town of R---- is not paid the town will be burned down without pity!" * * * * *