The German Fury in Belgium: Experiences of a Netherland Journalist during four months with the German Army in BelgiumMokveld, L. (Lambertus)
History
The German Fury in Belgium: Experiences of a Netherland Journalist during four months with the German Army in Belgium
Mokveld, L. (Lambertus)
Belgium -- History -- German occupation, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918 -- Atrocities
The next morning was Sunday, and the bells summoned the people to
church. But nobody went, nobody dared to appear in the street, although
prayer-book and rosary are always in everybody's hands during these
days. I had decided to go to the second Mass, but as nobody had come
to the first, there was no second. The Dean himself said that the
people were quite right not to come to church. The previous Sunday
the Germans, who had entered Lanaeken suddenly, had posted themselves
in front of the church, where the believers attended Holy Mass, and
ordered the women and children to leave the church, but the men to
stay. When all the women and children had left, the Germans entered
the building and ... found not a single man, for all had left quickly
by the back door. A veritable battue was held in the whole district
for lads and young men, who were all taken away as prisoners by the
Germans, because during the last few days great numbers had escaped to
the north and enlisted as volunteers in the army.
I went to the commander's office, and on the way copied the following
Proclamation:--
"PROCLAMATION
"Private motor-cars, motor-bicycles, and bicycles are only allowed
to move about in the districts occupied by the German army if
driven by German soldiers, or the chauffeur possesses a licence.
These licences are only issued by the local commanders, and only in
urgent cases. The motor-cars, motor-bicycles, and bicycles will be
seized if this rule is infringed. Anyone who tries to push through
the German outposts shall be shot at, as also anyone who approaches
them in such a manner that he seems to be a spy.
"Should telegraph- or telephone-wires be cut in the neighbourhood
of towns and villages, these places will be sentenced to pay a
war-contribution, whether the inhabitants are guilty or not.
"The Governor-General of Belgium.
BARON VON DER GOLTZ,
_Field-Marshal_."
At the station Major Krittel was engaged in examining a civilian
and his wife. The man had been found in a field; both shook from
nervous excitement and wept profusely. The major spoke calmly and
encouragingly, and after a short examination both got their liberty.
Major Krittel was also very kind to me again, but asked emphatically
whether I knew that writing false news exposed me to the danger of
capital punishment. I answered that I was firmly convinced of that. He
then gave me another proclamation to read in which this was mentioned,
and I asked and got permission to put the document in my pocket. It
runs as follows:--
"TONGRES.
"24.9.1914,
"PROCLAMATION
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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