Great Britain -- Defenses; Imaginary wars and battles
The original proclamation had been found pasted by some unknown hand
upon a barn door near the town of Billericay, and had been detached and
brought to London in a motor-car by a correspondent.
It showed plainly the German intention was to deal a hard and crushing
blow, and it struck terror into the heart of London, for it read as will
be seen on next page.
Upon the walls of the Mansion House, the Guildhall, outside the Bank of
England, the Royal Exchange, upon the various public buildings within
the city wards, and westward beyond Temple Bar, proclamations were being
posted. Indeed, upon all the hoardings in Greater London appeared
various broadsheets side by side. One by the Chief Commissioner of
Police, regulating the traffic in the streets, and appealing to the
public to assist in the preservation of order; and a Royal Proclamation,
brief but noble, urging every Briton to do his duty, to take his part in
the defence of King and country, and to unfurl the banner of the British
Empire that had hitherto carried peace and civilisation in every quarter
of the world. Germany, whose independence had been respected, had
attacked us without provocation; therefore hostilities were, alas,
inevitable.
When the great poster printed in big capitals and headed by the Royal
Arms made its appearance it was greeted with wild cheering.
It was a message of love from King to people--a message to the highest
and to the lowest. Posted in Whitechapel at the same hour as in
Whitehall, the throngs crowded eagerly about it and sang "God Save our
Gracious King," for if they had but little confidence in the War Office
and Admiralty, they placed their trust in their Sovereign, the first
diplomat in Europe. Therefore the loyalty was spontaneous, as it always
is. They read the royal message, and cheered and cheered again.
As evening closed in yet another poster made its appearance in every
city, town, and village in the country, a poster issued by military and
police officers, and naval officers in charge of dockyards--the order
for mobilisation.
PROCLAMATION.
WE, GENERAL COMMANDING THE 3rd GERMAN ARMY,
HAVING SEEN the proclamation of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor
William, King of Prussia, Chief of the Army, which authorises
the generals commanding the different German Army Corps to
establish special measures against all municipalities and
persons acting in contradiction to the usages of war, and to
take what steps they consider necessary for the well-being of
the troops.
HEREBY GIVE PUBLIC NOTICE:
(1) THE MILITARY JURISDICTION is hereby established. It applies
to all territory of Great Britain occupied by the German Army,
and to every action endangering the security of the troops by
rendering assistance to the enemy. The Military Jurisdiction
will be announced and placed vigorously in force in every parish
by the issue of this present proclamation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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