The Martyrdom of Belgium: Official Report of Massacres of Peaceable Citizens, Women and Children by The German Army — John Shaqi
The Martyrdom of Belgium: Official Report of Massacres of Peaceable Citizens, Women and Children by The German ArmyBelgium. Commission d'enquête sur la violation des règles du droit des gens, des lois et des coutumes de la guerre
History
The Martyrdom of Belgium: Official Report of Massacres of Peaceable Citizens, Women and Children by The German Army
Belgium. Commission d'enquête sur la violation des règles du droit des gens, des lois et des coutumes de la guerre
World War, 1914-1918 -- Atrocities
In short, according to the German idea, the recognized Laws of War,
as understood by civilized nations, are to be practised by Germany
only when found convenient. The alleged killing of one German soldier
in Aerschot led to the destruction of the whole town and the massacre
of many innocent citizens. It was contrary to Law, but it was in
accordance with the spirit of the German Military Code of 1902.
The German Army invaded Belgium with the full intention, in case of
resistance, of carrying on a war of terror by means of massacre,
robbery and destruction--a war to “destroy the material and moral
resources of the enemy.” Moreover, the German officers were provided
with forms drawn up in the French language to facilitate them,
especially in their work of robbery and arson.
They do not seem to have needed anything to facilitate them in their
work of massacre.
These forms are found in a book published at Berlin by Bath, in 1906,
entitled “The Military Interpreter,” destined for the use of German
officers “in the enemy’s country,” which seems to be a French speaking
country such as Belgium or France, as the forms are drawn up in French.
The book contains, to quote its introduction, “the French text of the
majority of the documents, letters, proclamations and other forms which
may be needed in time of war.”
Among these interesting documents we find the following form to be
used by officers when wishing to rob a whole city at once. It will be
observed that the pretended excuse for the robbery is supplied. The
document is as follows:
“A fine of 600,000 marks, on account of the attempted assassination of
a German soldier by a .........., has been imposed upon the City of
O......... by order of...........
“Fruitless efforts have been made to secure the remittance or
reduction of this fine.
“The limit of time fixed for the payment of the fine expires tomorrow,
Saturday, December 17th, at noon.
“Bank Notes, Coin, or Silverware will be accepted.”
The general outline of this useful form was followed by General Baron
von Leutwitz when on November 1st, 1914, he imposed upon the City of
Brussels “an additional fine of Five Million Francs” on account of an
alleged altercation between a Belgian policeman, named De Ryckere, and
a German soldier.
Here is another form, intended to give an air of justification to an
act of robbery:
“The German authorities, having demanded a war contribution of two
million francs from the city of M........., because its inhabitants
fired upon the German troops when entering the city, and the
municipality having declared that it has not the necessary funds
and that it cannot find such funds among the citizens, the German
authorities demand a settlement by bills of exchange.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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