“This abominable decree, whose existence Grumbach thus revealed, is now known in its entirety. It is to be found in ‘The Official Bulletin of Upper Alsace,’ No. 25, June 21, 1919. Its title is ‘Decree Relative to Citizens of Alsace-Lorraine in Renewable Detachment’ (sic). Order is given to the municipalities to draw up lists of citizens of Alsace-Lorraine in renewable detachment.
“And here is what Article 2 of this strange decree says:
“1. Every citizen of Alsace-Lorraine whose class has not yet been demobilized in France, and who notably appears to be a disorderly element, shall be immediately, upon the order of the Commandant of the District, arrested by the police and turned over to the military authorities.
“His papers will be sent by the Commandant to the commanding general of the territory, who, after inquiry, will command the return of the arrested man:
“To his old organization if he was a volunteer in the French army;
“To the Alsace-Lorraine depot in Paris if he is a former prisoner of the Allied armies, or a liberated German soldier.
“2. Citizens of Alsace-Lorraine whose class has been demobilized in France.
“Any of these men who notably appears to be a disorderly element shall be arraigned by request of the Commissaries of theRepublic before the Commission de Triage under the same classification as undesirable civilian citizens of Alsace-Lorraine.
“Strasbourg, 24 May, 1919.
“Commissary General of the Republic,