To give a complete idea of the administrative methods employed by the Germans against our country, it will be as well rapidly to describe how they behaved in a certain locality immediately after proceeding against the "francs-tireurs." Hitherto we have dealt only with places where they did not have to carry out "reprisals." We will now select Andenne, on account of the particularly savage character of the "repression" which drenched this unhappy town with blood and fire. Here are the facts in their tragic sequence:—
The German patrol which penetrated into the town on the 19th August, 1914, went straight to the house of the communal receiver and seized the funds: 2,232 frs.
On the following day the bulk of the troops arrived. That evening, between 6 and 9 p.m., a very sharp fusillade broke out. Immediately the civilians were accused of having fired, and the troops began to shoot down the inhabitants and burn the houses.
On the following morning—the 21st August—all the inhabitants not yet shot were driven into the Place des Tilleuls. The men were herded on one side, the women on the other. From time to time Major Scheunemann, who commanded the operations, had a few men shot, sometimes before the whole population, sometimes a little apart. During the morning the soldiers dragged the corpse of the burgomaster, Dr. Camus, into the Place. As soon as Major Scheunemann learned of the death of the first magistrate, he appointed as burgomaster M. de Jaer, who was one of the group of persons waiting their turn to be shot. From that moment the order was given to kill no more; they contented themselves with sack and pillage. There were then 300 houses burned at Andenne and at Seilles, and 300 inhabitants were shot (11th Report).
We will confine ourselves, as regards the events which followed the burning and the massacre, to reprinting the placard posted at Andenne during the first ten days of the occupation:—
Inhabitants of Andenne.
By order of the German military authority occupying the town of Andenne:—
All the men are held as hostages.
Per shot fired on the German troops, there will be at least two hostages shot.
The hostages will be fed by the women, who will carry them the necessaries close to the bridge at 6 in the evening and 8 in the morning.
Women are strictly forbidden to converse with the hostages.
All the streets and public places will immediately be cleaned by all the women of the town, on pain of immediate arrest.
It is strictly forbidden to move about the town after 7 in the evening and before 7 in the morning, on pain of severe repression.
The dead will immediately be buried without any formality.
Young people over 14 and the women must give their assistance in every case of requisition.
It is strictly forbidden to show oneself at the windows.
By order of the German military authority,
The Burgomaster Designate,
E. de Jaer.The Secretary,
Monrique.
Andenne, the 31st August, 1914.
Proclamation.[46]
On the 20th August of this year there was firing from numerous houses of the town of Andenne on the German troops who were passing through the town; bombs also were thrown. It is certain that the first outbreak of firing occurred, according to a certain plan, at precisely the same time in several streets: in the Rue Brun, the Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville, the Place des Tilleuls, and several other streets. A number of soldiers have been killed or wounded and war material damaged.
After denying the first attacks, there was again firing from many houses for several hours, and again on the 21st August, at two o'clock in the afternoon, an under-officer was killed by a shot from one of the houses in the Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville.
Those guilty inhabitants who have hitherto been found have been shot by the Council of War, but it was not possible to find the persons who arranged the plot.
We appeal, however, to the honour of the City of Andenne, which appears in the eyes of the civilized world as a nest of murderers and bandits.
Perhaps it is possible to restore the honour of this town; this is why the inhabitants are invited, in their own interest, to communicate to the military authority all that may make it possible to make progress in revealing the plot and its authors.
He who delivers proofs capable [of revealing, etc.] receives according to their value a reward of 500-1000 frs.
The measures which have been taken will or might be sooner mitigated as soon as inquiry shall have made progress to make known the guilty.
The Commandant of the City.
Andenne, the 22nd August, 1914.
Andenne, Sunday, 23rd August, 1914.
Official Notice.
Between Saarburg and Metz there has been a great battle. The German troops have made 21,000 French prisoners.
Long live His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia and Margrave of Brandenburg!
Scheunemann,
Major and Chief of Department.Official Notice.
The revictualling of the population will be effected by the efforts of the Military Administration, assisted by the Civil Administration of Andenne constituted by the German Government, as far as possible.
1. In this connection, the sale of provisions and commodities is strictly forbidden.
2. Householders are advised to report at once the quantity of their provisions. Commodities will be taken for cash or redeemable voucher.
3. It would be in the interest of the population to announce exactly the quantity of their provisions.
4. Provisions not exceeding two days for the family need not be reported.
5. All the available forces of the commune are in the care of the Administration for the harvest.
Properties abandoned will be harvested as the rest.
The Commandant of the Town of Andenne.
27th August, 1914.
Proclamation.
I have confidence in the Administration and in the population, that now each will be careful to obey as strictly as possible the orders of the Kommandantur in order to soften as far as possible the misfortune caused by the criminal deeds of a few inhabitants.
This is why I object to all that prevents the free circulation of the inhabitants. I trust that none of the inhabitants of Andenne and Seilles will make use of their liberty save for the prosperity of the commune.
The Administrations of Andenne and Seilles are working with me day and night to bring about a settled state of affairs.
All questions of revictualling and welfare must be addressed directly to the Administrations of Andenne and Seilles, which have also the power to require the inhabitants to work.
The German Army displays the greatest severity and energy if it is perfidiously attacked by the inhabitants, but it sincerely desires to use justice and humanity towards the people, if the conduct of the inhabitants permit.
Der Kommandant,
Schultze,
Hauptmann.Andenne, 25th August, 1914.
To the Inhabitants of Andenne.
We call the attention of the population to the proclamation which the Military Commandant has just handed to us on leaving.
I am leaving this town in the expectation that it will perform, as during the last few days, and also in the future, all that may ensure orderly conduct towards the German Army.
I hand over the new bridge to the town for its use, and require it to be responsible for its safety and to maintain it in good condition.
For the present a small garrison will remain here, which will be fed and lodged by the town.
If all energies are permanently directed upon the prosperity of the town of Andenne and Seilles these localities will soon be cured of the grave wounds which the war has inflicted upon these communes, by their own fault.
Schultze,
Hauptmann.Andenne, 28th August, 1914.
We are profiting by this occasion to congratulate and to thank the inhabitants of Andenne for the admirable manner in which they have behaved, during these latter days, and we urge them strongly to assist the Communal Administration to repair as far possible the great misfortunes which we have experienced.
The Burgomaster delegated by
the Military Authority,
E. de Jaer.The Secretary,
Monrique.
Andenne, 28th August, 1914.Proclamation.[47]
1. From Saturday, 29th August, 1914, midday, all the clocks must be set to the German time (one hour earlier).
2. Assemblies of more than three persons are strictly forbidden under penalty of fines.
3. To move about after 8 p.m. the authorization of M. le Commandant is required.
4. Arms must be deposited with the guard at the Casino, by noon on the 29th inst.
Where arms are still found in the houses after this date, the householder will be hanged.
5. The German troops requiring absolute tranquillity, workmen can return to work at once. Tho least revolt on the part of the inhabitants will result in the complete burning of the town, and the men will be hanged.
Simons,
Lieut.-Col. and Commander-in-Chief.
Becker,
Captain and Commander-in-Chief.