THE KAISER AND THE KING OF BAVARIA IN FRONT OF THE RUINS IN THE RUE DE TOURNAI (PLACE DE LA GARE).
THE REIGN OF TERROR
Prohibitory Decrees followed in quick succession, in an endeavour to terrorize the people, who were forbidden to possess arms, approach the prisoners, import Belgian tobacco, or sell their wares in the streets, breaches being punished often with vindictive severity. Two of the first victims were the Prefect (M. Trépont) and his secretary (M. Borromée), the former accused of treason, the latter of stirring up revolt against the German Authorities. Their "crime" was that, on August 24th, in conformity with their duty, they had mobilized the French citizens, within sight of the enemy. They were roughly handled at the time by the German soldiers, and would probably have been shot, but for the intervention of one of the University professors (M. Piquet), who, acting as interpreter, managed to smooth matters over. After being closely watched and spied on, they were arrested on February 17th, 1915. M. Borromée was tried by Court-Martial on March 13th, and sent to prison at Alrath. Nine months later (December 27th, 1915), his release was obtained through diplomatic representations. The Prefect was sent as hostage first to Rastatt, then to Cellaschloss in Hanover, and his liberation was only obtained on January 17th, 1916.
In April, 1915, a system of Roll Calls was inaugurated, to prepare the way for the wholesale deportations which followed. At a given time and place, the people were required to present themselves, with a small quantity of baggage. Absentees were first fined, then imprisoned, the penalty increasing in severity with each succeeding "offence."
Domiciliary searches were carried out at all hours of the day and night, for hidden soldiers, arms, carrier-pigeons, smuggled French newspapers, and the like.
Then, as if fines, imprisonment and starving were not punishment enough, the Germans started shooting.
NOTICE
The undermentioned persons were tried by Court-Martial and shot to-day at the Citadel: