Placard posted on the walls of Lunéville by order of the German authorities:
"Notice to the People.
"Some of the inhabitants of Lunéville made an attack from ambuscade on the German columns and wagons (trains). The same day [some of the] inhabitants shot at sanitary formations marked with the Red Cross. In addition, German wounded and the military hospital containing a German ambulance were fired upon.
"Because of these acts of hostility a fine of 650,000 francs is imposed upon the commune of Lunéville. The mayor is ordered to pay this sum in gold or silver up to 50,000 francs, September 6, 1914, at nine o'clock in the morning, to the representative of the German military authority. All protests will be considered null and void. No delay will be granted.
"If the commune does not punctually obey the order to pay the sum of 650,000 francs, all property that can be levied upon will be seized.
"In case of non-payment, visits from house to house will be made and all the inhabitants will be searched. If anyone knowingly has concealed money or attempted to hold back his goods from the seizure by the military authorities, or if anyone attempts to leave the city, he will be shot.
"The Mayor and the hostages taken by the military authorities will be held responsible for the exact execution of the above orders.
"The Mayor is ordered to publish immediately this notice to the Commune.
"Hénaménil, Sept. 3, 1914.
"The General in Chief,
"von Fasbender."
The German officers were provided with the forms to be used in terrorizing the conquered people. The common soldiers were provided with phrase books which would enable them to impose their will upon the terrified people. Minister Brand Whitlock in his report to the State Department on September 12, 1917, writes:
"The German soldiers were provided with phrase books giving alternate translations in German and French of such sentences as:
"'Hands up.' (It is the very first sentence in the book.)
"'Carry out all the furniture.
"'I am thirsty. Bring me some beer, gin, rum.
"'You have to supply a barrel of wine and a keg of beer.
"'If you lie to me, I will have you shot immediately.
"'Lead me to the wealthiest inhabitants of this village. I have orders to requisition several barrels of wine.
"'Show us the way to ——. If you lead us astray, you will be shot.'"
The system of frightfulness.
The quotations and proclamations printed above show clearly the attitude of mind of the German military authorities. The policy of frightfulness had been exalted into a system with every minute detail worked out in advance. The German War Book with its "cold-blooded doctrines of the nature of war and of the means which may be employed in prosecuting war," did its work in training the German military officials. Of this book it has been well said: "It is the first time in the history of mankind that a creed so revolting has been deliberately formulated by a great civilized State." The generals gave their sanction to this policy of frightfulness. Gen. von Bernhardi was quoted in an interview in the Neue Freie Presse of Vienna, as follows:
"One cannot make war in a sentimental fashion. The more pitiless the conduct of the war, the more humane it is in reality, for it will run its course all the sooner. The war which of all wars is and must be most humane is that which leads to peace with as little delay as possible."
This interview was reproduced in the Berliner Tageblatt of November 20, 1914.
Mr. F.C. Walcott, of the Belgian Relief Commission, tells, in the Geographical Magazine for May, 1917, of meeting Gen-von Bernhardi:
Interview with Bernhardi.