The list of German proclamations issued directly after the invasion of Belgium which we publish to-day deserves study in spite of its length. The object for which the Belgian Commission of Inquiry has collected this list is simply to show the kind of example set by Germany's after which no furth-tale of blood and devastation need cause any surprise. Particular attention may be directed to the contribution of Frs. 3,000,000 exacted of Wavre, which had to be paid in gold; and to the extraordinarily ferocious edict of Major Dieckmann, dated Grivegnée, September 8. After this the laws of Draco, traditionally supposed to be written in blood, appear as the milkiest of milk and water. Two further points may be emphasized: the dictum that there is no crime more horrible than to shoot at a German soldier; the insolent statement that Belgium has put herself outside the pale of civilization by the fact of some of her civilians having dared to take vengeance for the ruining of their homes. But what right had German soldiers to be where Belcian civilians would have any reason to shoot at them? What Power had already put herself outside the pale of civilization by her unprovoked invasion of the country she had pledged herself tu protect? One thinks that the efforts of German professors would be hetter directed in attempt-get his fees.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.