Refusing to sacrifice his independ~ fence to the German Governor imposed on the capital during its oc-Cupation by the enemy, he main-{tained his position ax Burgomaster. When General von. Jarotsky, first occupied Brussels, ordered six beds to be put in the Town Hall for the use of his stall. Burgomaster Max had another bed installed there for himself and resolutely refused to Teave the building, He endeavoured to keep up the courage of his compatriots by issuing posters contradicting the demoralizing 'Ones published by the Germans and protested incessantly against the Violation of the citizens' rights, Burgomaser Max firmly declined to shake hands with the German Gen eral. He maintained his system for the circulation of provision tickets, and when a German officer threatened him," the Burgomaster had him punished.
When he left Brussels, General von Jarotsky expressed his regret. at nol having" met Burgomaster Max happier "circumstances, because he would have been proud, he said, to have been able to call him his friend, General von Jarotsky's place was token by General von Luttwits, who ordered all Belgian fags to be removed. Burgomaster Max thereupon issued a poster in which he described this as an injustice, but asked his citizens to accede, to prevent strife. "But" he added, "we will patiently await the hour of reparation." For this he was threatened with arrest, Dut it was not carried out. His froe-dom, however, was not long-lived.
Arrest and sea The City of Brussels had issued vouchers to an amount of twenty Million frames forthe purchase of fog" The "German "governor, in Giateibutlon of food rations, 4m order ite of prior agreement, stopped the
to obtain an extra tax of thirly mile Von franes, whereupon Burgomaster Max warned all banks that the City longer guaranteed its bonds. This: time he was arrested. On September hho was sent first to Namur, he was later transferred to Celle-Schiows, Cologne, Glatz, Berlin and Goslar.
From Goslar he succeeded in eseaping, on November 13, 1918, with the id of a false passport, written by unself on a. sheet of oficial note paper from the Police Commissary's lown office. He reached Brussels safely days Inter and was given a ebrious reception when he appeared public on Sunday, November 16.
Burgomaster Max was born Brussels on December 31, 1000. was educated at the Athenée Royal de Bruxelles and at the University Jof Brussels, where he took his degree Jot Doctor of Law at the aye of twenty. ie then joined the staff of the news paper "La Liberté" with M. "Paul Hymans, and was one of the founders fof the Jeune Garde de la Ligue Libérate Journaliste. 1
In 1094, he was elected a provincial Jcouncilior, and nine years later a municipal' councillor of the. city. of Brussels. In 1908, he became Sheriff of Public Charities for Brussels and founded the Inter-Suburban Fund for the unemployed. In the following year, on the death of M, de Mot, twas elected Burgomaster of Brussels three weeks before eay.
Many Directly afier his return from imprisonment. in Germany he" was Created a Grana-Oflcer of the Legion In 1820, he was honoured in Eng end in ways, He was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order, given on honorary Doctor's degree atthe University of Aberdeen, made Honorary Fellow of Royal the Institute of" Public Health, Grand Cross Order of the British Honorary Citizen of Edinburgh, In addition to numerous other decorations from Poland, Japan, Italy, China, Panama, Spain, Holland and Denmark, he was elected, in 1994, a member of the French Academy "of Fine Aris as "the man who unites with the highest qualities of the ad= ministrator the virlness of the citizen and the strength of soul of the hero."
Burgomaster Max was beloved not only for his indomitable courage, but also for his kindliness and tack, Short, with a small grey beard, high forehead and piercing eyes, he endeared himself to all who knew him. He was almost invariably dress.
black or dark grey and wore hho decorations unless in full uniform. The short, quick steps with which he moved gave him an air of self-confide ence and assurance,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.