p train. They left
here for Mons, and goodness only knows what adventures they have been
through since we last saw them.

* * * * *

_Brussels, September 3, 1914._--This afternoon, at four o'clock, von der
Goltz (Field-Marshal Baron von der Goltz Pacha, to be exact) arrived
with a staff of seven officers to make a formal call. A crowd quickly
gathered in the street, as their big gray military cars snorted up to
the door. All the neighbourhood was in a great state of excitement. The
great man is pretty old and doddery, wears spectacles about an inch
thick, and a large collection of decorations. His staff was also
brilliant in decorations and silver helmets, etc. I met them at the foot
of the stairs, and escorted them up. The Marshal is apparently blind as
a bat, for he never turned on the landings and would have walked
straight into the walls if I had not steered him around the corners.

After one good look we decided that he was to be a figure head and leave
the real work to the troop of officers and functionaries he had brought
with him.

It was supposed to be a purely formal call, but the old gentleman seemed
to have no thought of leaving, and did not budge for half an hour. The
conversation was not thrilling.

They finally left after much clicking of heels, and the bemonocled Count
Ortenburg nearly broke his neck by tripping over his sword. However, we
got them safely out of the house, while all the servants leaned out of
the windows and took in the show.

The new Governor-General has addressed a Proclamation to the Belgian
people, and has had it posted on the walls:

PROCLAMATION.

His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, after the occupation of the
greater part of Belgian territory, has been pleased to appoint me
Governor-General in Belgium. I have established the seat of the
General Government in Brussels.

By His Majesty's orders, a civil administration has been
established with the General Government. His Excellency Herr von
Sandt has been made Chief of this Administration.

The German armies advance victoriously in France. My task will be
to preserve quiet and public order in Belgium.

Every act of the population against the German military forces,
every attempt to interfere with their communications with Germany,
to trouble or cut railway, telegraph or telephone