rmed the German Commander that
the French Government has declared to the Belgian Government the
impossibility of giving them any offensive assistance whatever, as
they themselves are forced to adopt the defensive."

_I absolutely deny this assertion._

ADOLPHE MAX,
_Burgomaster._

[Footnote 8: The German point of view was set forth in the following
official notice:

"The German Government had ordered the cash payment of requisition,
naturally believing that the city would voluntarily pay the whole
of the forced payment (_contribution de guerre_) imposed upon it.

"It was only this condition that could justify the favoured
treatment enjoyed by Brussels, as distinguished from the other
cities of Belgium which will not have their requisition orders
settled until after the conclusion of peace.

"Inasmuch as the city administration of Brussels refuses to settle
the remainder of the forced payment, from this day forward no
requisition will be settled in cash by the Government treasury.

"The Military Governor,
BARON VON LUeTTWITZ,
_Major-General_"
Brussels, September 24, 1914.]

Luettwitz replied to this by having Max arrested, and the present
prospect is that he is to be sent to Germany as a prisoner of war. That
is not very comforting for us, as he has been a very calming influence,
and has kept the population of Brussels well in hand. If they do send
him away, the Germans will do a very stupid thing from their own point
of view, and will make Max a popular hero everywhere.

Early this evening Monsieur Lemonnier, the Senior Alderman, came around
with several of his colleagues, and laid the matter before Mr. Whitlock
and the Spanish Minister. They immediately went over to see General von
Luettwitz to see whether there was anything to be done for Max, but as
they have been gone a long time, I fear they are going through one of
those long and thoroughly unsatisfactory discussions that get nowhere.

Monsieur Lemonnier is waiting in my office to hear the result of the
visit to Luettwitz. He is naturally far from cheerful, and looks forward
with a good deal of dread to taking over the reins if Max is sent to
Germany. He, of course, foresees that the cha