263

Graves of civilians shot by the Germans 266

A typical proclamation 266

Views of the Fort of Waehlem after its bombardment 267

Herbert C. Hoover 282

French Howitzer near H---- 283

German camp kitchen 283

Von Bulow's greeting to the people of Liege (_in text_) 324

How the simple pleasures of the German soldiers were restricted
(_in text_) 324

Aux habitants de la Belgique (_in text_) 328

Appeal of the Queen of the Belgians for help from America
(_in text_) 338

Julius Van Hee, American Vice-Counsel at Ghent 340

Lewis Richards 340

A Brussels soup-kitchen run by volunteers 341

Meals served to the children in the schools 341

German proclamation announcing the execution of Miss Cavell
(_in text_) 349

Miss Edith Cavell 356

Fly-leaf of Miss Cavell's prayer book 357

Notes in Miss Cavell's prayer book 360, 361

INTRODUCTION

This volume is not a carefully prepared treatise on the war. It does not
set out to prove anything. It is merely what its title indicates--a
private journal jotted down hastily from day to day in odd moments, when
more pressing duties would permit. Much material has been eliminated as
of little interest. Other material of interest has been left out because
it cannot be published at this time. It is believed, however, that what
is printed here will suffice to give some idea of life in Belgium during
the first few months of the war.

I have eliminated from the journal most of the matter about the early
history of the Commission for Relief in Belgium. My day-to-day record
did not do any sort of justice to the subject, and since it was not
adequate, I have preferred to eliminate all but such casual reference to
the relief work as is necessary to maintain the narr