nd
may decide presently to put her troops beside the Belgians. And if, as
is always possible, the Germans do make some lumpish onslaught upon
Dutch neutrality, then I am convinced that at once that sturdy little
country will up and fight like the very devil. And do remarkably well
by it.

And I have a much stronger feeling that presently the Dutch Government
will ask the Germans to reconsider their proposed annexation of
Belgium. Upon that point Holland has absolutely dictatorial power at
the present moment. She could secure the independence of Belgium at
the cost of a little paper and ink, she could force Germany to
evacuate her sister country by the mere movement of her army.

_Copyright in U.S.A._

French Official Report on German Atrocities

Having been instructed to investigate atrocities said to
have been committed by the Germans in portions of French
territory which had been occupied by them, a commission
composed of four representatives of the French Government
repaired to these districts in order to make a thorough
investigation. The commission was composed of M. Georges
Payelle, First President of the Cour des Comptes; Armand
Mollard, Minister Plenipotentiary; Georges Maringer,
Counselor of State, and Edmond Paillot, Counselor of the
Cour de Cassation.

They started on their mission late in September last and
visited the Departments of Seine-et-Marne, Marne, Meuse,
Meurthe-et-Moselle, Oise, and Aisne. According to the
report, they made note only of those accusations against the
invaders which were backed up by reliable testimony and
discarded everything that might have been occasioned by the
exigencies of war.

_Presented to the President of the Council by the commission
instituted with a view to investigating acts committed by the enemy in
violation of international law. Decree of Sept. 23, 1914. MM. Georges
Payelle, First President of the Cour des Comptes; Armand Mollard,
Minister Plenipotentiary; Georges Maringer, Counselor of State, and
Edmond Paillot, Counselor at the Court of Appeal._

To the President of the Council of Ministers:

Sir: Having been appointed by virtue of a decree of the 23d of last
September to carry out on the spot an inquiry in relation to acts
committed in violation of international law in the portions of French
territory occupied by the enemy which have been reconquered by the
ar