been occupied by Germans.

Food and wine had been pretty generally confiscated, a thing to be
expected; also we found several instances of pillaging in which
especially desirable articles had been carried off. Wanton breakage
was rare and not extensive, and in most cases appeared to have been
more mischievous than malicious. It was probably due to a somewhat too
liberal use of pillaged wine. In general, the worst charges against
the Germans in France were that they had been exceedingly rude and
boorish. There were, however, some instances which came to my notice
where German officers had shown consideration for the civilians, had
politely apologized for their unwelcome but "necessary" intrusion into
French families, and had carefully paid for their board and lodging.
We talked with several French surgeons who were captured early in the
war and had since, according to The Hague rules, been returned to
France. These all acknowledged the consideration and good care which
their captured wounded had received from the Germans.

* * * * *

When the Germans were retreating northward towards Rheims after their
defeat in the Battle of the Marne, notices (about twenty by thirty
inches) printed on green paper were posted in the streets of the city,
of which the following is a literal translation:

"PROCLAMATION.

"In case a combat should take place today or in the
immediate future in the environs of Rheims or within the
city itself, the inhabitants are forewarned that they must
remain absolutely inactive and must not attempt in any way
to take part in the battle. They must not attempt to attack
either isolated German soldiers or detachments of the German
army. It is hereby officially forbidden to construct
barricades, or to tear up the streets in such a manner as to
hamper the movements of our troops. In a word, it is
forbidden to undertake any act whatsoever which might be in
any manner a hindrance to the German army.

"In order thoroughly to insure the security of the German
troops and to act as sureties for the inactivity of the
population of Rheims, the personages named below have been
seized as hostages by the General commanding the German
army. At the least sign of disorder these hostages will be
hanged. Also the city will be entirely or partly burned and
its inhabitants hanged if an