Bound Volumes, Hometown History

September 19, 2024

110 YEARS AGO

Formal notice was given to the world today by President Wilson that the United States at this time cannot pass judgment upon or take any part in controversies between the warring European nations over alleged violations of the rules of civilian warfare and humanity. He said settlement of these questions would have to wait until the end of the war, which he prayed might be very soon. A resume of the findings of the Belgian Commission of Inquiry into alleged atrocities committed by German troops has been presented to President Wilson. German cavalry occupying the Village of Linsmeau were attacked by some Belgian troops and two gendarmes. A German officer was killed by the Belgian soldiers during the fight and was buried. None of the civilians had taken part in the fight; nevertheless, the village was invaded at dusk on August 10, by a strong force of German cavalry, artillery, and machine guns. In spite of the formal assurances given by the Burgomaster that none of the civilians had taken part in the fight, two farms and six outlying homes were destroyed by gun fire and reduced to ashes. All the male population was then compelled to come forward and hand over what arms they possessed. No recently discharged firearms were found. The invaders divided these peasants into three groups. Those in one group were bound and 11 of them placed in a ditch, where they were afterwards found dead, their skulls fractured by the butts of rifles.

September 1914