SYSTEMATIC PILLAGE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2344, 29 December 1914, Page 6

SYSTEMATIC PILLAGE

HOW THE GERMANS PROCEED. The organised, systematio manner in which the Germans loot any portion of country which falls into their hands is vmdly described by a Belgian correspondent of the "Daily Express." On taking possession of Brussels, he Bays, they began with the Belgian Ministries or Departments of State. They divided the furniture into two lots—what they wanted for the.use of the German officers occupying Brussels in one lot, and what they wanted to send to Germany in the other lot. Beautiful old furniture, some of it of historical value, has been leaded up in large vans and Bent off Magnificent sideboards, cupboards, and' desks belonging to Belgian Ministers, and filled with State documents, were packed up carefully and sent at expross speed. Namos of certain officers were written in chalk on the various' vans, so that the booty might bo sent at once to the officers' homos. What happened in Brussels was repeated in the neighbourhood around. Many a fine chateau received visits from the Germans in their natural search for treasures of art and taste. They went to the summer residence of 11. Terlinden, the President of tho Suprome Court, and pillaged the old family silver plate, as well as the whole contents of M. Terlinden's picture gallery. A gentleman well known as one of tho principal art connoisseurs in Belgium lias been treated drastically, his valuable pictures, statues, etchings, and rare and beautiful furniture having been carried away. In the collection of this connoisseur there were two pictures the authenticity of which has always been doubtful. The Germans left these. There was evidently an art expert there to advise the thioves as to what, to steal. He was a good judge. The chateau belonging to Mine. Mullor Tesch, in the Grand Ducliy of. Luxemburg, was the scene of a most disgraceful episode. It was the place at which the Crown Prince and-his staff stopped early in August. The castle was looted, and - unnameable outrages were- committed in the village. They emptied the cellars of the chateau; indeed, they have emptied tho cellars all over Belgium. Here is the German method of "justifying" the emptying of cellars of wine. First they ring at the door of a' house where it is known that a rich cellar is kept. When* tho ring is answered they say they must go through the cellars, because thoy know Belgian soldiers are hiding there. They disappear into the'cellar, oniy to emerge on a stretcher, as they are usually incapable of walking out.^ That tho Germans organised a systematic scheme of pillage in Belgium is shown by the fact that many Belgians have found on the bodies of dead Germans documents known as "pillage tickets." ' They are given to soldiors by the Gorman headquarters. These permits arc written in German, and bear tho stamp of the German staff. Some of them mention that such-and-such a houso is "good for pillage." Naturally, only houses that aro indicated by German spies as containing riches are described as "good for pillage." Tho tickets are secured, and the houses are plundorod accordingly. "Plunder permits." which aro the latest evidences of German "kultur," have beeu used extensively at Aerschot and Louvain, where there was known to be much wealth.