LIGHT-FINGERED GERMAN ARISTOCRACY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 38, 8 November 1917, Page 6

LIGHT-FINGERED GERMAN ARISTOCRACY

FRENCH CHURCHES ROBBED. New light is thrown on the habits of the light-fingered aristocracy of Germany by the discovery at Ercheu village, on the Soninie, of large packing-cases contain-

ing souvenirs collected by the Kaiser's officers (states the "Daily Mail" Paris correspondent). Theso ke.'psakes, it appears, were accumulated by the Duke of Hesse at the time when lie and his staff of generals occupied the premises of a girls' school. Each morniug these sturdy warriors sallied forth, booted and spurred; eaoh evening they returned laden with spoils of war—consisting chief-

ly of communion vessels stolen from churches, and plate-bankets belonging to the neighbouring gentry.

Packed in zinc-lined trunks, tho prince-

ly "swag" was left in various places to be called for, the careful strategists Inking receipts and warning the guardian that ho would unswor for its safety with his head. Tho fortunes of war, however, forced the collectors to depart without their booty, and the largest sealed box has just been opened by the Mayor of Ercheu, in tho presence of tho Government photographer. It contained gold chalices and mnssive silver plate, teapots, salt-cellars, and evon a humble napin-ring was not despised. Many articles bore the arms of old Trench families. It is hoped to identify the owners of the trunks and communicate with them after tho war.