THE BRITISH WAY IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 119, 13 February 1919, Page 6

THE BRITISH WAY IN GERMANY

HAIG'S PROCLAMATION TO THE

VANQUISHED

The following is a. copy of the translation of the first proclamation issued by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas'Haig on the first occupation of German territory after the armistice (on December 1, 1918):"BEK ANNTMACHUNG!" "To all persons in this place, I order that they must not imperil the safety of any officer or man in-the service of His Britannic Majesty, or the operations of His Britannic Majesty's forces. It is the duty of all persons to hqlp in the repression of any act which offends against my orders, and I call upon all State and municipal officials to help in maintaining good behaviour. "I declare that all the inhabitants of itliis place will be protected so long as 'they conduct themselves in an obedient and peaceable manner, but without prejudice to the right N of His Britannic Majesty and his troops to exact such punishment as is recognised by international law against any place in which this proclamation is disregarded. "The more readily obedience is shown to my orders the greater will be the (security of the inhabitants. "And I declare that:— "1. If violonco is done to any officer or man under my command, or if any stores, supplies, equipment, or other property of the army under my command are stolen or injured; or "2. If damage is done to any building, road, railway, canal, bridge, telegraph, telephone, water supply, or other useful works or supplies are in any way interfered with or rendered unsafe or unsuitable for use. , "Tlio persons directly responsible, whether as principles or accessories, wi]j after due trial, be punished with Death or such other penalty as I may decree. "And I also .declare that the severest penalhes N will bo indicted on "1. Any* persons aiding, hiding, or otherwise assisting any German or'other enemy soldier or anyone who is or has been acting in disobedience of mv orders '2. Any person concealing or failing to disclose any means of communicating with the enemies of His Britannic Majesty. "3. Any person who does not immediately obey every order affecting him or his property, movable and immovable. "i. Any person doing any act. whether specially prplubited by regulation or not which may be to the prejudice of good order or endanger the welfare or safety ot any of the troops or subjects of His Britannic Majesty, or of His Majesty's allies. , • "Regulations will be published in d'iio course lor the proper ordering and control of the inhabitants of the districts occupied by the troops of His Britannic Majesty and I command all persons well and truly to obey these regulations and all orders-given by me or by anr Person acting under mv authority. "D. HAIG, Field-Marshal, "Conimanding-in-Cliief, «r< , n ,' "British Army. ■ «od Save the King." lhe above proclamation is iprinted in German with the English translation beside it.