“The lack of discipline and order is evident, however, in every department of Belgium’s national life, and these virtues they endeavoured to replace by cunning and cruelty—­at least among the Walloons."[116]

[Footnote 116:  Ibid., pp. 61-2.]

A Knight of the Order of St. John[117] is still more cynical in his condemnation of the conquered enemy:  “The greatest misfortune in this land is unemployment; factories are inactive and shops closed.  The horrors of famine draw nearer, and we, as well as some neutral countries, are endeavouring to relieve the tortures of want.  But charity only encourages the laziness of the inhabitants.  Just as the refugees in Holland, the Belgians who have remained in their land would like to put their hands in their pockets and be fed.  Of course, that is not permissible, and the German Government does its best to rap these lazy wretches on the fingers.”

[Footnote 117:  “Kriegsfahrten eines Johanniters,” by Fedor von Zobeltitz, pp. 86-7.]

“It was characteristic that the Belgians always placed their hopes on foreign help and never dared to rely on the strength of their own army.  This alone is a serious symptom of national weakness.  Still, the Belgian army has fought bravely.  It is true they had not the discipline and preparation which distinguish the German troops, but everything which a badly equipped and trained army could achieve they have done."[118]

[Footnote 118:  Wilhelm Kotzde:  “Von Luettich bis Flandern,” p. 71.]

It is not necessary for the author of this work to write a song of glorification for Belgium; she has herself composed an epic of valour and self-sacrifice written in immortal deeds.  At present her only reward seems to be a desolate land in the hands of the conqueror, and the graves of her fallen sons.  Germany’s evident intention is the annexation of that part of Belgium where Flemish is spoken.  At the moment of writing, Goliath has vanquished David.  France and England have a supreme duty to fulfil:  they are called to avenge Belgium’s wrongs, and thereby establish the principle that even necessity must recognize law.

CHAPTER VIII

ATROCITIES

The question of Belgian atrocities is so important that no apology is required for giving the British public every possible opportunity to sift evidence, and above all, to hear the German side.

In the interests of fair play we will allow a German lawyer[119] to state the case against the Belgians.  Herr Grasshoff is armed with two doctorates and is in practice as an advocate in one of the higher courts of law (Kammergericht).  Chapter III of his work is entitled:  “The Belgian Outrages;” in the foregoing chapter he endeavours to show that the Belgian Press had worked upon public opinion and lashed it into such a state that atrocities and mutilations of Germans by Belgian men, women, boys and girls were the natural consequences.