PRECONCEIVED SYSTEM OF BRUTALITY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 11 December 1914, Page 5

PRECONCEIVED SYSTEM OF BRUTALITY.

A RIOT OF SARTORIAL TINTS

LONDON, Dec. 10

The Belgian Commission, replying to German denials of atrocities, cites the official proclamation of German commanders, threatening fire and sword, heavy fines, and the shooting of hostages, unless, in the towns which surrendered, the German terms were observed. The Commission declares that the orders reveal the application of a preconceived system. The Times' correspondent entered the railway station at Kette. He says the scene would have rejoiced the heart of an. artist. It was a perfect blaze and riot of sartorial tints and trappings. Babel was let loose. Alongside a couple of Senegalese sat an Arab in white flowing robes. Beyond his white and gold . tunis was an Invantier Coloniale, then a Belgian trooper, a group of Chasseurs, Alpines, Zouaves, Turcos, Algerian Tirailleurs, marines and artillery of twenty different units. A jovial sergeant observed: "What must the Bosches think when they come against a collection like this, not to speak of your Ecossaises, with their, petticoats, and the Indians and Australians. They must think the whole world is moving en masse."