Official German Dispatch from Berlin, Received in Amsterdam, Sept. 23.
The Cathedral of Rheims was not used as a mark for a systematic
bombardment. During the last few days the French had strengthened the
fortress to defend their present position, and consequently the German
bombardment became necessary. Orders had been given to spare the
cathedral.
If it should prove true that during the fire the cathedral suffered,
which cannot be yet ascertained, nobody would deplore it more than
ourselves, but the French who made Rheims a fortress in support of their
defense line are alone to blame.
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