"September 25th, in the evening, the railroad track and telegraph were
destroyed on the line Lovenjoul-Vertryck. * * *
[Sidenote: Hostages are made responsible for railroads.]
"Henceforth the villages situated nearest the spot where such events
take place--it is of no consequence whether they are guilty or
not--will be punished without mercy. For this purpose hostages have
been taken from all places in the vicinity of railways in danger of
similar attacks; and at the first attempt to destroy any railway,
telegraph, or telephone line they will be immediately shot.
"Furthermore, all troops entrusted with the protection of railways
have received orders to shoot anyone approaching railways or telegraph
or telephone lines in a suspicious manner.
"The Governor General of Belgium,
"BARON VON DER GOLTZ,
"_Field-Marshal_."
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