"In the matter of the requisition made by the German authorities on
October 20, 1916 (requisition of a list of workmen to be drawn up by
the municipality) * * *
"The municipal council resolves to maintain its attitude of refusal.
"It further feels it its duty to place on record the following:
"The city of Tournai is prepared to submit unreservedly to all the
exigencies authorised by the laws and customs of war. Its sincerity
can not be questioned. For more than two years it has submitted to
the German occupation, during which time it has lodged and lived at
close quarters with the German troops, yet it has displayed perfect
composure and has refrained from any act of hostility, proving thereby
that it is animated by no idle spirit of bravado.
[Sidenote: Council of Tournai refuses immoral and illegal demands.]
"But the city could not bring itself to provide arms for use against
its own children, knowing well that natural law and the law of nations
(which is the expression of natural law) both forbid such action.
"In his declaration dated September 2, 1914, the German Governor
General of Belgium declared: 'I ask none to renounce his patriotic
sentiments.'
"The city of Tournai reposes confidence in this declaration, which it
is bound to consider as the sentiment of the German Emperor, in whose
name the Governor General was speaking. In accepting the inspiration
of honor and patriotism, the city is loyal to a fundamental duty, the
loftiness of which must be apparent to any German officer.
"The city is confident that the straightforwardness and clearness of
this attitude will prevent any misunderstanding arising between itself
and the German Army."