"The attitude of England makes the provisioning of the population more
and more difficult.
"To reduce the misery, the German authorities have recently asked for
volunteers to go and work in the country. This offer has not had the
success that was expected.
[Sidenote: German proclamation at Lille, April, 1916.]
"In consequence of this the inhabitants will be deported by order
and removed into the country. Persons deported will be sent to the
interior of the occupied territory in France, far behind the front,
where they will be employed in agricultural labor, and not on any
military work whatever. By this measure they will be given the
opportunity of providing better for their subsistence.
"In case of necessity, provisions can be obtained through the German
depots. Every person deported will be allowed to take with him 30
kilograms of baggage (household utensils, clothes, etc.), which it
will be well to make ready at once.
"I therefore order that no one, until further orders, shall change
his place of residence. No one may absent himself from his declared
legal residence from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (German time), unless he is in
possession of a permit in due form.
"Inasmuch as this is an irrevocable measure, it is in the interest of
the population itself to remain calm and obedient.
"COMMANDANT.
"LILLE, _April, 1916_."