Proof that high German officers will not tolerate insults to
women by their men is furnished in the following cable from a
correspondent in Antwerp:
"Gen. von Beseler is a pleasant-looking old gentleman with a white
mustache. He conducted himself most correctly toward every one in
the hotel. On the other hand, one of his junior officers immediately
asked for a hot bath and made exacting demands, culminating in
a gross insult to the chambermaid. For this he was severely
reprimanded by Von Beseler, who told the girl, patting her kindly on
the shoulder, to report to him at once any further annoyance.
"A drunken soldier grossly insulted a poor woman on the street. She
complained to an officer, who at once emptied a revolver into the
offender's body, killing him. This had a salutary effect on the
attitude of the troops toward the female population, for I heard of
no similar outrage."