sor J.H. Morgan, has
recently been published.]

If this explanation be the true one, the mystery is solved, and that
which seemed scarcely credible becomes more intelligible, though not
less pernicious. This is not the only case that history records in which
a false theory, disguising itself as loyalty to a State or to a Church,
has perverted the conception of duty and become a source of danger to
the world.

PART II.

Having thus narrated the offenses committed in Belgium, which it has
been proper to consider as a whole, we now turn to another branch of the
subject, the breaches of the usages of war which appear in the conduct
of the German Army generally.

This branch has been considered under the following heads:

First.--The treatment of noncombatants, whether in Belgium or
in France, including--

(a) The killing of noncombatants in France;

(b) The treatment of women and children;

(c) The using of innocent noncombatants as a screen or shield
in the conduct of military operations;

(d) Looting, burning, and the wanton destruction of property.

Second.--Offenses committed in the course of ordinary military
operations which violate the usages of war and the provisions
of The Hague Convention.

This division includes:

_(a) Killing of wounded or prisoners;_

_(b) Firing on hospitals or on the Red Cross ambulances and
stretcher bearers;_

_(c) Abuse of the Red Cross or of the white flag._

TREATMENT OF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION.

(a) Killing of Noncombatants.

The killing of civilians in Belgium has been already described
sufficiently. Outrages on the civilian population of the invaded
districts, the burning of villages, the shooting of innocent
inhabitants, and the taking of hostages, pillage, and destruction
continued as the German armies passed into France. The diary of the
Saxon officer above referred to describes acts of this kind committed by
the German soldiers in advancing to the Aisne at the end of August and
after they had passed the French frontier, as well as when they were in
Belgian territory.

A proclamation, (a specimen of which was produced to the committee,)
issued at Rheims and placarded over the town, affords a clear
illustration of the methods adopted by the German Higher Command. The
population of Rheims is warned that on the slightest disturbance part or
the whole of the city will be burned to th