  Under date of Antwerp, Sunday, September 20, 1914, the London Standard published the following story from a correspondent: “When the German troops under General von Boehn entered Aerschot the burgomaster awaited the Germans at the entrance to the town, and to General von Boehn made offers of hospitality. “The General was gracious enough, and said that so long as everybody in the place showed the quietest demeanor the town and the lives of those in it were safe; if not, the reprisals would be pitiless. The burgomaster offered the hospitality of his own house to the General and his officers, and this was also accepted. “General von Boehn, with his chief of staff and “The meal progressed with every sign of geniality, and the conduct of the officers was perfectly respectful and normal, but toward the end of the dinner they drank very freely. By the time everybody had retired the three Germans were all very much the worse for drink. “In the early hours of the morning the members of the household were roused by a shriek from the room occupied by the daughter. The son rushed in and found his sister struggling in the arms of the chief of staff. “The young man, aroused to a frenzy, attacked the scoundrel. There was a fierce struggle, which ended in the son shooting the chief of staff. “The tragedy was witnessed by most of the household, but the shot did not arouse the General and the other officer, drunkenly asleep in their beds. The terrified household had to wait until morning for the dÉnouement of the tragedy. “The next morning the body of the chief of staff was discovered by the officer. The General was terribly cold in his wrath. “‘The price must be paid,’ he said. “The burgomaster, his son and two men-servants were put against the wall and shot. “The carnage in the streets, with burning, hacking and stabbing, followed.” |
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