File No. 763.72115/2980
The Minister in Belgium (
Whitlock) to the
Secretary of State
No. 429
Brussels,
January 17, 1917.
[Received February 13.]
Sir: With reference to my telegram of the 15th
instant, No. 32, regarding the deportations of Belgians from the city of
Brussels, I have the honor to state that summonses to appear for
examination rare now being sent out by the German authorities, directing
the men to appear on Saturday, the 20th instant, at the Gare du
Midi.
The method of summoning the men is different from that employed hitherto,
and indicates greater care in preparation. No announcements have been
posted on the city walls; persons whom it is desired to examine are
summoned individually by post card, and are at the same time advised as
to the punishment to which they will expose themselves if they do not
reply to the summons, the preparatory measures which they should take in
view of a possible deportation, and the bureau to which they should
apply in the event of their voluntary inscription for work in lieu of
deportation.
A copy and translation of this post card of notification are enclosed
herewith.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
Post Card Sent Out by German Authorities Summoning
Belgians to Appear for Examination Preliminary to
Deportation
Brussels, [date of the postmark].
Imperial German
Commandantur
You are summoned to present yourself on _ _ _ _ _ _ at 8 a.m. at the
Southern Railway Station (entrance from the Rue de France).
In the event that you should not obey the present summons, you would
be deported at once by force; furthermore, you would be liable to a
sentence of a maximum imprisonment for three months, or of a fine
not exceeding 1,000 marks.
As it is possible that you may be sent to a place of work and that in
such case you would not have further occasion to get into
communication with the members of your family, you are advised to
provide yourself with a blanket, with winter clothing, linen, and
good boots.
[Page 674]
Whoever signs a contract at the Bureau de
l’Industrie, Rue Marie Thérèse, 64, is offered work either
in Germany or in Belgium on very advantageous conditions, and need
not present himself at the station.
Count von Soden
Colonel and Commandant
The present summons is to be exhibited
[
seal]
