Let the German Army be sure that the communal administration will with the utmost promptness hand over to it any one guilty of an act of ill-will, whoever he may be.
Dear fellow-citizens, patience and courage to support privation. Be easy in your minds; we are with you.
The Burgomaster delegated by the Military Authority,
I am under the impression that the greater portion of the inhabitants desire tranquillity, therefore I invite them not to leave the town.
Before employing violent means, I shall make a strict inquiry to discover the guilty persons in case a revolt should break out.
I therefore expect of the population of Andenne that it will do everything to ensure that no German soldier shall be molested otherwise I shall be forced to act in accordance with the measures of my first proclamation.
BECKER, Captain, L.I.R. 29, and Commandant-in-Chief.
_Placard of the 21st August._--The men are all regarded as hostages; the women have to feed them; they also have to clean up the town.
_Placard of the 22nd August._--The military authorities declare, on the 22nd of August, that Andenne, where the "attacks of francs-tireurs" were repressed during the night of the 20th and the morning of the 21st, is already regarded by the whole civilized world as "a nest of murderers and bandits." It offers a reward of 500 to 1000 frs. to any one who will denounce the author of the plot. It also promises, to excite the zeal of the informers, that the severe measures in force will be mitigated as soon as the leaders are discovered. (No one was denounced.)
_1st Placard of the 23rd August._--This announces the great victory between Sarrebourg and Metz: 21,000 French prisoners were taken. (An attempt to demoralize the population.) Note that the Wolff Agency reported only 10,000 prisoners; where did Major Scheunemann find the other 11,000?
_2nd Placard of the 23rd August._--The Germans are attending to the revictualling of Andenne. (In reality the people of Andenne were starving.)
_Placard of the 25th August._--The German administration is strict, but just. (The people of Andenne had noticed the severity.)
_1st Placard of the 28th August._--Once again the inhabitants are urged to remain calm, and are congratulated on their good conduct. (The burgomaster was forced to countersign this proclamation. Had he seen it first?)