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.
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