THE HOSTAGES
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“Father, what have we done?”
The municipal Government of Liège remind their fellow citizens, and all staying within the city, that international law most strictly forbids civilians to commit hostilities against the German soldiers occupying the country.
Every attack on German troops by others than the military in uniform not only exposes those who may be guilty to be shot summarily, but will also bring terrible consequences on the leading citizens of Liège now detained in the citadel as hostages by the commander of the German troops.
We beseech all residents of the municipality to guard the highest interests of all the inhabitants and of those who are hostages of the German Army, and not to commit any assault on the soldiers of this army.
We remind the citizens that by order of General commanding the German troops, those who have arms in their possession must deliver them immediately to the authorities at the Provincial Palace under the penalty of being shot.
The Acting Burgomaster, V. Henault. Liège, August 8th.
