WHO ARE THE HUNS?

H.88 Plundering and Destruction of Property.
were committed upon French territory. The General in Command
of the 21st Army Corps will immediately conduct an
examination in the matter and bring those who have been
found guilty of these crimes to the notice of the courts-martial.
(signed) Du Bail.
Approved copies for communication to all corps and service
divisions,—as proclaimed on the 28th of August, 1914. The
Commanding General of the 14th Army Corps by order of the
Chief of the General Staff.
(signed) Masselin."
2. Grand Headquarters of the Army of the East, General
Staff, 1st Bureau, No. 3190, Headquarters 1. September 1914.
I have received a report to the effect that bands of soldiers in
our rear have looted and committed acts of violence against the
populace. This crime is legally punishable by death. The swift
action of the army courts will enable you to punish the evildoers,
as soon as they are apprehended, with all the speed
consonant with due formality. But should the regular jurisdiction
not be in a condition to prevent acts which, under
the prevailing circumstances, are nothing less than attacks upon
the nation itself, I beg to call your attention to the fact that
Article 129 of the Code of Military Punishment empowers a
superior officer to punish a subordinate in "cases of justifiable
defense of himself or others, or of the formation of bands of
deserters, or through the necessity ofpreventing looting and
devastation."
It will be necessary from now on to put an end to these
crimes by means of exemplary punishments, since their continuance
would imperil the welfare of the army. You may
therefore, without the slightest hesitation, and pursuant to the
foregoing, adopt the most rigid measures, so that soldiers who
roam about in bands and commit depredations, may be rounded
up and obedience enforced. J. Joffre.
Authorized copy for execution to be sent to Monsieur the
•General in Command of the 2nd Army Corps. By Command
of the Chief of the General Staff. Dessens (2).
3. A similar order was issued by General Mâcher of the
,7th Division on the 18th of August, 1914, and contained grave