Repository: UIHistories Project: War Publications - WWI Compilation 1923 - Article 14 [PAGE 22]

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home industries of < n-rmany; millions of cattle and horses were similarly transported to Germany and sold to German farmers and stock raisers, even Belgian factories were dismantled of their machinery which was likewise carried off and installed in German factories. By no process of interpretation could it be said that such requisitions were for "the needs of the occupying army"; they were, in fact, for the maintenance of Germany's home industries—i.e., for a purpose the legitimacy of which is not recognized by the Hague Convention, the military manuals of other countries, or by any writer on international law outside Germany. In many cases the deposits in private banks and private pension funds in the post offices were seized and appropriated in violation of the express terms of the Hague Con1 vention. Finally, the services of thousands of Belgian laborers were requisitioned for work in munitions plants, in establishments for the manufacture of barbed wire and other war materials, for digging 2 trenches, operating military railway trains, and even for guides. Such is the German theory and practice in respect to requisitions. It is in flagrant contradiction with the long-established customary laws of war, contrary to the express provisions of the Hague Convention, and it has been condemned by every authority on international law outside Germany and even by reputable German jurists. PECUNIARY CONTRIBUTIONS The Hague Convention allows a military occupant not only to collect the taxes levied by the state in the territory occupied, but in addition it allows him to raise "other money contributions," subject to the condition, however, that the latter shall be levied "only for the needs of the army or for the administration of the territory in 3 question." This rule, with the limitation with which it is coupled, is incorporated in the manuals of the United States, Great Britain, and France. In order to leave no doubt as to the purpose for which such exactions may be made, the British manual takes the precaution to add that they may not be resorted to for the purpose of enriching the occupant or for the purpose of pressure or of punishment, and that they shall not be exorbitant in amount. It further adds that the chief purpose in allowing an occupant to levy such exactions on the inhabitants is to permit an equitable distribution of requisitions between towns and cities, on the one hand, and the country districts, on the other; money being contributed by the former to purchase sup4 plies requisitioned of the latter. This view of the nature and purpose of contributions is that generally held by the writers on inter'Art. 53. *I have discussed at length German policy in respect to requisitions during the present war, in an rt m AmtfUan »Art 49 Journal of International Lam for January, 1917, pp. 74-112. self-enrichment or for weakening contribution! imposed

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