The French are publishing absurdly exaggerated stories of German atrocities.
They are intended to stir up popular hate, but they only cow popular spirit. It would seem, however, to be certain that the German troops are becoming savage at the resist- ance they experience, the practice of burning villages demoralizes the " requiring " parties, and death is inflicted far too wantonly. It may be quite fair to shoot twenty peasants of Bougival who assisted the sortie from St. Valerien, for Bougival, being occupied and unhurt, may be taken to have surrendered ; but to shoot Francs-tireurs by the hundred is massacre. They run all the chances of soldiers, and should, when treachery is not proved, have their treatment. The case of Cherisy is vouched for by a Protestant pastor near Dreux, and his story, if true, is most discreditable to the invaders. Some Uhlans, levying a requisition, which was not resisted, were attacked by Francs-tireurs, whereupon superior authority sentenced the village, which had done nothing, to be burnt. The officer entrusted with this mission first shelled the inhabitants out, and then burnt the place, sprinkling petroleum over the furniture. The houses near were then consumed, and finally a model farm-house in another hamlet, the owner of which hospitably entertained the soldiers, who then burnt up his barns.
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