In the case of Loewen the town had already surrendered and the
population renounced, without any resistance, the town being occupied
by our troops. Nevertheless the population attacked on all sides and
with a murderous fire the occupying forces and newly arriving troops,
which came in trains and automobiles, considering the hitherto peaceful
attitude of the population.
Therefore there can be no question of means of defense allowed by the
law of nations, neither of a warlike guet-apens, (ambush,) but only of a
treacherous attempt of the civil population all along the line, and all
the more to be condemned as it was apparently planned long beforehand
with simultaneous attack from Antwerp, as arms were not carried openly,
as women and young girls took part in the fight and blinded our wounded,
sticking their eyes out.
The barbarous attitude of the Belgian population in all parts occupied
by our troops has not only justified our severest measures, but forced
them on us for the sake of self-preservation. The intensity of the
resistance of the population is shown by the fact that in Loewen
twenty-four hours were needed to break down their attack.
We ourselves regret deeply that during these fights the town of Loewen
has been destroyed to a great extent.
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