During the three days we stayed in Louvain one proclamation succeeded another with almost the frequency of special extras of evening newspapers when a big news story breaks in an American city: The citizens were to surrender all firearms in their possession; it would be immediately fatal to him if a man were caught with a lethal weapon on his person or in his house.

Tradespeople might charge this or that price for the necessities of life, and no more.

All persons, except physicians and nurses in the discharge of their professional duties, and gendarmes--the latter being now disarmed and entirely subservient to the military authorities--must be off the streets and public squares at a given time--to wit, nine p.m.

Cafes must close at the same hour.

Any soldier who refused to pay for any private purchase should be immediately reported at headquarters for punishment.