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TO BELGIUM 209
quence was that people out of doors were not clearly discernible,
but that if anyone were to fire from a window, he would be
discovered immediately. At first all doors facing the street
had to be left unlocked. But after a time the inhabitants,
out of fear of the soldiers, asked to be allowed to close their
doors, and this request was granted. At the time of my visit,
that is to say on October 8th, Namur wore a very animated
aspect. As late as half-past seven in the evening most shops
were still open and the streets were well filled. Even the
young ladies, who at first did not dare to go out, began to
show themselves on the pavements. But the prohibition
against being out-of-doors after 9 p.m. without special permit
was still in force. On account of the many uniforms, military
motor-cars and transport trains Namur looked more like a
German garrison town than anything else. And yet this
appearance was belied by the many white flags floating from
the windows, especially in the principal streets, which indicated
that the inhabitants of those particular houses had agreed to
accept the new order of things. When one travels through
Belgium one must harden one’s heart, for at every step one is
reminded of the misfortune of having lost one’s liberty in
one’s own country. And one thinks with horror of how it
would feel to be placed in the same situation. A moral judg-
ment is now being passed over Europe. Woe to the people
which has not in time put its house in order, or which relies
on paper treaties and declarations when force sits in the judg-
ment seat and when none but the strong and wakeful inspire
respect in all directions.
In the evening there was some sort of festivity at the
officers’ mess of the 87th Landwehr Regiment. It was attended
by the officers of the Higher Command who happened to be
in the town. I also had the honour to be present, and spent
a couple of very agreeable hours between Generals von Hirsch-
berg and Rathgen.
On the 9th October I made an excursion by motor-car to
the magnificent and wealthy convent of Champion, founded
in 1834 and now the home of 180 Sceurs de la Providence.
Its great hall was gorgeously decorated in white and gold, and
had stained-glass windows. Many wounded warriors had
been housed here, and we paused more especially before two
Belgian soldiers from fort No. i, who had been badly burnt
on face and hands, but were now on the road to recovery.
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