The Zabern Affair or Saverne Affair. Lieutenant von Forstner of the 99th Regiment of Prussian infantry at Zabern . According to a German statement Lieutenant von Forstner of an Infantry Regiment stationed at Zabern was alleged to have told a recruit that if he stabbed a " Wacke " ( a common local expression for an Alsatian ) he would not be punished but on the contrary , would receive half a sovereign from Forstner , Following the statement there were demonstrations and arrests . 1913