THE GREAT WAR.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 204, 13 August 1914, Page 5

THE GREAT WAR.

Germany's Huge Army-

One Million Launched A gainst Belgium and France

Miles of Men “In Shining Armour.”

Disposition of Troops.

Brussels, Aug. 12 (morning). “ The Times’ ” military correspondent says that the present disposition of the Gerrifans shows that twenty army corps are ready for the advance, including eight divisions of cavalry and the fourteenth Austrian corps which is at Lorraes a total of .1,275,000 men, whereof 783,000 are rifles, 65,000 sabres, with 4416 guns and 1488 machine guns. The first line consists of eight corps, whereof the seventh, ninth and tenth are about Liege, the fourth at Rochefort, the nineteenth at Bastogne, both being entrenched. The eighth is at Luxemburg, and the sixteenth and second Bavarians at Thionville. The second line consists of nine army corps, and includes the eleventh and third at Verviers, the twelfth and third Bavarians echelonned behind the eighth army corps near Luxemburg on the railway from Mersch to Trois Vierges, the thirteenth and first Bavarians at Searbruck. The guards are probably advancing from Coblenz, the eighteenth from Mainz, and the fourteenth from Baden. This gives seventeen corps, aggregating a million, which the Kaiser is able to launch against Northern France, and Belgium. The majority are advancing by the Belgian Ardennes in very close formation. The Germans probably believe that the woods will make it difficult for the French field artillery to assert its pre-eminence. • The twenty-first German corps is between Metz and Saarbourg, the fifteenth at Strasburg and Neubreisach, while six corps are defending the Russian frontier, consisting of the first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh and twentieth. France and her allies should be able to place in the line more men, sabres, guns and rifles than the attacking forces. The German plan has the supreme merit of enabling the mass of the army to act together in,any direction. The natural line of advance is against Verdun (in France, 40 miles west of Metz), Mezieres (in north France on the Belgian frontier), Namur (in Belgium on the Meuse- 30 miles southwest of Liege), and Brussels (the capital of Belgium). (Received 13, 9 a.m.) Brussels, Aug. 12. Belgian airmen report one solid mass of shining armour from Liege to Duren (a town 25 miles on the German side of Aix-Ja-Chapells). Each German private has a glow-watch and field-glasses, and non-commissioned officers have whistles. Commands during assaults on forts are given with whistles, varying in shrillness. London, Aug. 12 (morning). The Press Bureau states that at this period of hostilities no news of importance can be expected. No movements of the British Arm\- or its allies can be divulged, and over the proceedings of the enemy lies the fog of war. There is good reason- to believe that the mass of the German armies is distributed about Thionville and Liege, while Lorraine is held comparatively lightly. Brussels, Aug. 11. On Tuesday afternoon 10,000 German cavalry, followed by a detachment of infantry commenced methodical reconnaisances. The Germans advanced strongly into Hesbaye and halted at Hannut. Constant skirmishes occurred at the Tiriemont and St. Trend line. Everywhere the German cavalry was repulsed with loss. Brussels, Aug. 12 (morning).

A force of 6000 Germans with guns and quickfirers captured tire Landen railway station, and tore up the rails.—(Landen is about midway between Brussels and Liege.) Brussels, Aug. i? (evening). The Germans evacuated Landen, which the Belgians have re-occupied.

Big Battle in Progress.

German Advance on Brussels.

Enemy Within 20 Miles of Town.

The Allies Vigorously Resist Fierce Cannonading at Tongres. London, Aug. 12. Reuter’s Brussels correspondent says heavy cavalry engagements are proceeding between the French, Belgians and Germans in a neighbourhood not stated, but is is surmised to be west or north-west of Liege. (Received 13, 9.40 a.mJ Amsterdam, Aug. 12. The “Telegraaf’s” correspondent at Maastricht, a town in Holland on the Belgian frontier, states that there is a terrific cannonade going on in the direction of Tongres, a few miles north-west of Liege. Yesterday’s cables stated that Tongres had been occupied by the Germans. (Received 13, 9.40 a.m.) Paris, Aug. 12. OFFICIAL.—An important engagetnent is reported near Tirlemont, a town within 20 miles of Brussels. The Belgians offered vigorous resistance. Brussels, Aug. 12. The War Office lias announced that 2000 Germans were k illed at Liege, 20,000 wounded, and 9700 taken prisoners. Rivers far from the scene of action at Liege were stained with blood. (Receded 13, 8.40 a.m.) Paris, Aug. 12. It is officially declared that only small groups of Germans have entered the town of Liege All the forts from Belfort to Liege are intact. An attempt to capture General Leiman was carried out by seven spies, who have been taxi-drivers at Liege for three years.

Luxemburg and the French Frontier

Austrian Army in Alsace.

French Hold the Vosges Passes.

German Movements Watched by

Aviators.

Brussels, Aug. 12 (morning). The German troops are entrenching round the city of Luxemburg and along the valley of the Ourthe. The French aeroplanes keep their headquarters well informed of the German movements. There is every indication that the Austrians have entered Alsace.

' French cavalry at all points are maintaining superiority. The French still hold the crest of the Vosges Passes that dominate the heights of Alsace, and they also hold the lines between Thaun and Altkirch (Received 13, Q. 40 a.m.) Paris, Aug. 12. It is officially reported that many German patrols were captured at Dinant, Rochefort and Givet. The latter town is on the I’l anci>-Belgian Irontier. Dinant is m Belgium, .about half-wav Between Giver and Namur. Rochefort is also tn Belgium, about 15 miles direct cast of Givet. i

NOTES ON THE WAR. The deep blue pencil of the censoi has been used again to-day witl deadly effect, and New Zealand ii deprived of news of stirring event: which are taking place at the sea of war. From the fragmentary mes sages that have passed the censor ship, it isfvery evident that ths Germans are trying to strike t decisive blow in Belgium by captur ing the capital. The army that it making the attack is probably ths one which was yesterday reported t< have crossed the Meuse and arrivec at Tongres, their object being tc avoid the forts at Liege and advance on the capital. The distance from Liege to Brussels is about 42 miles and that the Germans have mel with a certain amount of success is disclosed by the fact that their cavalry has been resisted by the Belgians at Tirlemont, a town or the railway about 20 miles from Brussels. Maastricht, a town on the Dutch frontier, reports hearing heavy cannonading in the directior of Tongres, and by this it may be surmised that the invaders are being attacked at this point by a combined French and Belgian (and possibly British) force. News from the French frontier is of a satisfactory nature. The French hold all the passes through the Vosges,, and apparently they have swept back the advance troops of the invaders who were approaching the French frontier by the province of Luxemburg. The arrival of the Austrians in Alsace is not pleasant reading. It is about time the Russian hosts set to work across the Austrian frontier and made it necessary for this army to return home to look after its own affairs. The enterprising American press has established a long distance wireless station at Berlin and the first news sent through is that the Kaiser has been shot at Aix la Chapelle, either by an assassin or through accident. No reliance can be placed, however, on this startling bit of information. KITCHENER'S SECOND ARMY. TERRITORIALS UP TO FULL STRENGTH. London, Aug. 11. Lord Kitchener’s second army is 47,000 strong now, and men are enlisting daily. The mobilisation of the Territorials is completing, and every unit will be up to the establishment. Many units have accepted the liability to serve oversea, and others are being asked to follow their example. GERMANY'S FATAL ERROR. The “Times” in a leader says that German statecraft suffers from a fatal error. It sees pictures instead of realities. It sees nothing not fair to see. It shuts its eyes to the most important of realities, the national feeling of other peoples. LONDON WAR ITEMS. London, Aug. 11. The music halls are trying to reduce their artists’ salaries by half. The artists’ association is strongly resisting. Mr. Asquith, in the House of Commons, said that everything will be done to relieve the embarrassment of British subjects interned in Europe. The Primate has appointed Friday a day of prayer and intercession for the war. He also asked the Roman Catholics and Free Church Council to co-operate. Numerous arrests of subjects have been made. Many were discharged, including the supposed poisoner of the transport horses. (Received 13. 9.5 a.m.) London. Aug. 12. A modified censorship has been established over the telephone syster of Great Britain. Those using a foreign language are immediately cut off. The Prince of Wales fund has reached £750,000. The Stock Exchange has contributed £2OOO to the Lord Mayor’s patriotic fund. Laurens, a music hall artist, and five others has been ordered to be deported. FRANCE. GERMAN CANARDS. TO GULL AND CHEER HER PEOPLE. Paris, Aug. 12. M. “Netou, French Consul-General, at Dusseldorf, who was at Cologne on Friday, states that the German people there are being informed that niege has been taken at the point of the bayonet, that Brussels is in Hames and Antwerp blown up, and that the Kaiser is at the head of the army and expects to reach Paris this week, “I HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY.” Paris, Aug. 12. A French detachment met some Germans with artillery near Nancy. The Germans retired leaving a young officer wounded. He proved to be the son of Baron Marschell von Bieberstein, late Am■bassador in London. The French picked him up but he died in a few minutes. His last words were: “Thank you, gentlemen. I have done my duty and ! served my country, as you are serving yours.” NOTES. Paris ; Aug. 11. The Government has forbidden the publication of the number of casualties and the names of the killed and wounded. It has opened a bureau where relatives are merely told whether a soldiers is killed or wounded without giving the place or day .he fell. The War Minister has detailed 20,000 naval conscripts to save the cereal and grape harvests. (Received 13, 9 a.m.) Paris. Aug. 12. George Carpentier, boxer, has enrolled in the aviation corps.