A SULLEN ARMY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 11 August 1914, Page 5

A SULLEN ARMY.

DRIVEN TO SLAUGHTER

(Received Aug. 11. 8.10 a.m ) .BRUSSELS, Aug. 10. i~ r™ + T estlmates the Germans lost Io,OUO at Lieg^. Accounts of the fighting state that the Germans were gloomy, bewildered and fearful regarding the terrible Cossacks, who were about to enter and devour their country. This sullen army met Belgians, who were animated by passionate patriotism. • Incredible as it seems, the Germans were marched their death almost shoulder to shoulder. A mighty fusilade opened upon the men who were being driven forward by their officers, the troops dividing itself between fear of discipline and of death. Fresh detachments were rushed upon the trenches, but recoiled shattered, and yet again liko sheep, were driven ruthlessly to Slaughter according to timetable'and without the- slightest allowance for changed circumstances.

A wounded Belgian langer states that it was tragic to see the Germans driven up to the guns. They came in massed formation, but so reluctantly that they did so evidently under compulsion They were only five paces apart with fifteen paces between the ranks—a solid mass which woman would hit. The Belgian guns cut long avenues through their ranks. Port Arthur was nothing to it.

LONDON, Aug. 10. Mr Donohue, a war correspondent, telegraphing from Brussels, says that Fort Boncelles, at the extreme south of Liege, bore the brunt, as the ground was more favorable for the attackers. The attack in mass recalled the early days of Port Arthur, when General Nogi sacrificed thousands. The attack on Liege failed lamentably thanks to the undaunted courage of a mere handful of Belgian defenders. The Germans finally ran short of rifle ammunition. Towards the end of the general attack the men, despite the threats and exhortations of their officers, refused to facethe Belgian fire. The German wounded begged pit&ously for water. They were foodless for two days, as the army was rushed to the front without waiting for supplies.