THE DEFENCE OF BELGIUM

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12864, 13 August 1914, Page 5

THE DEFENCE OF BELGIUM

LONDON, August 11. Experts consider the Liege forts are unlikely to withstand the German siege guns. Lord Sydenham opines that a few hours' bombardment with 8501b projectiles will reduce them to shapeless masses. While the men in the front ranks of the German attackers used eutters to remove the barbed wire entanglements guarding the approaches to the forts the others lay down. The fort* rained grapeshot on them and sharpshooters picked the eutters off. Unconfirmed reports state that some of the small forts at Liege have been captured. On© fort was apparently silent, but the German infantry advanced it received a hail of bullets and was driven back. BRUSSELS, August 11. An organised system of German espionage has been discovered in which business men of high standing are Involved. Two thousand German spies have been arrested. A Uhlan was captured in possession of the German plans, whereby the Germans were to have reached Brussels on the 3rd and Lille (on the Freneh frontier) on the sth. BRUSSELS, August 12. The rivers far from the scene of the action at Liege are stained with blood. Received 5.5 p.m. BRUSSELS, August 11. Peuple states that during street fighting at Seraing, 100 Germans hastily retreated before a superior force j and when they informed it was dis- , covered that Prince William of Lippe and his son had fallen. The Germans demanded their bodies which were buried in Seraing cemetery. BRUSSELS. August 11. After the conscripts at Herstal left, the women and old men who defend the National Small Arms Factory, armed with revolvers and other weapons, repulsed several Uhlan patrols. When their ammunition was exhausted they barricaded their houses and poured boiling water upon the attackers. The factory is still uncaptured. The War Office announces that 2000 Germans have been killed at Liege, 20,000 wounded, and 9700 taken prisoners. GERMANS REPULSED WITH LOSSES. Received 7.50 p.m. BRUSSELS, Tuesday Afternoon. Ten thousand German cavalry followed a detachment of infantry, and commenced methodical reconnaissance. The Germans are advancing strongly on Hesbaye, and have halted at Haunut. There are constant skirmishes at Terelemont and St. Maud, and on the line everywhere the German cavalry were repulsed with losses.

PANIC DURING MASS. j Received 9.40 p.m. BRUSSELS, Aug. 11. A slight Are broke out in the Church of St. Antoine, at Lalouviere, Charleroi, while Mass for the Belgian Army wa» being celebrated. There was a panic, fourteen women being killed and 50 injured. GERMAN OUTRAGES. " 1 Germans near Verviers ordered the I inhabitants of war age to assemble. They chose seventeen and shot them. Thirty peasants at Berneau were similarly shot, including a priest, against the wall of his church. GERMANS ENTRENCHING ROUND LUXEMBURG. Received 12.5 a.m. BRUSSELS, Aug. 12, Morning.

German troops arc entrenching ronnd the eity of Luxemburg, along the Talley of Wurthe. French aeroplane! keep the headquarters well Informed of German movementi.

[ Three thousand Germans are awaiting court-martial in Belgium for espionage. It is reported that 100 were I shot. Spies were found in every dii rection disguised as priests, Boy [Scouts, and women. A batch of German officers were arrested disguised in Belgian uniforms. 6000 GERMANS CAPTURED. ALSO GUNS AND QUICKFIRERS. Received 12.20 a.m. BRUSSELS, Aug. 12, Morning. Six thousand Germans with guns and quickfirers were captured at Lauden railway station. They tore up the rails. Fugitives state that the Germans fired on many villages after giving the inhabitants half an hour to clear out. A German aeroplane was brought flown by rifle fire and two military aviators were captured. The Belgians concealed themselves in thickets in the field and captured considerable numbers of the invaders. Bogaerts, a Belgian Lancer, is becoming famous. He sallies forth alone (with his lance, in a posse generally killing and wounding one Uhlan, the rest surrender. Bogaerts already has secured fourteen prisoners, killed three Uhlans, and wounded several without himself suffering the slightest injury.