BELGIUM.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12916, 13 October 1914, Page 3

BELGIUM.

ANTWERP'S SURRENDER.

By Electric Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 10. "When the first shell boomed over Antwerp the city was in darkness. The empty streets suddenly became alive with people. Women and children were crying and flocking in every direction..

There was a quarter of an hour's lull and then came the booming of the big guns. Each shot was followed by a weird,long drawn-out din and then the final explosion, the most fearsome of all. This was continued till dawn, when there was a respite for two hours. The bombardment was recommenced more fiercely than ever, with the fortress guns and field batteries joining in chorus. Flames were breaking out everywhere and buildings crashing till the city became an inferno. Meanwhile fugitives, many half naked, thronged the streets, the young dragging the old and infirm. There was no time to take property.

Numbers of women fainted in their frantic efforts to reach the trains. The fugitives clung to every available part of the carriages. They sat on the footboards and roofs and even scrambled into the tenders of the engines. Others swarmed the boats on the

quays. Thousands were left behind and proceeded on a weary march to the frontier, which they reached in an exhausted condition.

A pathetic sight is that of a number of escaped lunatics ranging over the country. The Dutch journal Handelsblad says the possession of Antwerp may be a satisfaction to Germany, but the German object has failed, for the destruction of the garrison was more important than the capture of the fortress.

LONDON, Oct. 11. The Belgian field army retired from Antwerp in good order. The retreat, which began several days ago, was completely under the best conditions. The soldiers were ordered to leave the forts before they were blown up. They also destroyed the stores of petrol and benzine and broke up the workshops at the Minerva factory where, machine guns, armoured trains and aeroplanes were made during the last month. German Zeppelins and -aeroplanes dropped 140 bombs during the siege.

Three hundred thousand Germans participated in the attack. The conduct of King Albert throughout was an inspiration to the Belgian troops. He wore the uniform of a private, shared his meals with the men in trenches, and only left the city when it was impossible to do more.

The Central Exchange correspondent at The Hague reports that the Germans are swiftly moving on Ostend, hoping to capture the Belgian King and the Government. A German official message states that the Germans captured enormous supplies of all kinds in Antwerp, and the number of prisoners cannot be estimated.

General Baeseler, who directed the attack, has been decorated. His proclamation warns the citizens that refractory conduct will be punished according to the laws of war, and may lead to the destruction of their beautiful city. Lord Haldane (who was always regarded as a friend of Germany), speaking at Newcastle-on-Tyne, said the finer qualities of the German race had been degraded to an unworthy purpose and subjected to the domination of the military spirit, which should be exterminated. Germany might be admirably prepared, but Tier preparations wore off against the people possessing Britain's resources. He did not underrate the magnitude of the task, but the first shock was over, and the real struggle was beginning under much less favourable conditions for Germany than in August. Earl Grey said: "We are not going to stop until we have smashed the German army and navy and the spirit of Prussian militarism." Maurice Maeterlinck, the famous Belgian author, who has been assisting his country in various capacities, received an ovation in London. He remarked: "The latest event of the pitiful story of the little Kingdom . which kept its pledge and died for it cries aloud forever."

Bight Hon. Walter Bunciman, speaking at Kingsway Hall, said there was no reason to'be depressed at the fall of Antwerp, which was inevitable. It enabled the Belgian army to co-operate closely with the Allies in France and Belgium. The German press, predicting Zeppelin raids on England, miscalculated the British character if they thought to frighten the people. "We have courageous men in our Flying Corps," said Mr Bunciman, '' and thirteen of them are pledged to dash their machines through any Zeppelins coming, even if both are dashed to the earth.''

It is reported that nearly fifty vessels, including thirty-two German steamers, were destroyed at Antwerp.

The capture of Antwerp imposes additional duties on the British Fleet to see that Dutch neutrality is not violated by the Germans crossing the Scheldt.

OSTEND, Oct. 11.

The Belgian Army and the British force with the King of the Belgians h&ve arrived safely. The Belgians manned the trenches at Antwerp for seventy-two hours. l The headquarters established a high tower, which was connected by telephones with all the trenches. "While the battle was confined to the infantry the.Belgians easily held their own, but the overpowering massed artillery fire directed from Taube aeroplanes was irresistible. The United States requested the Germans to revictual Brussels, and suggested that the State Minister control the distribution of food.

Besides the food shortage in Brussels the Belgian Minister announcea a famine at Liege, Namur, Luxembourg and Hainaut. NEW YORK, Oct. 11.

The Tribune,,in a scathing article, denounces Germany for concentrate ing her rage and revenge upon Belgium.

The Sun, in a cartoon, shows the Kaiser surveving the ruins of Antwerp, and saying: "My heart bleeds for Antwerp."

THE HAGUE, Oct. 11.

The Kaiser bestowed the Iron Cross on his son August Wilhelm, who was among the first to penetrate the Antwerp fortifications. LONDON, Oct. 11.

The Tages Zeitung states that th» capture of Antwerp carrie.4 with it the germ of the capture of Paris, and is a most serious blow to England. The fall of Antwerp has caused unprecedented enthusiasm in Germany. It is regarded as the beginning of the end. Flags were hoisted and demonstrators are parading the' streets. Wounded soldiers wuo recently landed at Aix-la-Chapelle, Cologne and Dusseldorf were covered with flowers and given presents. (Times. —Sydney Bun Service.) LONDON, Oct. 11. The Berlin authorities are issuing German stamps surcharged on Belgium. •AMSTERDAM, Oct. 11. The Antwerp garrison lilew up forts Schooten, Brasschaet, M'juxem, Cappellen and others. Three thousand Belgian troops crossed the Dutch frontier and were interned. OSTEND, Oct. 11. The English Women's National Ser-, vice Hospital had alarming experK ences. It was necessary to rescue 130 patients, who were in the direct line of shell fire and close by the ammunition building. Those able to walk were allowed to find their way out of the city, but sixty of the most serious cases were carried to cellars, where they Bpent Thursday night with shells bursting above them throughout.