VIOLATION OF BELGIUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15686, 13 August 1914, Page 8

VIOLATION OF BELGIUM.

PART OF GENERAL SCHEME GERMAN PLANS DISCOVERED, RAPID ADVANCE PROPOSED. Brussels,' August 11. Plans found in the possession of a captured show that Germany did not anticipate any effective opposition in' Belgium. . According to the scheme the German force was to have reached Brussels, on August 3, and then marched 60 miles to Lillo, seven miles beyond the frontier, reaching the French town on August 5. ) Tho Belgian Governmept was asked by Germany,, on August 3, to state, before seven o'clock the following morning, ■whether Belgium -was prepared to facilitate German operations. The Belgian Government's reply was a definite refusal to accede to Germany's demand. The following day German troops invaded Belgium at Veorviers, and it was announced that in consequence , a state of war. existed between Britain .and Germany. On August 5, the German advance along the Valley of the Mouse was checked near Liege, and to was only after seven days' fighting that Liege was.occupied on Tuesday by tho Germans. ' ■. The unexpected resistance of Liege has effectually held up the German advance towards the French frontier by way of Belgium, and it is reported that a Belgian army is now marching upon Liege from the north, and is expecting any moment to be joined by a French force. V

FRONTIER OPERATIONS. COLLISIONSWITHTHE FRENCH Paris, August 11. It is officially announced that engagements have taken place along the Franco-German frontier at Longuy, near the Luxemburg border, Longuyon, ten miles further south, Marville, fifteen miles southwest of Longuy, and at Virton, in the south-east corner of Belgium. German cavalry patrols were encountered north of Montmedy, a fortified town due west of Longuy. All the places mentioned in the cable above are situated in the vicinity of the French frontier, at the south-east corner ,of Belgium. The entrance into Franco is there guarded by the fortress of Verdun, 'which lies directly opposite the frontier of German Lorraine and the great entrenched camp of Metz. Forts occupy all the surrounding heights' about Verdun. In all, there are 16 large forts and about 20 smaller works, the perimeter of the whole being about 30 miles. , . BEHIND THE SCENES. PRINCESS'S KNOWLEDGE. . (Received August 12, 7.20' p.m.) London, August 11. The castle of a German princess in Belgium was cleared of its valuable contents six weeks ago. The goods were sent to Germany.