PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE OF GERMAN POSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15687, 14 August 1914, Page 6

PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE OF GERMAN POSITION.

RAILWAY AND BATTERIES BEING BUILT. NUMEROUS ENGAGEMENTS BETWEEN BODIES OF CAVALRY. (RtcoWea August 14, 12.10 a.m.) ' ' • London, August 13. The Official Press Bureau states that an engagement is in progress to the north-west of Hasselfe, 20 miles north of Liege, between a Belgian cavalry division, supported by a brigade of infantry, and a force of 2500 German cavalry, presumed to be the Second Cavalry Division, supported by a battalion of infantry, with 12 guns. The Fourth German Cavalry Division is reported to be moving towards Jodoigne, 25 miles south-east of Brussels. No German infantry is known to be on the left bank of the Meuso except a battalion north-west of Hasselt. The Germans are entrenching at Vise and the town of Liege, and obstructing batteries on the north of Liege preparatory to a siegeHeavy guns have already been heard.

The Germans are also constructing a railway between Vise and Homburg parallel to the frontier of Dutch Limburg.

Other accounts, including reports by Belgian aviators, indicate that the Germans "ire collecting large food supplies in Liege, and barricading the streets' against any attempt by the Belgians to recapture the town. They have bridged the Meuse a few hundred yards from the Dutch frontier, and barely out of range of 'he Liege forts.

Cavalry skirmishes have occurred since Sunday all along the lino, the forces engaged including a strong German detachmont, which crossed at.Vise, and reached Tongres, and another detacliment at Tirlemont, which was supplied with quickfiring guns mounted on horses.