Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 6, 25 August 1914, Page 5

Belgium

KING AND QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS ATTEND WOUNDED.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) Antwerp, August 24. The King and Queen of the Belgians are spending every possible moment tending the wounded.

ALLIED ARMIES IN STRONG DEFENSIVE POSITIONS.

Loudon, August 23

The Daily Telegraph correspondent states that half-a-million of the Allies occupy a triangle of which the apex is Namur, one side from Charleroi and Mons, and the other from Namur to Givet, the base running through .to Phillippeville. To the east side it is covered by the River Meuse, and the west by the River Sambre, while the base rests on Mons, the fortified line including Maubeuge. The position is excellent for artillery, while many roads make retreat easy in the event of defeat, but the eastern country will be difficult for German movements. The Germans advancing on Mons and Charleroi have no defensive positions for a beaten army.

GERMANS SOUTH OF NAMUR.

London, August 23

There are indications that the Germans’ eastern wing has attacked the Allies’ base at Rochefort and Cinay.

(Ciney is a town in Belgium, 15 miles south-east of Namur, on the railway.

GERMAN ADVANCE ON LILLE.

Ostend, August 28

Later advices state that the Gormans are marching in considerable force towards Lille (a first-class French fortress near the border, 66 miles south-east of Calais, with a population of some 220,000), cutting all communications along their flank, especially in the direction of Antwerp.

GERMAN TROOPS IN BELGIUM.

Ostend, August 24

It is estimated that 200,000 Germans passed through Brussels up to Friday night, and 75,000 more went in the direction of Antwerp, and 10,000 remain at Brussels -under Count von Armin. '

The equipment of the whole German army is perfect in every detail.

The General Staff at Brussels is requisitioning food and other supplies, but the private soldiers are paying for everything they obtain. The officers do not pay in cash, but give cheques There are lively scenes in the cipal hotels. The German officers drink champagne fi’eely, and dance with girls. Generally they converse freely with the inhabitants. The Ger Wan commander placarded Brussels that he is forced by circumstances to make levies. He x - equests the population to acquiesce, and not to adopt an aggi’essive attitude, otherwise ho will inflict, severe measures. The Germans every evening seize the day’s receipts of the Brussels tramways. OPERATIONS OF THE GERMANS. IMPROVED COMMISSARIAT CONDITIONS.

(Received 9 a.m.) London, August 24. German trains are running between Brussels and Liege. Telegraphic communication has been opened with Berlin,.

The German commissariat, except to the south of the Meuse, is improving, showing that the motor service from the railway termini over the Belgian frontier Ims been much strengthened. Patrols are using armoured cars and conveying eight to teh men with a quickfirer.

BRITISH ENGAGED ALL SUNDAY AT MONS.

FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE AT NAMUR TAKEN,

(Received 9.15 a.m.) London, August 24

" The Press Bureau states that the British forces were engaged all Sunday and held their ground in the neighbourhood of Mons.

News has been received that the first line of defence at Namur has been taken, necessitating the withdrawal of portion of the Allies from the line on the river Samhro to the original position on the French frontier. GERMAN CRUELTIES..

Timeb and Sydney Sun Sertiom, London, August 24,

The Belgian correspondent of The Times substantiated many acts of grossest cruelty by German soldiers on defenceless men, women and children.

ONE NEWSPAPER CONTINUES PUBLICATION.

Brnssels, August 23,

All the newspapers, with the exception of the Independence Beige, have ceased publication. The editor of the latter declares that as long as there is liberty anywhere in Belgium the paper will continue to depict the sufferings and the splendour of his coun-

GERMAN RUSE AT CHARLEROI.

(Received 8.25 a.m.) Paris, August 24. Lo Temps states that twenty Death’s Head hussars eiftered Charleroi and rode quickly up the street calling; “Wo are friends!” The citizens, mistaking them for English cavalry cried “Live L’Angloterre!” until a Belgian officer realising the mistake gave the alarm. The Belgian soldiers killed two Germans and put the rest to flight.