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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 210, 9 October 1914, Page 6

■ » ■ , . -J USBS , After having formally given notice to the Belgian authorities, the Germans have begun what- looks to be a serious attempt .to reduce Antwerp. The seat of Government; has been removed from that city to Ostend. The Germans have undertaken a task which should tax their artillery and siege methods to the utmost. Antwerp is one of the ! most; ■strongly fortified places in Europe. The\ outer fortifications are of comparatively | recent date, and when the Liege forts i could hold out for week's, Antwerp, according to all reckoning, should be able to withstand i-eduction for months.' The town is the main military bulwark of Belgium, being defended by an un-i broken line of fortifications, strength-! ened by deep moats, and supported by j an extended-Hue of isolated forts,! There are fourteen of these outer forts, \ garrisoned by some 14,000 men in all, and armed with some 2000 guns of varying calibre. The importance of Antwerp as a strategic' base from which to operate against England has ever been recognised by the German General Staff, and no doubt a desperate effort will be made to reduce the place before the allied armies can break through into Belgium, and draw the besieging forces to field engagements. Heavy lighting has taken place to the south and southeast of the town, and though the Belgians have done prodigiously, considering the superiority in number of the enemy, the indications are that they are being steadily edged back on the fortifications. Belgium's cup of misfortune is, indeed, overflowing. Her indomitable: courage that proved such a stumbling block to the German advance across the Mouse, and so to F.rance, has brought her a world of suffering, the effects of which will leave an indelible mark for centuries to come. It speaks volumes for the splendid and exalted spirit of the Belgians that, perceiving (as they must have done) what the consequences must be, they did not hesitate, and have not hesitated, to , spend themselves to the utmost of their resources to assert their rights against a bullying and remorseless foe. The endurance and hardihood of this little nation have evoked the admiration of the whole world, and the hopes of all the.world will bo .with the brave defenders of Antwerp to the end, whatever that end may be.