IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2249, 8 September 1914, Page 5

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE WAR

BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS VISiTED WHAT A JOURNALIST SAW London, September G. The "Observer's" correspondent at Ostend passed the German lines and visited Mons. Ho states that the Germans; fearing ail attack by British troops from the north-west, wore entrenching themselves at Mens. • The Germans are behaving atrociously in the district; burning houses, and murdering Belgian non-combatants; particularly miners; who, they declare, are dangerous Socialists. Sacks containing 62,000 aluminium identification plates of Germans who have been killed are. being' sent to Berlin. The correspondent states that tho French frontier fortress of Maubeuge was bombarded by the famous howitzers. Over a hundred houses in Nimy,' Mons, Jemappes. .and other villages wore burned. The terrified'inhabitants hung out white flags arid implored mercy. In Jemappes tlib monument of France's victory over tho Austrians in 1792 was destroyed. The correspondent saw.in one village burial place tho bodies of 105 Germans and 50 Englishmen. Wherever possible, the. villagers wrapped tho bodies of tho Englishmen in Union Jacks. At Mons ho saw a convoy of English prisoners, marching baroheaded in n blazing sun. Citizens offered the nien straw hats, which the Germans would not permit them to wear, The Germans taunted the British, saying: "Look at theso bravo robbers of bur colonies." After the battle southwards of Mons many British, wounded were for three days without help. The norrpsuoiuicnt saw a German aeroplane break down near Ostend. The peasants captured two officers; one of whom was woiinded. Both wero sent to Ghent. '