THE EVACUATION OF ANTWERP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2280, 14 October 1914, Page 5

THE EVACUATION OF ANTWERP

"' BRITISH AID APPRECIATED SOME OF THE FORTS STILL RESISTING -- London, Ootober 12. "The Times," in a leader, says. "The seizure of Antwerp will only become of ippreciablo value to the enemy if they make Belgium the theatre of = a defensive campaign in the west. Should they be driven out of France, Antwerp would- considerably strengthen their chance of fighting in Belgium rather than in their own country. By holding Belgium they would compel the Allies to fight on a long front, extending from Antwerp to Belfort, but the chief scene of operations would still be Bolgium." > .The naval correspondent of "The Times" says: 'IWhile Germany 1 respeota neutral rights and international law, Antwerp cannot be used ,as a base for naval operations against ourselves. On the other hand, should the Germans violate the neutrality of Holland, our bands would be united. There is nothing whatever in the changed situation from the naval aepect to oause apprehension." ' ■ ■ . ■ . ATTACKS WITH DISREGARD OF.LIFE. ■ , ■■ • ■ ; London, October 12. Correspondents agree that the German attaoks between the outer and inner forts of Antwerp were carried, out with utter disregard for life, in the face of mines and all the other means of defence. Long after their entry the Germans/ fearing mines, continued firing 'upon and around, tho ruins of the blown-up forts. Fivo trainloads of German wounded around Antwerp, have been Bent to Aix-la-Ohapelle. BRITISH ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOMED. 1 London, October 12. 'Antwerp messages dispatched prior to the capture of the city record'the demonstrations following the arrival of the British troops. The whole population was raised from extreme depression to exultation; the Belgian soldiers for the first time sang triumphant marching songs, and afterwards fought with dogged, careless gallantry. They were new men. The British troops occupied the advanced trenches, near the River Nethe, where they were exposed to, a continuous galling shrapnel fire, without any choice but to return the fire with their rifles. Accordingly, the men were brought back half a mile from the river, to better-constructed trenches. During the night of the sth the Germans crossed the river, but wore beaten back \n. t'he fire of the British "marines; Belgian officers have spoken with the deepest emotion of the gallantry of the British. '■■■.- ■' On the 6th British guns were mounted in tho inner ring of forts, but it became increasingly . evident on the 7th that the Germans were only awaiting, an opportunity io bombard the city, and that there was no hope of saving the town. • . MOST TERRIBLE TIME OF THE-WAR. (Rec. Ootober 13/5.40 p.m.) • ■ / ■ ■■' London, October 12. 'A correspondent at Rotterdam declares that the last ten nights at Antwerp were the most terrible of the war. The siege of Liege was nothing in comparison. After.their entry the Germans immediately attempted to bridge the Scheldt, expecting quickly to overtake the retiring troops.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ' ■ , \ : ' ■. ■'' NO INTOXICANTS LEFT.' (Rec. October 13, 6,40 p.m.) ''•-. . London, Ootober 12. Belgians who have" arrived in England state thai before leaving Antwerp they were careful to smash every, bottle containing intoxicants, because the Germans drink and then commit excesses.—("Times" and Sydney. "Sun" Services.) . ... ■ • "NEARER TO THE BRITISH." (Reo. Ootober 13, 5.40 p.m.) London, Ootob'er 12. The "Berliner Tageblatt," referring to the capture of Antwerp, saysf "Wβ get nearer to the British and they themselves can imagine what that ireans for them."—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ONLY THE SUBURBS OCCUPIED. (Rec. October 13, 10.40 p.m.) Paris, October 12. The Germans only occupy tho suburbs of Antwerp. Twenty-four of the forts on the Scheldt resist energetically. *• ' . WHY RESISTANCE WAS ABANDONED, (Reo. October 14, 0.50 a.m.) ! London, October 13. Mr. Martin Donohoe, in a message to the "Daily Chronicle," states that while many of the military at Antwerp favoured tho continuation of the resistance, others pointed but the- possibility of a severe bombardment of the city and tho destruction of its architectural beauties. The municipality pleaded, the cause of the menaced city, and- questioned if any good would be obtained by prolonging the struggle, and its entreaties carried the day.