OPERATIONS IN BELGIUM.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2285, 20 October 1914, Page 5

OPERATIONS IN BELGIUM.

OSTEND OP NO-'mILITAEY IMPORTANCE. London, October 18. "The Times," in a leader, says:—"The German occupation of Ostend is a matter of no importance. The harbour is useless to an enemy who does not dare to bring his ships into it If used as a base for submarines it would be instantly and effectively tackled. A Zeppelin shed at Ostend would be agreeably vulnerable. The occupation has no relation whatever to the military and naval positions, and from the viewpoint of the progress of the war the matter is not worth a second thought." CAPTURED PROPERTY AT OSTEND. London, Ocotber 18. ; Advice from Berlin state that the Germaus at Ostend seized many rifles, quantities of ammunition, and two hundred undamaged locomotives. v THE SCHELDT MINED. I Amsterdam, October 18. The Scheldt has been mined between Antwerp and the south-eastern extremity of South Beveland, the nearest of the large islands in the Scheldt estuary. BRITISH AID FOR THE BELGIANS. . London, October 18. Tens of thousands assembled,at Wimbledon Common to ealute the .Belgian flag, and express through the. Duchess of Vendome sympathy with BelelUnj'lr Chaplin, M.P. for Wimbledon, said that, though it meant suffering and ruin to Belgium, she had not faltered, but had declined to. break' her word of honour and betray her friends. The crowd, at- tho instance of Mr. T. O'Connor (Nationalist M.P.), with uplifted hands, registered a vow that, whatever camo, Britain would never eheath the sword until Belgium was freo and reparation made to her. The Duchess of Vendome is a sister of King Albert of Belgium, and resides at Wimbledon. • - i '■ (Rec. October 19, 5.60 p.m.) London, Ootober 18. Many refugees are returning to Antwerp.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Service.) ■ ■■ • , ■ GERMAN PLANS UPSET. \. Oleo. October 19, 8.25 p.m.) ; London; October 18. The "Vossische' Zeitung" admits that tho German plans were upset by the Allies, retreating from Antwerp. The Germans were confident of capturing Antwerp's defenders, RUMOURED RETREAT OF ENEMY FROM WEST FLANDERS. (Reo. October 19, 10.15 p.m.) - Amsterdam, October 18. / Strong German forces left Bruges with guns towards France. _ Great numbers of German wounded have arrived at Bruges. It is rumoured that the Germans have retreated from West Flanders, and have commanleered 125,000 francs worth of hay an"d oats at Blankenberghe as ransom. ' Blankenberghe is on the Bea coast, abont ten miles north of Ostend. 40,000 TROOPS TRAVERSE OSTEND. (Rec. October 20, 1.30 a.m.) . Amsterdam, October 19. Forty thousand German infantry, with four hundred guns, traversed Ostend on Saturday. '