Brussels Abandoned.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 4, 22 August 1914, Page 5

Brussels Abandoned.

The Enemy Walk in.

Saving Historic Monuments from German Savagery.

DISPLEASING TO THE CIVIC GUARDS. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] » , London, August 20. The Germans have occupied Brussels:

London, August 21

Mr Donohue, tho Daily Telegraph’s correspondent, says the abandonment of Brussels was the result of a conference between the commander of the Allies and the civic authorities, as the only method of saving historic monuments from German savagery. The decision was highly displeasing to tin* civic guards who were manning tho entrenchments. When they were disarmed, the majority of the civic guards marched out and entrained for Ghent, in order to be re-armed for fighting

elsewhere. ’ The Mayor of Brussels has warned the townfolk that the city is at the mercy of the enemy, and urged them to give no ground for hostile action. The townsfolk awaited the coming of the Prussians bravely, though they had been witnessing the arrival of halfclad and homeless peasants who had fled before the Prussian bayonets. j*-- It was decided not u> defend Brussels. '

The wounded were' entrained for places of safety. The citizens, often-ten deep, stood bare-headed while the wounded wore carried out, and cheered the departing trains.

Later there was a considerable exodus of male population, fearing that they would be made prisoners. Refugees from the country are now encamped in the public squares. The roads from Louvain are still packed with retreating soldiers and fugitives in carts, of which many are drawn by dogs. The majority have lost their money, clothes, horses, and eattle, the Germans pitilessly firing farms, villages and crops. A p’arty of Uhlans occupied Brussels on Thursday afternoon. The streets were deserted Some citizens have draped the Belgian flag with crepe.

THE WEAK POINT IN THE LINE.

London, August 21

The occupation of Brussels was duo to the Germans throwing two army corps against Louvain, which was the weak point in the line. The invading force, with a front of thirty miles, is covered by a great cavalry screen, wherewith the French ami Belgians were hotly engaged on Tuesday. The French dragoons repeatedly crept up on the cavalry screen, out when they penetrated beyond the advanced posts they discovered a large force of infantry and retired in good order, with practically no loss. On Wednesday the Gorman army corps advanced steadily. THE RETREAT ON LOUVAIN. Loudon, August 20. Reuter’s Ghent correspondent states a fierce action was fought at Ac-r----schot on Wednesday. Two German aeroplanes reconnoitred Belgian positions. The German infantry, with machine-guns, attacked an inferior Belgian force, winch resisted desperately. T wo regiments which had already fought splendidly at Liege were in the forefront, and tenaciously held their ground for two hours, inflicting severe losses. Finally the Belgians, being assailed in front and on the right flank began to retreat to Louvain, eoverel by Major Gilson’s forces.

The Press Bureau states that the Belgian retirement was tactically necessary, and had been anticipated for some days. Belgium has already admirably performed the duty of delaying the German advance and enabling the Allies fco com plat* th*ir «o'ti*«utwtiens.

BELGIAN GARRISON RETREATS FROM DIEST. Loudon, August 21. The first shock was encountered at Diest, where the old forts and water moat proved but small protection against tho heavy! shell fire. The garrison retreated, and* the Germans .advanced cautiously, fearing a surprise.

Tho Belgian cavalry, which was covering the retreat of the rearguard, had several brushes with the enemy, who repeatedly sought to cut off the Belgian cavalry. The latter’s impetuosity led them to charge the enemy, incurring heavy losses. The Germans then attacked Louvain, whence the Belgian headquarters had been removed on Wednesday. GERMAN THREAT TO LAY BRUS-

SELS IN RUINS.

3ELG IftNS WEEP IN THE TRENCHES.

(Received 8.5 a.ra.) London, August 21

The Gormans threatened to lay Brus r sels in ruins if a shot was lired from the entrenchments.

Tho Belgian War Office ordered the civic guards to disarm. ■ Many sat hi tho entrenchments weeping because they were not allowed to light.