Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 5, 24 August 1914, Page 5

Belgium

THE ENTRY INTO BRUSSELS.

[By Eusotmo Tklkgbaph—COPTHlGHT] [United Piiess Association.) Amsterdam, August 22. A German army corps, headed by the "Death's HeatF' Hussars, entered Brussels. Their horses were very exhausted, and cantered with diffi-

culty. The troops took possession of the barracks and the heights commanding the city, and behaved in an exemplary manner. The procession occupied several hours. Some regiments bore a. line appearance. Their fresh condition points to their forming part of the vast army which has been forming for the last fortnight behind the lighting screen. The citizens viewed the spectacle in silence, although the sight of two Belgian officers manacled to the stirrup leathers of Uhlans evoked a growl of resentment. Most of the shops were closed, and many thousands watched the procession. Only some two or three thousand Germans remain in Brussels, and they are quartered in the barracks. There are over 1000 German prisoners at Ghent, Bruges, and Ostond, which are crowded with refugees.

THE GERMAN FORCES.

WAR CONTRIBUTION.

London, August 22

The Times estimates that 35.000 to 40,000 Germans passed through Brussels, and that they must have 150,000 behind them. Amsterdam, August 22.

The Treasurer of Brussels states that thero is no possible chance of coercive measures giving the Germans even a fraction of the eight millions.

Dutch papers state that the Germans demanded two million sterling tribute from Liege.

THE FIGHTING BEFORE BRUSSELS.

OCCUPATION OF GHENT.

Amsterdam, August 22

The battle preceding the ot-eupation of, Brussels started at daybreak on Tuesday, near Goetbetz. The Gei"? mans opened the attack with'a large j force of cavalry, infantry, artillery, an,d machine-guns. A fierce 'battle' eiisued over,' a' ten-kilometre front (about si;x and a'quarter miles).. In! the north 1 the Germans attacked llae,len> Loibergen, and' CoriehaecheH. They tried to break the Belgian Kncisj' near Geet'bet/,;'' Ij'ut the ' 'dismounted Belgian cavalry 'for "two ! hours main-' tained a 1 hotwire fromentrenciyrient*, J: annihilating 'the German's ;( advance line's. Eventually the Belgians were outflanked and slowly retired. •

Two Belgian squadrons of 240 men for a long time withstood 2000 Germans, but finally were compelled to retire.

Tjie Germans.stormed Diest. Many houses were destroyed. A tremendous battle'developed -along the Ym&. German aeroplanes connoitred the Belgian positions. ' The carnage was simply murderous »t Aerschot.

By noon the Germans had Louvain on motor-cars mounted £ with: machine-guns. The Belgians fell backcm'Malines and Antwerp/ •» ••; v; , :When the Uhlans entered. Brussels they seized all the motor-cars for conveyance of light guns. An army corps left Brussels for the westward and occupied Ghent at noon without resistance. From Ghent the advance posts moved coastwise, presumably to seize Zee and Ostend. The German westward movement continues on both banks of the Meuse i beyond the radius of the Namur I forts.

Burgomasters of rural communes disarmed the civil guards, in order to prevent the enemy firing on peaceful citizens. OCCUPATION OF BRUSSELS. After informing the Burgomaster that he would be made responsible for events and acts on the part of the populace, the Germans made a triumphal entry into Brussels. The troops included Uhlans, horse and foot artillery, sappers, with siege train complete; then a hundred motorcars, on which quickfirers were mounted. Every regiment was preceded by its band, and the soldiers continuously singing "Tho Watch on the Rhine" and "Deutschland ueber Alio." They marched into the groat Square, and thence into camps on the city heights. THE BARBARITY OF MILITARISM London, August 22.

Germany's demand for an additional £400,000 tribute from Lioge is regarded as proof that the fores must have fallen.

Germany's arrogant brutality and the stories of outrages and cruel ransom demanded of defenceless citizens whose nation Germany was pledged to protect, are arousing intense indignation throughout England, where there is a general denunciation of the rapacity and barbarity of militarism.

Many cewsinperg suggests that Germany's successes in Belgium havo been more theatrical than practical, and formed no part" of the original plan. The mora serious business of the campaign still lies before them. THE POSITION AT LIEGE. (R«eoived 8.15 a.m.) London. August 28. Tie Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam eerm»»iid«ui stat-9 Chut th« situation •t' tk« <*itiz#»s ff Li«g|<» is very ua-

favourable. A shot was fired from a house on Friday, and the Germans immediately opened fire with machine guns, destroying twenty houses and killing the inmates. They burnt ten other houses. All the money in the private banks has been confiscated. ROUND ABOUT OSTEND. (Received 9.0 a.m.) Paris, August 23. A body of Uhlans reached the outskirts of Maliiies, but they were drawn off by Belgian machine guns, while armored motor cars hotly pursued them. From Antwerp trains are nmning to Ghent and to the Dutch frontier.

It was not expected that the Germans would occupy Osteud with a big force.

Seven thousand refugees are in Ostend and there are pitiful scenes in the streets. The majority are destitute. The barracks and public buildings have been cenverted inte sleeping quarters.