German Wall of Steel

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 14, 3 September 1914, Page 5

German Wall of Steel

BRITISH BORE THE BRUNT OF THE ATTACK.

London, September 2

Mr M. Donohoe, Daily Chronicle correspondent, cabling on Monday from a town in the Somme department, said the Germans were throwing the whole of their weight against the British on the Allies' left wing. The battie commenced with very heavy artih lery lire, in which the Germans were well served by their aviators. Freshlyarrived troops from England arrived in time to participate in the conflict, after spending several days in carrying our strategic movements in troop trains. Many were reservists, with South African experience. They arrived in the highest spirits, and as they marched to the front cheered for the French and groaned for ."William the Weed," as they have nicknamed the Kaiser, apparently confusing him with the Albanian Prince. When the artillery fire slackened, the German infantry force struck at the Allies' left. The ; British bore the brunt of the attack. Masses Inn-led themselves for hours on a wall of steel, and towards evening the British were compelled to give ground slowly, after a day of most sanguinary fighting. The success was dearly purchased, for the attacking German infantry fell in heaps. Stories of recent German atrocities against British wounded maddened our men. The French on the right and centre continued to hold their own, and when the full force of the German attack was spent, towards evening, the French troops delivered a sharp coun-ter-attack, the losing heavily. The fight was continued to-day, when a fresh onslaught was made upon the British, still on the Aliles' left. The British are now being reinforced, and are confident that they are able to check the enemy's advance.

APPRECIATION OF "TOMMY ATKINS."

London, September 1

General Sir John French has driven round the English lines congratulating them on their splendid work. General Joffre sent a message to the British that their services had placed the French under a debt of gratitude that she can hardly repay.

LOUVAIN BURNING.

SYSTEMATIC DESTRUCTION FOR 36 HOURS. , London, September 2. RichardfHarding Davis, who visited Louvain, states that President Wilson urges' Americans to be neutral. I. •,

The same correspondent says he saw the,Germans, after the destruction of Louvain,'" fike men who have , been through an orgie, laughing hysterical, and' shouting. The destruction was done systematically, and continued for 36 hours. They started in the heart of the city and worked to the outskirts, street by street, gathering furniture in church, house, or shop, and when they saw the first floor burning passed on. He saw a hundred men led awav to be shot, while an officer stood in a ■cart, t'elliiig 'their wives, mothers and sisters what was going to be done. Even the German official report, as given; to tire American and Spanish Ministers, only.stated that the son of the Burgomaster fired on the Chief of Staff of the General commanding Louvain. If that were true, the boy should have been shot and the matter ended. Instead, the General immediately ordered the destruction of the city. The whole line of march of the Germans, from Liege to Brussels, is a succession of wrecked villages.

GERMANS IN BRUSSELS.

STRENGTHENING THESR LINES

OF COMMUNICATION.

Ostein!. September 2

There is considerable movement of fresh German troops into Brussels, and 80,000 are due to arrive to-day. The Governor li is ordered the expulsion of all Britishers within 24 hours. The Germans are fortifying the environs, and the cemetery has been transformed into a redoubt. The Duke of Brunswick occupies the Royal Castle, and royally entertains. A large company of Belgians, cycling in the outskirts, not comprehending the German commands, were frequently shot. A great movement of Germans from Brussels towards Lierre and Fermonde is interpreted to indicate an early attempt to invest and bombard Antwerp. Amsterdam, September 2.

Ik is stated that the German Governor of Brussels has had difficulties with American and Spanish Ministers, who refuse to obey the orders forbidding code cablegrams. The American Minister declares that he will uphold the Belgian rights while he remains.

"TAKE COURAGE! YOU'LL SOON BE DELIVERED!"

Amsterdam, September 2

The Germans ineffectually attacked a French biplane which twice circled Brussels, dropping hundreds of handbills, beaded, "Take courage; you'll soon be delivorod!" The aviator, before disappearing, gave an exhibition of upside-down flying. Two Jesuit professors at the University in Louvain were shot because they had in their possession papers relating to German atrocities.

"LET US GET ON, GENTLEMEN!"

Times and Sydney Sun Services. Loudon, September 1. The son of General Castlenau, German Chief of Staff, was killed «'hen leading his company. General Castlenau was dictating orders to his staff. when an officer bluntly broke the news. The General paused a moment, »nd then, without emotion, said, "Let us get on, gentlemen!"