Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 53, 19 October 1914, Page 5

Belgium

OSTEND OCCUPIED. United Phess Association. Amsterdam, October 17. An official statement from Berlin states that the Germans have occupied Ostend. (Ostend is the second important seaport of Belgium, in the province ot West Flanders, on the North Sea. Its harbour is shallow. It is a great distributing centre, being the terminus of several French and German railways and several imporant canals. Has a population of 50,000, and has a naval school. It lies 36 miles from Ghent. Ostend is a popular seaside resort and is visited in the season by thousands from all countries. The town is remarkable for its long and obstinate siege by the Spaniards from 1601 to 1604.)

GERMANS ENTERED THE TOWN ON THURSDAY. . London, October 17. The Daily Mail correspondent reports that the Germans entered Ostend on Thursday morning. There was great commotion among the crowds of refugees on the quays and in the hotels. The invaders, 5000 Germans, are lodged in the public buildings. Two thousand were left at Zeebrugge. There are no Germans beyond Heyost and Sluis. SCENES OF PANIC AT OSTEND. Times and Sydney Sun Services. ■ London, October 17. Riotous scenes were witnessed at Ostend when the steamers were taking off the refugees. Flocking the wharves, the British soldiers took charge of gangways and insisted on women and children being first. Nevertheless, in -the swaying and crushing-many* were maimed. A wail was raised when it was announced that no more vessels -were available. Thousands remained. A panic occurred when it was reported that the Germans had occupied Bruges and were marching on Ostend. Women fainted and children shrieked, whilst men ran about demented. A Taube monoplane increased the terror, dropping bombs near the refugees. The panic abated upon the arrival of additional steamers.

SOME SPOILS TO THE VICTORS. United Press Association. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 18. Advices from Berlin state that the Germans at Ostend seized many rifles, quantities of ammunition, and two hundred undamaged locomotives. OCCUPATION OF THE TOWN OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE. (Received 9.15 a.m.) London, October 17. The Times, in a leader, says: The German occupation of Ostend is a matter of no importance. The harbor is useless, as the onemy will not dare to bring ships into it. Used as a base for submarines, it would be instantly effectively tackled. A Zeppelin shed at Ostend would be agreeably vulnerable. The occupation has no relation whatever to the military and naval position from the viewpoint of the progress of the war, and the matter is'not worth a second thought. A SOLEMN VOW. BRITISHERS SWEAR FIRM FRIENDSHIP FOR BELGIUM. (Received 8.60 a.m.) London, October IS. Tens of thousands assembled cn Wimbledon Common to salute the Belgian flag, and express, through the Duchess of Yendome, their sympathy with Belgium.

The Rt. Hon. H. Chaplin, M.P. for Surrey, said that though it meant suffering and ruin, Belgium bad not faltered and had declined to break her word of honor and betray fier friends.

The crowd, at Mr T. P. O’Connor’s instance, lifted up their bands and registered a vow that whatever came they would never sheath the swoid until Belgium free and reparation had been made. ■onV* 1