THE DEFENDER OF LIEGE.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 February 1918, Page 6

THE DEFENDER OF LIEGE.

GENERAL LEMAN IN SWITZER

land.

Genera! Leman, the gallant defender of Liege, released by Germany for internment in Switzerland, arrived there on December 26. Unlike other high Belgian officers, General Leman W as not sent in a party with other prisoners, but was allowed to travel by bimself. A considerable crowd assembled at the station, including a number of Belgian soldiers and representatives of the Swiss authorities. M. Peltzer, Belgian Minister, welcomed General Leman, and M. Beau, French Ambassador, also spoke.

General Leman’s stubborn stand against the German invader when he violated Belgium territory in the first days of August, 1914, surprised and angered the enemy, hut thrilled the rest of the* world with admiration. It was not until August 15 that Fort Loncin, where General Leman had his quarters, was blown to pieces by German howitzers, its heroic defenders buried under its ruins, and the gallant general made prisoner. The story of the last days at Fort Loncin are told in a letter which General Leman addressed to the King of the Belgians immediately after he had been made prisoner:—

“Your Majesty is not ignorant that I was at Fort Loncin on August 6 at noon. You will learn with grief that the fort was blown up yesterday at 5.20 p.tn., the greater part of the garrison being buried under the ruins. That I did not lose my life in that catastrophe is due to my escort, who drew me from a stronghold whilst 1 was beng suffocated by gas from the exploded powder. I was conveyed to a trench, where I fell. A captain gave me a drink, and I was made prisoner and taken to Liege.

“I am certain that I have shown carelessness in this letter, but I am physically shattered by the explosion at Fort Loncin. In honour of our arms I have surrendered neither the fortress nor the forts. Deign pardon, Sire.

“In Germany, where I am proceeding, ray thoughts will be, as they always have been, of Belgium and the King. I would willingly have given my life the better to serve them, but death was not granted to me.”

General Leman, to whom General von Emmich returned his sword Ip recognition of his gallant defence, was first confined at Madgeburg, in. Germany, but in April, 1915, was removed to Blakenburg, where he has remained for the last two and a-half vears. There is evidence ini thelßeneral’s own statement that he might have been liberated or exchanged long ago but for his proud refusal to promise not to serve his country against Germany during the war.