BELGIUM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 72, 14 August 1914, Page 5

BELGIUM

GERMANS FALL BACK. RETREATING MOVEMENT MORE PRONOUNCED. IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT NEAR TIRLEMONT. HEAVY CAVAGUY FIGHTING. Brussels. August 12. The War Cl'lic announces that the retTeating movement which the Germans commenced yesterday lias beconi" more pronounced. It seems that the Ohief-of-staff is hesitating to give battle. Paris, August 12. It is officially announced that artilcry fire destroyed a German battery near Springcourt. The French captured three guns and three maxims. It is officially declared that only small groups of Germans have entered the town of Liege. All the forts, from Bclfort to Liege are intact. The French cavalry at all points is maintaining its superiority. Amsterdam, Aujrust 12. TV Telegraf's correspondent at Maastrivht states t!hat there is a terrific eanno lade in the direction of Tongres (north-west of Liege). Paris, August 12. It is officially stated that many German patrols have been captured at Dinant, Rochefort and Gives. An important engagement u reported near Tirlemont (half-way between Liege and Brussels). The Belgians offered a rigorous resistance. London, August 12. Renter's Brussels correspondent says that heavy cavalrv engagements are ■proceeding'between the French, Belgians and Germans. The neighbourhood is not stated, hut it is surmised i>> be west and north-west of Liege. BNGAGEMENT IK PROGRESS. GERMANS ENTRENCHING AND COLLECTING LARGE FOOD SUPPLIES. CAVALRY SKIRMISHES ALL ALONG THE LINE. Received 14, 12.10 a.m. London, August 13. The official Press Bureau states that an engagement is in progress to the north-west of Hasselt (capital of the province of Limbourg, on the river Demer), between a Belgian cavalry division, supported by a brigade of infantry, and what ia presumed to be the 2nd German cavalry division, 2500 strong, supported by a battalion of infantry and twelve guns. The 4th German cavalry division is reported to be moving toward Jodigne, about six miles to the south-west of Toilemont. No German infantry is known to be on the left bank of the Meusc, except the battalion north-west of Hasselt The Germans are entrenching at Vise and in liege town, and constructing ■batteries north of Liege, preparatory to the siege. Heavy guns have already been heard. The Germans are constructing a railway between Vise and Homburg, parallef with the frontier of Dutch Limburg. Other accounts, including the reports of Belgian aviators, indicate that Germans are collecting large food supplies at Liege, and barricading the streets against any Belgian attempt to recapture the town. | Tlicv have -bridged the Meuse a few hundred yards from the Dutch frontier, barely out of range of the Liege forts. Cavalry skirmishes have occurred since Sunday all along the line, including a strong German detachment which crossed at Vise and reached Tongres, and another detachment at Tirlemont, supj plied wiffli quickfirer*.

FIERCE ENCOUNTERS. GERMANS CROSS THE MEUSE. Received 13, 7.50 p.m. Brussels, August 13 (morning). A fierce encounter occurred between the Belgian left wing and the massed German cavalry, infantry and artillery. The Belgians retained wonderful control under a fierce fire, and after a prolonged engagement completely routed the Germansi The victory was the cause of the liveliest enthusiasm in the allied lines, Received 13, 8.50 p.m. Brussels, August 12 (noon). A regiment of German dragoons attempted to surprise the Belgians at Aineffe, thirteen miles -,vc--t of Liege, but were repulsed after :: three hours' fight, losing 153 killed and 102 prison- . ers. Brussels, August 13 (morning). There was indignation when the Kai- ! ser decorated General Von Emmich for I eapturing the liege forts. The bombardment of the forts has beca resumed.. The Germans, by crossing the Meuse by bridge, established themselves at Lixhe. Other eonvoys arc crossing south of the Liege forts covering the German routes. Amsterdam. August 12. It is reported that two German airmei were caught at Namur. GERMAN ARMY LOCATED. IN THE NORTHERN STORM AREA. London. August 12. The Press Bureau stat m thai of twenty-six German army corn* the hulk have been definitely located. Tt is evident the mas.i are concnnlrat>d between Liege and Luxemburg. MAIN GERMAN ARMY UNREADY. COMMISSARIAT INCOMPLETE." NTCIIED RATTLE' IN BELGIUM UNLIKELY. Received 13. 11.-15 p.m. London. August 13 (Moving). 11. is now evident that the enterprise ai Liege was undertaken before the main army was ready, hv a fore" who*" mobilisation was -p.eiiillv effected before the declaration of war. The problem of moving and feeding the masses inarching through the Rhine country is proving difficult. German prisoners admit privations and shortness of food. Reports that an immediate pi'ehed battle will he fought in Belgium are doubtful. POBITTOX OF ALLIED FORCES. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 13, 5.15 p.m. London. August !3. I The deepest myslerv envelopes the position of the allies' forces. Even - the Belgian Legation is kept entirely m t | the dark, and has had no news from Brwmfe eia»e Tuesday morning.