BELGIUM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 75, 18 August 1914, Page 5

BELGIUM

LIEGE HOLDING OUT. A 05XDn> GERMAN CRITIC. THE CAUSE OF ENORMOUS LOSSES. Brussels, August lfi. The German cavalry occupied Dinant (20 miles south of Namur) on Saturday morning. Lutcr the French artillery expelled them and the cavahy pursued tllCDl. The Liege forts arc still holding out. It is stated that one German general who was shot in both legs continues duty in an invalid chair. Seven bombs were dropped in the I civilian quarters at Nanrur. One damaged the railway station, and another wounded five men. Details from Liege show that in the ! early stages of the fighting civilians' | houses suffered terribly from German shells, and many fires broke out. A German officer, who was taken prigoner at Haelen, writing to his wife, said: "Marching towards Haelen was difficult, the enemy having destroyed the bridge*. Haelen was covered with dead and wounded and the scenes were terrible. The enemy took the village although Haelen was occupied by our troops, and we had hard work to escape. The enemy's shrapnel was terrible, and the carnage frightful. Our retreat was hindered by the great number of wandering horses and by fugitives from the second cuirassiers. We made a mistake in attacking such a strong position, across ground full of hedges, and ditches with barbed wire. We advanced as for an imperial inspection, not as if at war. /This cost us great loss, and will cost enormous losses in future. Here we lost twelve cannon, and all our heroes were killed." Entrenchments have been thrown up on the main roads around Brussels against the enemy's cavalry. This is a police measure, not part of the military operations. It is estimated that the Germans have-fost 15',000 killed in Belgium since the beginning of the conflict. There has ibe.en heavy cannonading in the vicinity of Bost and Hougaerde, villages close to Tirlemont, since three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. FRENCH POSITIONS ATTACKED. . GERMAN FORCE DECIMATED. Brussels, August 16. It is officially stated that the Germans at Dinant, in force with several quickfirers, attacked the French positions. A brisk fight followed, and the French artillery decimated the Germans. The French occupied both banks of the river Mcuse. [The French have evidently advanced I into Belgium to meet the German forces, [And have forfeited positions south of Namur.} ' BELGIAN SITUATION UNCHANGED. CABLKGRAMS FROM BRUSSELS. Brussels, August lfi. While the Germans were entering Vervicrs a shot was fired, killed a soldier. The Germans razed the entire street, including a large factory. it was officially stated on Sundar afternoon that thi''situation was unchanged. The Belgian army was not in direst, contact with the enemy at anv point ou the front. AUSTRIAN'S ix THE NETHERLANDS. Received 17. 10.50 p.m. Amsterdam, August !7. It is rumored that Austrian troops are fighting in Belgium, -under Count Von Buelow, commanding the second army corps. GERMAN" COLUMNS ON THE MOVE. IN THE VALLEY OP THE MEUSE. J BIG OPERATIONS PENDING. I Received IS. 12.10 a.m. I Palis, August 17. | German columns can be seen winding along the valley of the Meuse towards Dinant. where there are signs of preparation for important operations. '