BELGIUM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 77, 20 August 1914, Page 5

BELGIUM

A FATAL MISTAKE. ALGERIAN SHARP-SHOOTERS GET TO WORK. Paris, August 18. The report is continued that King Albert rejected Germany's fresh request, mada through Holland, for German troops' to cross Belgium. Wounded soldiers at Mulhausen state that the Germans, not recognising the uniforms of the Algerian sharpsliooters, allowed them to approach close and discovered their mistake too late. The Turcos threw themselves upon the Germans and wrought, terrible havoc in the trenches with bayonets. Those who escaped massacre fled and caused fearful disorder in the ranks behind. FRENCH TROOPS IK BELGIUM. ALL IN READINESS. London, August IS. The engagement as Haelcn was more costly than was supposed. The Germans lost two thousand dead and abandoned fifteen guns. Dead horses were strewn everywhere. The new dispositions of the allied armies in Belgium are complete. Correspondents were allowed to describe the arrival of the French troops in Brussels. One says that they swarmed the highways leading from France like ants towards the point of concentration. After a night's rest they melted away like a morning mist over the sombre Meuse into the dark fir woods and smiling valleys, singing snatches of the Marseillaise. Hidden in the fields of waving corn were many cunningly-contrived trenches in which the French and Belgians lay with rifies cocked. Through these woods and up steep knolls had been drawn the latest and most effective field artillery in the world. The French were hailed as the saviours of Belgium. Everything is ready and every French soldier is at his post, and the clash whether offensive or defensive, may come at any time. " THE GRAND BATTLE.", TROOPS IN POSITION. FRENCH LIKE TIGERS. Received 19, 10.55 p.m. London, August 19. Mr. Donolioe, writing to the Daily Chronicle, says that both sides have made the final dispositions for the gram] i battle. Tiie French, he adds, are like terriers hunting rats. Received 10, 11.20 p.m. London, Atigust 19 (morning). The Frencli Embassy states, that the Liege forts are still holding out, and that . not one has been captured. FRENCH IN GOOD SPIRITS. POLICE -RESTRICTIONS IN BELGIUM. Received 19, 9.5 p.m. Taris, August 19 (morning). M. Paul Doumer, once a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, 'has just returned from the fighting line in Belgium. He states that three Zeppelins reconnoitring were destroyed, and an- , other fell in the forest and was Wrecked. The spirit of the French soldiers has i been greatly strengthened by the confidence that their artillery is superior , to Germany's. ' The police have forbidden the drinking of absinthe, and are searching private cellars. Several cafes have already been closed. The police have also prohibited automatic gambling machines, sharply censoring the public entertainments and cinemas, "ALL'S WELL!" GERMANS NORTH OF ANTWERP. Rec-iived 19, 8.56 p.m. Brussels, Atigust 18 (evening). Official news states that all continues well with the Belgian army. German cavalry patrols have been sighted to the north of Antwerp. A RE-ASSURING •PROCLAMATION. Received lfl, 8.15 p.m. . Brussels, August 19. The Government has issued a re-assur-ing proclamation, that all fortified positions will be fully manued.