Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-09-16
TCAR|O-T|O-CAPE'
aim Of BRITISH
Such Seems to be Object of
English Arms, Asserts
Authority.

Washington, Sept. 18.-Reports OF
fighting between the British ana Ger
man forces in Central Africa are re-
garded in diplomatic quarters as nav.
ing q significance far beyond that OF
local struggle. 1t is looked upon
as a final test Of rival policies-the
German plan of establishing her most
extensive colony in East Africa, and
the British policy Of linking together
her vast territory in Southern Africa,
extending from Cape Colony, through
Rhodesia up to Lake Tanganyika--
and her equally large possessions In
Northern Africa. extending from
Egypt through the Soudan. down to
British East Africa.
These British possessions. in the
North and the South, stretch almost
continuously for 5000 miles, giving
the hope or realizing Cecil Rhodes
dream Of continuous "Cairo-to-the-
Cape" route, entirely under British
authority. This stretch now Is inter-
rupted at only one point, where for
200 miles German East Africa projects
an arm straight across the chain OF
the north to the south. The British
have succeeded In getting around this
gap, first by crossing Belgian territory
under q treaty, which finally was alb
rogated through Germany's protest;
and, second by adopting Lake Tang
anyika as a water route connecting
the other portions Of the route by rail
and river.
Strategic Point Taken.
A report from Blanquire In British
Central Africa tells Of the taking Of
the German station at Lansenburs. at
the head Of the Lake Nyassa in Ger
man East Africa This is the section
Immediately at issue and which form
the link between the British posses
sions Of North and South Africa.
It lies just south Of the British pos
session in Uganda, and should its
control pass to the British. 1t would
the northernmost point Of Africa to
the southernmost point of Cape Col
ony.
London, Sept. 1s.-A dispatch to
Reuters Telegram company from
Antwerp contains the following. official
communication issued by the Belgian
government:
After four days Of hard fighting
positions at Antwerp to attack the
German forces in the Brussels-Lou
vain-Malines triangle, have returned
within the outer ring Of the Antwerp
fortincations.
THE sortie, which at first seemed
to be merely skirmish operation
against covering troops left by the
enemy in front OF Antwerp, developed
into.tan action on extensive scale. The
enArny's position was very. strong, ow-
ing TO- the nature I'd. the ground and
the earthworks thrown up during the
last fortnight.
Enemy is Reinforced.
The necessity for holding this po-
Eition at all costs obliged the enemy
to call for all available forces The
Third German army CORPS which had
left Ninove for Nedebraeckel, return
ed hastily, and tho Ninth corps, which
the Audenarde-Ruyen road, was like
wise recalled.
Moreover, landwehlr and land
sturm detachments stationed to the
south of Brussels, as we'll as $4,000
marines who arrived at Brussels some
days ago. took part in the fighting.
The results attained are Of capital
Importance from the point Of view OF
the allies stah, since, In consequence
corps have been unable to go to the
assistance Of the German armies
which are retreating in France.
Belgians Back to Antwerp.
In view Of this concentration of all
the German forces available in this
vicinity our army found itself, at, the
end Of the fourth day. in the presence
OF superior numbers, whereupon It re.
turned to Antwerp
Our army continues to be a con.
slant menace to the Germans and will
oblige them to immobilize important
forces which evidently are needed
urgently in France.
"The losses on both sides durina
the four days Of fighting have beer
heavy. testifying to the stubbornnesl
Of the conflict. The fire Of the Ger.
mans was very poor, however, and
the wounds suffered by our men gen.
orally Of slight character"
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