McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1914-08-14
BELGIANs PUT UP A FIGHT
Foil Attempt of Germans to Rush Into
France-8,ooo Reported Killed
In Battle.

Brussels, via Paris.-After having
suffered serious check and heavy
casualties at the hands of the Bel.
gians at Liege, the German troops re.
turned to the fray with redoubled ar.
dor and pounded away at the forts
with siege and field guns and rifles.
In the fighting of the first day the
estimates of the German casualties
ran as high as 5000 men. The invad-
ers also are said to have lost large
number of guns.
In one attack German infantry d.
vision supported by cavalry marched
onto mined ground The Belgians de-
tonated the mines and an entire bat.
TALON Of Germans was killed. Wound
ed Germans to the number Of 1000
were picked up on the battlefield.
1t is estimated that In the fighting
10000 Germans were faced by $4,000
Belgians.
In the attack on Fort Parchon,
northeast Of the city, the Belgians
permitted the Germans to draw up
almost to the walls of the fortress.
Then they turned loose their guns and
the slaughter is reported to have been
appalling.
Under the terrific fire here and
from the other forts the Germans were
forced to retire all along the line.
A detachment of Uhlans penetrated
the city with the intention, it is said,
Of capturing high officials. They had
reached the building where the Off
Gals had quarters when all were sur
prised and killed.
German shells preached the walls
Of two Of the fortresses, which were
captured. From the forts, however,
the Belgians continued to pour dead.
ly rain of shot and shell into the ad-
vancing Germans.
Despite the heroic resistance of the
Belgians, it was felt in Brussels that
the invaders, by reason of their great
strength, could not much longer be
denied and that ultimately they must
gain the City of Liege, whence they
are expected to press on toward Ma
muir in their march across the Bel
gian to the French frontier.
At Namur, which is strongly forti-
fled, 1t is asserted the Germans will
meet resistance as strong as that at
Liege.
The capture of the two outer forts
was an exhibition of pluck and bra
very on both sides. The Belgians
fought their guns until the German ar.
tillery had disabled them. Instead OF
falling back the Belgians stood by
their silent guns, and when the Ger
mans charged, the Belgians met them
with bayonets and dubbed rifles.
1t is question how much longer
the other forts of Liege can hold out
unless the French come quickly to
their aid. But their stubborn stand
has done its work. 1t was meant,
from the first, to delay rather than to
give any actual defeat to the advanc-
ing army. If the Germans should
pour over the breastworks, and take
the city, they would find, instead of a
clear, open and easy road into the
undetended northern provinces Of
France, in, striking distance of Paris,
an entrenched camp only 20 miles
away, which they will find even harder
to take than has been Liege.
For while the Belgian army of 25,-
600 has been fighting at Liege, other
forces have been entrenching them
selves at Namur, 20 miles up the
Mouse river, mounting heavy guns,
laying mines and preparing for an
another stand which will still further
delay the Germans.
Fifty thousand French are also re-
ported to be on the way to Namur to
join the Belgians, and it is known that
Gen. Lunier, commander of the French
northern division, has now concentrate
ed his men where he can hurl an i'm
mense army into the field
1t is this delay which enrages the
Germans past endurance. The plans
Of the German general staff has been
to march rapidly through Belgium
and into France, seize the northern
cities and sweep down on Paris be-
fore the French could assemble their
army. But Belgium denied them pass
age, and when they undertook to
force, they have fought so savagely
that the Germans have not advanced
a foot in three days. And-now
France is ready. Moreover, the Bel
gian blood is up and the Belgians will
fight side by side with the French in
the decisive battle to come, which Is