The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-08-21
the GERMAN
MOVING
Forces in Belgium
Advancing.
BRUSSELS EVACUATED
ulIllg Is NUN uuihg U"
Near Antwerp.
THE FRENCH NEAR METZ
But Paris Admits Losing Ground
in AIsaCe.
THE FRENCH NEAR METZ
But Paris Admits Losing Ground
in kISaCe.

London, Aug, 21.-GlVing away 10
fore the approach Of the German
army, Belgian troops, according to an
odacial announcement left Brussels
falling back toward Antwerp.
A despatch from the Belgian CAPT
tai stated that the occupation OF the
city by the Kaiser's forces was 1mmi
nent and that the Burgomaster mao
directed the civic guard to d1sarm
Il IL believed in some quarters IN Lon
don that the Germans already have
entered the city, but the English wal
once has refused to make this state
mont. 1t is admitted, however, tina,
communication with Brussels has been
difficult.
The capture of Brussels emphasizes
the advance of the German army
which was indicated by the report
that It had captured Louvain, to the
south of the capital. Louvain was
used as q concentration point by the
allies, and for q time was headQuar
tiers for the Belgian general stan.
Omcial announcement that the Bel
gian army has been driven back by
the superior numbers of the Germans
was made by the official press bureau
In London.
Reliable information from the wal
centres is difficult to obtain, as press
correspondents have been driven
away by both hostile armies.
Admit Germans Gained Ground.
That the German army has gained
ground in its attack on the centre OF
the allies lines in Belgium is admit
ted In an official statement from Brus'
sells. This says that the kaiser's
troops have advanced on both sides
Of the Mouse.
At the same time, conditions unde
tormined before, but which have be-
come apparent within the last twenty
four hours, leave the present Ger
man plan of campaign somewhat In
doubt.
In the beginning It appeared that
- A3sseez1se plan Plan a " to hnr} great
fpeoo against the centre OF the line
q which the allies had drawn up to
Aofeud the Belgian-French frontier.
It was expected that Brussels would
b included in this movement, but
that the main strength of the German
army would strike south Of the Bel
Sian capital, and seek to pierce the
allies forces, separating them, and
thus opening the way for q direct
move toward Paris.
In support of this movement, the
Germans were reported bringing up
groat masses Of infantry, cavalry and
artillery. A despatch from Maestr1cht
Holland, says an overwhelming mum.
Der Of troops was being hurried to
central Belgium, the centre OF the
struggle which promises to be the
most gigantic in the history OF war
fare.
Many persons believe the Germans
still adhere to the original plan, but
news Of the cavalry skirmishing In the
extreme north of Belgium has given
rise to another theory which has been
received with credence in Paris. This
IL that the German army, meeting un.
expected opposition toward the south
an centre of Belgium, and finding q
more open way to the north, may try
to turn the extreme left flank Of the
France from the northeast.
Such q movement, it is believed
might contemplate an attempt to cap
turo Antwerp, which is strongly forti
ned. Possession of this city would
give the Germans an outlet on the
North Sea.
kaIser's Troops Near Antwerp.
The extent to which the German
forces have penetrated is shown by
the reports Of brisk engagements be
tween German cavalry and forces 81
the defenders, at Herenthals twelve
miles from Antwerp, and at TURNOUT
tWonty-three miles northeast of Ant
werp, very close to the Dutch from
tier.
Since the formard movement was
developed, the German advance, while
furiously opposed, has been steady
except for sharp opposition In the
south of Belgium. Like ponderous
Hachine, 1t has swept irrsistibly on
crushing down the opposition in its
path. A despatch from Paris, de
scribed as Official, says that large bod
los Of all three arms Of the German
service have crossed the river Meuse
botween Liege and Namur, and thai
they have attained the line extendins
from Dinant southeast to Neuf-Cha-
teau.
Louvain was abandoned by the allies
after severe fighting, a retreat being
ordered, according to one explanation
to save the beautiful city from bonn
bardment. In the fighting, 1t Is said
the German losses were severe. The
kaiser'e troops are said to have adj
vsnced In solid formation In the face
Of machine guns which moved them
down like nine-pins."
II Il understood that Louvain was
on the allies first line Of defense, and
that the movement to the rear took
the defenders troops to strongly en-
trenched positions on the second line
Dispatches from Brussels to Lon.
don say that the Germans set fire to
Tirlemont and savagely attacked the
populace. Residents of towns In the
line Of the Teuton advance are fee.
ing from their homes in fear. The
Germans also bombarded Diest In the
taking of that place.
One report received is that the Liege
forts are still holding out, but another
reports that the German troops which
had been engaged in the attack upon
the forts were now at liberty to take
Part In the general offensive opera