The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-10-30
Ey jacques Cbels.

20 days, II of which | passed as a pris-
oner in the hands of the Germans IN
Brussels. ! find scattered patches OF
this city either knocked down by shells
or burned. but it is impossible at the
moment to estimate the damage. Il
town is dead, the total Belgian popula-
ton amounting only to about i've nun
dred. However, refugees are return
ing slowly, the trains which are bring
ing them arriving Internationally from
Ho' 4. The Germans are running a
service of motor cars from Brussels to
Antwerp and | came here on one OF
these cars.
Sees MaIines Bomhardment.
My experiences since leaving Client
include, besides Imprisonment. walk
ing with half a dozen other civilians
before a column of German infantry
advancing against the Belgians in the
streets of MaIines, while the bullets
Whistled about US n while shells
from the kaiser's heavy artillery
screamed overhead and doomed
against Fort Waelhem. | was an eye
witness of the bombardment of Ma
lines, the details of which | will give
as my story progresses.
On riding out from Antwerp on a
bicycle 20 days ago as the battle on
the plain was beginning ! heard the
heaviest firing in the direction of Ma
lines. | asked a responsible Belgian
commander if it would be safe for me
to go to Malines. YES" said he, for
we shall hold the town at least until
tonight"
Runs Into German Army.
Thereupon rode rapidly toward
Malines, around which Numbered
heavy guns. Entering the town with
the full assurance that it was held by
Belgians, | suddenly found myself face
to face with a column Of German IN
fantry keeping close to one side or a
street on the other side of when
shell fire was bringing down quantities
of brick and stone. This shell fire pro-
ceeded from the Belgian guns at FORT
Waelhem. At the other end OF the
town | saw the last Of the regiments
Of Belgian infantry hacking stubborn
" out of the hullet-swept streets.
Rides on His Wheel to Front.
But | must eturn to the beginning
of my story. Every day, beginning
with September II, | rode on my oil
cycle from Antwerp to the lighting
front which extended in a wide semi
circle we'll be, ond the outer ring o.
forts. On the 18th, 18th and 18th the
Belgians Tough. a series OF battles Sc
determined ane brilliant that the Ger
mans are still talking admlfihgly @
them. Then they were driven Wlthll
the outer forts and the Germans be
gan Immediately to prepare positions
for their great guns by ~leyelng the
ground and building concrete plat
forms. Saturday, September 70, th'
Belgians made a desperate softie 10
the purpose of blowing up the German
Entertainments and concrete emIlace
mentS.
They persisted in this attemPt al
day Saturday and Saturday night, bu
early Sunday morning ! found them II
full retreat. | reached he foremos
trenches. where the final stand wa:
made prior to the return within TN
forts. The Helglans had fallen baci
from Buggenhout and were making
their stand alolg the high road TO Ma
lines and Terlaonde. Their trenche'
were hastily dug and manned and ma
chine guns were hurried into position
The Germans hidden in he Woo
opened a heavy rife fire and this Wa
SO hot thai the Belgians launched
cavalry movement to clear the wood
Sees Marvellous Workmanship.
When the cavalry had covered abou
half the distance witnessed a marvel
Gus feat of craftsmanship by the Gel
mans. Their artillery was in position
about two and a quarter miles benin
their advance troops. The Belgial
charge having been signaled. the Gel
: man artillerists fired one shell, 0hicl
: dropped in the very midst of the BE
, gian horsemen. killing and weundini
many and sending the Others int
headlong flight for shelter. AfterWar
; the Germans came quickly Upon u
! with their bayonots, charging recl
lessly through our rife fire. So man
we're there that we were forced to fe
, for our lives.
Witnesses Artillery Duel.
The next day. Monday, Septembe
%, | went to Wildebroek. An artiller
duel ragged along the whole length G
the line and the incessant scream c
: the shells deafened one and mad
: ones head ache.
Pushing on to Malines, ! fell int
: the hands of the Germans, as previous
ly told. They ordered me to take m
place with other civilians at the hea
Of a column of infantry. | pointed I
. the American flag about my arm wit
8 letters in gilt. 1T is no USE said tn
= officer in command.
took my place in front OF the SC
diers and advanced at the word
n GERMAN OFFICER POSES AS