The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1914-08-22
HOSTS GATHER
FOR DECISIVE
ENGAGEMENT
Germans Sill Pressing F0IU1. ]
Toward France
PhEG AAiFi...aIG FOh GREAT FIG...I

Location of Probable Conflict Care.
fully Guarded by Censors-Eeiieved
Full German Strength Will Be Con-
centrated at One Point For Test
of Strensth-Aliies Are Confidently
Awaiting the Onslaught.
Fragmentary reprts which have
reached London from Paris and Brus-
sells indicate that the advance move
ment of the German army against the
lines of the allies in Belgium and IuN-
emburg is proceeding slowly but
steadily despite numerous unimpor-
tant repulses between advance guards
The checks administered to the Ger
man scouting detachments at Eghzee,
Halen, Noville-Tayiers, Diest, Tongres
and other Belgian towns are not re-
garded by military experts here as of
great account except in their possible
moral effect upon the defenders.
1t seems certain that the German
battle line is closing in and that the
beginning of a general engagement
that may last for weeks cannot lie
long deferred.
Namur, the fortified city south Of
Brussels, is preparing for assault, and
formidable defenses in addition to the
forts have been erected. In anticipa-
tion that the city will be taken by the
Germans, even though the forts do not
yield, all the inhabitants have been
disarmed to save them from German
reprisals.
Suspending the bombardment of the
forts on the right bank of the river
at Liege, the Germans concentrated
their guns upon those west of the
town, attacking forts Pontisse, Liers-
Lantin, Loncin, Hollogne and Flo
MALE, all of which vigorously replied
The German cavalry advance re-
newed the raids ON the Belgian lines
at half dozen points, but the war
Office officials claim that in every in
stance they failed to penetrate the
advanced Belgium position. The raids
have been for the purpose of feeling
out the Belgian front, but the enemy
was unable to locate any weak spots.
The Belgian aero corps Is proving of
inestimable value to the field forces.
Every German move is anticipated,
and because of the excellent transport
arrangements it is possible for the
Belgian field commanders to meet the
Germans more than half way in every
attack.
The German losses at Tirlemont, No
ville-Taviers and Eghezee are declared
by the Belgian war Office to have ex-
ceeded 10000 in killed and wounded,
along with more than 5000 taken pris- !
oners.
Three German aviators were shot
down at Diest, two being killed and
the third seriously wounded while
their aeroplanes were wrecked.
The German airmen were flying
across the Belgian lines in an effort to
ascertain the strength of the Belgian
column which was in the shelter of
its trenches. In order to get an ac-
curate view the aviators were forced
to fly low and were greeted with a
trenches. Two aviators were literally
shot from their seats and their ma
chimes fell in crumpled masses. The I
third tried vainly to reach the German
lines, but just when it seemed that ne
might do so a shot hit his engine,
wrecking it. He was flying very low
at the time, but was badly hurt, and
is now in the field hospital at Diest,
prisoner.
Ever since the fighting on Belgian I
soil began the efforts of the German +
aviators to reconnoiter the Belgian 1
positions have been baff1ed by the ac-
curacy of the Belgian fire. The guns
that were especially designed to de-
stroy aeroplanes have more than full .
filled their mission and the marksman-
ship of the Belgians has been wonder
full. On the other hand, the Krupp
aero guns used by the Germans have .
all but proven useless. They were used .
against the Belgians at Liege, but in
nearly every instance it developed
that their range was too limited.
A correspondent give the following
description of scenes in the battle
torn district:
Over the country between Tirlemont
and st. Trond, but yesterday rich in
corn fields and carefully tended gar
dens, the whitening breath of war has
passed.
Approaching the village of Dormael
unmistakable tokens of desolation
meet the view. Shattered window
panes and domestic utensils are flung
among the cabbages in the gardens or
before the wretched doors. Here
louple of children prattling in subdued +
tones. There a mother leading three /,
orphaned little girls from the still
smoking ruins.