The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-12
Inaugurated by Mighty Army
of the Kaiser.
FIRST BIG BATTLE of War
Likely To Be Fought East OF
the City.
Rivers Now Running Red With
Blood of Soldiers.

DIuSSClS, AOB. xzs-AalSCE w
mighty army is on it's way to Brussels.
The turning movement to the north and
west arount Liege has taken on vast
proportions and the eyes OF all Europe
are now turned upon this city which is
menaced by the legions Of Germany.
while the armies of France, Belgium
and England are pouring into the plains
to the east Of Brussels to defend the
city. The first great battle of the war
seems destined to be fought within ear
shot of Brussels
This city is greatly excited. All day
trains of French artillery have rumbled
through the streets and the people
gathered to cheer them and wish them
well.
1t is not known here how many Eng
lish are in the field, nor is anything
given out as to their disposal, but it is
well known that the allies are working
together and that they expect to meet
and turn back the Germans before they
can reach this city.
German cavalry with quick firing
rifles has already reached Hannaut,
seven miles to the northwest OF Liege.
Two divisions of German cavalry, with
supporting infantry and artillery are
operating at Tongres. fifteen miles
north of Liege, where fighting has al
ready occurred. German engineers are
engaged in fortifying Tongres.
Last Sunday German cavalry passed
the outskirts of Lege following
route to the south Of the province Of
Dimburg to Tongres and st. Trond and
evidently proceeding toward Hesbaye.
On Monday hostilities began be-
tween German cavalry and the Belgian
cavalry outpOsts in the Hesbaye dis
trict which lies to the west of Liege
and the north of the Meuse and forms
part of the provinces of Liege, Linn
burg and Namur.
Feeling Their Way.
Since then the Germans have been
engaged in a systematic reconnoitering
of Hesbaye to discover the positions
OF the Belgian field artillery. Their
cavalry patrols are followed by infan-
1t Is understood that the German
troops are being massed along a line
extending from Thionville to Liege.
Engagements have taken place prin-
cipally along the line between Tirel-
mont and st. Trond and halfway be-
4, tween Orsemael and Gussenhaven.
An official statement says the Ger
mans are apparently reorganizing in
front OF Liege preparatory to a fresh
| forward movement.
ing to the front through this city. The
French soldiers are wildly acclaimed
by the Belgians.
German reinfOrcements are also con-
Stantly arriving alOng the OuTtne TlV-
er where an official Belgian report
says they are intrenching. French
aviators are continually flying over the
(, district where troops are being de-
/ trained and are subjected to a storm
| of shots from the enemy.
BOmbarllment Continues.
! German bombardment of the Liege
forts continues. Heavy siege guns are
being placed in position by the Ger
mans, since possession Of these forts
is vital to the German operations In
this locality. The German garrison
in the city is small, the majority OF
the army of the Meuse, aggregatine
10000 men. still being engaged in
the siege. The wary German COM
mander has refrained from leading
his troops into the city, fearing a trap
Many brilliant sorties have beer
made by the Belgians from the forts
German commands operating apart
from the main body being attacked
and driven back with severe losses
So vicious has the fighting been about
the city that is reported the Meuse
is running red with the blood of the
dead and wounded.