New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-12
Modern Artillery Reduces
Forts in Shortest Time
in History.
GREAT PROJECTILLS
CRUMBLE BUILDINGS
Tragedy Enacted in Stricken
City Has No Parallel in the
Annals Of War.

NF NrbiN lN NO FthNIf
London, Oct. II. Antwerp, sur
rendered Mt last, is the bittercst blow
which has fallen upon Belgium. Il is
full of poignant tragedy, but the
tragedy is lightened by the gallantry
with which the city vas defended. Only
st last to save the historic buildings
and precious possessions of the
ancient port was its further defence
abandoned. Already much of it had
been shattered by the long range Ger
man guns, and prolonged resistance
against these tremendous engines Of
war was impossible. Owing TO them
the siege was perhaps the shortest in
the annals OF war that fortified city
ever sustained. Notwithstanding the
many heroic efforts which were made
by the Belgians to stem the tide of the
enemy's advance, the end could not long
be delayed when the siege guns began
a bombardment
II was at three minutes past noon on
Friday that the Germans entered the
city. which was formally SURRENDERED
BY Burgomsster J. de Nos. Antwerp
had then been under devastating and
continuous she'll fire for more than
forty hours. It was difficult TO asccr-
/ tain precisely how the German attack
was being conducted, but from officers
and others who made journeys from
the fighting lines into the city it was
gathered that the final assault CON
sisted Of a continuous bombardment
4 for FIVE hours. During that time there
was a continuous rain Of shells, and it
was extraordinary to notice the pre-
oision with which they dropped just
where they would do the most damage
1t was said that the enemy used
sptive balloons. whose officers sig
nailed to gunners points in the Bel
gian defence at which they should
aim. The German guns, too, were
concealed with such cleverness that
their position could not be detected
By the Belgians. Against such methods
and against the terrible power of the
German guns the Belgian artillery
seemed quite ineffective. Firing came
to an end at $50 O'Clock Friday and
/ ,he garrison escaped. leaving only
uins behind them.
Forts Blown Up.
In order TO gain time for an orderly
retreat, heavy fire was maintained
against the Germans up to the last
minute. and the forts were then blown
IN by the defenders as the Germans
came in at the gate Of Malines. Many
I buildings we're blazing. and while the
correspondents little boat sped down
The Scheldt one could imagine q pro-
/ cession of the Ksiser's troops already
goose-stepping their way through the
vellnigh deserted streets. Those forty
hours Of shattering noise almost with
ont q lull seem now q fantastic night
mare. but the narrowing sights wit
messed in many parts Of the city can
not be forgotten.
/ IL was Wednesday night that the
/ she'll. began TO fall into the city. From
! then onward they must have averaged
about ten a minute, and most OF them
came from the largest guns which the
I Germans possess.
/ Black Msriss. as Tommy Atkins
ehristened them before the lombard
m.nt, had been long In operation. The
civil population. or large proportion
Of II. fell into q panic. Il is impo'''-
/ bic 70 blame these peaceful. quiet-liv-
Ing burghers Of Antwerp for tho fears
that possessed thsm when the ncrc'-
less rain 81 German shells began 10
fail into tho streets and on tho roofs
! OF thsir houses and public buildings.
The burgsmss.er in his proclamation
uavs them excellent advice, Ia remain
/ eaitn, fer INSTANCE. ard ne certainly set
/ them m admirable example, but II ~ss
/ impos sibls 10 eeansei FeFfeetioa 10 the
! BelgiaHs, Vhe Knew What had happened
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