Norwich bulletin., 1914-10-15

ostend. Oct 14, via London, Oct. 15. 12.1o a. m-Ostend's fate hangs in the balance. The government has left; King Albert and the main military headquarters left Tuesday, and 60,ooo panic-stricken people await. the action of the Germans, who are known to have d large force within 20 miles of the city.
 Inhabitants Are Fleeing. The inhabitants are fieeting as fast as ships can be provided to carry them to England; hospitals were emptied today. and the docks were lined with injured soldiers. Hundreds were car ried on filters, while those less severe fy wounded hobbled on canes and crutches. supported by Red Cross nurses, doctors, nuns and priests. Wounded Given Preference.
 The wounded were given preference on the transports provided for the be- leaguered city, while 25,000 struggling people were massed upon the docks and terminals in an effort to find a. place on theFrefugee ships. A German Taube flew over the harbor and struck terror to those below, many of whom had made their way here from Ant werp, in fear that the aeroplane might stem pt to dro- bombs on the docks and the great glass sheds which cover the joint terminals of the railways ana steamers.
 s..sss. .Hsisian Soldiers Guard Doo<s.
 The Belgian soldiers guarding the docks opened fire on the aeroplane and continued the fusillade for ten min utes. This created still greater con sternation among the thousands or women and children, many of whom had sat for three days on the cement floor of the great terminal sheds, with their nerves st the breaking point. No Escape by Land.
 F1scane Is cut off from all sides by land and thousands were still gathered niiserably on the docks when the last relief ship left late this afternoon. No steamers leave Ostend at night be- cause of the danger from mines. Stlii the crowds remained. on the piers, where they will pass another anxious night awaiting the dawn and more ships.
 AeropIane Over Harbor.
 Even the refugees who managed to find deck space on the crowded trans ports were not all relieved of the ter riple strain under which they had been laboring, for the watchful Taube flew over the steamers, carefully ob- serving their movements as they sail- ed out of the harbor.
 The aeroplane did not drop bombs, however, as one of them had on previ- ous days, when both civil and military hospitals were so narrowly missed by exploding shells that the Belg1ans charged that the Germans were a1rn- ing at the hospitals.
 A Horrible Nightmare.
 Last night was horrible nightmare to the residents of Ostend and the thousands of refugees fleeing before the German invasion. Wounded sol- diers were brought here by. the score from Ghent. It is reported that they were engaged Monday near Ghent in a serious battle with the Germans. The allies are said to have had a small force against a. large German force and were obliged to withdraw toward the west. Consequently there is virtu- ally no obstacle to the German advance pn Ostend.
 Firing Heard in Direction of Ghent. Firing in the direction of Ghent was heard plainly in Ostend on Monday and Tuesday. The terrified refugees who were at the siege of Antwerp blanched as they listened to the bom- bardment and increased the fear among the residents of Ostend by de- scrfbing the horrors of that fallen fortress.
 Business Houses Closed.
 Most of the business houses in Os- tend closed yesterday and professional men. merchants and hotel keepers join- ed the throng which dared not leave the waterfront for fear of losing theil places in the ever growing line of men women and children clamoring for z chance to escape.
 Had Money But No Bed.
 All taxicabs and cab horses in Os. tend were taken by the army long ago 30 there was little means of trans ,r portation. The tram cars were com nandeered by the hospitals, and civil ans had little chance to ride. The ho tels near the quay which remained ppen were crowded with refugees wh' had money and who begged for tn opportunity to rent even a. chair.
 No Government of Any Sort.
 Practically no government of an. port remains at Ostend; the departur s King Albert and military left ont siviI guard and policemen who wer attempting to preserve order. but ther lack of direction, as the burgomas :er, head of the municipal government las left also.
 Women and Children TrampIed On
 The crowds mass about the gang ways of the vessels, making the wor If embarkin~ the refugees more diff ailt. Women and children are tram ,led in the stampede as of frightenc Lnimals as every rumor. Bundles z .othes. trunks and bags are stacke everywhere in confusion, preventin Inc free movements of the crowds.
 "Won1en and Children First"