Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-10-15
HAS FALLEN;
GERMANS ARE VICTORIOUS.

4
London, Oct. 1O.-Antwerp and the
1qrts surrounding the city are in COM
possession of the Germans, but the
greater part of the Belgian army has
escaped.
1t took the Germans just eleven
days to capture the strongest fortress
in the world.
The fall of Antwerp is evidence that
even the most powerful forts are no
match for the colossal howitzers
which the invaders have successfully
employed against every fortified place
that stood in their way. These huge
guns open gaps through which the
bcsiegers find an entrance for their
artillery and infantry.
The Germans, after Smelling the city
itself for many hours, making it I'M
tenable, entered the town through the
suburbs of Berchem, to the east. They
had made a breach in tie outer line Of
forts, some of which were destroyed
by their big guns and others blown up
by the blenders. The Germans fol-
lowed similar plans in dealing with
the inner belt of forts and at the same
time threw shells into the city, which
set afire many places.
The inner forts, like those further
out, soon succumbed to the enormous
shells and on Friday morning several
o. these forts had fallen, opening the
way for the Germans into the city. By
roidday they were in occupation of the
town and at 2:30 p. m. the war banner
on the cathedral was replaced by a
white flag.
Most BeIgianS Escape.
A few forts continued to hold out
and it was not until IL O'Clock this
morning that the Germans, according
to their own official report, were in
complete possession of the city and
fortress. When they arrived yester-
day they found that the Belgian field
army and at least part of the garrison
had anticipated them, and, like the
King n royal family, had escaped.
The death roll, resulting from the
attack on and defense of Antwerp,
has not been compiled and probably
full details will be known, but
all accounts describe it as being terri
bly, heavy. The Germans, although
their big guns cleared a path for them,
lad to sacrifice many lives in crossing
the rivers and canals and in driving
out the defenders, who held the en-
trenchments until the last.
Many Stores Burned.
The ~stubbOrnness of the Belgians
and OF those who went to their assist
ance cost them dearly, also, so that
both sides will have long casualty lists.
There is no reliable information as to
the loss of life in the city and the dam
age there. Crowds of refugees arriv-
ed tonight in London. Most of them
left Antwerp Thursday night and their
accounts of the attacks are confused.
Tie Belgians themselves, besides de-
stroying forts, blew up steamers at
the docks and set fire to the apetrolS
stores and everything useful to the in
vaders. They also took away what the
transports could carry.
Berchem, where the military and
other hospitals, the orphanage n
some public buildings are situated, is
reported to be destroyed. Even If this
is an eX~aggeration it must be badly
damaged, as it was burning at least
two days.
The Antwerp railway station also
made marks for the shells from the
big guns but, according to some or
who have reached here, the Ca
thedral, which is on the other side OF
the city nearer the Scheldt, while
struck. was not badly damaged. The
inmates of the hospital and other in
were removed Thursday, or
earlier, so that they we're we'll out OF
the way before the Germans arrived.