Lower coast gazette., 1914-08-15
BELGIANs PUT up 4 FIGHT
Foil Attempt Of Germans to Rush Into
France-s,0O0 Reported Killed
Ia Battle.

Brussels, via Paris.-After having
suffered a serious check and heavy
casualties at the hands. of the Bel
gians at Liege, the German troops re-
turned to the fray with redoubled ar.
dor and pounded away at the forts
with siege and '.ield guns and rifles.
In the fighting Of the first day the
estimates of the German casualties
ran as high as 5000 men. The invad-
ers also are said to have lost q large
number of guns.
In one attack a German infantry d.
vision supported by cavalry marched
onto mined ground. The Belgians de-
tonated the mines and an entire bat
talon Of Germans was killed. Wound.
ed Germans to the number of 1900
were picked up on the battlefield.
1t is estimated that in the fighting
100000 Germans we're faced by $4,000
Belgfans.
In the attack on Fort Parchon,
northeast of the city, the Belgians
permitted the Germans to draw up
almost to the walls of the fortress.
Then they turned loose their guns and
the slaughter is reported to have been
appalling.
Under the terrific fire here and
from the other forts the Germans were
forced to retire all along the line.
A detachment Of Uhlans penetrated
the city with the intention, it is said,
Of capturing high officials. They had
reached the building where the Off.
Gals had quarters when all were sur.
prised and killed.
German shells preached the walls
of two of the fortresses, which were
captured. From the forts, however,
the Belgians continued to pour a dead.
ly rain of shot and she'll into the ad.
~vancing Germans.
Despite the heroic resistance of the
Belgians, it was felt in Brussels that
the invaders, by cas- of their great
| strength, could not much longer be
denied and that ultimately they must
gain the City Of Liege, whence they
are expected to press on toward Ma
muir In their march across the Bel
gian to the French frontier.
At Namur, which is strongly forti.
fled, it is asserted the Germans will
meet resistance as strong as that a:
Liege.
The capture Of the two outer forte
was an exhibition OF pluck and bra
| very on both sides. The Belgfanb
fought their guns until the German ar.
tillery had disabled them. Instead OF
falling back the Belgians stood By
their silent guns, and when the Ger
mans charged, the Belgians met them
with bayonets and dubbed rifles.
1t is a question how much longer
the other forts Of Liege can hold oHt
unless the French come quickly 70
their aid. But their stubborn stand
has done Its work. It was meant,
from the first, to delay rather than to
give any actual defeat to the advanc-
ing army. If the Germans shonld
pour over the breastworks, and teke
the city, they would find, instead cs a
| clear, open and easy road into The
undetended. northern provinces Of
| France, In striking distance Of Fsris,
an entrenched camp only 20 niles
away, which they will find even harder
Is take than has been Liege.
For while the Belgian army Of 25,-
900 has been fighting at Liege, other
forces have been entrenching them
selves at Namur, 20 miles up the
Mouse river, mounting heavy guns,
laying mines and preparing for an.
another stand which will still further
delay the Germans.
Fifty thousand French are also re.
ported to be on the way to Namur to
join the Belgiansy and it is known that
Gen. Lunier, commander Of the French
northern division, has now concentrat.
ed hts men where he can hurl an i'm.
mense army into the field
It is this delay which enrages the
Germans past endurance. The plans
a the German general staff has been
to march rapidly through Belgium
ard into France, seize the northern
cities and sweep down on Paris be-
fore the French could assemble their
army. But Belgium denied them pass
age, and when they undertook to
force, they have fought so savagely
that the Germans have not advanced
a foot in three days. And-now
France is ready. Moreover, the Bel.
gian blood is up and the Belgians will
fight side by side with the French In
the decisive battle to come, which IL
expected In the next 10 days.
Guard Elevators.
Forts William. Ont.-Fearing A..
tenpts may be made by German
agents to hamper Canadian shipping
by blowing up Zig terminal elevators
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