Gilpin observer., 1914-10-22
RELATES HORRORS OF
SMELLING OF ANTWERP

London.-Henry Diederich, the
United States consul at Antwerp, es-
capped with his family from that city
by motor car. This is his account of
the bombardment as told to the Daily
Chronicle correspondent:
For days we heard the sound OF
heavy gunfire and were told of the
fall, one after another of the outer
forts 1t soon became apparent that
nothing could avail against the great
German cannon, end in conjunction
with other neutrals we endeavored to
mediate with the Germans. to spare.
at any rate, some of the most valu-
able buildings of worldwide interest
But the negotiations failed to lead to
a successful result
Il had intended to remain in Ant
werp throughout the bombardment,
which we saw was now inevitable. but
| was told to clear out of the city, as
its destruction was inevitable.
Il did not realize until almost too
late the horror which was coming.
At II O'Clock at night we we're going
to bed, when we were reused by
frightful noises in the air, reminding
US of previous visits of a Zeppelin.
Soon we realized that the lombard
ment had begun, and then | had the
most horrible experience of my life.
Il went with my family to the base
ment and we crouched there all night.
The shells, falling every few minutes.
came with a dreadful whistling sound.
followed by a thunder clap Of explo-
sion and collapse of buildings,
Opposite the consulate is the
Home for Old Folks. Its front was
torn out by a shell. Some of the
debris was scattered over my house,
and then shell came over US. and
fell on two-story building, crumpling
it up entirely and setting it on fire
After this another shell blew out
the facade of house lower down on
our street. AS the dawn came we
were wearied out and the members
| of my family collapsed utterly from
fright and the strain.
SO we decided to endeavor to leave
the city. | succeeded in communicat-
ing with my chauffeur and got my
car. but | did not know where to go.
being left with nothing but what we
had on and exposed every moment to
exploding shells.
With my wife and daughter and
two servants and refugees child L
crossed the pontoon bridge over the
Scheldt 1t took us four hours to do
| this. the streets being filled with
every kind of vehicle and dense
crowd of fugitives. The scene was
| ,rl III ihah ftl
ing moved by the same desire to get
away from the awful horror.
From Antwerp to Ghent the roads
are a mass of fleeing humanity. AS
we left we saw vast volumes of smoke
arising from Antwerp from the burn
ing buildings and blazing petroleum
tanks Instead of two hours to Ghent
it took us three, owing to the traffic.
One of the German big guns situated
near Vilvorde and large number of
comparatively smaller guns have
joined in the bombardment."
Big Guns Not Used on City.
Paris.-The German commander at
Antwerp says the famous 161s inch
guns were not used on the town it.
self They would have been used.
however, had the surrender not oc-
CURED when il did. The commandant
is sending word to Belgian fugitives
in Holland to return as soon as possi-
BILE He said the German losses are
trifiing. He insisted that several thou
sand English. French and Beigians
who have been captured were glad to
fall into German hands.
Dutch reporter escorted by the
commandant went through the streets.
but saw no sign of Belgian life ex-
cept few straying dogs. German
soldiers were walking about asking
their way. The town is little dam.
aged