The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-07

Almost Immediately a : er1nan aero
plano rose and made en- attempt to
fly over the main fortress Of Liege- The
Huy gunner. after a few trials
brought 1t down Also
A third encounter between airmen Oc-
Cured during the day. Belgian and
German aviators doing scout duty met
500 feet above the earth and engaged in
pistol duel Endeavoring to get into
closer range the two airmen brought
their machines into collision and both
were wrecked. 1t is understood the
Belgian escaped uninjured.
French ayiatOrs arriving in advance
of the French roops are now joinins
the forces with the Belgian airmen and
together they promise to play an i'm
portant part in the big bate which is
to come. The Belgian authorities Is
sued an order permitting French avt-
ators to fly over Belgian territory but
ordering all German aviators who are
caught to be shot.
still Holding Out.
News received from Liege in the
night Shove ] that the fortres- was still
holding out. 1t was being 5ombarded
by heavy hells but was still undam-
aged, while the Belgian fire was work.
ing havoc among the Germans. 1t is
reported that French forces are In
creasing from several directions.
After having suffered a serious check
and heavy casualties at the hands of
the Belgians at Liege. on Wednesday.
the German troops returned to the fray
with redOubled ardOr and last night
were pounding away at the forts with
siege and with field guns and rifles. In
the fight Wednesday the estimates of
the German casualties run as high as
5000 men. The invaders are said to
have lost a large number of guns.
Whole Battalion Killed.
In an attack a German infantry d.
vision, supported by cavalry, marched
on to mined ground. The Belgians
thereon detonated the mines and ar
entire battalion of Gearmans was killed
Wounded Germans to the number OF
1,200 were picked up on the battlefield.
1t Is estimated that in the fighting
10000 Germans were faced by $4,000 Bel
gians.
In the attack on Fort Parchon. north
east of the city, the Belgians permitted
the Germans to reach almost to the
walls Of the fortress. Then they turned
loose their guns and the slaughter is re-
ported to have been appalling.
Under the terrific fire there and from
other forts, the Germans were forced to
retire all along the line.
A detachment Of Uhlans penetrated
to the city on Wednesday night with
the intention. it is said, Of capturing
high officials. They had reached the
buildings where the officials had quar-
tiers when they were surprised and al
of them killed
The shells Of the Germans preached
the walls of two OF the fortresses
which were captured. From the othel
forts, however. the Belgians continued
to pour a deadly rain of shot and shell
into the ranks Of the advancing Ger.
mans.
Despite the heroic resistance of the
Belgians it was felt in Brussels thai
strength, could not much longer b
denied. and that ultimately they must
gain the city of Liege. whence they
are expected to press onward tG
Namur in their effort to cross Belgium
to the French frontier.
| fled, it is asserted that resistance al
strong as that at Liege will be en-.
countered by the Germans.
Whole Army Engaged.
| AS evening approached the battle
| became increasingly desperate. Thu
| entire German army, with its sup
I porting artillery, was engaged and thu
Belgian de- was stubborn. Two
| of the outlying Belgian forts have
been evacuated, having been rendered
untenable by the heavy German fire
The. German artillery had the range
of the Belgian position and Its hrt
was extremely ef-- ctive. Additional
Belgian reinforcements were being
rushed to the scene.
A force of 10000 Germans passed
| through Manhay, Luxembourg, OF
Wednesday. in the direction of Ay'
| waille, "elgium.
The Belgian air men have proved
wonderful in the crisis. They main
| tain a position in the air along thu
front of the forts and every attempted
movement of the Germans was signal
ed and the range Of their attacking
troops SO accurately located that few
of the Belgian shells were beinl
wasted.
! The Germans attacked along the en-
tire line Of forts fronting Liege. Hav
| ing established that it would be i'm
| possible to carry them by assault, ar
tillery was placed in position and tn
Belgian positions were being shelle'
| at long range. For this purpose TIN
new Krupp guns Of heavy calibe