Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-26
BAD NEWS FELT
IN LONDON And
FEAR THAT MORE
MUST FOLLOW
Newspapers Comment
In Editorials on the
Fall of Namur

London. Aug. 25.-G235 p. M9.-"Yes-
terday was day of bad news and we
fear more must follow" the London
Times says today in an editorial article
on the fall of Namur.
IN the first phase of the great battle -
the paper continues, the Germans an
pear to have won ground all along the
line save in the arear held by the Brit
ish We were prepared for the ebb and
flow of conflict, but not for the fall of
Namur. We have to face this
situation with mistaken confidence. We
have to remember that the battle is not
yet over. The Germans have not vet
burst their way through to France. We
have to remember that this is only the
first great encounter of a war which.
plainly, is destined to be a long one. For
the allies it is a phase: for the Germans
1t is vital They are dealing their blows
with tremendous vigor: but the issue in
Belgium still hangs in the balance. in
spite of the unfortunate events at Ma
muir. Whatever by the upshot.
Great Britain and her allies will face the
outlook with logged determination and
continue the war until the spirit of Prus-
sian militarism is routed out of Europe.
Time fights on the side of the allies.
With the Germans it is neck or nothing,
but the French and the English have
everything to gain by waging delaying
war. While the issue remains
uncertain, we may still maintain the
stoutest hope, Should it go against US we
may remember that the allies have not,
like Germany, staked all upon their first
venture. Our ultimate success is certain
and we will never sheath our swords un-
til Germany has been fnan -aa1en 70
her .nees.'
The Times military expert says that 1t
Is too early to say that the line of the
Mouse south OF bdezieres must be aban-
doned, but the outlook is not favorable
and the development of the situation in
the next few days will be watched with
legitimate anxiety. He continues:
There are reports that the toWnspeople
and even the garrison of Namur were
less well disposed than the men of Liege
to offer strenuous resistance and to
bring upon their town the punishment
AAASsSH OuN ny oCSI HIdIlS 10 1ltR6. InerG
is undoubtedly some slight feeling among
Belgians that they have not been ade-
quatey supported by the allies and that
they have borne the whole brunt of the
war In the north, but we cannot believe
that the Belgians did less than their duty
and we expected to hear that they were
attacked by overpoWering numbers.
The possession of Namur was vital
for Germany and it was a fine stroke for
the Germans to have rushed the place
under the eyes of the allied armies We
offensive in the north is only postponed
and not abandoned"
Reviewing the general situation the
Times military expert points out that
the allies in Belgium are meeting the
full shock of the German army. He saws
that it is essential for Germany that she
should deal a paralyzing blow in this
quarter in order to gain time to detach
troops TO resist the Russian attack on
the Prussian frontier.
Commenting on the loss of the Belgian
stronghold, the Chronicle says:
THE news today is decidedly bad -
iUuihS THAT II the dliieS losses have been
heavy we may yet see before long the
Germans march in earnest upon Paris.
Namur is fortress of great strength
which its defenders could possibly hold
several months. We do not imagine that
1t was taken by a rush. More probably
a breach made elsewhere in the line of
the allies imposed on them the alterna-
tive of leaving a large force to be in
vested In Namur or withdrawing from it
altogether.
THE blunt face remains that in a real
ly first class battle the French troops oc-
cupying a secluded position of singular
strength were driven out by the Ger
mans after not more than two DAYS
fighting. This speaks volumes for the
power of the German attacks
England and Russia must stubborniy
resolve that, come what may to France.
they will never surrender to Germany
but will stick TO her as they stuck to
Napoleon until they pull her down. AS
long as we hold the sea we cannot our
selves be vitality struck