The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-11-13

opened by Tuesday or they would be
forced to open. The streets are full
of soldiers, who seem to know their
way about hey make free use of
the Belgian motor car left benin |
when the beaten army, shielded by
fine rear guard fighting, effected its
escape.
was surprised to see a big London
motor bus driven by German soldiers
-ansporting stores. | hear that sew
eral OF these vehicles were here and
that they were employed successfully
in assisting the Anglo.Belgian retreat
Every public business has been
searched thoroughly and is carefully
guarded. The headquarters of the
general stan are in the building re-
Gently vacated by the British and
Russian ambassador. The kings pal
ace has been left severely alone.
Temporarily Belgium is at a low
ebb financially To pay the levy on
Brussels of G1O,OOOOOO ($5O,OOO OOO)
the municipal authorities were COM
PEELED to resort to the issue of paper
money of various values. Silver is
unobtainable and on top of it all the
Germans are issuing one mark (25
cents) notes which are legal tender
in Belgium, but worthless in Ger
many. Millions of these are in cir
culation and more are being printed.
Questions are being raised as to the
of the recently issued
franc and 90 franc ($1 and So notes
and consequently the public is be-
wildered.
Not Shot Misses Fort.
Any one imagining that German
craftsmanship is defective is de-
ceiyed. ! interviewed the Belgian Off
GER who commanded Fort Lierre and |
who, with his family and garrison, was
driven across the Dutch border. He /
said that not a single shell aimed at |
MS fort missed and observers put out |
IN the observation tower rarely es- I
,aped so quickly did the opposing .
find the range. The fighting
;pirit of the German officers and men
,annOt be eXcelled. They are eager
md willing to die for the fatherland
If any one on the allies side doubt
his, he would better purge his mind
If such doubt promptly. Social demo-
rats in the ranks are full of the same
pirit. | spoke to several of them
bout the heavy German armaments,
nd every man replied that while they
ad objected to the armaments and
eplored the taxation, they now real
zed that both were necessary for the
xistence of Germany.
Praise for Brand WhitIock.
The work of Brand Whitlock, the
american minister at Brussels, is
ndless, and his success in meeting
he demands upon his time and
trength by persons in trouble will
e one of the fine memories of this
,ar Belgians of all sorts and condi-
ions call on him for counsel and pro.
ection and they never 90 away empty
anded, if Mr.. Whitlock ca. help it.
le is, indeed, looked upon as the
atural guardian of the oppressed Bel
ian nation. Oftener than the world
ever likely to know Mr.. WhitlOck
as stood between weakness and inno-
ence and the merciless impact Of
ne mailed fist.
Not that he has acted in any way
limical to Germany. He has merely
laced himself firmly on the side of
lstice in cases where without his in ;
,rvention crying injustice would have
'iumphed. So definitel. does he
ymbolize justice to the Belgian mind
lat the people touchingly cherish
le hope that somehow America,
hence this minister springs, will l
Ike some step to alleviate the un-
oeakabIe disaster and miseries Of !
elgium.