The Washington herald., 1914-09-06
Tells Vivid Story of Condi-
tions Existing in and
Around Brussels.
PRAISE FOR DEFENDERS
Says Cavalry Charges of Germans
Have Done Great Damage-Hos-
pitals Are Filled.

One Of the most vivid stories Of con-
ditions in Belgium is told by a nurse
residing near Brussels in a letter re-
Gently 10 English relatives in London
She writes:
They are filling up Brussels with the
wounded before sending 10 the house
further out. There are 500 beds ready
in -. four doctors. and some more or
less trained nurses-I don't know how
many. There are two at the Ms one
very good for operations. that makes
three trained nurses for smbulances-
with seventy-siX beds.
So far the Belgian losses have been
very small when one thinks OF the
splendid resistance they have made: it's
the cavalry charges that have done most
damage. and a large proportion OF the
wounded in Brussels have broken arms.
II is perfectly true that one squadron
Of Belgian lancers charged six squadrons
Of the best German cavalry until they
were annihilated. but hardly a man re-
mains OF the Belgian squadron. At one
place on the Meuse. where the Germans
were trying to cross. $50 Belgians kept
4.5CO Germans at bay four hours. till
finally the latter drew back with great
loss. the Belgians not having lost one
man,
II was in that engagement that a Bel
gian sergeant came out of cover and
picked of seven stan officers who had
come to the other side OF the river with
their general to see for themselves why
their men were unable TO get across.
Citizens Care for Soldiers.
After fighting almost continuously for
three days near Liege. several infantry
regiments retired on Brussels as the men
were simply worn out; they were cap
tured in the houses. We mad ten men
here for twenty-four hours. when they
were sent on to Antwerp. They slept
most o. the time, during which their
shir;s and socks were washed.
One told US that one OF his company
saw three Germans in advance OF their
regiment. He ran out, shot all three men.
caught the horses and got back safely to
his own lines. Also he told US that the
Germans who attacked them could not
face the bayonets. and that many Of
them. after coming steadily through a
hail of bullets. dropped their guns and
held up their hands when close TO the
lines OF bayonets. That accounts for
so many OF them having been made pris-
oners.
Many OF the German prisoners and
wounded were so surprised to find they
were in Belgium. They were told by their
officers that they were in France. and
several said 1t was the French they want
ed to fight. not Belgians.-"Belgium had
never done anything to Germany. why
should they fight her." etc.
The Germans are not fighting fairly.
Their spies are using Red Cross badges
and iags to get into the towns. hester-
day notices were found on walls in Brus-
sells saying the place was in state OF
siege, etc, and signed apparently by
the Burgomaster. NJ. Max. all done to
frighten the people. and put them into
panic.
Dogs Act Well Under Fire.
The dog teams that draw the small
guns attached to the infantry, regiments
are doing splendidly. work well, are per
fectly quiet under fire, and never bark.
One soldier arrived in Brussels yester-
day with his right arm in sling. and
holding with his left hand the leading
dog of his train. Mr.. F. W. (D-'s
cousin), helped him from the train and
suggested taking the dog. The man re-
fused. saying the dog had been under
fire with him and should not leave him.
and that unless the dog could come too
he would not go to a hospital He got
his own way, and the dog 10 with him in
hogpital