New-York tribune., 1914-10-11


match for the colossal howitzers which
the invaders have successfully en-
ployed against every fortified place
that stood in their way, These huge
guns. completely outranging the guns
Of the forts, simply play havoc with
the most solidly built defenees. and
open gaps through which the besleg-
ers find an entrance for their field ar
tillery and infantry.
The Germans, after Shelling the city
itself for many hours. making II un-
tenable, entered the town through the
suburb of Berchem, TO the east. after
they had made breach in the outer
line Of forts. some of which were de
stroyed by their big guns and others
blown up by the defenders. The Ger
mans followed similar plans in deal
ing with the inner belt of forts and
al the same time threw shells into the
city, which set fire in many places.
White Flag Run Up.
The inner forts. like those further
out, soon succumbed TO the enormous
shells. and yesterday morning severa.
of these forts had fallen. opening the
way for the Germans into the city. BY
midday they were in occupation of the
town and al 2:30 in the afternoon the
war flag on the cathedral was replaced
by white flag. indicating surrender.
A few forts continued TO hold out.
aud IL was not until IL o'clock this
morning that the Germans. according
20 their own official report, were IN
complete possession of the city and
fortress When they arrived yester-
day they found that the Belgian field
army and at least part Of the garrison
had anticipated them and. like the
King and royal family, had escaped.
The death roll. resulting from the at
tack on and defence Of Antewrp. has
not been compiled. and probably the
full details will never be known. but
all accounts describe 1t as being eX-
tremely large The Germans. although
their big guns cleared path for them,
had to sacrifice many lives IN crossing
the rivers and canals and in driving
out the defenders, who held the IN
trenchments until the last.
The stubbornness of the Belgians
and of those who went TO their as
sistance cost them dearly also, so that
both sides will have long casualty lists.
OF the loss of life in the city and the
damage there are no reliable data
available as yet.
Crowds of refugees arrived in Lon
don tonight Most OF them left Ant
werp on Thursday night. ana Jneir ac-
counts of the attack are confused. The
Belgians themselves, besides destroy
ing forts. blew up steamers at the
docks and set fire TO The petrol stores
and everything that could be or use
10 the invaders. They also took away
what the transports could manage 10
carry.
Berchem. where the military and
other hospitals, the Orphanage and
sCme public buildings are situated IS
reported TO be entirely destroyed. and
even if this is an exaggeratlon. II must
be badly damaged, as II was one OF the
FIST places where fire occurred and was
burning for at least two days.
The railway station also made
mark for the shells from the big guns,
hut. according TO some of those who
have reached here. the cathedral, whlch
is or the other side of the city nearer
the Scheldt, while struck, was not badly
damaged The inmates of the hospitals
and other institutions were removed on
Thursday or earlier, so that they were
we'll out of the way before the Germans
arrived.
An English nurse. who reached Lon
6on to-day. said that the shelllng OF the
city of Antwerp began on Wednesday,
and that a Zeppelin dropped bomb IN
the garden Of the hospital. The pa
;ients. numbering one hundred, were
removed to the cellars, and on Thurs
Gay evening were taken by automobile
to Ostend When she left the cathedral
was intact.
The steamers to-day were again
crowded with refugees. some OF whom
had Belgian money with which 10 pay
their way. and which the Bank OF Eng
land. under arrangement with the Brit
ish government. is changing INTO Brit.
Isl. currency. The great majority OF
the refugees, however. have little real
money or are entirely pennlless, and
are being sent to homes all over Eng
land. Their position is pitiable, and
many distressing scenes are witnessed
at the stations and docks. where the
bewildered people gather IN knots
looking in vain for relatives or TRENDS
whom they have lost on the road.
Many had walked all the way from Ant
werp to Ostend, and wearlness added to
their misery.
A question which is now arising is as
70 the effect upon the general campaign
Of the German occupation OF Antwerp.
The Belgian garrison. or the greater
be engaged with the Germans.
The strategic Importance of Antwerp
consisted in it's menace TO the GermaL
lines running through Belgium. Now
me tiers have been reversed, and the
Allies will have 20 take their turn In
keeping forces before the city to pre-
vent the Germans from Antwerp at
lacking their flank or rear should they
be able TO advance. The Germans,
however, purpose, according TO the ber-
lin reports. to use the city as base
for operations against England.
So long as Great Britain commands
the sea, no great part of the German
navy can use the port, even should
Hollands objection TO the use of the
Scheldt by belligerent ships be over
ruled by Germany. Germany. 1t is
thought, may claim that, being in pos
session of the city, she acquires Bel
GUMS right to use the river on equal
terms with the Dutch. and will pro-
ceed to build destroyers and sub
marines there TO menace the British
feet.
II Holland should allow these vessels
20 pass through the Scheldt England
il is declared, would certainly proclaim
it breach of neutrality. In any case
Hollands position becomes more and
more uncomfortable.
Allies Hold Their Own.
In France the Allies, according tc
the French communication. have main
tanned their positions. IN spite OF yio'
lent attacks at several points The
cavalry is still engaged along the Bel
gian frontier and across il. each try
ing to work around the others wing
This movement has compelled the Ger
mans TO withdraw some troops from
other parts of the line, and the Allie:
are seizing the opportunity to make
headway.
The Communication reports that u