The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19
Belgians and Germans Engaged
Along Extended Front.
Large Numbers of Refugees Are
Arriving at Brussels.
BELGIANS ARE RETREATlNG
Reported To BE Retiring In the
Direction of Antwerp.
Count Witte Predicts That war
Will Be Short.
GERMANS OCCUPY TOWN
Poles in France Apply for En-
listment in Army.
The Kaiser'S Men Fire on
Italians in Barracks.

Complete silence is maintained as to
the fortunes of war in the big fight
understood to be in progress some-
where along a line extending through
Belgium and Luxembourg. Dispatches
give evidence of the presence Of masses
of German troops pushing their way
to the front behind an impenetrable
screen of cavalry, whose dashes in
search of information as to the where
abouts of the allied troops have re-
suited in sharp clashes and heavy cas-
ualtieS.
The commanders Of tie allied forces
of French. British and Belgians, will
not permit anything about their posi-
tions to become public and since the
official note made known the presence
of a large expeditionary force on the
continent, it's movements have been
hidden from the outside world. AT Brus-
sells it is said there has been no change
since yesterday in the position then re-
ported to be excellent for the allies.
The fate of the Liege forts is not den-
nitely known.
German dispatches describe them as
in the hands of the German army since
the arrival of heavy artillery, Wnlle
Belgian military authorities assert that
they are still intact and holding out
bravely.
In Alsace-Lorraine, the French turn
ing movement through southern Alsace
appears from French reports to be
progressing favorably for the French
and this seems to receive confirmation
in a dispatch sent out by the Wolf bu-
reauS qky- GERMAN offfciaf news agency.
saying two batteries of guns were taxi
en- by the French, who continued their
march forward.
All these reports refer to the pre-
liminary meetings of opposing bodies
of troops leading up to the great bat
tie which may already have begun.
Even leading Frenchmen take Occa-
sion to point out to their cOuntrymen
that the decisive conflict is yet to come
and that too much reliance must not
be placed on reports of Decentralization
among the German troops.
1t is reported that a naval encOun-
ter has occurred in the North sea but
this is without official confirmation.
On the so-German-Austrian from
tier fights of small Importance are re-
corded. German troops today occupied
Mlawa, IN Russian Poland, close to the
German frontier, and Russian reports
relate a repulse with heavy casualties
of Austrian troops, who had attacked
Vladimir, in the Russian province of
Volhynia. A strong force of German
troops is said to have attacked Edyt-
kuhnen, German town on the Russian
frontier. which was occupied by the
Russians coon after the outbreak of
hostilities
London, Aug. ia dispatch to
Reuters Telegram company from
Brussels sent at o'clock last night
says:
That a fierce battle is in progress
between the Belgians and Germans
along an extended front. Large num-
bers Of refugees are arriving from
Tirlemont."
ReIgians Retreating.
Paris. Aug. 19.-An official an
nouncement this morning says the re-
tirement of Belgian troops toward
Antwerp is rumored, but not con-
firmed.
Germans Occupy Mlawa.
Berlin. Aug. 19.-German troops to-
day occupied the town of Mlawa ir
Russian Poland, close to the German
frontier on the Warsaw railroad.
poles Want to Fight.
Paris. Aug. 19.-An official state
ment issued by the war office say!
that many Poles engaged in the mines
and in factories are volunteering tt
serve in the French army.
The statement added the Poles asked
particularly to be permitted to figh
against Germany.
Germans Fire ON Italians.
London, Aug. ia dispatch from
Rome to the Star says refugees from
Magdeburg Germany. report that Ger
man soldiers fired on 5000 Ita!ian
confined in the barracks there, kill1ns
seven and wounding 16, because som'
of them shouted, 'Hurrah for Italy,.
Predicts Short War.
Paris. Aug. ia news dispatcl
from Tarbes quotes Count W1tte. tn
Russian statesman who is on his wa
from Biarritz to Russia, as declarlnl
the European war would not last NOR
than two or three months. 1t wa
bound to end. he said, in the downfall
of Germany. Russia's mobilization ha'
been carried out slowly but surely an
her army was certain to vanQuish Ger
many whatever might happen.
Breaches of Laws OF War.
Paris. Aug. 19.-The Brussels cor
respondent of the Havas agency tele
graphs as follows:
A committee to inquire into allege
breaches of the laws OF war by tn
Germans has Drawn up its statemen
of facts in the cases OF Major va
Damme, who was wounded at HaeleI
on August IL, and dispatched. 1t
claimed, by a revolver shot from tn
Germans. 1t Is set forth that Majo
Knapen was killed under similar cir
cumstances at Orsmael on August 8.
Emile Vanderveld, the Socialis
leader in the Belgian chamber of depu
ties. who recently became minister q
state, has returned from visit
Paris where he conferred with tn
prominent men Of all parties. He say
his visit gave him absolute certaint
Of final victory for the allies.
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