The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times., 1914-11-19
CORRESPONDENT WITH GERMAN ARMY
WALKS Amid BULLETS IN BATTLE
ny Jacques obels.

reached Antwerp after an absence OF
20 days, IL OF which passed as "a pris.
oner In the hands OF the Germans In
brussels. ] find scattered patches OF
this city either knocked down by shells
or burned. but IL liz impossible at the
moment to estimate the damage. The
town In dead. the total Belgian popula.
uon amounting only to about hve hun.
dred. However. refugees are return.
ing slowly. the trains which are bring.
Ing them arriving internationally from
Ho' L. The Germans are running IA
service OF motor cars from Brussels to
Antwerp and cam, here on one ot
these cars.
Sees Maiines Bombardment.
My experiences since leaving Ghent
include. besides imprisonment. walk.
ing with half dozen other civilians
before a column Of German infantry
advancing against the Bclgians In the
streets Of Malines. while the bullets
whistled about us and while shells
from the kaiser's heavy artillery
screamed overhead and doomed
against Fort Waeihem. ! was an eye.
witness OF the bombardment OF Ma.
lines, the details Of which ! will give
AS my story progresses.
On riding out from Antwerp on "a
bicycle 20 days ago as the battle on
the plain was beginning ! heard the
heaviest firing in the direction of Ma.
lines. ! asked a responsible Belgian
commander IL IL would be safe for me
20 go To Malincs. YES" said he. for
we shall hold the town at least until
tonight"
Runs Into German Army.
Thereupon rode rapidly toward
Nalines, around which thundered
heavy guns. Entering the town with
the full assurance that II was held by
BCgians, suddenly found myself face
to face with column Of German In.
iauiry keeping close TO one side Of n
sweet on the other side Of which
shelf fire was bringing down quantities
uf brick and stone. This shell fire pro-
ceeded from the Belgian guns at Fort
Waelhem. At the other end Of the
town I saw the last OF the regiments
OF Belgian infantry backing stubborn
ly out OF the bullet.swept streets.
Rides on His Wheel to Front.
But | must return to the beginning
OF my story. Every day, beginning
with September II. | rode on my bi.
cycle from Antwerp TO the lighting
front. which extended In wide semi
circle well beyond the outer ring of
forts. On the llth, 18th and 18th the
Ielgians fought a series OF battles 80
determined and brilliant that the Ger.
mans are still talking admiringly OF
them. Then they were driven within
the outer forts and the Germans be-
gan Immediately TO prepare positions
for their great guns by leveling the
ground and building CTncrete plat
forms. Saturday. September 20, the
Belgians made a desperate sortie for
the purpose Of blowing up the German
intrenchments and concrete emplace-
ments.
They persisted In this attempt all
aSy Saturday and Saturday night, but
early Sunday morning ! found them IN
fun retreat reached the foremost
trenches, where the final stand was
made prior 10 the return within the
forts. The Belgians had fallen back
from Buggenhout and we're making
their stand along the high road To Ma
lines and Termonde. Their trenches
were hastily dug and manned and ma
chine guns were hurried into position.
The Germans hidden in the wood
opened "A heavy rifle fire and this was
70 hot that the Belgians launched "A
cavalry movement to clear the wood.
Sees Marvellous Workmanship.
When the cavalry had covered about
half the distance witnessed "A marvel
Gus feat OF craftsmanship by the Ger
mans. Their artillery was in position
about two and a quarter miles behind
their advance troops. The Belgian
charge having been signaled. the Ger
man artillerists fired one shell, which
dropped In the very midst of the Bel
gian horsemen. killing and wounding
many and sending the others into
headlong flight for shelter, Afterw0rd
the Germans came quickly upon Us
with their bayonets, charging reck'
lessly through our rifle tire. So many
were there that we were forced to lice
Tor our lives.
Witnesses Artillery Duel,
The next day, Monday. September
IS. | went to Wildebroek. An artillery
duel ragged along the whole length OF
the line and the incessant scream OF
tho shells deafened one aud made
ones head ache.
Pushing on to Malines. fell into
the hands OF the Germans, as previous
ly told. They ordered me to take my
place with other civilians at the head
of column OF infantry pointed To
the American flag about my arm with
letters In gilt. 1T Is no use" said the
officer In command.
took my place In front Of the sol
diers and advanced az the word OF