Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-15
PANIC
Continued from Page D..

Escape is cut off from all sides by
lands and thousands were still gath
cred miserably on the docks when
the last relief ship left this afternoon.
No steamers leave Ostend at night be-
cause of the danger from mines. Still
the crowds remained on the piers
where they will pass another anxious
night, awaiting the dawn and more
ships. Even the refugees who managed
to find deck space on the crowded
transports were not all relieved of the
terrible strain under which they have
been laboring, for the atchful Taube
flew over the steamers, carefully OBJ
serving their movements as they sail
ed out of the harbor.
The aeroplane did not drop bombs,
however. as one of them had on pre-
vious days, when both civil and mill
tary hospitals were so narrowly MISS
ed by exploding shells that the Bel
gians charged that the Germans were
aiming at the hospitals.
Last night was a possible nightmare
to the residents of Ostend and the
thousands of refugees fleeing before
the German invaders. Wounded SOL
diers were brought here by the score
from Client. 1t is reported that they
were engaged Monday near Client in
a serious battle with the Germans
The Allies are said to have had a
small force against a large German
force and were obliged to withdraw
toward the west. Consequently there
| is no obstacle to the Germans ad-
vance on Ostend Firing in the direc-
! ton of Client was heard plainly in
Ostend on Monday and Tuesday. The
terrified refugees who were at the
siege of Antwerp blanched as they lis
tened TO the bombardment and in
creased the fear among the residents
of Ostend by describing the horrors of
that fallen fortress.
Most of the business holses in Os-
tend closed yesterday and professional
men, merchants and hotel keepers
joined the throng which dared not
leave the waterfront for fear of los
ing their places in the ever-growing
line of men, women and children
clamoring for a chance to escape.
Tuesday night brought insistent reports
that the Germans would enter Ostend on
Wednesday at dawn, with the result that
few persons in the city slept. Before
daybreak every street of ostend was alive
with Belgians making their way to the
waterfront. Hundreds of fishermen took
their families and friends away in their
small boats, which sailed out of the ship
ping basin in a steady stream, loaded
down with frightened women and chill
dren carrying their personal effects
wrapped in tablecloths and blankets.
The failure of the Germans to arrive at
daybreak afforded only slight relief to
the anxious crowds. Rumors were cur
rent that German cavalry was less than
90 miles away and the appearance of the
taube in the sky VS. taken as an indica-
ton that the Germans were perfecting
their plans for entering the city
Practically no government of any sort
remains at Ostend, the departure of King
Albert and ministers left only the civil
guard and policemen, who are attempting
to preserve order, but there is lack of di-
rection. as the burgomaster, head of the
municipal government. has left also
The crowds mass about the gangways
of the vessels. making the work of en-
barking the refugees more difficult. wo-
men and children are trampled in the
stampede as every rumor. Bundles of
SioeiieS, tiCiins anu DdSS are SldCheu eN-
erywhere in confusion, preventing the
free movements of the crowds.
| Ostend today is amazingly unlike the
gay Atlantic City of Belgium which for
merly attracted most of the fashionable
pleasure seekers of the world. The shut
ters are closed on the great hotels fac
ing the splendid bathing beach. Rich and
poor alike residents of Ostend and refu-
gees of all classes from the interior of
Belgium are huddled together.