Evening star., 1914-08-08
ENGLAND WATCHES
BELGIAN SUCCESSES
Takes Great Precautions to
Shield Its Own Military
Movements.
TITANIC BATTLE EXPECTED
between GREAT ARMIES
Hundreds of Thousands of French
and Germans Will Participate.
False News Scored.

LONDON. August S.-All eyes were
turned today toward Belgium, where
the unexpected stand made by the Bel
gian army against German advance
guard has earned praise in all quar-
ters.
The authorities here have taken the
greatest precautions to prevent the leak
age of information to military and
naval movements. but indications were
seen in the communicating of large liners
and the stoppage Of the cross channel
passenger traffic that British eXpedi
tionary force would probably soon de-
part. The possible destination of this
expedition could not be ascertained,
and the report from Paris that the
landing of British troops had evoked
enthusiasm carefully hid the place of
their debarkation
President Poincare also gave out the
news in his message to King Albert of
Belgium, that French troops were
Shedding their blood with the Belgians
on the battlefield today"
Great Battle Impending.
The lighting around Liege although re
garded in military circles as important.
Is considered as merely an opening move
ment in the campaign. the plan OF which
has been kept well hidden by both Ger
man and French commanders-in-chief.
No hint has as yet been given as to the
position OF the bulk of the twenty-four
German army corps or of the twenty-one
French army corps. it is known that sew
eral of the German corps are near the
Russian frontier. The organization Of
other corps from the immense body OF
reservists must have occurred since the
mobilization. These have probably taken
the places in interior fortified cities OF
the soldiers of the active army, who are,
it IS assumed. now preparing to mase
their first dash at the enemy IT IS
pointed out by military men that any de-
cisiye offensive movement by the German
or French army will inVoiVe seNerai
hundred thousands of men on each side
whose contact will throw into the snadoW
the fight at Liege.
Merchant Vessels Captured.
Reports from many quarters record fur
ther captures of merchant vessels sailing
under the German flag, while the pres
ence of contact mines even in neutral
waters was shown in today's wreck of a
Norwegian steamer in the Zuider Zee, in
the Netherlands
What Is happening in the African col
onies of Germany. France Belgium and
Great Britain is not generally known, as
news from those places appears to have
been suppressed, probably owing to the
occupation of the cables by government
communications.
Heated condemnation was voiced IN the
house Of commons today OF the dlssem-
ma tion of false news concerning the war
such as that published in regard to
great naval battle off the coast of Hol-
land.
Urges Condemnation.
"It was absolutely false" said Reg
inald Mckenna. the home secretary, and
he expressed the hope that the mouse
would join him in the strongest con-
demnation of the publication OF such re-
ports He continued
IT do not say it was willfully done IN
this case, but it might be willfully done
in order to assist the circulation of
paper.
THE publication of false news is
mjsdemeanor. and now that a press bu-
reau with constant stream OF re-
liza BILE information has been established
the public has the right to expect that
no such news will be published except
when furnished by the press bureau.
Mr. Mckenna added that he was COM
fdent the unanimous opinion of the
house of commons on this subject
would carry weight in the country.