Evening star., 1914-10-12
STORY OF ANTWERP'S FALL
IS TOLD AS A Ct1RONOLO LOGY
Correspondent Describes Alternate Hope
and Despair and Joy Over Ar
rival of British Troops.

| tion of enduring the terrible fire rs
long as possible large proportion OF
Monday and Tuesday to insure an
eventual line of retreat
ability to hit back weight for
weight was the one crying need at
resistible conclusion-that the day OF
forts is over. The supposed impreg-
nable forts proved broken reeds against
the giant howitzers.
One of Brialmont's great works sank
almost bodily from sight in conse-
quence of the cavities made all around
its foundations by the terrific explo-
sions. The others are shattered beyond
recognition.
Last Days in Antwerp.
THE fall of Antwerp might be accu-
rately dated Thursday, though the bur-
gomaster did not go out to surrender
the city until s o'clock the next morn
ing and the Germans did not enter un-
til noon," says another Morning Post
correspondent in Belgium. by mid
night Thursday it was clear that fur
ther resistance to the attacking Ger
man army was vain, and the field forces
and garrison forces on our side began
to be withdrawn to the west side OF
the River Scheldt.
Throughout the night of Thursday
the citizens who remained in the city
had every prompting to terror. Smoke
from burning oil tanks enveloped the
city in dark pail, to which the flames
of burning houses gave a lining of
lurid yellow. Through this pail came
shrieking the shells of twenty eight
centimeter guns. crashing like thun-
derbolts as they sent buildings actually
pouring into the street Beneath the
pail of smoke along the shattered city
went hurrying the ranks of the retir-
ing army.
Many of the people of Antwerp had
resolved to withstand the lombard
ment, and were content to stay, bur-
rowing among the ruins, so long as the
tGermans could be kept out To them
the retreat of the defending army was
the last blow of fate. They abandoned
the cellars and retreats and set out in
flight 1t was the last and most pitiful
exodus. for these were the elect of the
citizens. AS they passed to the Dutch
frontier or toward the quays some met
their death from bombardment
Belgian Army Gone.
Friday morning the bombardment
slackened. Seeking the reason, I
found the headquarters of the Belgian
army in the vaults under the Central
railway station deserted. A railway
porter. who stood outside. stolid ard
apathetic, told me the soldiers had
gone. and that the Germans would be
there in half an hour. At the Hotel de
Vile 1t was evident that important
business was afoot, as officials hurried
to and fro with anxious faces.
AT o'clock the following proclama-
tion, dated October Z. was posted, an
nouncing the departure of the govern
ment:
after long hesitation and vain at
tempts to secure victory on other
pursued for a month now the siege of
the fortified positions of Antwerp. In
these circumstances the government
has the duty not only to maintain its
country not occupied by the enemy. but
also to place safe from all risk the lib
erty of its deliberations and actions
and the continuity of its relations with
guaranteeing powers and with other
nations who accord to our valiant coun-
try their sympathies and good wishes.
Transfer of Government.
Sacrificing itself to the imperious
obligations of which all patriots will
measure the Importance, the govern
ment has decided to transfer itself to
another point of national territory. It
quits Antwerp with a grateful memory
Of generous hospitality. and takes
pleasure in proclaiming that, faithful
to high national mission, this faith
full city has for almost two months as
sured to the government perfect tran
quillity in carrying on all public func-
tions
T After as before its departure the
army will oppose to the enemy most
obstinate resistance. The government
has the certainty that the valiant pop
ulation of Antwerp will in turn sup
port 1t, with stoicism over common
trials. with the same sentiment of pa
triotism as our other cities and more
humble villages. and will await with
unbroken confidence the approaching
hour of deliverance and reparation.'
AT $3.50 o'clock Burgomaster Devos
with three of his sheriffs, entered a
Won Beseler. German commander in
charge of the attack. The burgomaster
bore himself with quiet dignity.
'The burgomaster had hardly left
the Hotel De Vile when the lombard
ment was renewed fiercely. Several
wrecking them. In the cellars were
all the consular representatives re-
naming in the city, and they were un-
harmed.
ceased and shortly afterward the bur-
gomaster sent message to his Of
fee to post proclamations warning the
population against committing any acts
of pillage, and stating that the burgo-
master had taken over the entire gov
ernment of the city in an endeavor to
preserve order. Another proclamation
directed the citizens to give up all
arms, and ordered the police to make a
house-to-house canvass to see that this
was done. 1t warned the populace to
commit no acts against the Germans.
Those fleeing the city were advised to
take ample blankets and food. 1t was
announced that the civic authorities
would continue at their posts.
AT noon a messenger announced at
the Hotel De Vile that the Germans
were entering by the Malines gate"
The Daily Chronicles Antwerp cor
respondent gives picture of the panic