The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-24
CITY OF ANTWERP RAPIDLY BECOMING
 NORMAL AGAIN
Refugees Flock Back to City. Markets Are Opening, But Confusion Con-
 tinues to Reign


 Antwerp, October 2s.-(via Roosendaal Co London. October 24. 21o a. m.)-Ant- werp is gradually returning to normal conditions. About 15o,o00 ofsits s5o,o00 in habitants most of whom fled the city when the Germans occupied it. have re- turned
 Some shops are opening in the poorer section of the city, and few old women with dog carts are offering apples and vegetables in the once busy markets The German flag flies from the tower of the Cathedral of Notre Dame but eBl- gian priests are reading mass as usual.
 Belgians, German soldiers and German officers, many of whom have their wives with them, are living quietly in the lead ing hotels, which are forced to keep open for the army. The streets virtually are deserted except for the gray German au- tomobiles, which dash along at a mad speed carrying officers clad in gray uni- forms.
 No tribute has been levied on the city, except that the Germans have demanded supplies. General Won Huenhe is rov- crnor general of the military govern- ment. Major General von Bodenhausen, commander of the fortress of Antwerp will be installed shortly as civil governor to take charge of the issuance of passe ports and other duties which have been performed by Henry Dietrich, until re- gently American consul general at Ant werp. and the Belgian burgomaster, M. Devoss, acting in conjunction with Ger man soldiers and many plain clothes Ger man detectives.
 Citizens Shown Consideration
 General von Huenhc has given assur- ence that Belgians will not be forced to dig trenches or do other work for the Germans if they return to the Belgian cities. Every consideration is being shown the Belgians by the Germans, but this kindness makes the Belgians sus- picious as they believe, they .say.. that It trap is being laid
 More than 1000 Belgians returned to Antwerp today and probably half that number from Holland. The only trains running from Antwerp are to Roosendaal Holland. Hourly service is being main tained both ways during daylight hours and all trains are crowded. Holland border towns are filled with frantic Bel giai1s who move about anxiously seeking relatives and are afraid to return to their own country
 Virtually all the highways in the north or Belgium and in the south of Holla nd are filled with refugee pedestrians and dog and horse carts loaded with furni- trre and clothing. Barns. farmhouses. haystacks and cars on sidetracks fur nish shelter for these travelling families. Holland is harvesting its sugar beet crop and some refugees are employed in this work.
 The country about Antwerp is ieso- late, as the Belgians leveled many for ests to give the forts better chance at the approaching enemy. It is ssti- mated that about 300 buildings were destroyed in Antwerp by bombs. most of these structures being residences. The Hotel de LEurope and the Tayerne ,Royale on La Place Verte were among 2' large buildings destroyed by fire caused by bombs. La Mier and other leading business streets were untouched but all the large business houses arc still closed despite the efforts of the Germans to restore normal conditions.
 Shipping Unavailable
 Hundreds of ships are lying in the canals and at the docks. efforts to open shipping being unavailing as Holland controls the mouth of the Scheldt river. All factories are closed and the American consulate is looking after the business interests of citizens of the allied countries. The stars and stripes fly from the offices of the Red Star
 
 and other American concerns It is es- tinated that 50 persons were killed during the bombardment of Antwerp. Theophile Lemaire. Argentine consul at Antwerp, was the most prominent victim.
 The wounded were left in the Bel gian military hospital by the fleeing forces, who were unable to take all with them. Most of the British ma rines were wounded in the legs, eheir injuries being slight.
 They were badly in need of cloth ing and asked Consul Diederich to help them before the Germans sent them to prison. Probably not more than 20 oth : CT Englishmen are in Antwerp.
 Consul Diederich and the American vice consul Harry sherman. both nar- rowiy escaped death during the bonn bardment. They lived on the south side of the city where the smelling occurred. The operators of Zeppelin dirigib1e balloon dropped q bomb within 200 feet of M.- Sherman's home and the house adjoining Mir. Diederich's residence was wrecked by bomb.
 Persons having pEoper credentials ? may enter and leave Antwerp without trouble. German officers are busy ev- ; erywhere making maps of the city and supervising the policemen in an effort to restore normal conditions. The streets are cleared by o'clock at night. There has been no friction between the BelgIans and the Germans. The Ger man officers proceed as if they expect to remain in the city permanently.
 German forces constantly are enter ing and leaving the city. apparently for the fighting line. Petrol supply su- toinobiles, horse drawn comnfssaryl wagons. infantrymen. artillerymen ana cavaIrymen are starting south daily The clean uniforms of the, men and tileir fresh horses indicate that these troops have seen little service.
 V1ATN ADpEAT. MAnE