The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-26
GERMANS BUILD
STRONG OEFENS[
IN BELGIUM
Kaiser Renews Offer to Bel
gian Government, But Ten
der Is Refused PointbIank

Antwerp. Sept. 2z.--(Nia LoIdon1
There Is growing belief here thai
the Germans are preparing to retreat
from the Aisnc for II further de-
tcrmlncd stand In Belgium.
In addition to fertilization already
prepared, the Germans are Establish
ing huge line of crHreucilmeut8
which run through Mons toa point
near NaIcnciennes. They have erected
n semi circular line of Notifications to
the north of Brussels and LonyaiTi.
Heavy siege guns arc heing mounted
upon these fortfications, and troops
are arriving in large numbers from
Germany every day.
Such preparations are not necessary
merely for use against comparatively
small forces of Belgian troops. hes
cause the two. possibly three, German
army corps in Belgium have been ade~@
quate to keep the Belgians in check.
The new defcnses, therefore, must %
designed to protect a new retreat.
1t appears also that the Germans
are about to begin their attempt 10
take Antwerp. Military opinion ~
that the kaiser plans to storm tnsSs
confidence that the attempt VIII falLsS
Unusually heavy rains are flooding
the country and will greatly handbags
the movements OF such heavy gums
as the Germans depend upon. As5
great part of Belgium is veritabio
swamp. and general military. operas
tons are regarded as impossible
on account of the strength Of the
German forces and positions m oc-
4 81 ia, tEk1M
have been unable to maintain any ffn-#
portant offensive. They have been
successful In preventing the Germanas
from sending at least two army CORPS
to the relief of their armies in France.s
and they have kept up a series OF
raids upon German COMMUNICATIONS
The Belgian war office has issued w
statement that King Alberts troops
have suffered no hindrance In thetrs3
campaign of harassing the Germans.
The disposition of tne troops Is goods
and the morals Is Excellent.
KAISER REVIEWS OFFER TO nEIs-
The terms offered to Belgium ~
Emperor William. through Generni N0a3
Der Golfx, governor OF the Occ1pted
territory became known today. -
proposal was that BelSians w0ula -
pernitted to resume civil governments
In all towns from which the tserman3
withdrew, provided that the Gefaano
be uninterrupted In their comnant-
cation with their armies In Eranees
The terms were communicated by Mtn~
lister Woeste, the former leader 81 IT,
Catholic party. who remained In BFae~N
sells after the German occupations. No.
was eoldIy received by the Bel9ao48
government. and the terms were re~S
fursd pointblank. The answer Of g.
government was n sally in force. ThMa
influence of woeste Is hcnceforth 1t -
end. SsSs
A further indication that The eyee@
of the world will shortly turn again
to Belgium as the center of the matM@
operations lies in the attitude OF th4s
German military governors. FortfG-l
cations are being thrown up to tho
northwest of Liege. and the people,
have been ordered to leave the city,
Regulations affecting travellers hAyMA
increased in severity. Without qn1s-
ton, the apprehension of the GernAnN
has increased. They have evacuat0das
Termonde and LonderZee.
There is report from AmsterdAHAa
that German troops who guarded Brne@z
sells have been withdrawn and thaES
Austrians are now garrisoning tAG3
capital. They have seven heavy 1teEGS
guns Brussels is reported to be qut4a@a
but the price of food is high. MA