Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-11-12

Malines, Belgium, Nov. 12.-Barely
10000 Of Malines' former residents re-
main in this ruined city and thousands
lsWho are still here cannot stay after
the beginning of cold weather unless
outside funds are provided to repair
shattered roofs and walls cracked by
the German field guns.
Before the German invasion Ma.
lines had 10000 inhabitants and was
an important art and manufacture
center. Strombold cathedral, one Of
the most interesting medieval church
buildings in Europe, dates back to the
fifteenth century and contains an al
tar piece which vas of Van Dykes
master pieces. st. Johns church and
paintings Of Rubens. The historic pal
ace OF Justice was once the home Of
Margaret Of Austria.
Malines is half way between Ant
werp and Brussels, on the principal
stone road connecting the two great
cities Of Belgium. Excellent roads
flank this central highway on the east
artery and the two Ranking roads that
the Germans moved against Antwerp,
sweeping every obstacle which afford
ed a refuge to the opposing Belgians.
Buildings Swept Away.
Like most ancient cities, Malines has
narrow streets. The main travelled
street, along which nearly all traffic
moves in passing northward toward
Antwerp, is scarcely 80 feet wide from
curb to curb and has many turns in it
which made the passage Of an enemy
exceedingly difficult. Stone and brick
business houses and residences three
or four stories high, built in a con-
tinuous line, stood along this street.
Many of these We're battered down by
the German artillery and the debris
filled the street so completely that on
places to permit the passage Of a sim
gle automobile.
Food C~onfscated.
Where fire did not spread to the
wrecked buildings, the ruined stocks
of merchants and the broken furni-
ture Of their living apartments in the
upper stories may still be seen. Sucl.
food supplies as were useful for the
army were taken by the German off,
GERS and soldiers are billeted in the
houses which are still At for habita-
ton.
Malines is intersected by several
arms Of the river Dyle and is practice
ally surrounded by a canal and wide
boulevard. Visitors entering the city
from the south r challenged by
German soldiers standing guard at the
y NOV Ia ! O6oA11 SkOpHCO Of
they enter the great medieval stone
arch forming the entrance to the main
portion Of the old city.
Historic Cathedral Shattered.
The historic cathedral stands in the
very center Of the town in a sort of
triangle. It's tower, at least 800 feet
high, was very evidently a target for
the German artillery whose aim was
not sharp enough to bring down the
massive Gothic pile OF stone. Corners
OF the tower We're Clipped by shells.
but the foundation, and walls suffered
no serious damage. However, the main
portion of the church was less for
tunate. 1t stands in such a way that
1t presented its entire south side as a
target for the approaching army. All
the windows were riddled, the south
wall was hopelessly shattered, SO bad
ly shattered in fact, that it is feared
the entire main portion of the building
must be o down. All the furnishings
OF n cathedral were buried in the
crushed tile, stone and mortar from
the damaged roof and wall.
Factories in Ruins.
Factories along the river and the
dences, business houses and churches.
The great railway shops were ruined.
Hat factories, tapestry factories, WOOL
mills n starch factories, which
employment for thousands,
We're wrecked by artillery fire.
Trenches in the sandy beet fields
which flank the highway leading into
Malines and thousands Of rifle pits
show how stubbornly the Belgians re-
sisted the Germans. Many Of the
trenches are so long they resemble
drainage bitches. They are from three
to five feet deey and about three feet
wide. In many places they are covered
with planks and timbers upon which
brush and earth were piled to afford
protection against shells.
Beautiful Trees Leyeled.
wv" 'HH"s 81 onca beautiful elms
which lined the highway were torn
~. s4.~t.~ieu ny the rain Of bullets