The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-08-28

4nOI
Yielding to the dictates OF reason
and humanity. the civil government at
the last moment disbanded the civil
guard, which the Germans would not
recognize. Tho soldiers and ordinary
police were then intrusted with the
maintenance OF order,
After a day of wild panic and slum'
berless nights the citizens remained
at their windows. Few sought their
couches.
Cry "Here They Come"
The morning broke brilliantly. The
city was astir early and on all lips
were the words: They are here, or
They are coming"
Tho they" referred TO were al
ready outside the boundaries OF the
city In great force. The artillery was
packed off on the road to Waterloo
Horse, foot. and sapper were packed
deep on the Louvaln and Teryervne'
rem roads.
An e%nterprising motorist came III
with the information and the crowds
in the busy centers Immediately be-
came calm.
suraomsster Gives Up.
At eleven o'clock It was reported
that an officer with a half q troop OF
hussars bearing white flags had halt
cd outside the Louyain gate.
The burgomaster claimed for the
citizens their rights under the laws
Of war regulating an unfortified CAPT
tai. When roughly asked IL he was
prepared to surrender the city, with
the threat that otherwise II would BIO
bombarded, the burgomaster said he
would do so. He also decided TO re-
move his scarf Of office,
The discussion was brief. When
the burgomaster handed over his scar
Il was handed back to him and no
was thus entrusted for the time being
with the civil control of the citizens
The Germans gave him plainly to I'M
derstand that he would be held re
sponsible for any overt act on the
mart of the ~populace against the Ger
mans
Triumphant March Begins.
From noon until two O'Clock the
crowds waited e~xpectantly. Shortly
after two o'clock the booming OF can
non and later the sound OF military
music conveyed to the people OF Brus'
sells the intimation that the triumph
ant march Of the enemy on the an
Client city had begun.
On they came. preceded by n scout
ing party of uhlans, horse. foot and
artillery and sappers, with a siege
train complete,
A special feature Of the procession
was 100 motor cars on which qu'cb
frers were mounted, Every regiment
and battery was headed by a band
horse or foot. Now came the drums
and fifee; now the blare OF brass ano
soldiers singing die Yacht am Rhein'
and deutschland uber Allies
Death Head Hussars There.
Along Chausee dc Louvain, past St
Josse and the botanical gardens, Y
the open space in front Of the Care d.
Nord. Tho usual lounging place OF ths
.lred twaddlers OF the city, swept the
legions.
Among the cavalry were the famous
Brunswick Deaths Head Hussars ant
their companions IN many bloody
fields, the Zeiten hussars. But where
was the glorious garb Of the German
troops, the cherry-colored uniforms o
the horsemen, and the blue OF the In
fantry? All Is ~greenish. earth coio'
gray. All the helmets are covered Will
gray. The guns are painted gray
Even the pontoon bridges are gray.
ITO the quickstep beat Of the drums
the kaiser's men march to the grea'
square, Charles Regier. Then at thu
whistling sound Of the word OF com
mand-for the sonorous orders Of thu
German officers seemed to have gon'
the way Of the brilliant uniforms--th'
gray.clad ranks broke into the famouI
goose step, while the good people o
Liege and Brussels gazed at the pass
ing wonder with mouths aSape.
Crowds Want Revenge.
At the railroad station the grea
procession defiIed to the boulevard
and thence marched to encamp on thu
heights OF the city called Kochelberg
II wa truly a sight to have ~giaddenet
the eyes Of the kaiser. but on the side
walks men were muttering beneath
their breath:
They'll not pass here on their wa!
back. The allies will do for them.
Many OF the younger men In tn
great array seemed exhausted ate
the long forced march, but as q maj
staggered his comrades In the rank
held him UP.
II was 4 great spectacle and an i'm
| pressive ono, but there are minor Incl
dents that were Of q less pleasant char
acter.
ofHcers In ehaekIes.
Two Belgian officers, manacled AM
fastened to the leather stirrups Of tw'
uhlans, made a spectacle that causes
a low murmur Of resentment from tn
citizens. Instantly German horsemel
backed their steeds into the closet.
packed ranks Of the spectators. threa,
ening them with uplifted swords an
sitting the momentary revolt.
At one point Of the march a lam
hawker offered flowers for sale to tn
soldiers. As he held up his posies
! captain Of hussars, by q movement o
his steed. sent the poor wretch spraw'
ing and bleeding In the dust. The
from the crowd a French woman, he
heart scorning fear, cried out: "Yo