The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-10-13
GERMANS TAKE ANTWERP
AFTER LONG SELGE
POWERFUL FORTS OF STRONGEST
FORTIFIED CITY IN WORLD
No Match for Colossal HOWltzers
Belgian Army Escapes to Os-
tend.

DSlSIIH W vs.
tend.
London, Oct. 10.-Antwerp and the
forts surrounding the city are in COM
,plete possession 0. the Germans, but
the greater part o. the Belgian army
1as escaped. 1t took the Germans just
II days to capture the strongest for
tress in the world. TIE city was set
afre in places by the German shells.
The fall of Antwerp is evidence that
even the most powerful forts are no
match for the colossal howitzers
which the invaders have successfully
employed against every fortified place
that stood in their way. These huge
guns open gaps through m-icn the be-
s;egers ind entrance for their field
artillery and infantry.
The Germans, after shelling the city
itself for many hours, making il IN
tenabie, entered the town Trough c1e
suburb of Berchem, 10 the east. T~ey
had made breach in the outer line OF
forts, some O. which were destroyed
by t1eir big guns and others blown up
by the defenders.
The inner forts, like those further
out, soon succumbed to the enormous
shells and on Friday morning several
of these forts had fallen, opening tie
way for the Germans into the city By
midday they were in occupation of the
town and at 2:30 p. N. the war banner
on the Cathedral was replaced by g
white flag.
Complete Possession.
A few forts continued to hold out,
and it was not until II o'clock this
morning tat the Germans, according
to their own official report, were in
complete possession Of the city and
fortress. When they arrived yesterday
they found tat the Belgian field army
and at least part Of the garrison had
anticipated theY, and, like the king
and royal family. had escaped.
The dedth roll resulting from the
attack on the defence of Antwerp has
not been aaam probably the
..uII deJaiIs be known, but
ali accounts SescribGR as being heavy.
TIE Germans, although their big guns
cleared a path for them, 2ad to sacri-
flee many lives in crossing the rivers
and canals and in driving out the de-
tenders, who held the entrenchments
until the last.
Stubborn Resistance.
The stubbornness of the Belgians
and of those VINO went to their assis-
tance cost them dearly also, so that
both sides have long casualty lists.
There is no reliable information as to
the loss of life in the city and the dam
age there.
Crowds of refugees arrived tonight
in London. Most of them left Antwerp
Thursday night and their accounts Of
the attacks are confused. The Belgians
themselves, besides destroying forts,
blew up steamers at the docks and set
fire to the petrol stores and everything
useful to the invaders. They also took
away what the transports could carry.
Bercaem, where the military and
other hospitals, tie orphanage and
some public buildings are situated, is
reported to be destroyed. Even i this
is an exaggeration it must be badly
damaged, as it was burning at least
tNc days.
Marks for Shells.
The Antwerp railway station also
made marks for the shells from the
big guns but, according to some OF
those who nave reached here, the
cathedral, which is on the other side
of the city nearer the Soheldt, while
struck, was not badly damaged. The
inmates of the hospitals and other in
stitutions were removed Thursday, or
earlier, so that they were we'll out of
the way before the Germans arrived.
A question now arising is as to the
effect upon the general campaign of
tho German nccnnatinn of Antuarn