Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-08-26
FATE Of BELGIUM
ONE WAR PROBLEM
What is to Become of Plucky
Little Nation that Vail
antlyso Opp posed Kaiser :

lBXsa q German Army Ohicer,) x.
ssWeeks nave passed since the bk.
ginning of the great European war,
but the comparatively small army OF
of the attack. The little kingdom,
which was drawn into the conflict on
account Of the strategical value of its
location. has thus suddenly jumped
into prominence. and once more will
go down in history as an important
factor in the development of Europe's
future. The people who, up to this
country, are the descendants Of race
of warriors.
Made Name Everywhere.
Galia Belica was known to the Ro-
mans as the southern part Of the pres
ent Netherlands. and was occupied by
a people Of mixed German and Celtic
origin. After centuries of develop
made a name for itself in all parts of
the then known world. especially
through it's ever increasing wealth.
The discovery Of America led in
directly to the beginning of that Won
derful Antwerp Of. the middle ages,
the town which has justly been called
the modern Venice" For many CEN
turtles the Belgian people had to con-
tent themselves with being q province
of one or the other of the great Euro
pean empires, and belonged in, turn to
France, Spain, Austria and even Hol-
land.
Independent In 1880.
In a long and bloody struggle
against Spain, Belgium fought in the
sixteenth century for civil and reli-
gious freedom. and was a century
later involved. in the wars attending
the decline Of the Spanish monarchy.
The eighteenth century brought an
other war with France, and only the
French revolution of 1880 offered the
long-desired opportunity to create an
Independent Belgium. which, extend
ed over an area Of only a little over
1900 square miles. can boast of a
wonderful national prosperity. due to
abundant agriculture and boundless
wealth in coal and iron.
To England as Last Move?
VIII the Belgian government be re-
moved to England. where often be.
fore homeless royalty has sought and
found hospitality, or will the Belgian
ruler, surrounded by his army. faiI
back into France?
Since 1t was France which mainly
benefited by the Belgian resistance. il
was logical conclusion that a French
army would speedily support and re-
iieve the Belgians, and the arrival. Of
the French troops in Belgium was
promptly reported. Tne English, who
went to war to protect BelEium's in
tegrity. lost no time in sending her
troops across the channel to Join the
French soldiers in building a wall
against the invaders.
But Advances Continue.
Cable dispatches announced the
junction, but the German advance to-
ward Brussels and Antwerp continued.
and none Of the reports from Brussels
gave definite information Of a rapid
and effective help to the retiring Bel
gian front, or any Indication where
the allies would interfere.
What happens in Belgium is of vital
Importance to France and England.
and . matter Of life or death to Ger.
many. A German defeat on a large
scale would give the allies an adyant-
age OF ofstncalculable consequences. and
would greatly postpone. Il not de-
stroy, further execution Of Gernany's
h plans. Victorious. Germany on the
other side. In the possession Of Ant
wsrp. and with the way open into
France. would hurl It's masses axainst
the French defense with new spirit.
at the same time beginning operations
against ENGLAND from Antwerp. Z, nos
sibility, which would cause great un )
eastnesa to the government Of Eng
thuu tis i.sA lsFf}s " =