New-York tribune., 1914-10-09

beyan. have not been able TO Withstand
Tho fire from the big German guns, pu'
tho Relcians are still hopeful that WIN
tLe inner forts. flooded area ana
mobile field army they may be apie W
save the city until assistance may Soine
hy the defeat of the Germans IN lanse ,s
From the towers of pubic ou,iu'mn. 20
and particularly from the sta'ely 81,
OF the Cathedral of Notre Dame' mo".
red-striped flags, denoung thaV nv
are not being used for hlltar! pa
poses. In the Church OF the ~, w.
Dame il is the intention TO n'e.m
German wounded. as was done pE '"'
French at Rheims. ..acL
The intensity Of the German at.aS
on the city is taken IN some guar
20 mean that the Germans are P
naring second line OF defence Stre.V"
ing from Antwerp 10 BruSseiS' N"',Ji, ~,
and Net. upon which they ca"
back in the event OF reNetscS on nv"
present line in the north OF frSn'e,
The German forces IN rance a."
Belgium are now estimated az
three active army corps. backed up oN
eighteen reserve corps. not TO m'"'''"
the Landwehr and laudSturm'
Canadian troops landed to-day !"
the British isles, and they are soon 70
reinforce the British eNped'uonsIy
army on the Continent, hut at wha'
point il is not revealed.
fGv cable TO The Tribune
81 Nicholas. Oct. S.--A visit to the
western portion of the scene OF opera
tions in Belgium is. the western
end Of the line OF attack on antwerp
made il difficult to suppose 1t poSsioIe
for the attacking army to force ltS wa!
through. The natural conditions were
most favorable Go the defenders ana
these have been added to and improved
in such a manner as TO make the taxing
of Antwerp appear almost lmpoSSiole.
The spirit Of the Belgian troops WAS
excellent. ,
trating their efforts on the more east
orn side Of the circle, in the direction
of Iierre. the shelling of their trenches
20 the west by the Belgian western
forts and batteries drawing little reply.
Il was not easy to see what result there
vas from the Belgian fire. which was
shrapnel. intended for German trenches.
All that could be seen were small
clouds of smoke which rose among the
distant trees where the shells exploded.
From the battery itself one saw notn-
ing. Ii was, of course, concealed IN
whatever was the best way. 1t was
only BY getting TO higher ground that
one was enabled to get general ldea
of what was going on. While watching
the batteries there were occasional
spurts of rifle fire between opposing
trenches which might be a mile or two
distant.
Meanwhile field telephones were at
work and orders came to batteries as 10
range and other matters, all OF whlcn
was interesting when seen Tor the hrst
time. Passing through the towns OF
Loken and st. Nicholas, with many IN
tervening villages. this part OF Belgium
seemed one of the most thlckly poPu-
lated districts in Europe, and AL the
inhabitants were out IN the streets
watching the traffic passing. The hlght
of aeroplanes was an unusual sight 1or
the people. One Of the industries OF the
country is the growth OF flowers ana
roots for the English market. AL inns
moment their gardens are blaze oil
bloom. which will not. however, reacn
its intended destination. Nothing could
exceed the kindness shown everywhere
and by all.
II was enough to ask ones way TO
have half dozen willing and eager
Guides who would be hurt at any idea
Of recompense.
Parties of country people here ana
there were seen who had been com
pelled TO evacuate their farms. gar
dens and cottages owing to their actu-
ally coming under fire. They had such
Of their belongings as they could col
lect in perambulators, handcarts and
small carts drawn by dogs, of when
one sees so many in Belgium. 1t IS
astonishing what heavy loads can be
drawn by a couple of fair sized dogs
in this fiat land where there is nothing
which could be described as hill.
ST Nicholas. the nearest town OF any
size west of Antwerp. was full OF NOV
ing cars. ambulances, wagons and
every form of vehicle dashing about in
one direction or another. Under nor
NAL conditions il Is sleepy. old world
town. with its vast open market places,
atrocious paved streets, its old church
and fine town nall.