The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-21

strength. They employed cavalryfonly
to feel out the positions Of the pHfes
along the whole line.
Two days ago the general advance
began along both banks Of the river
in great strength towards Brussels.
Further south the Germans have
pushed in with similar Irresistible
force along the line fl ON Dinant and
Givet on the Meuse, to Neufchateau.
The advance has been carried on with
thoroughness and decision along the
whole battle front. The fight is not
only against number but against time.
The situation is big enough. It is big
ger than history has ever known, but
it is simple. 4
we'll settled plans by this time for
dealing with 1t. The arrest Of the
German advance for a fortnight has
given them full opportunity.
Lines OF Defense.
For the large force they now have
in Belgium, there are several very
strong lines of defense curving back
ward from Antwerp, behind Brussels
and round again to Namur.
The Germans as they advance more
deeply with such a curve, must at
least separate their army north of the
Mouse from their army in the depart
ment of Ardennes, in northern France.
Part Of the great conflict may soon
range across the actual field of
Waterloo.
Louvain presented a wonderful and
terrible spectacle. Into the outskirts
Of the town bleeding and riderless
horses were galloping. According to
reports from the conquered city, the
wounded were arriving in the city all
day, followed by Capuchin friars who
were administering to their wants.
| A 10 kI1e 1Ae u - l~.~
battle had been buried in a common
grave, covered with a layer Of lime
and clay. But under the scorching
sun the carcasses OF the fallen horses
lay scattered all over the field. The
soldiers made q kind OF mask from
their red handkerchiefs covering the
greater part Of their faces to defend
themselves against breathing the in
fictitious air and against the sting Of
the dangerous inhabitants Of the car
cases.
The defenders Of Louvain held their
positions with great bravery.
Second Battle Of Waterloo.
The Daily Express today publishes
the following dispatch from Alfred
Stead, its correspondent at Ostend,
which gives the first graphic descrip-
ton of the second great battle of Wa
terloo.
| On Sunday the Germans occupied
Gembloux, a circle corps taking the
lead in tho advance and demolishing
the telegraph offices and the instru-
| ments. Later the French cavalry OF
General Sylvestre appeared and put the
Germans to rout. The French appeared
| in uniforms SO unlike the traditional
| style that the civil guards fired upon
them in error.
| A division of German cavalry on the
march from ST. Trond came into action
between Diest and TfSlemont. Dividing
into three columns they almost stimuli
taneously struck at Haelen, Tirlemont
and in the vicinity Of Louvain.
The third division of the Belgian
troops in the trenches behind the road
from Hougarde to Diest awaited the
German advance. The enemy's march
progressed. cavalry. infantry and heavy
guns.
| At Neerlington, five miles from Tirle-
mont, the German artillery of the SEC
ond column took up a position and the
enemy opened fire on the Belgian line.
A little later the first. shell was d.
rected toward Tirlemont and the battle
was on.