The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-13
UTILITY OF AN 7 WERP
FOR GERMAN OPERATIONS
Military Critics OF London Papers
Devote Space to Speculation Re
garding Advantages.
LILLE NOW PLACE OF INTEREST,"
Cavalry Of Contending Forces in
Violent Contact for Week.-Mrs.
sian Attacks RepuIsed in Eastern
Theatre of War.

LONDON. October 12.-ISxccpt FOR n
flood OF vivid details regarding the fall
OF Antwerp. the British public prac-
ttcally has been cut off from news
from the front during the last twelve
hours. 1t is felt. however. that events
of tremendous moment either are oc-
curing or are impending about Lille,
where the cavalry of the contending
forces has been In violent contact for
week.
Military critics OF the London papers
devote their space to speculation re-
gnTding the utility of Antwerp for Ger
man onense or defense. Most of them
agreed that unless Dutch neutrality
is violated. Antwerp will be of no more
use In making Zeppelin and naval raids
on England than other places in Bel
GUM which have been occupied for
some time by the invaders They
agreed, however, that for military pur.
poses the occupation OF Antwerp is of
supreme Importance to Germany, where
they viii be able to raise several d.
visions to aid the sorely pressed right
wing. Furthermore. the capture OF
the city will Insure the lines OF COM
munication should retreat be necessary
through Belgium.
Additional details OF the Smelling of
Antwerp Indicate that the damage was
not as great as at first estimated. and
may be Offset I'm large measure by the
great destruction wrought on German
shipping In the harbor by the Bel
gians. An official communication from
Berlin says no information Is yet avail
able as 10 the amount of booty taken
In tho town.
FRENCH CAVALRY Is
ROUTED by GERMANS
The same official statement asserts
that on Saturday German cavalry COM
pletely routed n French cavalry division
west OF Lille. which indicates that the
extreme limit Of the western battle is
within twenty miles of the Straits OF
Dover.
II is officially announced in Berlin
that In the eastern theatre Of war all
attacks of the first and tenth Russian
armies have been repulsed. while the
same fate was suffered by the Russians
when they attempted an outinnking
movement by way of Schirwindt. East
Prussia.
In South Poland the Germans claim
their armies have reached the Vistula.
The assertion is also made tina, the
Russians have Invented the stories
given out regarding great victories at
Augustowo and Suwalki
Petrograd remains silent as to the
movements OF the Russian armies, but
hints that secrecy Is necessary for the
time being because important opera
lions are pending,
Late reports indicate that terrific
hghting. partaking OF the nature of
siege operations. has taken place dur
Ing the last fortnight around Roye.
i.assigny and Albert. the last named
place having been completely destroyed.
Now that the armies are deployed
in a comparatively level country, shorter
periods OF vigorous fighting Will. 1t Is
felt probably produce more decisive
results than did the engagements in
the intrenched areas.
From Austria come reports of the
rapid spread of Asiatic cholera. and of
the suffer!ngs being endured by the
Austrian troops on account OF the un-
usually cold weather.
Rome newspapers. commenting on
tho appointment OF General Iupelli as
Italian Minister Of War. consider 1t
significant that no should have been
born I'm Capo DItrla, an Italian prov
ince still in the possession of Austria.
Under the new minister 1t il expected
that preparations TO place the army
on war footing Will be hurried but
Italy, apparently, IS still firm in the
determination to remain neutral,