The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-10

to nave been imarooned BY Tn de-
struction Of q pontoon bridge over the
river Scheldt. While the vast bulk of
| tn refugees are now burdentnG Hol-
land. thousands later win come to
England, where other thousands all
ready are being cared for.
Just how much damage has been
! done to Antwerp. particularly to the
edifices OF historic interest 1t Will teke
some time to determine. Some OF the
refugees say that the cathedral OF
Notre Dame has been badly damaged.
while others say this II not so. All
reports agree that the Germans enter
ed the city by way Of the suburb OF
Berchem.
will now be able to detach the con-
siderable force used during the siege
of the city and transfer these men to
their right wing near the Frencn-6ei-
CLAN frontier which has been soreiy
pressed. The moral effect of the fall
of Antwerp is not minimized In Eng
land. The city was called by Napo.
leon: "a pistol pointing at the heart OF
England" The seaport long has neen
one of the greatest in Europe resem-
er Mersey. It IL estimated here that
there are no fewer than 100000 Ger
mans In Belgium today.
There il nothing new this morning
in the eastern arena Of the war; me
reports that the Austrian city or
Przemysl Is on fire lacks confirmation.
The Austrians insist that the Russians
before this position are being repulsed.
Took It in Ten Days.
The siege Of Antwerp, which crimin-
ated in its fall ON Friday. October ,,
began on September 70. 30 that rne
Germans took just ten days to reduce
the formidable Qualifications which sur
rounded the temporary capital OF the
Belgians. The Germans had, however
for a long time previous prepared the "a,
way for the attack on Antwerp py
taking a number Of towns In its VI
cinity.
The first direct attack on Antwerp
Notifications was against the 1orts at
Waelhem and Wavre-St. GATHERINGS.
These were reduced In two days, by the
aid of the big siege guns. MeanwmIe
the forts at Lierre and koningsnoycK.
had also been attacked and these ana
others of the outside line Of fortiflca-
tons were taken last week.
The last few days has seen the ngnt-
ing advance to the inner line OF forts
and along the Scheldt principally at
Schoonaerde At the last named place
severe fighting took place for several
days but the superior artillery OF the
Germans gradually forced the Belg1ans
back until in the last day or two the
|
suburbs Of Antwerp. On WEDNESDAY
Oct. Z. came reports that the population
was fleeing in terror and panic toward
the Holland frontier. Zeppelin bombs
which did much damage and killed
scores Of people added to the terror OF
the Inhabitants.
The German forces which have taken
Antwerp are said to consist OF five
army corps. They were under the COM
mand of Gen. Hans III. Won Beseler.
veteran Of the war of 1870. who was
taken from his retirement to do the
work Of reducing Antwerp.
General De Guise. was in command OF
the Belgian defenders. King Albert
aided them by his personal direction
almost to the last, having quit Antwerp,
according to reports only yesterday
morning, probably when the end was
seen.
Antwerp is 100 miles from London and
in England the fear has been expressed
that with this city as German base.
Zeppelin airships could be used to at
tack the English coast line and even
London. The distance from Antwerp
to the English coast Is less than 100
miles.
Antwerp is on the river scheldt. This
river before 1t enters the North sea
flows through The Netherlands terri
tory Under existing conditions II Wouio
| be impossible for Germany to use Ant
werp for a naval base without violating
the neutrality Of the Netherlands.
! Antwerp in History.
The ancient city Of Antwerp. Bel
GUMS last resort redoubt on which
the Germans are now advancing, mas
had perhaps the most checkered his
tory of any city in Europe. 1t Is no
new thing for Antwerp to stand a
siege and fight invaders. II $1,000 us
first siege in the seventh century
when the Mortimer swooped down
down upon and destroyed the town
which had existed since the fourth
century. Antwerp's position on the
Scheldt a broad, deep arm OF water
extending for fifty miles to the sea,
was a natural location for a great
city 1t recovered from the North
mems raid and advanced steadily In
commerce and population until, in the
middle of the sixteenth century, 1t was
the most prosperous and wealthy city
on the continent.
Antwerp began to decline in the
reign of Philip II during the religious
wars The Duke of Alva banished
thousands Of its richest and most In
dustriOus citizens.
! A century later saw Antwerp a
ruined city, The Scheldt had been
closed to navigation by a clause in the
Peace of Westphalia in 1648.
| Antwerp was at the lowest ebb OF
its fortunes when Napoleon, recognize
ing its strategical importance. secured
concessions from the Dutch and built q
new harbor. Napoleon's work was
completed in 1903. and the next few
years saw Antwerp leap back into
prosperity.
The Belgian rebellion in 1896
brought an army of insurgents
to its gates. Antwerp. which was
growing rich and powerful under
Dutch rule, opposed the revolution. L
was occupied by the insurgents and
was bombarded by the Dutch general