The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-07
.GERMAN ARMY
ENTRIES uIECE
Continued From Page Cine,

Continued From Page cme.)
forts Of Liege withstood the deadly
IRE of Krupp guns, the assaults OF the
best and bravest infantry of the Ger
man army, and the various forms OF
attacks of the German masters OF war.
The fighting was desperate and
deadly Whole battalions of infantry
and whole squadrons of cavalry were
utterly blotted out in charge ana
counter charge. The bravery of the
German troops in their repeated as
saults was matched only by the brav-
cry of the Belgains. who met every
charge and when 1t had been repuiseo
made a counter charge.
Two Of the outer forts have been
taken by the Germans. Taken at an
appalling loss. taken in hand to mana
fight with bayOnets and dubbed rlnes
after hours of terrible cannonading-
but finally taken. The Belgians are
laying mines and erecting barDed
wire, entanglements. planting machine
guns where they command approaches
to the inner forts and preparing for a
struggle which, every one feels. will
be worse than the one gone by.
The capture Of the two outer forts
was an exhibition of pluck and brav-
cry on both sides. The Belgians
artillery had disabled them. Instead
of falling back the Belgians stood by
their silent guns and when the Ger
mans charged the Belgians met them
with bayonets and dubbed rifles.
Belgians Have Done Their Work.
1t is a question now much longer
the other forts Of Liege can hold out
unless the French come quickly to
their aid But their stubborn stand
has done its work. 1t was meant. from
the first, to delay rather than to give
any actual defeat to the advancing
army. If the Germans should pour
over the breastworks In the morning
and take the city they would find. in.
stead Of clear, open and easy road
into the undefended northern prov
inces Of France, in striking distance OF
Paris, an entrenched camp only 20
miles away. which they will find even
harder to take than has been Liege.
For, while the Belgian army OF
$4,000 has been fighting at Liege. 9TH
er forces have been entrenching them
selves at Namur, twenty miles up the
Mouse river, mounting heavy guns
laying mines, and preparing for an
other stand which will still further de.
lay the Germans. Fifty thousand
French are also reported to be on the
way to Namur to join the Belgians.
and 1t is known that General Lunier
commander OF the French northern
men where he can hurl an immense
army into the field at any moment.
Germans Are E:nraged.
1t is this delay which enrages the
Germans past endurance. The plans
of the German general staff has been
to march rapidly through Belgium and
into France, seize the northern cities
and sweep down on Paris before the
French could assemble their army
But Belgium denied them passage and
when they undertook to force it they
have fought so savagely that the Ger
mans have not advanced foot in
three days. And now France is ready
Moreover the Belgian blood is up, and
the Belgians will fight side by side
with the French in the decisive battle
to come. which is expected in the mex
ten days.
Moreover what had been looked on al
hrst as a mere skirmish and a matter
of no moment, has now developed into
q really important fight, in which the
Germans have lost valuable men and
used up vast quantities of stores and
ammunition. and they may not be able
And II they have to pause to recouI
and revictual at Liege they will meet
all the more stubborn resistance when
they do move.
The Germans are savage at the unex-
pected resistance, and their attacks are
delivered with desperate bravery.
War Balloon Blown to Atoms.
Another of Germany's large and cost
ly war dirigible balloons, carrying a
crew of twenty-six men was blown te
atoms by a Belgian gunner when il
tried to pass over the Notifications OF
the Huy Plateau, apparently with the
intent of dropping bombs.
The Belgians have invented a CUR
especially for dirigibles and the mo-
ment the big air craft headed over the
fort the gunners began trying theil
hand on it. 1t was successful. An ex
plosive shell tore through the gas en-
velope. which exploded, and the entir,
crew. manC.ed and burned, fell to tn,
earth.