Gilpin observer., 1914-09-03

u0utb III DclSiuus uutou a. N~'
which he tells Of the determined
sweep of the Germans through the
section east Of Brussels and the occu-
patton OF Louvain, which had been un-
til then the headquarters OF the Bel
yian army.
The correspondent says that an
enormous German force was fiung
against Louvain, which was the weak
point of the Belgian line, and from
Oiest to Louvain the Belgian left was
turned
Germans 10000 Strong.
Speaking with French officer near
wavre on Tuesday the Chronicle cor
respondent says he was informed that
at least three German army corps
(about 100000 mem were moving IN
9 line from Tasselt to Tongres and
Waremme. with the object Of break
ing through the Belgian line at any
cost. The force was covered by an
Immense cavalry screen. the same
force with which the French and the
Belgians were so hotly engaged all
Tuesday.
THE Germans on that particular
day." the correspondent continues,
were repeatedly attacked and cut up
by the French dragons. But the al
lies cavalry, pursuing the retreating
enemy far beyond the advanced posts
of the allies, suddenly discovered the
presence Of q large German army.
There was nothing for 1t but to fall
back rapidly, and this was accoms
plished in good order and with prac-
tically no loss.
Battle Line Thirty MIles Long.
THE main German advance over .
front OF about thirty miles appears to
have begun at daylight yesterday. At
six o'clock yesterday morning
reached an advance post. anticipating
from some OF the operations OF the
previous day that l was to witness
the first great battle Of this war.
then found that during the night the
situation had completely changed.
Some pickets of the allied cavalry
had been driven in by the enemy's
cavalry that they had been sent to
reconnoiter. and they returned with
the information that they had come
in contact with large bodies OF the
enemy moving by routes parallel with
the Belgian and French line.
Hot Battle At Diest.
"The first shock Of the invader was
encountered at Diest. This place.
which SO heroically resisted them last
week. was fiercely attacked. The old
forts and walls. most OF which are on
- ID A. 90 hxxt r
protection against the heavy fire of
the enemy. The shell fire soon made
the defenses untenable and the garri-
son retreated, evacuating the town.
The Germans then advanced eau
tiously. fearing a surprise. The Bel
sian cavalry, which was covering the
rear guard, had several brushes with
the enemy, who repeatedly sought to
cut them on. The impetuosIty Of the
Belgians led to their charging the en-
emy and incurring great losses.
LouvaIn Easy to Win.
"Jouvain was the next place at
which the Germans flung themselves.
Here their task was comparatively
light. as II was undefended.
1T is a sleepy-looking little medic
val town. noted for the profundity of
its classical learning and the beauty
Of Its gothic architecture.
"A small force Of infantry and cav
airy held the place as long as possible
and then retreated. A number Of shots
we're fired at the enemy by the small
defending force. and I am informed
that later the invaders made this
slight resistance a pretext for burning
several houses in the vicinity OF Lou.
vain.
Late yesterday evening the main
road from Louvain toward Brussels
was packed with retreating soldiers
and fugitives. Everywhere the people
had turned to account their light
carts, to some of which were har
messed teams OF dogs, such as one sees
everywhere In Flanders. Others had
horses attached, and when animal
traction failed sons and daughters
harnessed themselves to vehicles and
laboriously toiled toward succor. drag
ging the carts laden with the aged and
infirm or weeping mothers with young
children and babies In their arms.
Many Had Lost All.
Numbers of these poor people had
lost everything. their money, theiI
clothes, their horses. their cattle. The
Prussian wolf had descended upon
their peaceful hamlet 80 rapidly that
in many cases they had barely time tc
escape with their lives.
81 conversed with many OF these
homeless ones both on this side of the
road to Brussels and this morning In
Client. One man / came across said
ne lived just outside Louvain and had
been working in the fields, unaware OF
the proximity OF the enemy. He
turned round suddenly and saw his
house In flames and the savage cries
of delight shouted by the maraudine
~ans~