The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-09

The Germans seem slowly but surely
N he overcoming the stubborn and
heroic defence OF Antwerp. There Is
Lite doubt here but that the Belgian
,,y will eventually be added to the list
which contains now the names OF
ll.ge Namur. Maubeuge and Longwy.
The Krupp guns that have devastated
n, greater part Of Belgium and have
,ullfed the utmost efforts OF the Bel
san army are hammering away con-
,lnuallv at such OF the first line OF Ant
yarn forts AS are still standing and are
bslng brought to bear upon the inner
n. and the city itself. The lombard
mani is carried on night and day, and
a. freah breaches are made the Ger
ma, commanders rush ample forces OF
,,,antrv to occupy the ground. 1t Is
sr,mated that no fewer than Ave Ger
man army corps (perhaps 100000 men)
are assembled there.
The determined and increasingly vio-
ion, attack leads to the conjecture that
n. Germans realize the necessity OF a
second line ~ defence which must be
rom Antwerp to Brussels to Namur
and thence to Metz. in case they are
driven out Of France.
The terrible ordeal to which the city
has been subjected since September 2s.
when the direct attack was begun. has
not discouraged the little Belgian army.
stu II fights inch by inch. advancing
when Il can retiring only when II must.
A. the shells from the 20 and AZ cent?
meter siege guns which the Germans
have set up on concrete bases scream
through the air. exploding generally
over the defending trenches. King AL
h.rt's soldiers bend to their work. and
II they are driven back they make the
enemy pay dearly for the advance.
Cannon sent 20 BeIsians.
At this momenttthe exact situation in
Antwerp Is not established. There are
reports here that the allies have sent
10 the city naval guns which will match,
inch for inch OF caibre and pound for
pound OF powder. the Krupp giants. II
S said that men to set up and operate
these guns are already in Antwerp and
hat the artillery duel from now on will
ne conducted on even terms. The Bel
s!ans themselves had no cannon capable
ot standing of the Germans. so they
appealed To England and to France,
which have sent to their aid armament
similar to that which is laundering at
The enemy along the heights Of the
Asne in France.
Al last reports the Germans had sue
cesded in getting across the River
Sethe, which with the Scheldt and the
Rupe constitute the strongest protec-
ton 10 Antwerp. But that they have
progressed far beyond the near bank of
he Nethe does not appear certain. The
Belgian army is said TO be opposing
their advance there and to be meeting
With considerable success. since the
Germans have not yet been able to
change the location Of their cannon 20
hear upon the operations in the new
position they have assumed.
A. Termonde. on the Scheldt, the Bel
CLANS have thus far been able to pre-
vent a crossing. The losses here as
well a. at the Nethe have been tremen-
dous on both sides. The situation In
many ways parallels that at Liege, eS-
cept that the Belgians in this case are
in greater force and have more natural
dNenoes such as marshy ground, tracts
courses TO depend upon.
London is gravely concerned about
antwerp, but military experts point on:
mat the city Is not yet near capture. no
matter what progress the Germans have
made A bombardment OF the city
proper would infiict incalc ulable damage
N property, but probably not In life,
since precautions have been taken for
me removal Of many non combatants
ana the protection OF such as remain
sen de Guise. the military governor
mas ordered the inhabitants to leave
they can and II not to prepare their
cellars for habitation and TO take every
preventive means against an outbreak
VI fire.
Infantry Attack Unlikely.
Thus the physical task before the
oermans IL still enormous. They can
not change the location OF their guns
TOT every variation of the siege and
mere Is scarcely an inch OF ground in
"r fortified zone which they can cross
"'hout loss of life. II Is certain that
concerted German infantry attack will
NOT he attempted as long n any of the
Mlhcdtons hold out, and II seems
.kelN hat the fan of Antwerp car. be
ueIay"d for some days yet, even II II is
NOT entirely averted.
orrospondents who were obliged Ia
way" me city with the last of the
refugees report that they found an air
" Pu'T confidence among the military
Nad'rs That Antwerp would never be
.Sp'ured The General STAFF admits
mat thc situation is extremely critical
pU the impression prevails that the
s"eganS, assisted by the allies. still
nave surprise for the Germans and
."a' from now on the battle will bs
"as'H on more even terms.
me Germans announce that six OF
w' Antwerp forts have fallen. Accept
's mat as true there are ten strong
,''' N.Il in action. on this point q
core p1udent says:
inc threatened bOmbardment OF the
ivy =" 4 desperate mannuvrc to try to
"'' he Belgtans to capitulate In order
" ave the city Itself from damage. II