Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-08-26


offer a strenuous resistance and so bring
pn their town the punishment melted out
by Germans to Liege
There il undoubtedly some slight feel
ing among the Belgians that they have
not been adequately supported by the
allies and that they have borne the whole
brunt OF the war In the north. but we
cannot believe the Belgians did less than
their duty and we expect TO hear that
they were attacked by overpowering
numbers
The possession of Namur was vital
for Germany and 1t was a fine stroke for
the Germans to have rushed the place
under the eyes OF the allied armies We
still hope and believe that our counter
offensive in the north Is only postponed
rand not Abandoned 49,. '.sn
Reviewing the general situation the
expert points out that the allies In Bel
GUM are getting te full shock Of the
German army. He says that Il Is essen
tial for Germany that II should deal a
paralyzing blow in this quarter in order
60 gain time to detach troops to resist
the Russian attack on the Prussian
frontier. 'ts
More Had News to Come.
Yesterday was a day OF bad news and
we fear more must follow" the London
Times says today In an editorial on the
TALL OF Namur.
I'm the first phase OF the great battle"
the paper continues. the Germans appear
to have won ground all along the line.
save In the area held by the British. We
were prepared for the ebb and flow OF
conflict. but not for the fall OF Namur.
1--WE have to face this situation with
,-unshaken confidence. We have to remem-
Der that the battle Is not yet over The
Germans have not yet burst their way
through to France, We have to remember
that this is only the first great encounter
OF war which plainly is destined TO he
long one. For the allies Il is a phase;
for the Germans It is vital. They are deal
z ing their blows with tremendous vigor
but the issue in Belgium still hangs in
the balance. in spite OF the unfortunate
. events at Namur.
= Whatever be the upshot, Great Britain
and it's allies will face the outlook with
logged determination and continue the
war until the spirit OF Prussian mIliterism
Is rooted out of Europe.
Time fights on the slde OF the allies
With the Germans II Is neck or nothing
but the French and the English have
everything 20 gain by waging a delaying
war. While the issue remains uncertain
we may still maintain the stoutest hope.
should II go against us. we may remem-
Der that the allies have not. like Ger
many. staked all on their first venture
!. our ultimate success is certain and We
will never sheath our sword until Ger
many has been finally beaten to its knees
French Defeated sass Chronicle.
Commenting on the loss or the Belgian
Sstronghold. the Chronicle says:
The news today is decidedly bad" add
:. ing that II the allies losses have been
heavy. I'VE may yet see before long the
Germans march in earnest on Paris
Namur is a fortress OF great strength
which its defenders could possibly hold
several months We do not imagine that
! It was taken by a rush. More probably a
breach made elsewhere in the line OF the
allies imposed on them the alternative OF
leaving a larger force 10 be invested In
Namur or Withdrawing from Il altogether,
The blunt fact remains that in a really
: first class battle the French troops. oc-
cupying a selected position OF singular
strength. were driven out by the Ger
mana after not more than two days
fighting. This speaks volumes for the
power OF German attack.
England and Russia must stubbornly
resolve that come what may to France.
they will never surrender Il to Germany.
but win stick 20 IL as they stuck 10 Ma
poleon-untn they pull Il down. AS long
as we hold the sea we cannot ourselves
be vitality struck"
The Notifications OF Namur and Liegs
formed the finest examples OF the work
OF the famous Belgian military engineer.
General Henri Alexis Brislmont. whose
treputation was worldwide.
Tho defensive works OF Namur were
mot 50 strong as those OF Lhege. but the
position OF the city was much better for
military purposes.
The forts are nine in number. the four
most important being -. Herbert Au-
doye. suariee and Cognelee. while the
connecting forts Of less strength are
Dave, -Aaizeret. Malonne, Marchevolette
and Emines.
All are projected by hardened steel
domes. generally eight or them In each
fort and the artillery, consisting Of mod