Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1914-08-12

BELGIANS WITHSTAND
GERMAN ATTACK
English, French and Belgians Unite
Their Forces Against
Kaiser.

During the past week the Euro
peon war has enveloped more terri
tory by reason of England's declara-
tion of war, which was expected in
last weeks issue. 1t was hoped at
the outset that England would take
neutral stand and let the other ma
lions carry on the conflict until fore
ed to Interfere, but the English
claim that the Germans disregard
Tor Belgium's neutrality forced them
TO take active part At the same
time they blame Emperor Wilhelm
Tor having forced the issue. This
claim however, is without foundation
when the actual facts are considered.
Before the English nation declared
was, negotiations had been held be-
tween the two countries in which it
appeared that the English made
three demands upon Germany, the
hrst to make no warlike operations
on Belgian territory, secondly, to
make no warlike operations aaginst
the French coast in the North Sea,
thirdly, to confine all maritime oper-
ations within the Baltic Sea. The
acceptance of such conditions would
nave slgnified the frustrating of Ger
many's plans and there is nothing
strange IN the fact that the kaiser
declined to accept these huniliating
conditions. 1t is clear too, that the
English never anticipated German
acceptance Of those terms, they were
merely put up as blind, so that
Great Britain could be able to place
the blame upon Germany for the
war. Britain has for many years
sought some method by which it
would be able to stem the expansion
of German international trade. Ger
many thru it's genius has been able
to build up trade which is second
to none in the world, and of course,
it has aroused the ire Of Albion's
sons. Another factor that aided
complications was the strengthening
of the German fleet which has been
going on for number of years,
therefore it was concluded that the
English must enter.
The German army proceeded to
the Belgian frontier, proposing to
get to France thru that country
England became aroused, but it must
be remembered that before the Ger
mans approached even a proximity
of Belgian territory, French airships
had passed over that country into
+l,,,c, +loor,
ed the neutrality of Belgium than the
northern neighbor. Thus the neu-
trality Of Belgium cannot be consid-
cred a valid cause for war.
The Weeks Developments.
Any accurate news concerning the
developments in. the war cannot be
obtained, for all news must pass thru
London and hence it is natural that
everything will be placed in light
favorable to that nation. The Ger
man cable was cut so that any news
from that country, to offset the ex-
aggerated English side, cannot be
had.
AS soon as the German army en-
tered Belgium they were met by the
most stubborn opposition by the Bel
gians. At Liege they put up fight
so brave and persistent that they
have aroused the admiration of the
entire world. The Germans were
driven back time and time again, and
had to be re-enforced to renew at
tacks. Sunday report came that
the city had fallen but, counter-re-
ports came from the Belgians deny
ing this. However, it is merely a
question of time how long the city
can withstand The loss of life on
the side of the besiegers was great.
The report states 1000 killed and
10000 wounded. While this siege
was going on the English and French
were mobilizing their troops. A Brit
ish troop of 100000 is said to be on
French soil and before long battle
NAV take place at Namur.
Many suppose that the battle at
Iiege is merely a blind to concen-
trate the French force at that place
while the German force works its
way thru Alsace-Lorraine and thence
TO Paris. The French claim sue
cesses in Alsace, having crossed the
border and taken Muhlhausen. Later
renorts state that the Germans have
driven them back.
In the east, the combined German
and Austrian armies have advanced