The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-30

impossible to call them back immedi-
ntely, and II was only at 8 O'Clock In
the afternoon that IL was possible TO
withdraw the regiments 10 the heights
north OF Dinant. 80 that the artillery,
especially that part OF the field ar,il-
lery, regiment No. ~, and one battery
Of heavy artillery could shell Dinant.
w finally succeeded IN cleaning UP
The town In spite of the continued IA
matte resistance Of the inhabitants
Houses. according TO. the report. had
been made into veritable forts by the
barring OF doors and windows n the
accumulation of great quantities OF
hrearms and munitions. The presence
OF great quantities Of munitions was
proved ~ constant explosions In burn
ing houses.
Priests In the Fighting.
'Ofhcial reports expressly en-
phasized that the fighting Belgian ci-
villains wore nc military signs. The
entire population had firmly. unani-
mously made up their minds to delay
the German advance. n they must
blame themselves that part Of them
were killed during the dangerous task
they deliberately set for themselves.
The resistance was exceedingly stub
born. All classes. even priests. took
part. with men and women. old men
and children.
shots were fired from the cellars OF
burning houses and even while a pla 81
toon OF our soldiers executed some
men OF the franc-tireurs they fred at
them with revolvers which they had
concealed In a most vicious and
cowardly manner The peopie, who
themselves were invisible from without.
fired through holes at detachments OF
soldiers passing by as well as al single
oincers. When German troops invaded
the houses the people made their as-
cape through numerous caves and sub
terranean passages TO continue thc!r
murders IN other places. Soma pf
the male franc-tireurs wore women
clothes.
That troops Of the corps did no,
snow themselves hard or cruel is proved
by numerous incidents in which they
cared FOR women, old men and children.
a number OF women who had ,ust
given birth to babies and who were
sun In bed were carried out OF IN.
endangered houses to safe places and
placed on mattresses together with
their own wounded. The wounded in
napitants land in most cases their
wounds were caused by the FIRE of the
~'N were nIln1 ped "a nd
given conscientious surgical treatment.
Fed Women mud Children.
Children who we're found alone wers
handed over To women. A ma tori,v n,
the women n children coming from
burning Dinant and arriving at Les
R'vages August "a were taken into
houses and given food and drink. Next
morning they all received coffee from
the regimental field kitchen.
Reports which surviving inhabitants
OF Dinant have made concerning the
hghting about their city, and the state
ments OF the Belgian commission founded
on these. as well as stories of the enc
mics press. are all characterized bv the
fact that while they entirely conceal the
part which the population took in the
hghting against our troops. they pur-
pOsely and In the most cxagger,t.l
manner relate what our troops did To
prevent them.
Concerning the popular rising AZ
~l"ouvain. the eport tells how relations
between troops and inhabitants were en-
tirely friendly. Not a single excess took
place. The behavior OF the German
troops was pr~a!seworthy. as even the
Beigians admit. But the population OF
that city too showed great friendliness.
so that the German soldiers at Iouyain
felt so safe many OF them went w.thou,
arms.
This peaceful picture suddenly
changed on August Is. 1914 On that
date Belgian troops made a sortie from
Antwerp In the direction of Louyain.
German troops occupying Iouva!n went
out TO meet them. and the fight ended in
the serious defeat OF tho Be!gians, who.
toward evening. were driven back into
Antwerp, Evidently the inhabitants Of
Louvain, who after the occupation of the
city mad maintained constant secret
communications with Antwerp and who
knew about the planned sor.ie OF their
countryrnen, had not counted on such a
result OF the fight. They held the wrong
opinion that the planned attompt 10
break through by the Belgian army, as
sisted By English troops, must meet with
success, and they saw in the temporary
advance Of Belgian troops victory and
encouragement TO take part in the fght
themselves.