Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-28
Of
FURNES RENDERS
TOWN UNTENABLE
Third Capital Of Belgium Since
War Began Subjected to a
Heavy Artillery Fire From
German Batteries,

London Feb. l7.-Furnes, the third
capltal on Belgian soil since the war
began, has been deserted on account
of the latest German bombardment
which destroyed half of the town. The
Belgian general headquarters located
there for several months has become
the most mobile part of the army. and
King Albert with his staff officers
hardly know when they arise in the
morning where they are going TO sleep
that night.
Several weeks ago when an Asso-
ciated Press correspondent visited
Turnes several shells fell In the town
and one exploded over the railroad
station The correspondent was I'M
formed that the attacks came from
heavy guns mounted on armorcd trains
or motor cars which were brought as
close as possible. and then taken
away before they could be located by
the allies artillery. but the severity
of the recent bombardment caused
grave doubts Of the correctness OF
this theory, and Information brought
TO London by a Belgian workman who
escaped from the German lines, has
completely disproved 1t.
on his arrival here the workman
locked up his former employer,
wealthy Flemish contractor, and fur
nished him with drawings giving the
location Of a battery of German gums,
so heavy that they have been able to
surl shells over a distance of nine
miles into Furnes. This Information
was transmitted to the British war
office and immediate steps have been
taken to destroy this battery before
its big guns make the last habitable
portion of Belgium untenable. 1t Is
not believed that the guns of the al
lies located along the User can reach
the hidden battery, but II is possible
that II is near enough the seacoast
for the long range British naval guns
to put 1t out of action.
Picturesque City.
Furnes is delightful old Flemish
town with a town hall and some
churches of great antiquity and
beauty. In the picturesque square
few months ago King Albert. King
George and President Poincare met
and reviewed the allied troops. King
Albert and his staff made the town
hall their headquarters, and in spite
of an occasional German shell from
mysterious source and bombs dropped
now and then by marauding Tauhes,
remained there until last week when
heavy and continuous bombardment
destroyed half the town, killing
number OF soldiers and civilians, ana
compelling the inhabitants to flee.
Fortunately the town hall did not sur
fer from the shells and the ancient
buildings clustered about the square
were not greatly damaged, and the
residential part OF the town. through
which the railroad and military high
way pass. evidently having been the
target of the German gunners.
The persistent efforts of the GER
man artillery to locate the headquar-
tiers of the Belgian king have always
failed, but the recent escape OF the
ruler was so close that his Officers
will no longer permit him to rely upon
the charmed life which he seems 10
bear, and they are taking the most
extraordinary precautions to keep ms
whereabouts a secret from the enemy.
All passes have been cancelled ana u
is almost impossible for anyone not
connected with the army to get within
sound of the firing.