Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-19
Continued Prom A.ast Issue)


= CARCELY waiting for the reply
to the ultimatum, German
- troops had invaded Belgium on
Tuesday morning at II o'clock.
They crossed the frontier near Dol
hahn, and in the afternoon about
4 o'clock they had arrived in the
region of Fleron, one of the forts
that encircle Liege. Wednesday
morning we heard that the guns OF
the forts at Liege we're already
booming. The army was concen-
trated there and the Liege depu-
ties had gone home to aid in the
defense of the old city, whose he
roic traditions the king recalled
that day in this stirring proclama-
ton to his troops:
TO THE NATIONAL ARMY!
Soldiers: Without the least pro-
vocation on our part, a neighbor,
clarifying in his power, has torn
into shreds the treaties that bear
his signature and violated the ter
ritory of our fathers.
Because we have been worthy OF
ourselves, because we have refused
to forfeit our honor, he has at
tackled us. But the whole world
is amazed at our loyal stand. May
its respect and it's esteem sustain
you in this supreme moment!
Seeing its freedom menaced, the
nation has been deeply moved and
her children have hurried to her
frontiers. Valiant soldiers of sa-
cred cause, l have confidence in
your tenacious bravery, and l sa-
lutte you in the name of Belgium.
Your citizens are proud of you.
You will triumph, for yours is the
might that serves the right.
Caesar said of your ancestors:
"Of all the peoples of Gaul the
Belgians are the bravest."
Hail to you, army of the Belgian
people! In the face of the enemy,
remember that you are fighting for
liberty and for your menaced
hearths. Remember, men of Elan
ders, the Battle of the Golden
Spurs; and you, Wallons. who now
stand on your honor, remember the
six hundred Franchimontois.
Soldiers! l leave Brussels to put
myself at your head.
ALBERT.
Done at the palace of Brussels,
this 5th day of August, 1914.
The moving words of the young
king, who on that Wednesday
morning had established his head
quarters eastward at Louvain, near
the field where he was to prove
himself so much a man, had stirred
Brussels. The city in the brilliant
sun of that Wednesday, thrilled
with the emotions of patriotic fer
vor, flags leaped to roofs and bal
comics all over town, and lolled lux
uriously on the warm air. There
was an exhilaration in the atmos-
phere; every one was excited; men
met and shook hands ecstatically;
tears came suddenly to the eyes !;
voices trembled. Every man that
one met had a new rumor-the
French army had entered Belgium,
or the English were debarking at
Ostend; there was eXaltation and
high hope in the heart.
All day the legation was crowded
with frightened Americans who con-
tinued to pour into Brussels and
remained there hesitant, undecided,
bewildered, loath or afraid to brave
the channel crossing to England,
hoping for some miracle that would
arrest the war or spare them its
discomforts.
He Demands Protection
81 suppose l am to come right
here with my family in case of
trouble?" said a great strapping
fellow, speaking in his strong Ger
man accent, who came one morning
with a wife and five children, and
planting himself there in the cor
ridor that was crowded with Amer
leans and Germans, plucked at me
insistently as l went by. Perhaps
did not instantly respond with the
spontaneous gesture of hospitality
that one, especially if one is an
American diplomatist, would like to
have instantly ready in all his re-