The Washington herald., 1918-10-03
HUNS START
EVACUATION
OF BELGIUM
Lansing Makes Public In
formation That Enemy
Is Ready to Retire.
ALLIES FOR REPRISALS
Tell Huns if They Burn
Cities Allies Will Do
Likewise.

Germany has begun the evacu-
alton of Belgium.
Official information showing the
preparatory moves already under
way was received by the State
Department yesterday afternoon.
1t was made public by Secretary
of State Lansing.
The retirement, it is believed,
may shortly include the German
forces now in Northern France.
So desperate is Germany's plight
at the present time that officials
here would not be surprised to
see general retreat to the
Rhine, coupled with another peace
plea from the new ministry, which
is expected TO be responsible to
the Reichstag.
The information to the State
Department is to the effect that
all rolling stock, hospitals, post
offices, storage houses and sup
plies have been transferred from
the Fourth army district in Bel
gium to the general government.
CiviIia. Authorities ReesIled.
In addition ali civilian authorities
have been recalled TO Germany and
regulations pertaining to the mari
time districts have been made more
severe-an indication. officials as
sumo, that measures have been taken
to evacuate the submarine bases. At
Antwerp the naval staff. commanded
by Gohenschen. Is preparing to leave.
All German reserves in Belgium
have been ordered to the front, ap-
parently to assist in the transfer
of munitions, food and material to
points in the rear
Each of the above incidents shows
preparations for a retreat on a grand
scale, il is said, and all of Belgium
is expected to be back in the hands
Of the allies before snow falls.
In this connection the allies, II
became known yesterday, have al
ready taken precautions to provide
against a wholesale despoliation OF
Belgium and that part of France
now in the hands OF the enemy. A
note. which in reality amounts TO an
ultimatum. is being prepared for
transmission to Germany. 1t says,
in short, that IL the German armies
burn or destroy any more cities Of
France and Belgium, or raze or
chards, they may expect the same
treatment from the allies. The United
States, It was admitted at the State
Department, has been asked to be-
come a party to the move.
This action means that the Rhine
cities would undergo the same treat
ment that the unfortunate towns and
villages in the occupied regions have
received at the hands of the Ger
mans. The destruction Of Cambria
is said to be the reason for the con-
sideration of an ultimatum. Re
ports yesterday said the enemy sys-
tematically applied the torch through
out the entire city, which is so rich
in historical memories, and left 1t
a mass of flames and smoke.
MAY IcI ShNc so"c
II Germany heeds the warning OF
the allies the cities of Bruges,
Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp and Char
leroi, all in Belgium. together with
Lille, CharleviIle, st. Amand and
Roubaix in France will be spared
from the ravages of a retreating
foe.
The State Department also receiv-
ed yesterday an excerpt from the
Frankfurter Zeitung, of September
90, showing the condition of pub
lie opinion in Germany yesterday.
1t says:
What a change has taken place
in the few weeks that have in
tervened since that time when 1t
seemed that our armies had reached
their goal Of shattering the enemy
armies and forcing peace. There is
unparalleled tragedy in the present
situation. A real crisis has not set
in. 1t is the first strategic crisis
for years that turns against us. We
are on the defensive; the old
doctrine that attack is the best
means of defense no longer applies
in the new epoch in which We are
living. The moral revolution which
is transpiring in Prussian Germany
respects neither doctrines nor the
ories of war.
sdnenIns TeutonIc Backbone.
THE defense of our country means
the defense of that mentality which
alone can enable our people to remain
strong and united until the last hour.
This idea will unite our warriors and
the whole German people in unbend-
ing resistance until the enemy
awakens from the imperialistic intoxi-
cation which the unexpected victory
after gravest danger has caused him
We must resist until the new balance
Of power is established and force the
enemy to recognize that the advan-
tages which he Nigh aetain in the
most favorable event .Innot compen-
safe for the tremendous sacrifice
which a continuation of attempts te
break through would necessitate.
''1n its time Of sore trial the entente
was sustained by hope Of American
help, but We have no help but our OWL
strength, and must BE- inspired by th'
nuwD q eAep 4xnuA