Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-22

werp yesterday had lived to see the
liberation, of their country. and they
were the lucky ones.
There was TIE Deum in the cathedral,
but / could get no further than the
transept because of the crowds there
straining to get glimpse OF the King.
Before the high altar l could see the
Descent From the Cross" by Rubens,
with its rich color like a great bouquet
or painted window through which the
light shines, and above the people long
silken banners were draped from the tall
pillars. The air was heavy with in
cense: and music and the murmur of
voices came down the aisles, meeting
the murmurous Whispering OF those
about me, and through the open door
out there in the square, where other
crowds were around the statue of Peter
Paul Rubens.
OVER all Antwerp bells we're ringing
their notes, mingling in strange clash
ing melody: and from the belfry of the
cathedral the chimes Of the gay carillons
came tinkling down. They were play
ing the "Marseillaise"
Belgian girls made grave little
speeches, as though learned by heart,
thanking England for all she had done
for Belgium. Some Of them had been
refugees in England for a year or more
back by way of Holland. Withal IL is
good TO know that real love of us is in
their hearts.
Two men in the crowd were not Bel
CLANS. They stood saluting to, people
who raised their hands to them as they
passed They were tall sturdy fellows.
with dark eyes and ruddy cheeks, and
saw they were Italian prisoners of
war. They were captured by the enemy
co hy Mt,
ably until the armistice, with hard work
and little food. One man had been in
Chicago and gone back to- Italy to fight
for his country as soon as the call came.
Now they were happy. like tens of thou
sands of their men. who tramped many
miles since the day when the Germans
'aid: You can go. We have no more
use for you"
In the crowds at Antwerp I heard
about the last days Of the enemy in
that city, which some Of them hoped
% keep forever. The German headduar-
ters staff. which was established at the
Hotel Terminus. read the terms of the
arqmistice with long faces and were
profoundly downcast. Then one high
officer. speaking for the others. said:
1T cannot be helped. We have done
all we could to win this war and we
lost. Now we must pay the price of
defeat"
Red Flag Frightens Oficers
Most of the high officers left in a
hurry, but others who could not leave
before their men were very frightened
when the red flag was raised. as I have
already told. German marines. in or
ganizcd revolutionary army committees
for several days ruled Antwerp. issuing
a proclamation to the people not to in
tervcne and ordering them TO stay inside
their houses between o'clock in the
evening and in the morning. Parties
of them. led by noncommissioned officers.
went around the cafes and restaurants
searching for officers revolver in hand.
and tore off their epaulettes and all
badges of rank. One young officer who
resisted was shot dead Others submitted
instantly.
Most of this work was done by Ger
man marines. but the infantry also took
part in 1t. There was no orderly with
drawal from Antwerp. but gradually the
Germans filtered out in small groups and
by twos and threes until not one was left
a few days ago. The pilot of the ferry
boat over the Scheldt told me the Ger
mans attempted to fraternize with the
Belgian people toward the end.
But 1t was too late" he said.
Antwerp has its lights up at night.
and as darkness fell yesterday and
looked back at it across the Scheldt. all
its wharves and docks and the old castle
called the Steen, and the huge tower of
the cathedral and many spires and bel
fries and roofs were all glamorous, like
a dream city. and war had not changed
or spoiled the beauty Of this seaport.