Norwich bulletin., 1918-02-23

CAPT. R. kEWUiLLoN l
 Despite the wintry weather, it was a hall well filled with an interested au- dience that greeted Faithful Navigator F. T. Diggins of Rev. Daniel Mullen Knights of Columbus, when he arose to open. the patriotic meeting that had been called in observance of Washington's birthday
 The meeting. which was held in Knights of Columbus hall, Sunlight building, was in keeping with the work that is being done throughout the country by the fourth degree sec tion of the order in arousing on every appropriate occasion a spirit of patri otism that will serve as bulWark of strength to the American leaders in this war for humanity and the freedom of the world for all oppressed peo- pies.
 The Patriotic Division.
 In his opening remarks Mir Diggins stated that the fourth degree section was the patriotic division of the order and the principle which it taught was love for this republic and it's institu- uons. He then asked the audience to join in singing America, which they did, all standing, following which he introduced Rev " A. Keefe of Plain field, state lecturer for Connecticut, as chairman of the meeting.
 As Father Keefe arose to address the meeting he was given q great. ovation. The chairman. who is a great admirer of the BeIgiahs, having lived among them for severa; years while a student at the University or Louvain paid a splendid tribute to the Belgian nation in it's heroic de fense of their country from the Ger man hordes. 'The spirit of patriotism that symboliZes the fourth 6egree sec- tion of the Knights of Columbus" said Father Keefe in his opening remarks, is the same spirit that 1nast animate every loyal subject of America nov that our. beloved country is engaged in this world war which has fer fts p}:a- pose the rehabilitation of 1>algiu..l and the protection of all the weaker na- 1 tions of the world.'' s' s@s A Liberty LoviBS Nation He characterized the Belgium people as a nation of liberty loving, demo cratic. cultured people, whose opposi- tion to invasion under the inspiring leadership of King Albert and Cardi.. l nal Mercier had attracted the atten- tion of the entire world, and pictured the misery and devastation that had been the result of their ref:i5.s to sub init to German influences lie then in- troduced Capt. R. LewG..::!1g.s as the speaker of the evening, siat.ng that it was an honor and an iZasipiration to present to patriotic Alr.z-is+an audi ence an honored re:,:,ess sG, ,tative oi such a gallant nation as was Belgium 1 Captain Lewui!ler S5neaks. Captain Lewuillor was enthusiastic ally applauded as he arose to speak and during his very interesting ad- dress he held the closest attention o1 his audience. He used large charts arranged along the front wall of the auditorium, to illustrate his talk, these charts showing the principal forts anc lines of defense as they existed ir Belgium at the time of the invasion The speaker showed a thorough know. ledge of his subject, and much o1 what he told of the horrors of tha- invasion was learned from persona
 observation, as he took part in the defense of Belgium during that mem orable German assault which marked the opening of this world war. "A 1 that time he was stationed at Namur
 one of the principal forts in the schem, of defense. Later he was assigned tt
 duty in this country and is now sta
 t1oned in Norwich as a representative
 of the Belgian government in connee
 tlon with the contract for rifles nov
 being made by, the Marlin-Rockwel
 corporation. Captain Lewuiflon spok,
 in part as follows: The Defense of Liege ..
 Capt Lewuiiion said:
 I will speak about the defense O
 I4iege in spite of the fact that wher our army was mobilized on Saturday August 1. 1914. I was sent from Lieg. to Namur. The choice of my subjec : was dictated on account of the fol lowing considerations.
 Defense of Liege against the frs German shock is more important fo, civilization than the defense of Ma , mur. Moreover it takes a long tim
 to gather and group informations. did not have this time at Namur, be
 cause l left that city on August 21
 three days after it's surrenoss. On the contrary at Liege, I was abl !, to collect information from my fa1nil, and friends on the spot. I left Lieg Nov. 1, 1914.
 General Feeling in Belgium Before tn g War.
 ] In Belgium nobody, except the au
 tnor1t1eS, thought war a possibility |
 1906 and 1911 we were, on account 0 ! Germany, within an inch of war, bu
 as diplomats always were able to fin
 way for settling the difficulties peo
 pie generally believed every natio ] equally afraid of war.
 Germany's behavior however, wa not clear; the strength of her arm n was repeatedly increased; huge wa
 credits were voted: along our borde
 in a very poor country railroads wer s built, the meaning of which could b l nothing but military Within fe, ? miles of our border at Elsenborn.
 camp was pitched, so as to be abl Ito gather there very large masses C n troops under the pretense of maneu Ivers.
 When I was garrisoned at Laege a 2 an artillery officer I remember hear a ing often when the wind was blowin :, from the east the roar of the Germa
 guns firing at Esenborn.
 At Liege General Leman who wa if appointed military governor durin a the spring of 1914 was energetically i ii view of a war he felt near and un = avoidable
 D Description of Forts at Lieqe.
 The forts of T.iega and N.r,,,,,., x,,ay