Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1914 — GERMANS ARE AT BRUSSELS’ GATES; CAPITAL MOVED [ARTICLE]

GERMANS ARE AT BRUSSELS’ GATES; CAPITAL MOVED

Seat of Government Is Transferred to Antwerp, Fearing Cavalry Advance. GREAT BATTLE IN BELGIUM Singing of Marseillaise at Dlnarrt Saves French Defeat Despite a Heavy Lose—Kaiser and Sons at the Front. Brussels, Aug. 18.—The thunder of cannonading was audible in Brussels during the early morning and it was later reported that after making a feint with their right wing at Dlest to divert the Belgian center at Louvain, the Germans were advancing directly on Brussels through Hvy and Jodolgne. London, Aug. 18.—The Daily Express says: "There is little doubt that a great battle is now occurring In Belgium between the Germans and the and French allies. Our correspondent. In a cryptic dispatch from Ghent, indicates that the Germans are advancing on the historic battle-ground of W aterlo and that events of the greatest importance are In progress.”

London, Aug. 18. —The Paris correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph company learns that the Russian Emperor will sign a proclamation at an early date giving the Jews In his dominions equal civil and political rights with his other subjects. Brussels, Aug. 18. —The Belgian capital was hurriedly moved to Antwerp at the approach of German cavalry almost to the gates of the city, and the defenses of Brussels are being strengthened to resist the kaiser’s forces. The re-enforced German cavalry, which was repulsed by the Belgians in the fighting between Tirlemont and Louvain, has penetrated to Wavre, a town only 15 miles southeast of Brussels. The proportions of the German advance are undetermined, but It Is reported to be backed by Infantry, In an army corps which arrived during the two days’ lull in the operations about Brussels and immediately undertook new offensive operations, ✓' Brussels Prepares for Siege. Brussels, practically an unfortified city, resounds the noise of picks and shovels as soldiers and civilians alike are working to strengthen Its defense. The government is preparing for a long siege, and everything possible Is being done to enable the city to hold out for months against a German artillery attack. The government hopes to hold the capital at Antwerp by the combined strength of the allied armies behind the fortifications. The removal of the capital to that city indicates that the Belgian war office realizes the German troops have made great gains through the country to the south and east of the capital, and bears out the theory that the German advance is as methodical as. a machine. Daring the advance on Wavre the Germans encountered the fire of the Belgian outposts, and after a number of skirmishes the German offensive movement was stopped. As a result of a series of careful aeroplane recon uoi sancea it is believed by the Belgian leaden that the main part of the German army Is concentrated at Luxenbourg. The German plan, revealed in the latest troop movements, indicates an approaching attempt to break through the center of the French line and deal a crushing blow at the most vital spot in France. French are Near Strassburg. Paris, Aug. 18. —The war offico officially announces that French cavalry, leading the Invaders, of Alsace through Saale pass, have arrived at the village of Rosheim, or Muhlbach, 20 miles from Strassburg, the capital of the former French province. French Take Road to Strassburg. By C. F. BERTELLI. (Special correspondent who writes from the French viewpoint.) Paris, Aug. 18. —The most important news of the day comes from the east. It is a sequence of the occupation of the Pass pf Saale, which has been known for. several days, and of the fighting at Blamont. Operations are now developing at the angle of the frontier where Alsace and Lorraine join. . Saale Is at the entrance of the Valley of Bouche, which flows toward Straseburg. and along which there Is a railway. From this point, on Friday, the French troops gained the heights of. Moqpt Donon, w hich dominates, the

"■valley” and also commandSF tfie valley of the Saar. The following Saturday, ■the French forced an entrance Into the valley of the Saar and occupied the heights on the other side. The French are already at Schirmeck. Below Mount Donon, In the valley of the Saar, their front Is about live kilometers from the Important city of Strassburg. Farther west they are at Marsal, near Dleux. They are -nlso descending the high valleys of Alsace between the Bruche and Baarre Al the further end of the Donon mountains the Frendh have before them the fort of Mutzlg, the first covering fortification of Strsßaburg. At left Is a nonfortlfled passage 20 Sdlometers* wide, between potion and Des Houllnleses canal. This is one of the two gates of Lorraine, the othlying between a marshy region further west and the defenses of Metz. At the other end of the line In Belgium the French have triumphed like wise In a less considerable but no less brilliant combat. It had for theater Ihe city of Dinant, on the Meuse, where If-,000 German cavalrymen were ■n action. The Interruption of opera’lons to the north of Namur, coincident with this attack by Germans to the south, Indicates perhaps a change "of objective on the part of the enemy. Tn that event the great turning movement to the north would be replaced by a less extended movement In closer •connection with the army that is occupying Luxenbourg. The German -armies, alarmed by the resistance of rhe Belgians, are drawing closer together in such a way as to force their way through in the vicinity of Mezieres, which is on the Meuse in France, ©0 miles north of Namur. *- The arrival at Mainz of the German emperor will mark the beginning of great operations French 20 Miles From Strassburg. London, Aug. 18. —The stirring strains of the Marseillaise, resounding from thousands 3? th&ats along French battle line, turned a potentia’i rout of the tri-color into a glorious victory over the Germans in the battle between Namur and Dinant. according to an Exchange Telegraph dispatch from Brussels. The strongly intrenched German artillery along the banks of the Meuse had worked havoc with the French line. The gunners had the exact rahge, worked their guns with the vigor of madness and the bursting sihrapnel strewed the field with French dead and wounded. terrific bombardment continued throughout the day, and toward evening the French wing had been badly cut up. The lines were shattered, the officers in consternation, and many of the French battereis had been silenced. Frantically the officers sought tp stem the tide of slaughter, but the German guns continued to mow down the French troops. Finally, out of the havoc, a French officer realizing that defeat was near, flashed his sword high In the air and raised the opening strain of the Marseillaise. The effect on the shattered French lines was instantaneous. Above the din of the battle the French soldiers one by one took tin thia air of their national martial anthem. Entire Army Revitalized. The song rolled down the battle line until thousands of throats were echoing the words. The drooping spirits of the troops were roused to renew ed ardor. The FVynch army was revitalized. The broken- battle line *vjis reformed as the men rallied under the compelling lash of the song. As the enthusiasm of the troops reached its climax the officers seized the psychological opportuni* thus presented and gave the order to , -charge and the tide of battle was turned.

Now, shouting at the tops of their voices, now breaking again into the •strains of the Marseillaise, the lines *>roke into a run, climbed the slopes *o the German artillery and fought a Viand-to-hand battle with bayonets and drubbed rifles. The effect of the artillery lessened; the Germans broke before the gallant charge of the French and gave way. The dispatch says that the French victory was decisive, addibg that the losses were heavy on both sides. It was the first dispatch making any "mention of the allies* losses that the 'censors have allowed to come through. Kaiser Directs German Advance. •’Berlin, via London, Aug. 18.—When Emperor William arrived at Mainz to assame command in (he campaign against, the French and Belgian lines three of his sons, including the crown prince, are reported to have joined him. Turn Race Courses Into Sheep Folds. Paris, Aug. 18 —The race courses of Auteui 1 and Longchamps, two of the •greatest French gathering places for wealth and fashion, have been turned into sheep folds. This has been made necessary by the war.