Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1914 — RAZE ANTWERP FORTS [ARTICLE]

RAZE ANTWERP FORTS

GERMANS SAY THEY INVEST MOST OF CITY. Official Statement Says Every Sortie by Belgians Haa Been Repulsed— King Ready to Flee.

London, Oct. 2.—According to the Amsterdam correspondent of the Central News, the Germans claim that they have destroyed two of the outer Antwerp forts. Berlin, Oct. 2 (via Amsterdam and London).—The government issued this official statement on the situation In Belgium: “The forts of Antwerp are being bombarded at long range with sue- i cess. The city is almost wholly invested. Every sortie by the garrison 1 has been repulsed. Approach to the city is made difficult by the extent of the area flooded to check our operations.’’ London, Oct. 2. —King Albert of Belgium is preparing to flee from Antwerp, according to informat ion, -from

rnr" temporary Capital, and the belief is growing that the capture of the city by the Germans Is Imminent. Surrender'6f the forts and the Belgian army has been demanded by the Germans, but the king has refused to comply, and the bombardment of the southern forts at once recommenced with renewed vigor. The Germans are using the ponderous 42-centimeter siege guns that reduced Liege and Namur, and are pouring a rain of shells on Forts Vaelhem. Lierre and Wavre-Ste. Catherine. at a ten-mile range, that military experts believe will result in the silencing of the Belgian guns. The Germans, however, have been compelled to shift the positions of several of their batteries, according to a dispatch from Antwerp to the News, because of the effective reply of the Belgian forts to the invaders’ attack.

The Wavre-Ste. Catherine forte remained silent for some time, he adds, leading the Germans to believe that their bombardment had silenced them. The Garmans then sent a section with field artillery to attack the forts, only to find themselves under fire. Only a few of the attacking force escaped. After this the Belgians made a sortie and captured several guns. The German military governor 1 of Brussels has announced the arrest of Burgomaster Max by public poster as fellows:

"I have found myself obliged to suspend Burgomaster Max from office on account of his irreconcilable attitude, lie Is now in honorable custody in a fortress."