Newspaper Page Text
Germans Planning Liege Attack Before Arrival of French
EDmOjH
VOLUME XIX, No. 222.
Battle of Liege Still in
Progress; German Army
Is Changing Position
Final Outcome Not Yet Known—Official Detailed
Account of Fighting Issued in Paris—Belgian
War Office Say: “All Goes Well Every
where;” Germans Must Soon Cross River
{ Nieuse-Communication With Liege Cut Otf at
Noon
Brussels (via London, 8:15 p. m.) —The war office
has issued the following:
“All goes well everywhere. The .France-Belgian
plpan of campaign is maturing as well as could be
desired.”
A special dispatch from Rotterdam says that the
roof of the famous Liege Cathedral has been de
stroyed by German artillery fire.
SOON CROSS RIVER.
Brussels (via London, 8 p. m. —The three German
army corps which attacked Liege remain in their po
sitions, but it seems they soon must cross the Meuse
by passing around the forts toward Visa and be
tween Liege and Huy. An extensive movement of
troops already has been observed in the nighbor
hood of Huq, and it is presumed they intend to at-
the Belgian army before the arrival of French
reinforcements.
COMMUNICATION CUT OFF.
London (2:35 a. m.) —Dispatches from Brussels
v sav that at noon, Saturday, communication with
Liege was cut off. It was possible to communicate
as'far as Tongres, eleven miles to the northwest.
Detailed Account.
Paris. —While the battle between
the German forces and the Belgians
is still in progress around Liege,
and the final outcome is not known,
an official detailed account of the
rngagements covering a period be
tween August 3d and sth, was issued
8 ere today. In summarizing the ope
rations the account says:
“The Germans lost 5,000 dead.
Twenty-four guns were captured and
<ne general was made prisoner. The
German forces numbered 120,000, the
Belgian defenders 40,000.
"The German attack lacked cohe
sion. but the Belgians utilized their
reserves with consummate skill. The
German artillery was badly shatter
ed by dense attacking columns. The
guns were badly severed and inac
curate.
Forte Intact.
“The Belgian forts are Intact. Not
one soldier was killed and not one
wounded during the three hours'
bombardment of Fort Evegnee, the
steel cupola oT which was not dam
aged-
" The Belgian fire was well-placed
and accurate, .proof of which was
the destruction of two German heavy
.pieces. German a> craft to decieve
til eßelgians, carried Belgian flags.”
ON WAY TO LIEGE.
PARIS—It was officially announced
this afternoon that 20,000 English troops
already had landed at Ostend, Calais and
Dunkirk. They are now proceeding to
ward Namur, to the west of Liege on the
main railroad line to assist the Belgians.
THREATEN ITALY.
ROME (3:35 a. m.) Germany and
Austria threaten Italy with the declara
tion that if the latter persists in its stand
of neutrality they wll consider them
selves free to declare war and Austria will
invade Venetia and Lombardy.
' ". ■— THE ONE PAPER IN MOST HOMES—THE ONLY PAPER IN MANY HOMES. ~
THE AUGUSTA HERALD
Three German army corps are en
gaged in the attack on Liege, the
sixth under General Von Pritzelwitz,
the seventh under General Von
Einem and the tenth under General
Von Emmlch.
General Von Emmich has in addi
tion the supmere command of three
corps, known as the Army of the
Meuse.
Along Wb>ole Line.
"German columns crossed the Bel
gian frontier and came in contact
with the Belgian advanced posts on
the afternoon of August 4tn. The
following day the attack was gen
eral along the whole line.
“The first attack of the north
eastern German column was made
on Fort Fleron, the intervening
space between Forts Fleron and Eve-
; gnee and the interval between Forts
Fleron and Chaud Fontaine.
"The attack was without dash.
The Glacis had been sown with ob
stacles an. dthe artillery fire Trim
the Belgian fort* was heavy and
well placed.
“The Belgian attack from the in
ternals between the forts was ener
getic.
"The German offensive movement
soon was checked and the engage-
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 9. 1914.
ment then became an artillery duel,
the Belgian guns having a deadly et
tect on the German forces.
Like a. Fan.
"A German column attacking Fort
Barcbon spread out into a fan-shaped
formation to the extreme right and
i lowed around the fort. It made for
the city, but a Belgian reserve brig
ade delivered a prompt counter-at
tack and threw the Germans hack in
great disorder. Their losses were
enormous.
“The German heavy artillery fire
was concentrated against Fort Bar
chon but seemed badly directed.
The heavy Belgian artillery dominat
ed tile German firs and destroyed
two o' their heavy guns ” 1
“The German central column at
tacked Fort Evegnee. The Belgian
reply was two actions —artillery cross
fire from Forts Fleron and Barchon,
supported by a counter-attack by the
Belgian infantry. The German ad
vance was stopied.
Surrender Demanded.
“At this moment Genera! Von Em
mich sent a flag of truce, demanding
surrender. He informed the com
mandant Lieutenant-General Leman,
that If tie did not surrender Imme
diately a Zepplin dirigible would
drop an explosive u,on the headquar
ters of the general staff.
"The refusal was as summary as
the request. The fire from the forts
re-opened heavily, and the offensive
also was taken by the Belgians. The
Germans abandoned their positions
and retired for a distance of six
miles The Belgian troops followed
up their advantage without delay
and the German retreat was acceler
ated.
“The second part of the German
attack was being carried out upon
the southeastern defenses. The Ger
man troops sought to make their way
between the Belgian positions on the
Huy side. Tney also attacked Forts
Boncelles and Entbourg, hut they en
countered entanglements and wore
appreciably retarded. They contin
ued theid advance and made a direct
attack, which failed. Their losses
were heavy.
Critical Moment.
“Tiie Belgians defending the Inter
val numbered only 1,500 and they fell
back a mile and a quarter. This was
a critical moment- General Leman
threw all his troops, which were not
engaged, upon that part of the o©"
fen3e and 15,000 men massed against
thy attack. It was night and fierce
bayonet fighting ensued. The enemy
was held back.
“In the obscurity there was some
confusion and one small German
column of infantry entered the city.
The German officers wore anundress
cap to deceive the BeljrtMTh. He
spoke English. To complete the de
ception, his men carried their rifles
at the shoulder. They got to witnin
fifty yardß of General Headquarters
when the gendarmes recognized them
and opened fire. Voilent street
fighting followed and the Germans
were driven out of the city- General
Leman then transferred his head
quarters to one of the forts
EMERGENCY
SHIPPING
BILL IS
HP
Senators Pomerene and Salis
bury Prevent Passage of
Measure For American Reg
ister of Foreign Built Ships
Washington. —Two democratic sen
ators —Pomerone of Ohio and Sauls
bury of Delaware—prevented the
passage last night of the emergency
bill to admit to American register
foreign ships less than five years old
to facilitate American oversea* traf
fic during the European war. The
measure was about to be put on Its
passage when Senator Saulsbury,
whose amendment had been defeated
In committee, re-offered It, demand
ing a roll call. Senators would not j
second the request, whereupon Sena
tor Pomerene made a point of no
quorum. When a quorum could not
be found the senate adjourned until
Tuesday.
Senator Saulsbury'* amendment
would have required that at least 51
pet cent of forelgn-hullt ships admlt
,ted to American register be owned by
American citizens. An amendment by
Senator Jones to permit the president
to remove restrictions against foreign
ships which pass through the Pan
ama canal, touching at points on the
Atlantic and Pacific coast, was adopt
ed, Another amendment accepted
would give the American Red Cross
the right to charter any ship and fly
the American Hag.
U. S. Sailors Carrying Gold For Stranded Americans Aboard the
Cruiser Tennessee
FRENCH VICTORS IN
IST ALSACE FIGHT
Second Largest Town in Alsace-Lorraine, Alt
kirch, Taken From Germans-Natives De
lighted and Paris Enthusiastic—Losses Not
Known, But Believed Heavy
PARIS. (8:05 p. m.)—lt
is officially reported that
French troops have entered
Muelhausen.
France Gets Footing.
Pacie, Aug. 8 <6:10 p. m.) —News of
the first French victory yf the war—
the capture of the village of Altklrch
In Alsace near the Swiss frontier—
which probably was more Important
than the cautious official announce
ment Indicated, was received herd
with extraordinary enthusiasm. Ob
servers In Paris were prepared to hear
that the French had been obliged dur
ing the first days of the fighting to
give way before the Herman advance.
The rejoicing was all the greater,
therefore, because the first Important
engagement had been fought In Ger
man territory and the French had ob
tained a footing.
The capture of Altklrch appears to
have taken place two or three days
ago. The French army has penetrat
ed the enemy's country considerably
further.
There was no official mention of
losses but they are believed heavy.
Military authorities had been con
vinced that the French army would
assume the offensive at the first op
portunity because during the last eight
years the word ‘‘defensive” has disap
peared from the French text books on
Strategy. The Instructions In tactics
had been always to go forward.
Fierce Attack.
Paris.—An official report says the
French troops have made a fierce at
| tack on the German* at. Altklrch, Al
sace, and that the Germans retreated,
pursued by the French troops, In the
direction of the great fortress of
Meulhausen.
The Alsatian natives were so de
lighted at the arrival of the Frenen
Soldiers, that they tore up the frontier
posts.
Meulhausen Is the second largest
town of Alsace-Lorraine and lies *1
miles to the south, southwest of
Htrassburg, the capital. It became a
free dty of the German empire In
1273 and In the fifteenth century en
tered Into an alliance with the Swiss
which lasted until 1 7 ft a. when the city
, became French It was taken from
[lh« French In September, 187 U, and
was ceded to Germany with Alsace In
1871.
Meulhausen Is garrisoned by a full
infantry brigade of about #,OOO men,
and a full cavalry brigade of about
2,500. It has » population of about
100,000 and Is the principal Heat of
cotton spinning In western Germany.
CHARgT PARIS
ILL TREATED
GERMANS
Berlin Papers Give Long Re
citals of Insults on Streets
and Lack of Police Protection
Berlin, (via London, 1:05 a. m.) The
Norddeut*che Allgarnelre Zeltnng give*
a Jon* recital of the ill-treatment of
Herman* living In Pari*. Hlnoe the er*l
of July, nay* the paper, they have been
insulted on the street* and have had to
afik for polloc proftedtlon which him
been afforded reluctantly. Kven the rn|i
way* refu*ed to accept their luggage
Am a reault, hundred* of German* nought
asylum In the embassy and consulate.
After mobilisation, the paper charge*,
German hotel*, restaurant*, shop* and
residence* were pillaged and wrecked,
while the police stood Idly by. Many
German* were dl*mf**ed from their em
ployment without their wage* being paid,
and persecution* of every kind were In
dulged In. German* living In the sub
urb* were subjected to the same treat
ment.
A* « re*ult of the energetic Interven
tion of the amha**ador, 6,000 • German*
I were analgjed to leave France, whtl*
other* without home* were ini'Oimnn
dated lr» the *choo'*. The amba*Midor
lilm*e)f wo* present when the rupture
b*twto* the two government* whm nn*
nouneed and wo* obliged to a*k for po
lice protection until he left i’ari*, accord
ing to the report.
$6.00 PER YEAR—FIVE CENTS PER COPY.
Reassuring
Refugee
Reports
Condition of Americans in
Europe Not So Alarming As
Was at First Thouqht—Gold
in Greatest Demand
Washington. Dlnpatchen from consu
lar agent* throughout Kurope tonight
reassured official* here that the con
dition of American refugeeH was not so
Alarming n« they had been led to believe
by previous report*.
Secretary of War Onrrlson, In charge
of relief work, aald the number of Amer- !
Icana reported to he In dlatrenn had been
■o minimised that It now appeared un
necessary to aand traeporta to more than
two or three European ports.
Lieutenant Colonel Hquler, American
military attache in London, reported that
conditions In England were rapidly ap
proach! tig normal. Preparations were
being made, he said, to bring all Amer
icana In Hwltzerlnnd who denlred trans
portation to Calais, Bologna, or Dieppe
by special train.
The altuatlon aS now presented calls
for financial assltance rather than for
rrifans of transportst lon,said Secretary
Garrison, “governmental aid In actual
physical transportation has been consid
erably reduced. Gold Is In the greatest
demand and that is on the way.”
Of all the Americans In Kurope. the
secretary sild, those In Switzerland ap
pear to need financial relief most.
Speedy, relief In this direction Is assured,
however.
According to dispatches there are now
30,000 Americans In London and prob
ably 50,000 on the cotlnent. Four thous
and Americans arrived In London today
from Belgium and Prance. More than
800 nre reported to he In Berne, fcwltser
l»*nd. and these are to he removed by
special trains. It Is estimated that 5,500
Americans are In Italy and 500 In Swe
den.
$3,000,000 Worth oi New Style Guns
Presented As Gift of French Army
Paris (2:25 p. m.) —Tho Crousot stool works has
prsontod to the French government twenty-six eom
pl"te batteries of 105 milinietro guns of a new type,
which had boon ordered by a foreign government
just before the war brok: out, at a cost of $2,(MX),000.
The company informed the government that it
stood ready to pay indemnity for the non-execution
of the contract,. As the manipulation of the gunß
requires special knowledge, a number of (Jreuflo4
workmen Jmvc enlisted to handle them.
[pE EOlTlOfl
(,«M
SAIL
HOME
London (7:20 p. m.) —The
situation so far as Ameri
cans in London are concern
ed has about righted itself.
Six thousand lift here to
day to board the steamers
Virginian. Laconti, Nieu
Amsterdam and Finland,
sailing today and Sunday,
the Virginian and Laconia
from Liverpool, the Am
sterdam from Rotterdam
and the Finland from Ant
werp.
American Ambassador
Page has received author
ity to pledge the credit of
the United states govern
ment for $300,000 out of the
relief fund now speeding to
ward England on the Ten
nessee. This money will be
available Monday.
Many Americans and Eng
lish tourists arrived from
Switzerland today. They
traveled part way on cattle
trains and were a week on
route. They spent three
days on the Franco-Rwiss
frontier and rain caused
much suffering among the,,,
women and children. Alttf
were kindly treated by the
French and Swiss.
WIRELESS
OFFERED
TO U. S.
Proffer Made to Secretary
Bryan Especially to Aid Am
ericans in Germany
New York.— Theodora R. I .empire,
manager of the wireless station at
Tuekerton, N. J., announced today
that the station has established di
rect communication with the wire
less Htalion in Hanover, Germany-
Mr. I.empke said he had telegraphed
Secretary Bryan to this effect and
offered to place the Tuekerton (plant
at the state department's service
should the department wish to com
municate with the American ambas
sador at Berlin, y ‘or for any other
purposes, especially to aid American
tourists in Germany."
Cable communication with Ger
many has been severed for several
days.
Suspend Service.
Naw York,—The Great Northern
Telegraph Company today suspended
Its cablegram service This affects
Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the
far east.
THE WEATHER
Georgia and South Carolina: I,oral
thundershower* Sunday and probably
Monday.