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About The Augusta herald. (Augusta, Ga.) 1914-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 1914)
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.
