The Waelhen and Wavre forts re: ported to have been taken by German force attacking Antwerp are situated about fifteen kilo! metres south of the main defences) which are three kilometres beyond: the city. The Belgian main posit tion at present appears to be tween the main defence forts an mans must cross in an advanc the river Nethe, which the Ger
from the forts already taken Strong resistance will doubtless offered before the Belgians—reti on their main defences. Estimate vary 8 to the number of men re quired for investing Antwerp, but the number must be at least 200,000, There are no forts on the north of the city, apart from the guns cor manding the river Scheldt, but this ground can be flooded as an effec; tual bar against an enemy. The announcement that a bombardment is going on probably means that the Belgian forces have already retired on their main forts, The fact that inhabitants wishing to leave have been requested to do so immediately should not be taken as an indication that the defenders are already in difficulties. Those ihe remain must remain until the time German reservists were sembling in Brussels, the German Minister (M. de, Below Saleske) in an interview at the Legation, declared without hesitation that the neutrality of Belgium would not be violated by the German army. Commenting upon' this statement "L' Etoile observes that after the precise declaration from the -Frenth Minister with regard to Belgium's neutrality, the German representative's statement would be received by the people of Belgium with very Great satisfaction, It was reassuring.
Under the heading: "Germany will respect Belgian neutrality', appears the following: "One of our confreres of "Lo Soir" went on Sunday morning (August 2) to the German Legation (and was received by the German Minister. 'Is it true,' he asked, that your Government has directed you to assure our Minister for Foreign Affairs that the territory of Belgium will be respected?' M. de Below Saleske's reply way as follows: 'I did not make this declaration, and persqnally I am of opinion that I had tot to do it, because i use it was useless. The idea always prevailing with us was that Belgian neutrality would not be violated. If the Minister of France made such a declaration, it was doubtless because he wanted to substantiate evident facts with some the reassuring words.
The German troops will not traverse Belgian territory. Serious events are about to happen. Perhaps you may see the roof of your neighbour's louse burning, but the fire will spare your own house.'
The Invasion Long Planned, From what has sines beet learned, it i plain that the Ge-man -advance through Belgium was carefully planned, but this did not immediately appear so to the inhabitants on the frontier, judging'¢tom the speed with which the-German advance guards descended—upon them. They gave the impression of being bent upon a great rush' for France, and the fact that the German food supply ran short almost immediately after they had. been checked by the Belgians suggests that the resistance offered came us surprise. The Uhlans travelled at a great rate, carrying but short supplies of food and ammunition, and from conversation with pris. oners it is certain that the forward march was made without anticipation of a resistance on the Bel. gian frontier. end of the siege, since communication is probably now cut off by fire and flood.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.