At last - almost three weeks after the declaration of war - the German advance in force seems to have begun, and according to a message from Ghent dated yesterday, Brussels has been occupied.
A bulletin issued late yesterday afternoon by the Official Press Bureau announced that the bulk of the Belgian field army, being confronted by superior numbers, has fallen back.
It is not stated what position the Belgian Army occupied or in what direction it has retired. But from other sources we know that a fierce engagement took, place on Wednesday at Aerschot, which is north of Louvain, north-east of' Brussels, and west of Diest. Assuming, as is hardly to be doubted, that the German advance in this quarter is from Hasselt through Diest to the north of Brussels, Aerschot would be right on the line.
It is reported from Ghent that after a desperate resistance at Aerschot, in which the losses on both sides were very heavy, the Belgians, fell back on Louvain, which they afterwards evacuated, and the town was occupied by the Germans. Later reports declare that the Germans have entered the Belgian capital. Our Correspondent, who anticipates the occupation, tells of the rush from the city, and adds that he is able to say that the main position of the Allies is very good.
The official bulletin pays a well-deserted tribute to the admirable manner in which the Belgian Forces have performed their duty of delaying the hostile advances, and of enabling the Allies to complete their concentration without interference. The retirement which has been effected, it is explained, has been anticipated for some days, and has been dictated by the strategical situation.
A communication was issued by the Ministry of War at Brussels on Wednesday to prepare the public mind for the movement that has now taken place. It explains that the Belgian Army belongs to "a co-ordinated whole," and that the purpose assigned to the Belgian troops in the plan of campaign preponderates over everything else. That purpose is not to cover such and such a district or town.
It is worthy of the splendid spirit in which the Belgian troops have fought that the civilian population should, without panic, reconcile themselves to the natural distress of seeing their capital left to the occupation of the enemy, in order that the higher strategy of the campaign may not be jeopardised. The Belgian people have set an example to Europe.
Their behaviour is the more to be admired because they cannot, more than ourselves, know what is the disposition of the defending Armies. All the information on this point vouchsafed yesterday was of a negative character. The Official Press Bureau contradicted the statement that the British Expeditionary force was in the Franco-Belgian fighting line.
French official reports say that the situation in the Vosges is unchanged, and that Mülausen has been recaptured.
From St. Petersburg comes an account of prolonged fighting at Eydtkuhnen, which is on the extreme north-east frontier, on Monday. The Russians captured eight German guns and two maxims. On the same day, at a point 240 miles south, an Austrian attack was repulsed with heavy loss.
From the Servian capital the news of the victory over the Austrian troops at Shabatz, on the Save, is confirmed. The Russian Commander-in-Chief has sent a congratulatory telegram to the Servians from "the fraternal Russian Army."
With regard to Japan's ultimatum to Germany, the Press Bureau issues the report of a speech delivered by the Japanese Prime Minister on Wednesday, in which his Excellency said that Japan's object was to eliminate from continental China the root of German influence, "which forms a constant menace to the peace of the Far East." He added that Japan desired to promote no selfish interest, and that her warlike operations would not extend beyond the limits necessary for the defence of her own legitimate interests.
At the Japanese Embassy it is stated that no reply has been received to the ultimatum presented to Germany. But from New York it is reported that China is sounding the American Government as to the possibility of Germany's ceding Kiao-chau to the United States in order to its immediate re-cession to China.
The Turkish troops which had entered Bulgarian territory and were marching towards Greece are reported to have returned.
In connection with the German raid on British East Africa, it is reported from Nairobi that a Boer volunteer force has been despatched to deal with the small party of the enemy that is raiding the natives' cattle. The situation is othwise normal
On Wednesday a remarkable demonstration of unity was witnessed in the Canadian House of Commons. Sir Wilfrid Laurier pledged the Liberal Party to support all measures taken by the Government during the crisis. There was, he said, but one mind and one heart in Canada. "Today there is not a British subject who is not prouder of his British citizenship than he was before."
In the United States a Bill is to be introduced empowering the Government to purchase ships for carrying cotton and cereals to Europe. It is expected that the German Transatlantic liners now tied up in New York will be taken over.
The Prince of Wales's National Relief Fund yesterday amounted to £1,375,000.
In response to Lord Kitchener's Call to Arms for the New Army, as many as 70,000 men have alreadx been enlisted.