Russian invasion of East Prussia diverts German troops at critical point in advance in France. Battle of Gumbinen commencing Aug 20 prompts Germany on 25 Aug to re-allocate two army corps and a cavalry division to meet the Russians.
For more than twenty-four hours the Germans have been in occupation of Brussels. That is the most significant news of the day. They arrived before the gates yesterday morning, and were met by the Burgomaster, who advised the German Commander that Brussels was an open and undefended city. Previously the Burgomaster had issued to the citizens a finely-dignifled appeal to bear themselves with fortitude and calm.
The first action of the Germans, as officially reported, has been to levy on the City of Brussels a war contribution of £8,000,000.
The stream of refugees from Brussels has been swiftly followed by the German advance guards, who occupied Alost and Wetteren, on the Brussels-Ghent road yesterday and whose arrival at Ghent was expected immediately.
It is reported that German cavalry which occupied Brussels is being heavily supported.
The Belgian Army, when it left the road to Brussels open to the Germans, retired on Antwerp, in accordance with the preconcerted plan. Resting on the defences of Antwerp, which should be impregnable except after a long siege, the Belgian Army occupies a secure and advantageous position.
An official bulletin from Paris states that the German troops continue across the Meuse near Huy, which is half way between Liege and Namur. The enemy must be therefore concentrating in great strength on the left of western side of the Meuse.
While all this news is afforded of the German advance through Belgium, not a word is said of the movement of the Allied armies. A report was issued yesterday that a heavy defeat had been inflicted on the Germans at Tirlemont, which is half-way between Brussels and Liége, but there has been no official corroboration of it, and, on the face of it such an event is event is incredible.
Our Special Correspondent who dates his message from Terneuzen, in Holland, gives a vivid account of the circumstances that led up to the decision not to defend Brussels. The fighting on the 18th and 19th at Diest and Tirlemont was very severe, and the gallant Belgian force was overwhelmed, by numbers and driven from its positions. In describing the flight of the civilian population from the city, our Correspondent says: "The German name has indeed been made terrible."
Whatever the plans of the Allies may be, no hint of them is allowed to leak out. Meanwhile the Belgian Army, which has delayed the enemy and covered the movement of the French for a whole fortnight, is still, as the French official bulletin points out, ready to play an important role, not only in the defence of Antwerp, but in threatening the flank of the German advance through the gap, only fifty miles broad, between Antwerp and Namur.
Tenders are to be invited next week for Treasury Bills to the amount of £15,000,000, payable at six months. It is understood that £10,000,000 out of the issue is required for a loan to the Belgian Government.
While great events are moving rapidly to a climax in Belgium, the French advance in Alsace I continues. It is officially reported from Paris that the French troops in that quarter have achieved a brilliant success between Mülhausen and Altkirch, capturing twenty-four guns and many prisoners. The Germans are said to be re-treating on to the Rhine.
In Lorraine, however, where the French have penetrated to the north of Sarreburg, it is admitted that the advance has been checked by encountering the enemy in very strong positions.
On the Eastern frontier, the movement of the Russian Armies is fast developing, our St. Petersburg Correspondent reports. An advance, into East Prussia has been made, and Gumbinnen, which is 24 miles from the Russian frontier on the main line to Berlin, has been seized.
These operations are designed to establish Russia's right flank preparatory to a general advance, and for that reason they have been obstinately but unsuccessfully resisted. The German advance into Poland has thus been effectively checked.
It is reported that on the German side large bodies of reserves and even of second reserves are fighting on this frontier, suggesting that the first line troops have been withdrawn to the west.
From Servia comes news of further hard fighting, as a result of which the Austrians have been driven back with loss. Before Visegrad, which is on the south of the Servian-Bosnian frontier, a fierce engagement is taking place. Some of the forts have already been captured, and the fall of the town is expected immediately. The bombardment of Belgrade continues.
A despatch from Cettinje reports the repulse an Austrian attack on the Montenegrin position with the loss of 200 prisoners. The fall of Cattaro, which the Montenegrins are bombarding, is believed to be imminent.
Concerning the bombardment of Pont-a-Mousson by the Germans on August 11, 12, and 14, the French Government has sent to the Powers signatory to the Hague Convention a protest, on the ground that the bombardment was a vioation of the Hague convention. And was an act of useless cruelty.
A Note has also been addressed to the Powers calling attention to German acts of barbarity to the wounded. The French Prefects have been instructed to take note of the atrocities committed day by day.
It is announced that the King has been pleased to consent to the Duke of Connaught's remaining in Canada as Governor General during the continuance of the war.