WAR.
It is only when a common calamity, such as this, threatens not only the
happiness, but also the very existence, of a whole nation, and the
inundating tide of misfortune rises to the very doors of rich and poor,
that the fountains of true Christian Charity spring open and lave with
refreshing draughts the parched lips of the afflicted. The same burden
that one bears on his shoulder is borne in the heart of another, who,
while alleviating the wants of his neighbor, must think of his own
approaching ruin.
In such moments, while the seal of humble submission is stamped on the
sorrow-stricken heart of suffering humanity, the haughty arrogance of
creatures recedes before that resistless Power which shapes the
destinies of men and nations, despite the best-laid plans and
precautions.
The work of “burning off” the houses did not proceed rapidly enough, as
the walls were of stone, and the roofs of tile or slate, and much of the
wooden furniture had been removed, so pulleys, brought into action by
electricity, were adjusted to the walls, and thus these houses, so dear
to the hearts of the people, were actually pulled over upon the ground.
Whole streets had to be leveled and all the residents left without a
shelter. Many of these did not possess the means of providing other
homes. However, the firm hope of final victory and the restoration of
their lost property sustained them in this dark and dreary hour.
In the meantime a most terrible battle was taking place at the
fortification of Liege. Was ever attack so strong, or resistance more
determined? Belgian officers said “The enemy were twenty to one against
us; but, being obliged to face the terrible fires of the fortress, their
ranks were cut down in about the same manner as wheat it cut off by the
reaper.” “So great was the number of the Germans that they seemed to
spring up out of the ground.” “They crawled ahead on hands and feet, and
at a given signal sprang erect and fired, and then again prostrated
themselves. Thus they advanced, avoiding as much as possible the heavy
fires in front.” Another Belgian officer at the fortress during the
battle said: “It resembled a storm of fiery hailstones from a cloud of
smoke, in an atmosphere suffocating with heat and the smell of powder.”
Eyewitnesses relate that heaps of slain, yards high, were found on the
battle field, while columns of lifeless bodies were observed in a
standing position, there being no place for the dead to fall.
A story was told by one of the Belgian officers of a German soldier who,
when wounded by a Belgian in a hand-to-hand combat, took out a coin and
presented it. The Belgian, surprised, exclaimed “Zijt gij zot?” (Are you
crazy?) “Do you not know that I’ve broken your arm?” “Yes,” said the
German, “This is to show my gratitude for the favor you’ve rendered me,
since it gives me the opportunity of leaving the battle field.”
Much was said about the valor of the soldiers on both sides during the
siege of Liege. The Germans were obliged to advance in the face of
destructive fires. If one should retreat, he would be pierced by the
bayonet of the soldier behind him.
Certain it is, whether we observe the Germans as friends or foes, all
must admit that their courage, endurance and military tactics have
surprised the whole world.
Sad it is to think that such manhood, intelligence and bravery is not
trained to love the conquests of peace.
The Belgians, far inferior in number, fought with a valor which clearly
shows the undying love of country and of freedom which has ever been a
distinguishing characteristic of this noble-minded race.
It is not the first time that her fields have been deluged with the
blood of her heroes, in whose honor and memory we find, in the flag of
Belgium, beside the yellow, which signifies the kingdom, a red stripe to
remind her people of the blood shed for freedom, and a black stripe in
mourning for her slain.
While facing death in this first great battle at the fortress of Liege,
one of the soldiers began to sing the well-known national hymn, “The
Proud Flemish Lion.” Immediately the strains were taken up by the whole
regiment, and thus singing, they advanced until hundreds of them fell in
that awful conflict.
In the heaviest of the fray we were told that King Albert had placed
himself in the lines with his soldiers. He did not desire to be called
king, but comrade. His military dress was distinguished from the others
by only a small mark on one of the sleeves. He attended to the
correspondence for his soldiers and was regarded by them as a friend and
father, under whose guidance they were ready to fight and die.
When the siege was over he visited the wounded in many of the hospitals
and addressed each soldier in person.
As I remember, the siege of Liege lasted about two weeks. Finally, the
strong walls of the fortress began to give way, thus demonstrating the
uselessness of the old-time means of protection when obliged to
withstand the shells and bombs of modern siege guns.
The German officers themselves praised the valor of the Belgians. We
were told that the German commander refused to accept the sword from the
Belgian officer, unwilling to submit the latter to this humiliation,
since it was not for want of valor or through any fault of his that the
fort had to be surrendered, but on account of the superior forces of the
enemy and the all-destroying power of his heavy siege guns, some of
which were said to shoot a distance of nearly thirty miles.
Needless to dwell upon the horrors which took place throughout the
length and breadth of the country after the entrance of the enormous
army of the Germans, whose plans had been so unexpectedly frustrated by
the determined resistance of the Belgians.
These fought long and valiantly in expectation of assistance from the
Allies, who, unprepared for the sudden progress of the campaign, were
unable to render the necessary assistance in the beginning of the war.
This is the explanation which was given by both the French and English
as to the tardiness in the arrival of the help expected from those
countries.
After the fall of Liege, when the enemy entered the city, the Rt. Rev.
Bishop of the diocese, the Burgomaster of the city and several others of
the more prominent residents were taken prisoners as hostages. These, as
a rule, are put to death if the requirements of the enemy be not exactly
met.
Some time later we heard that these hostages were set at liberty.
Then followed the destruction of many cities, towns and villages along
the route, including the noted City of Louvain, the heart of Catholic
Belgium, the principal place of her Christian educational institutions,
and the seat of her missionary forces.
Consternation filled the minds of the Belgians at the needless
destruction of this ancient city, with its treasures of art and
sculpture, its schools, colleges, libraries, and particularly its
world-renowned university.
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