Antwerp bombarded

City hard pressed

Fierce battle raging

There is grave news from Antwerp, the latest messages to hand at the time of writing being couched in terms which almost for if the hope that the city can hold out for any considerable length of time.

Later telegrams may put a different complexion upon affairs but thou the present intelligence has not been altogether as a surprise it is well to be prepared for further bad news.

There can be little doubt that Antwerp is having an exceedingly bad time and the only consolation we have is that even the taking of the town can result in very little strategic advantage to the enemy unless in its capture the whole of the Belgian army is destroyed. That is not likely and the explanation of the present activity in the city is the same as has been hinted at before.

The Belgians have been much too busy for the Germans and they have rendered incalculable service to the allied armies fighting in the south.

The Germans are anxious to reduce the possibility of giving further help to the lowest possible point and so we get the present violent onslaughts upon the Belgian defences. Tactically sound as the Germans procedure may appear to be it is not unaccompanied by serious risks and it is conceivable that instead of preventing disaster to German arms it may hasten the day of defeat.

The battle of the Aisne has been described as and is a battle for the relief of Belgium. If the German right is driven in or if the line is broken anywhere the inverting forces terrorising Antwerp with three heavy siege guns would have to be withdrawn.

The present state of affairs may indeed precipitate action which would otherwise be more leisurely, unless hurried effort is thought to suit the Germans book too well.

In any case when we hear of continuous violent fighting we may be sure whatever the new conditions of modern warfare, one side or the other must eventually recognise it has received what Paddy gave the drum.

It follows too that a prolonged struggle augers forces, well matched, and a battle fought under such conditions can scarcely be of such a one sided character as either of the combatants to hold the advantage throughout.

During its process success must swing from one side to the other until the greater persistency, the greater valour or the greater skill secures it’s due reward.

The battle on our left continues with great violence and if exhaustion does not overtake the French and Germans simultaneously, the one or the other will have to cave in.

In the present circumstances the allies are not likely to consider fatigue unduly, but nothing reckless will be attempted and we trust that increased and continuous pressure will do what is required.