The Stand of Liège (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Excerpt from The Stand of Liège

Liege, lying in a richly cultivated valley, is strikingly picturesque. The towers Of numerous old churches, some dating back to the tenth century, grace the left bank of the river, where the principal part of the city is placed. The chimneys of many factories and foundries rise upon the right bank, the Outremeuse, the quarters of the artisan inhabitants. Innumerable barges line the Meuse near the iron-works and coal-pits of Seraing. The river is spanned bv several remarkably fine bridges. The Liégeois who, on August 3, discussed in their tree lined boulevards and their cafés the national crisis that had arisen with the delivery of Germany's ulti matum, could regard with complacency many historic buildings and invariably well laid-out streets. That ultimatum had, indeed, placed their country and them selves in a terrible position. Events had been moving rapidly for some days. A fever Of anticipation and of preparation had settled upon the city.1 The Belgian army had begun to mobilize. The Garde Civique had been called up. Then reservists were summoned in the middle of the night by knocks at their doors and by the ringing Of church bells. Horses and vehicles of all sorts were commandeered. Even the dogs harnessed to the milkmen's and bakers' carts were taken Off. Wagging their tails in the prevailing excitement, to draw the machine-guns Of the infantry. Carrier-pigeons also were requisitioned. A food panic commenced.

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