The Germans had certainly occupied the
south-east of Belgium, but dared not push as far to the west and
north as Brussels. They risked otherwise being nipped between the
Belgian army of Antwerp and the British force marching on Mons....
He directed her attention to the last _communique_ of the Ministry
of War: "La situation n'a jamais ete meilleure. Bruxelles, a l'abri
d'un coup de main, est defendue par vingt mille gardes civiques
armes d'un excellent fusil," etc.
Vivie returned therefore a trifle reassured. At the same time she
and her mother spent some hours in packing up and posting valuable
securities to London, via Ostende, in packing for deposit in the
strong rooms of a Brussels bank Mrs. Warren's jewellery and plate.
The tram service from Tervueren had ceased to run. So they induced a
neighbour to drive them into Brussels in a chaise: a slow and
wearisome journey under a broiling sun. Arrived in Brussels they
found the town in consternation. Placarded on the walls was a notice
signed by the Burgomaster--the celebrated Adolphe Max--informing the
Bruxellois that in spite of the resistances of the Belgian army it
was to be feared the enemy might soon be in occupation of Brussels.
In such an event he adjured the citizens to avoid all panic, to give
no legitimate cause of offence to the Germans, to renounce any idea
of resorting to arms! The Germans on their part were bound
by the laws of war to respect private property, the lives of
non-combatants, the honour of women, and the exercise of religion.
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