Just after noon on October 9, the besiegers entered Antwerp by a breach they had made near fort No. 3 on the south-east side of the inner line of works. By then, the burning and ruined city presented the appearance of a tomb. What remnant of the population remained were in hiding in their cellars. Every person of authority had fled. Amid this scene of wreck and desolation, the Germans made their entry and installed their “government.” But the Belgian army had once more eluded their grasp, and with the navigation of the Scheldt closed, the possession of Antwerp, gained at the sacrifice of so much blood had become a possession presenting no compensating military advantages. At the time these lines were written, the record, as already said, remains incomplete. Enough, however, has been outlined in this brief sketch to prove that the struggle and the sufferings of Belgium form one of the bravest efforts ever made for a people’s freedom, and a protest against the policy of rapine that can never fade from the memory of civilised nations, nor fail to command their admiration and their respect. CHRONOLOGY OF CHIEF EVENTS _July 31._--Germany declares war against Russia and sends 12 hours’ ultimatum to France. Belgian Government orders partial mobilisation. _August 1._--Germany formally announces mobilisation. France orders mobilisation. _August 2._--German troops invade Luxemburg. German ultimatum presented at Brussels, giving 12 hours for reply. _August 3._--Belgian Government refuse demand for German occupation of Belgium and “assisted passage” to German troops. German armies cross Belgian frontier. _August 4._--Combat opens at Visé and Argenteau for the passage of the Meuse. Bombardment of Liége begun. _August 5._--Special meeting of Belgian Parliament. Ministry of all parties formed. Emergency measures voted. First attempt of Germans to storm Liége defeated. _August 6._--Germans win passage of the Meuse. Second attempt to storm Liége. King of the Belgians leaves Brussels for the front. _August 7._--Third attempt to storm Liége. General von Emmich asks for 24 hours’ armistice. It is refused. _August 8._--Belgian troops evacuate trenches at Liége; 16,000 identification tallies collected from German dead. _August 9._--Germany offers accommodation with Belgium. Offer rejected. Railways and roads cut. _August 10._--German troops enter Liége. Forts still hold out. Leading citizens of Liége seized as hostages. “Fine” of £2,000,000 imposed on city and province of Liége. German cavalry advance to Tongres and Ramillies. Attack upon Huy. French troops arrive in Belgium. _August 11._--German flying columns advance upon Diest and Eghezée. Country laid waste. _August 12._--Battle at Diest and Haelen. Combat of Eghezée. Germans repulsed, but capture Huy.