Collaborators of Séré de Rivières gave the alarm in March, 1899, pointing out that the neutrality of Belgium was insufficient protection, that its violation was inevitable, that the Pass of the Oise was an open road for invasion, that with Lille outflanked, the Forest of Saint-Gobain (which Laon and La Fère, whose dismantling the Bill provided for, would no longer be able to protect) would fall, and that the enemy would be at the gates of Paris within a few days. Finally, the fortifications of Lille were not dismantled, but were allowed to fall into disuse. On the other hand, the eastern frontier was considerably strengthened. It was in vain that the _Belgian General Brialmont_, who had just completed the forts of Antwerp and Liege, pointed out that the abandonment of the northern frontier would inevitably cause a violation of Belgium's neutrality. Like her peaceful neighbour, France relied on the sacredness of treaties, and made it a point of honour to leave that part of her frontier practically unprotected. At that time, Germany was neglecting the East, and making all her railways converge towards the Pass of the Oise. In other words, a frontal attack against the East being considered impracticable, Germany decided to turn it from the north. The fortifications of Lille were again condemned in November, 1911, and it is a curious coincidence that this was the year of the _Agadir Incident_ and of the first tangible German threats of war. In July, 1914, 3,000 artillery-men and nearly a third of the guns had been removed from the fortifications. On August 1st, the Governor, General Lebas, received orders to consider Lille an open town, but on August 21st his successor, General Herment, increased the garrison troops from 15,000 to 25,000, and later, to 28,000 men, taking units from each of the regiments in the 1st region. At this time, the armament consisted of 446 guns and 79,788 shells, to which were added 9,000,000 cartridges, 3,000 75 mm. shells and 12 47 mm. guns sent from Paris. How Lille fell in 1914 _(See Maps on pages 3 and 6)_ At the beginning of the battle of Charleroi, _General d'Amade_ was in the vicinity of Lille, with territorial divisions extending from _Dunkirk_ to _Maubeuge_. The 82nd Division alone held the entire space between the Escaut and the Scarpe, with advance posts at Tournai and Lille. It was manifest that these troops were insufficient to offer serious resistance. However, the first care was to defend the town. For two days, trenches and shelters were made, and the troops sent to their respective positions.