The same day at 9 a.m. the last train left Liege for Brussels with
numbers of fugitives. The number of persons who abandoned Liege and its
suburbs may be calculated at some five thousand. From this moment and
for several days Liege was absolutely cut off from the rest of the
world, all communications having been cut.
On Saturday, August 8th, while the Germans were methodically organising
the occupation of Liege, Burgomaster Kleyer was authorised to wait upon
the King, in order to discuss the surrender of the forts. Furnished with
a safe conduct and accompanied by a German officer, he reached Waremme
early in the afternoon, and placed himself in communication with the
General Staff. The King was consulted, and the reply brought back to
Liege was the one the mayor had foreseen.
The same day saw the appearance of the following order of the day
addressed to the soldiers of the army of Liege:--
"Our comrades of the 3rd Army Division and of
the 15th mixed brigade are about to re-enter
our lines, after having defended, like heroes,
the fortified position of Liege.
[Sidenote: The King encourages the army.]
"Attacked by forces four times as numerous,
they have repulsed all assaults. None of the
forts have been taken; the town of Liege is
always in our power. Standards and a number of
prisoners are the trophies of these combats. In
the name of the Nation I salute you, officers
and soldiers of the 3rd Army Division and the
15th mixed brigade.
"You have done your duty, done honour to our
arms, shown the enemy what it costs to attack
unjustly a peaceable people, but one who wields
in its just cause an invincible weapon. The
Fatherland has the right to be proud of you.
"Soldiers of the Belgian Army, do not forget
that you are in the van of immense armies in
this gigantic struggle, and that you await but
the arrival of our brothers-in-arms in order to
march to victory. The whole world has its eyes
fixed upon you. Show it by the vigour of your
blows that you mean to live free and
independent.
"France, that noble country which has
throughout history been associated with just
and generous causes, is hurrying to our aid and
her armies will enter our territory.
"In your name I address them a fraternal
salute. ALBERT."
[Sidenote: German precautions.]
[Sidenote: Barricades constructed.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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