"
The inhabitants who have no stores to keep seem continually to wander
aimlessly in the streets; and here, too, is the sight, common now all
over Belgium, of many women with children begging. Especially they
linger around the entrances to the barracks, for hunger has given them a
keen nose for bread, and they have soon learned that the soldier will
give them what they have left over from their ample rations. The German
Government is trying to stimulate the return of the population, and is
apparently doing its best to help them to earn a living by providing
work.
* * * * *
ANTWERP, Nov. 6.--The Germans are working incessantly to repair the
fortifications of Antwerp, mount new and heavier guns, and put the whole
place into a state of defense. The importance attached to their almost
feverish activities is indicated by the fact that Field Marshal von der
Goltz, the Military Governor of Belgium, ran over from Brussels and made
a tour of inspection of the double girdle of forts yesterday. His
Excellency von Frankenberg and Ludwigsdorf, Personal Adjutant of the
Military Governor of Antwerp, said to me in the course of a cordial
interview:
"We have two principal interests in our work here: First, that Antwerp
shall become a place of great military importance again and be prepared
against attacks from the enemy, although that contingency doesn't seem
very probable.
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