Word came through that the gallant little Belgian Army, overwhelmed by vastly superior numbers, had been compelled to fall back upon Antwerp.
This retreat was not unexpected - three days before, a friend at the French Embassy told me that Brussels was certain to be occupied by the Germans, and that this apparent triumph would be nothing more than a Pyrrhic victory.
The first part of his forecast has come true; for the second we still wait.
''K. of K.,'' (Kitchener of Khartoum), apparently fearing that even a theatrical success for the Germans might start a panic in England, directed in the afternoon that the censor should close down upon all reference to the position of the Belgians and to the advance of the Germans upon the capital of Belgium.
That is to say, the English press was to be precluded from publishing any accounts of the German occupation or the Belgian retirement after heroic resistance.
The great newspapers were astounded when they heard of the War Office directions.
Having an absolute knowledge of the temper of the English people, they knew that it would be gravely unsafe to attempt to delude them by suppression.
They made representations to K. of K., and he, being a man open to conviction, withdrew the inhibition which he had mistakenly issued.
That the editors were right has been abundantly attested to-day by the calm with which the German forward march has been received.
The taking of Brussels, so far from creating any unrest or alarm, has only served to fill the average Britisher with a greater determination to rid the world once and for all of the mad Kaiser and his mad policy.
Inquiries made by an Auckland Star representative showed that during the past few weeks quite a number of hidden wireless installations have been discovered in the course of the search - in backyards, on roofs, and upon other points adapted to intercept messages.
The assurance is given that so far there have been no suspicious circumstances connected with any of the stations discovered, and that in every case the police and the postal authorities are satisfied that the apparatus was being used by boys for perfectly innocent purposes.
For that reason no action has been taken against those responsible for the erection of the wires.
However, in view of the fact that by this time amateur wireless operators have had ample opportunity of realising the unwisdom of continuing their experiments, the police have decided that in all future cases discovered they will take action and bring the offender to court.
A meeting of traction engine owners was held at Feilding to consider what steps should be taken to get an amendment of the Act by which it is rendered necessary for the drivers of such engines to hold locomotive engine certificates.
It was shown that a motor car could be driven over public roads at a rate of 40 miles an hour, also heavy motor lorries, by persons without having passed an examination, and yet a farmer could not move his own traction engine on his own farm if uncertificated.
In view of this fact it was considered desirable that the Act should be amended, and it was resolved that a deputation be sent to interview the Minister on the matter. - ODT, 17.10.1914.
