Belgian Capital Occupied by the Germans Without Bloodshed—­Important Part Played by American Minister Brand Whittock—–­Belgian Forces Retreat to Antwerp—­Dinant and Termonde Fall.

After the usual reconnaissances by Uhlans and motorcycle scouts, the van of the German army arrived at Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, on August 20.  The seat of government had been removed three days before to Antwerp.  The French and Russian ministers also moved to Antwerp, leaving the affairs of their respective countries in the hands of the Spanish legation.  Brand Whitlock, United States minister to Belgium, remained at Brussels and played an important part in negotiations which led to the unresisted occupation and march through the city by the Germans in force on August 21 and the consequent escape of Brussels from bombardment and probable ruin.

At the approach of the German army the inhabitants of the capital were stricken with fear of the outcome.  When the Belgian civic guards and refugees began pouring into the city from the direction of Louvain, they brought stories of unspeakable German atrocities, maltreatment of old men and children, and the violation of women.

“The Belgian capital reeled with apprehension,” said an American resident.  “Within an hour the gaiety, the vivacity, and brilliancy of the city went out like a broken arclight.  The radiance of the cafes was exchanged for darkness; whispering groups of residents broke up hurriedly and locked themselves into their homes, where they put up the shutters and drew in their tricolored Belgian flags.  “The historic Belgian city went through a state of morbid consternation, remarkably like that from which it suffered on June 18,1815, when it trembled with the fear of a French victory at Waterloo.

“In less than twenty-four hours the Belgian citizens were chatting comfortably with the German invaders and the allegations of German brutality and demoniacal torture dissolved into one of the myths which have accompanied all wars.

“Neither in Brussels nor in its environs was a single offensive act, so far as I know, committed by a German soldier.  In a city of over half a million people, invaded by a hostile army of perhaps a quarter of a million soldiers, no act, sufficiently flagrant to demand punishment or to awaken protest came to my attention.”

SURRENDER OF CITY DEMANDED

Prior to the occupation the German commander had sent forward a flag of truce demanding the surrender of the city.  This was at midnight of Wednesday, August 19.  The Belgian commandant replied that he was bound in honor to defend the town.

Brand Whitlock, the United States minister, then came to the fore.  He recommended to the commandant and to Burgomaster Max the unconditional surrender of the city, pointing out how resistance might bring increased misfortune on the citizens.  But the military commander remained adamant until orders arrived from King Albert consenting to the surrender of the city.