The main plan of the German General Staff, therefore was a wide enveloping movement by the First and Second Armies to sweep the shore of the English Channel in their march on Paris, a vigorous advance of the center through the Ardennes for the same destination, and readiness for battle by the Sixth Army for any French force which might be tempted into Alsace.  That this plan was not developed in its entirety, was due to circumstances which fall into another place.

[Illustration:  Pictorial map of France]

The long anticipated Day dawned.  Their vast military machine moved with precision and unity.  But there was a surprise awaiting them.  The Belgians were to offer a serious resistance to passage through their territory—­a firm refusal had been delivered at the eleventh hour.  The vanguard was thrown forward from Von Kluck’s army at Aix, to break through the defenses of Liege and seize the western railways.  This force of three divisions was commanded by General von Emmich, one of them joining him at Verviers.

On the evening of August 3, 1914, Von Emmich’s force had crossed into Belgium.  Early on the morning of August 4, 1914, Von Kluck’s second advance line reached Vise, situated on the Meuse north of Liege and close to the Dutch frontier.  Here an engagement took place with a Belgian guard, which terminated with the Germans bombarding Vise.  The Belgians had destroyed the river bridge, but the Germans succeeded in seizing the crossing.

This was the first actual hostility of the war on the western battle grounds.  With the capture of Vise, the way was clear for Von Kluck’s main army to concentrate on Belgian territory.  By nightfall, Liege was invested on three sides.  Only the railway lines and roads running westward remained open.

[Illustration:  Belgium and the Franco-German border]

* * * * *

CHAPTER II

SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF LIEGE

A view of Liege will assist in revealing its three days’ siege, with the resulting effect upon the western theatre of war.  Liege is the capital of the Walloons, a sturdy race that in times past has at many a crisis proved unyielding determination and courage.  At the outbreak of war it was the center of great coal mining and industrial activity.  In the commercial world it is known everywhere for the manufacture of firearms.  The smoke from hundreds of factories spreads over the city, often hanging in dense clouds.  It might aptly be termed the Pittsburg of Belgium.  The city lies in a deep, broad cut of the River Meuse, at its junction with the combined channels of the Ourthe and Vesdre.  It stretches across both sides, being connected by numerous bridges, while parallel lines of railway follow the course of the main stream.  The trunk line from Germany into Belgium crosses the Meuse at