Much more serious than the bombardment of Antwerp is the
news that two at least of the outer forts have been taken, and that the Germans are across the Nethe and delivering a furious attack upon the second line of defences. Here, of course, is the real danger to Antwerp. The town may be overwhelmed by the fury of the German attack and its defenders borne down by the weight of men and metal opposed to them. Our hope, however, is better. We venture to predict that if the Belgians, who up till now have done magnificently, can make a stand against the first, one or two German rushes the town will not fall by assault, and that the Germans will batter in vain with their "Black Macias " against the trenches. It is the trenches, and not the forts, which will in all probability decide the fortunes of the city.
