100 The Great War skirmishing was at places directly in front of this line. Meantime the French mobilization was completed and, on August 15, Paris made the official announce- ment that French soldiers had entered Belgium near Charleroi and were proceeding toward Gembloux, that is, were marching to fill the gap between the Bel- gian forces on the Dyle and the fortress of Namur, through which the Germans were pressing and had already made a raid on the famous battlefield of Ramillies. Their arrival at Gembloux had been subsequently reported. The Belgians and French were apparently in posi- tion then, and in a position from which a successful defence might be made, if it should be determined to make the first real stand here. But what of the Eng- lish? Not until August 18 was it announced that most of the expeditionary army, perhaps 120,000 strong, was on the Continent, although the arrival of 22,000 had been reported ten days earlier. The problem then faced was: Could they reach the bat- tle line in time to participate? English military ob- servers doubted it. If they were right, the second question was Instantly raised: Would the French General Staff risk a decisive battle before the English came up ? Again many observers doubted it and con- tinued to doubt it despite newspaper forecasts of a great conflict. The reasons for such a risk were plain and weighty. The position was admirable. The whole German