The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-17
Armies of 100000, With
100000 Reinforcement for
Allies, Engaged.
INVADERS FEROClOUSLY
STRIVE TO PREVENT ROUT
Steadily Forced Back, but Offer
ing Dogged Resistance at
Every Step.
HAVE ONE LINE OF RETREAT
Both Commanders Realize That Pres
cnt Engagement May Prove
the Decisive One.
/ Special Cable to The Times Dispatch. ]

Especial Cable to The Times Dis ispatch.1
PARIS. September 1.-THE rear
guard engagement, upon which the
German rctrcatiug right wing entered
on Monday. September Is. has developed
into what promise. TO be the decisive
hattlc Of the campaign in France
Fighting proceeded with renewed
fury to-day all along the ll0-mile bat
tie front. in which nearly all or the
100000 mon OF the rival armies, to-
Gc'her with about too.o0o reinforce
n,cnts to the allics. arc engaged
III" Germans are fighting strictly on
thc defensive. battling fcrociously to
prevent the utter rout OF the armies
whose rcaliEnment their covering
movement was designed 10 protect
Though no definite results have come
out OF the three days' lighting. the
enemy is being forced back steadily be
fore the allied pressure. but is fight
ing with dogged resistance every mile
OF tho way. The advance OF the allies
IS described by the War Office as steady.
nut not rapid
For the allies. the situation continues
favorably generally. The Germans
have delivered several counter-attacks
ana have occupied several new posi-
,ions. from which they have made oc-
casionai sallics. but always have been
repulsed.
BRUNT OF FIGHTING
Is HORNE BY BRITISH
The British First Corps. under Lieu
tenant-Gcncral Sir Douglas IIaig, the
hero OF Maubeugc and Guise. forms
the centre OF the allied line of attacl,
north OF the Aisne. and the brunt OF the
fighting has been forced Oh its front,
while the French. supporting II on the
left and right. have been engaged only
Internationally thus far
The German losses have been heavy.
The Eritish centre captured 200 prison
during the Ola Many .f heI
bodies OF the invaders hrvc been aban-
doned TO be taken as prisoners by tho
allies. and numerous groups of strag-
Slcrs hidden in forests have been taken
into camp as prisoners. condition
which they welcome, owing TO their
exhausted and hungered state
Tint battle 'front.' extends from The
rcsion OF Noyon TO tho plateau north
~ -Sur-Saisne. and from scissors
lc-Siasaif and l.aon. to the heights
north and west OF Ehcims: another line
runs from the district north OF VILE
Sur,Tourbc 10 the west Of the Arcoruc
region, and thence along u third line
north OF Narenncs, just evacuated by
the Germans. To the River Mcuso a. u
point near FORCES. north OF Vcrdun
Along this whole front. the lighting
has been forced upon the Germans.
principally because OF the resistance
offered by the fortress Of Trovon
twelve miles southeast OF Ncrdun.
which will go down into history as tie
LEGO or France. II WAS the resistance
of this fort that foiled the desperate
ehort OF the German army to open 4
way TO Metz through the country to
Nerdun and Epinal. This defeat of the
GcrHan purpose prevented the Metz
army from coming to the assistance OF
The German left and effectively cut OFF
all chances Of German retreat across
The Mcusc
ARMIES or FRANCE ARE
MASTERS OF TIE VALLEY
The French. by their victories along
the line between Nerdun an, foul
with the weight OF the engagement ut
TroNon. remain masters Of this val
Icy. Thus has Trovon held the German
army IN France to defend itself on
ground OF the allies own choosing lust
as at Liegc the Belgians valiantIy de-
tered the German advance into France,
until French mobilization was com
pleted.
Ey this victory OF the allied forces,
the Germans are compelled to accept
hut ono line OF retreat. This is in the
north pass by Stcnay. through which
they might reach Luxembourg or Thion-
vile by way OF Longuvon or Longwy
with the progress OF the battle OF
tho Aisre, realization OF the critical
situation has been forced simultan-
cously OF the commanders of the rival
armies and both chieftains General
lonrc. in supreme command or uhc
allies, and Crown Prince Frederick
William, on whose shoulders rests the
success of the German retreat, have
rushed rcinforce,ncnts to the focal
point at which the battle is now raging
The German line, consisting original
ly OF General Won Kluks army and
part OF that of General Won Buclow.
has bee reinforced by practically ali
OF the army Of inva sion remaining east
of the forest Of Argonne. while those
occupying positions between the Ar
Soilno and the Mcuse arc preparing a
second line uf defense upon which the
western division of the great army may
rotirc II tho allies advance cannot be
halted.
Practically half million fresh
troops, comprising the army of defense
of the city OF Paris, have been thrown
in behind the French line to aid tho
now fatigucd. but still cnthusasticnlIv
jealous allies on tho first line
India troops to the number Of 10000
tcstimatcd), brought from the south Of
Asia ut Indias expense to re- inforcc
the British lines arc now on the way
TO the scat Of war, according TO advic-
cs to Sir John French from the British
War Office. Indeed, IL the policy OF de-
CONTINUED on Second PageD