The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-12
GER MAN ATTACK
AT MANGIENNES
is REPULSED
Retiring French Forces Take
Offensive When Reserves
Arrive.
NORTH SEA CLOSED
FOR ALL SHIPPING
London Believes Serious En-
gagcment Is Now Be-
inc Fought.

EP''''f "Nff BfSppfc7 10 I'M ~TN
LONDON. Aug. ~
The almost entire lack Of news from
the theatres of war indicate that prepa-
rations are going on for the big battle,
which cannot be much longer delayed.
Nothing is known OF the exact posi-
tons Of tho armies hut IL is taken for
granted that they are facing each other
all along the Belgo- German and Franco
German frontiers from Holland 10
switzerland, distance of about two
hundred miles.
It is believed that there tx an cnor-
nous French force in Belgium Tho Ger
mans apparently hold Tongrcs. whence
they have thrown oul strong drtach-
monts of cavalry and artillery some Of
which have penetrated as far west a.
Lauden on the Licge- brussels railway.
Various reports have come to Lon
don from scacoast towns along the
northern part of the English Channel
that firing has been heard distinctly.
Some of these reports are classed as
pure fiction, yet the silence maintained
at the offices Of the British Admiralty
is taken by the public to mean that
something is happening between the
Scottish coast and the North Sea en-
trance Of the Kiel Canal
Whether il is of any significance or
not. q despatch from Rotterdam to-day
says that the Holland-America Steam
ship Line has placed its premises on
the Hook of Holland at the disposal OF
the Dutch Red Cross society, with
special view TO the hospital needs in
case OF naval engagement in the
| North Sea
+ INSERT A-LEAD ALL VICAR
/ The naval expert Of the Times says 1t
/ is very possible tina, there VIII hc strih-
, ing events in the Mediterranean soon.
I The problem is whether to try to de
stroy the Austrian fieei or bottle il up
| in the Adriatic, so that II cannot be a
menace To- trade. If the former pian is
decided upon a French fleet, says the
/ naval expert, should be able TO carry 1t
out even without Ensland's help.
This" he continues. must not Ire
taken as implying contempt for the
Austrian fleet, its courage or energy.
| 1t is merely question Of the relative
/ proportions Of the French and Austrian
! fleets In the number of ships and guns"
The writer advises Franc, to Threaten
the Austrian coast, saying this would
/ demoraize part Of the Austrian army
and probably force the navy TO fight,
! English Join RcIIinns.
1t is not known here how many
troops tho British Government has sent
as an cXpeditionary force 20 the aid Of
the French and Beleians concentrating
at Namur Some reports make the
number % 900, hut con drma,iou Of that
estimate is lacking. Fragmcutary re-
ports from Brussels which tho censor
has made almost unIntelhgihla make i
appear that the English have joined he
Belgans and a part Of Nh" French
forces at Namur, while French artl,-
lery is being sent - that point by wy
Of Brussels. The main body Of tho
belgian army, 10 - said, Is couccn-
tratcd at Luuvaiu, a few miles east ~
Brussels. while the advance guard !
P already pushing ward 10 rCci tl n
Germany army Of the Mcusc iutrcuchcd
along tho Ourthc River south Of iicpe.
The allied armies. desuatChcs from
Brussels say. are preparing To make a
general advance and II IS thought likaiV
that an important engagement VIII
shortly take place southwest ~ LieF".
4 Meanwhile another division ~ tho Gor-
man army, known as tho Army ~ tne
Moselle. is pushing southwark through
Luxembourg. and, il is reported, has
already crossed the frontier into France
at n point near the fortified towo II
LonCwN French reports say tho Cor
man advance guard has hccu rcpulScd.
DetachmentS, evidently tho advance
guard of this invading army, have boon
seen as far south as Spincour0. while
the right wing Of the army seems 70
stretch west to Monvcdv. The ntc1-
ton Of the invaders would seem 80 he
10 break through the gap I'm the French
forttications north Of Nordun. one "e
the strongest fortified towns on tho
eastern frontier of France.
>Isn"r Fight nimp"rtnnt'
Military experts hero 600 little sipnih-
canoe in TN. reported setback which the
French army has received In Vaults
Alsace.
The principal engagements ~ mo
next few days, II is argued, VIII taEs