The Sentinel=record., 1914-10-03
BIG BATTLE
NOW Being
PROTRACTED
LONDON STATES THAT HEAVY
REINFORCEMENTS TO BOTH
GERMANS AND ALLIES LEAVES
THE HEAVIEST BLOWS OF THE
AISNE BATTLE YET TO BE DE-
LlVERED BY ARMIES.

London, oct. 2.-9:25 p. m.-The
battle of the Aisne, as it still is
called although the armies contend
ing in it have spread far beyond that
river, has been in progress just three
weeks and no decision has been
reached. Reports from Paris earlier
in the week that the allies operations
were about to succeed were prema-
ture. From all APPEARANCES there
must be more hard fighting before
either side gives way.
The heaviest blows are being given
and taken in the western area, where,
according to today's French official
communication, an extremely violent
battle continues, especially in the
have concentrated considerable
forces. The communication added
that the action was extending more
and more northward and that the
fighting front now extends to the dis
trict south of Arras.
This apparently was a modest ac-
count of the northward advance of
the French, for private kilograms re-
ceived in London tonight announced
that the French actually had reached
Arras. Stubborn resistance is being
offered by the Germans in the vicin.
ity of Roye.
Along the front from the Disc to
the Meuse rivers, according to the
French report, only partial operations
have been attempted by either side.
Frontal attacks by the allies, as a
matter of fact, have been discontin-
ued, while the flanks are fighting for
ascendancy.
On the allies right the Germans
have made another attempt to cross
the Meuse at st. Mihiel, where they
got across last week. The German
attack to regain this ground which
they had abandoned when threatened
on their flank by troops from Toul,
was made yesterday, when they tried
to throw a bridge across the river.
The pOntoon, however. according to
the French report, was destroyed
during the night.
The Germans, who are supposed to
have had the assistance of heavy Au-
strian guns. apparently have failed in
their first attempt to pierce the outer
line of forts at Antwerp. Official re-
ports and statements by correspond
ents say none of the Belgian forts
have been damaged severely and that
the German infantry attacks were re-
pulsed with heavy Iosss to the at
tackers.
The opinion prevails here that the
Germans at present do not intend to
make a serious attempt to besiege
Antwerp and that the attack they
have made is to keep the Belgians
within the fortress and to stop sor-
ties which were disconcerting to the
Germans occupying the rest of the
country.
Again reports are in circulation
that the Germans are making prep
arations to evacuate Belgium or at
any rate that portion as far east as
Brussels. 1t is said their force in
Brussels is packing up, but such
statements have been made so often
that not much reliance is placed in
them. Still another rumor has it
that the German staff headquarters
has been removed from Luxemberg
to Mayence.
The battle which promises to be
the greatest and most important of
the eastern campaign, has com
menced near Cracow, Galicia, where
an Austro4German army estimated 20
number 100000 men are endeavoring
to check the Russian advance. This
combined Austro-German army has
occupied line just inside the Rus
sian-Poland frontier from Cracow
through Czenstochowa to Kalisz, and
has had pienty of time to prepare
strong defensive positions. Both
sides are bringing up reinforcements.
The Germans are hurrying theirs