Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-10-24
FIGHT IN WESTERN
THEATER KEEPS UP
No Decisive Victories. However, Are
Reported by Either Side Of
the Battle.
ARTILLERY IS SLOWING DOWN

since. BiR Encounter on Tenth OF the
Month No Heavy Guns Have Deen
Actively EnEnged I'm Reduc-
ing Opposition Forces.
LONDON. oct. 29.-The official informa-
ton bureau has given out another &C
count by an eyewitness Of recent opera
lions. This recital is dated October II
and explains that with the arrival Of re-
Inducements the British have been able
to play a more prominent part, ASSISTING
In the gradual extension to the north
ward which has thrown British troops to
the Franco-Belgian border.
up till recently" says this statement,
"the extension northward has been car
ried out by the French alone" The mar
rative goes on TO explain that there have
been actions In the two western theaters
OF the war from Newport south and
along the Aisne and continues:
'In both these thesters the results at
tanned, without being in any way de-
cisive. have been entirely satisfactory and
In furtherance OF the general scheme
which the allied armies are carrying out
In corporation.
I'm the southern Of the two sphsres on
the Alsne our right wing has been main
tanning its pressure without actually
moving forward. while In the northern
sphere our left wing has advanced con-
siderable distance IN face OF opposition.
No mtg ARTILLERY FightIng.
ION the AisHe since the repulse inflicted
on the snemytthe night Of October 10.
there has been no serious and less artil-
lsrV action than usual because the misty,
rainy weather has rendered observation
almost impossible. On the night OF Oc-
toper 1914 the enemy commenced an at
tack WHICH was not pushed through and
which may be REGARDED as a demonstra-
ton. Our patrols have been active with
the hayonet at night. and they have ae-
counted for numerous small parties of
German infantry left to occupy their
front trenches. But the positions Of the
opposing forces have remained praeti-
cally unchanged
Weather HinderH Action.
In the north Of France the fighting so
far has been Of a preparatory nature
alone. AZ stated ground has been gained
BY US, but the misty weather has ham
pered aerial "Reminiscences and at times
rendered artillery corporation almost i'm
possible, which factors have made prog
rsss somewhat Slow
The narratiye here describes the nature
Of the country along the Belgian frontier.
explaining that hedges are frequent, that
trees often restrict the view, and that
means o. communication are bad.
1T u Ia a blind country of this ma.
ture," the narrator goes on, that our
advanced guards near the Belgian from
tier are ENGAGING the advanced troops. of
the ensmy The latter consists in some
places of cavalry supported by JaRes
and Schultz attachments. with large num-
beers of machine guns and others with
larger bodies of infantry.
"As II was in the case of our march up
to the Aisne, the enemy is making every
effort to delay our progress, no doubt 70
give time for the stronger forces behind
to perfect their ARRANGEMENTS In gen
I eral they take every advantage that ia
to be obtained from the ground and con,
eeal themselves we'll. making use %
bitches and hedges and thaS villages they
hold. toasthsr with buildings, many OF
which have been placed In. a state of de-
| tense"
I
ParNDets Are fpcanspicuOus.
'Furthermore they occupy narrow
trenches with ineonsRicuous parapets or
the outside Of the villages Machine guns
OF ten are placed in the center OF rooms
whence they can command an approach
through a window.
$50 far In our advance. We have In,
filcted considerable loss on these dstach
| mQnfg Tha.r
mined counter attacks in order TO FIRE,
themselves and throw us back. Many o.
the prisoners falling into our hands hav,
expressed surprise at being opposed b.
the British In this quarter
To the north Of the Lys. although fol
reasons already given, an adequate re.
eonnaissance ahead has been practically
impossible, and in spite Of the fact thai
the Germans held a strong position on
high bridge between Godewaersvelde ant
Bailleul, one OF our cavalry forces, sup.
ported by Infantry, has driven the en-,
envy back steadily Some hard fighting
has taken place In this direction, es.
peclally in the neighborhood OF Mont
| Deseats.
ION October 49, one OF our cavalry
patrols came suddenly on a German ma
chine gun detachment and charged
Some of the Germans were killed. the
rest scattered and the gun captured
Progress slower on Right.
"On the right to the south OF the I4ys
progress haa been slower. partly because
the Lorraine affords greater facilities &c
the force acting on the defense and
partly because the enemy has had more
time for preparations and Is In greatel
strength The, numerous bikes In this
part of the country are so broad and deer
as to necessitate the transport OF plsnkl
J and ladders by which TO cross them. Il
Is In this quarter that the most obstinat,
: comhats for the possession of villages
have taken place and that the encloseC
country has rendered the cooperation O
, artillery most difficult. except wher,
] the village contains q church or othe
!, landmark above the trees by means o.
which gunner get their range.
, Parts Of the region where this fightinl
has been in progress present melan
| choly aspect Many once prosperou
homesteads and hamlets are LITERAL!
taTn 70 pieces.
eThe work Of burial falls to a grea
. extent on the local Inhabitants. Amids
3 the graves scattered all over the country
a side are rifle pits, trenches and emplace