Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-01

Paris, Aug. Si.-The following official statement was issued by thewar office this evening. lows:
 First, in vosges and in Lorraine, it must be remembered, our forces, which had taken the offensive at the begin ming of the operations. and driven the enemy outside of our frontiers, after wards underwent serious checks, Be- Morhagne, where they encountered very solid defensive works, our forces were obliged to fall back and to re- form, ono part on Couronne De Nancy and the other on the French Vosges.
 War of sieses
 '.The Germans then assumed the of fensive, but our troops, after having thrown them back upon their positions resumed the offensive two days ago. This attack continues to make pro- Eress. although slowly. It is q veritable war of sisges, as each position occu- pied is ir1n ediately fortified
 This explains the slownees of our advance. which is nevertheless charac- terized each day by fresh nft,cal suc-- cesses.
 Quiet in Region of Nancy. azouthern- oevre, since sslie b,sginning fathe campaigns this section, between Metz on the German side and Foul and Verdun on the French side, has not been the theatre of important opera tions.
 Unable to Cheek German Advance. f"Third--In the direction of the Mouse between verdun and Mezieres it will be remembered that the French forces towards Longwy, Neufchateau and Paliseu1. The, troops operating in the degion of Spincourt and Lpngwy have been unable to check the enemy'S army under the command of the German crown prince. Fs.
 Tn the regions of Neufchateai and Pnliescul on the other hand. certain of our troops have, received partial checks which obliged them to retire upon the Mouse, without having their organization broken up This retiring movement has compelled the forces operating in the neighborhood of Spin- court to withdraw also towards the Mouse.
 General. Action Near Mouse.
 During the last few days the enemy has endeavored to spread out from the Mouse with considerable forces, but by a vigorous counter offensive they were repulsed with heavy losses In tKe meantime fresh forces of Germans ad- vanced to the district of Rocroy fir Ardennes), marching in the direction OF Retnei. NOW a general action is taking place between tha Mouse and Bethel. and it is still impossible to sec definitely the issue of this.
 French Compelled to Retire.
 Fourth in the north; The French and British forces orig. inally took up positions in the Dinant ana Charleyoi country and at Mons They endured several repulses and the forcing of the Mouse by the Germans near Givet. upon our flank, compelled our troops to retire
 The Germans seek continually te move toward the west. It was under These conditions that our English al. lies, attacked by the enemy in great superior numbers in the region o1 Lecateau and Cambrai, have with. urdWn toward the south at the mo. ment that our forces were operatins m the district of Avesnes and Shimay The retir1ng movement was prolonged during several days.
 Battle at St. Quentin,
 'In the meantime a. general h,++,. look place in the region of St. Ouen. tifi and Yervfns and at the same finn, In the Ham-Perrones district. Thi, battle was marked by an irnportan success by our right, where we hay, thrown back the Prussian guard an, the tenth army corps into the Disc.
 Owing to the progress of the Ger man right wing, where our adyer sarieS have united their best corps w have had to mark a. new retireynent ,,