The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1914-08-13
VICTORY MAKES
FRENCH REJOICE
First Step In Reclamation
Of AlSaCe.
IMPORTANT TOWN CAPTURED

With the Taking of Muehhausen After
Desperate Engagement in Which
$1,000 French and 10000 Germans
Are Reported to Have Been Lost,
French See Opening Wedge to
Long-Sought Revenge For 1870.
Berlin, Aug. 10. 1T is announced
here that a French force advancing
from Belfort had skirmish with Ger
man frontier guards near Altkirch and
was repulsed, withdrawing toward Bel
fort
Paris, Aug. 10.-Dispatches have
reached Paris saying that the French
army which is invading AlsaceLor-
raine, and which broke through the
German defenses at Altkirch and oc-
cupied the heavily fortified town of
Muehlhausen, has pushed on to Col
mar, twenty-five miles beyond Muehl-
hansen.
From the details received here, the
Germans apparently made their stand
at Altkirch, where the French lost 15,-
600 men and the Germans 10000, &C
cOrding to reports which have come
from the front.
After preliminary skirmishes the
French charged at the front line of
earthworks repeatedly. Their bayo-
net charges finally disrupted the Ger
man lines and the French broke
through and occupied the first line OF
earthwOrks. There was a second line
! behind this, but the Germans did not
attempt to defend this second line, but
I retired in disorder toward Wallheim
and Tagolsheim. \ regiment of dra-
goOnS pursued them for a way, inf1ict-
ing severe losses. While it was yet
dark the French entered Altkirch and
were welcomed by the Alsatian inhab-
itdnts. The advance was resumed at
daybreak. German cavalry was en-
countered on the outskirts of Muehl-
hansen and was driven back.
The French scouts then came on
field works with which the Germans
had protected the town. The field
works were abandoned and were &C.
cupied by the French invaders. The
Germans retired to the northward
with French cavalry force marrying
their rear quad.
Welcomed by AIsatians.
The war Office thus describes the
taking of Muehlhausen: During the
march from Altkirch the French troops
passed the abandoned earthworks and
defenses of Muehlhausen. The popu-
lace came out from the town and in
frenzy of delight welcomed the
French troops. The cavalry, galloping
through the streets, pursued the Ger
man rear guard. The French estab-
fished themselves north of Muehlhau-
sen.
"Rout is the only word with which
to describe the German retreat. The
French losses were not excessive
when the result is considered. The
occupation of Muehlhausen, the great
industrial and intellectual center of
Alsace, will reverberate throughout
Europe.
THE Germans retired in the direc-
ton of Neu Breisach. The whole of
Alsace will rise against them and ag-
gravate their position"
The minister of war sent this con-
gratulatory message to General Joffre.
commanding the French army: This
initial success will have the moral eff
feet of bringing profound satisfaction
to the nation. | thank you in the name
of the government"
The news of the taking of Muehl-
hansen was received in Paris with
enthusiasm and delight. Crowds filled
the streets, reading the bulletins, sing
ing and shouting to know that an i'm
portant step had been taken in the
task of regaining the provinces lost in
the war of 1870.
French Are Rejoicing.
No confirmation has been received
in Paris of the report which has reach.
ed here by way of Berlin to Amster-
dam to London to Paris that Eiege has
fallen. The war Office expressed the
hope that the Germans were still held
in check at Lfege while the Belgian.
French and British forces are prepar-
ing to block their way at Huy and Ma
muir The victories of the French
army of invasion in its first engage
ments in Alsace has had the great
moral effect of giving both the army
and the people of France confidence in
the statements which have been made
by French army authorities that the
French army is better trained than
that OF Germany and that its artillery
is more effective.
Colmar, which is unofficially an
nounced to be in French hands, is to
the northwest of Neu Breisach. to
which the Germans are reported to
have retired from Muehlhausen. De-
tails of the occupation of Colmar are
lacking, but it would appear that the
French army has turned the flank of
the Germans and is advancing toward
Strassburg, forty miles beyond Col
mar, which is believed to be the OBJ
jective point of the present invasion.