The Washington times., 1914-09-03

been confirmed as his successor, and
Sharp will aid Herrick wherever pos
sible So far as the transfer of the
embassy is concerned it will not take
place for some time to come. The state
Department has notified Ambassador
Herrick that he is to continue In
charge with Sharp, as his assistant
for an indefinite period
Allies Position Stronger.
The heavy fghting on the French
frontier today is that In which the
French left and the German right are
stin engaged. the Germans throwing
their greatest weight on an allied line
that extended, roughly speaking. from
lust south of Montdidier to Roye and
to Noyon.
The German cavalry had swept south
TO the neighborhood of Compiegne and
scissors, and has been engaged for
forty-eight hours with the united Brit
ssh-French cavalry divisions. This fight
ing covers a wide stretch. and Is re-
ported to be chiefly of a skirmishing
nature.
and Noyon is of the most sangulnary
character. The allied line is very
strongly stretched, and Is heavily sup
ported with artillery and machlne guns:
II is admitted at the war onice that
the Germans have brought many Ies
Inevitable that a new line is being form
ss on which the allies will fall back.
Although, because of the enormous
pressure from the German ngnt, tne
retreat Of the allies mas ,tad peen 81 is
explained today that the Frencn
British position is stronger than II
was three days ago. Fresh uoops
have been detached from the extreme
French right and, with reserves the!
are now supporting the troops tnat
have been bearing the brunt OF the
lighting since last Saturday
Will Give French Advantage.
The next forty-eight hours probably
will prove insofar as the actual fate Oh
Paris is concerned. If the Gernahs
ran push forward as far in that time
as they have in the last TWO Gays
they will be in contact with the out
er lines of the capitafs oe1enses.
Ills considered certain that the aliheo
lines will eventually have to fall oacA
TO the Paris fortifications. ALREADY
there is discussion of the final line OF
occupation. So far as outward inoica-
tions are concerned. the final line OF de-
fense will be extremely advantageous 10
the allies.
Roughly speaking. it will take the
form of a gigantic letter Il. The f1rst
line will extend northeast to point
in the vicinity of La Fe"e The second
will extend roughly to the southeast to
Rheims The third will extend north
east against 20 Mezie-es, and the fourth
southeast toward Ve-dun. This latter
line, however. is mobile. inasmuch as
the French are in very great strength
all through this territory.
The military experts declare that
line of this character will give the
French a material advantage. 1t will
all be heavily intrenched, the angles
resting in strongly fortified positions.
To attack the Germans will be COM
PEELED to divide their forces and move
against forces that have all of the
natural advantages Of 20 sition strong
ly equipped with artillery and rapid
execution.
Military In Control.
The military have been in complete
control of the city today Ali of the
forts are completely manned with the
picked forces selected for their defense.
Within the city martial law prevails.
Prefect Of Police Hennion, who has been
in III health, resigned because he was
unable to attend to the duties Of his Of
fee. and his secretary has been named
as his successor.
Bordeaux is seven hours ride from
Faf1s by the fastest train, but elaborate
plans have been made to maintain COM
munication. Even though the telegraph
Lines should be interrupted, the govern
ment will be able to keep in touch by
wireless through the emergency stations
at the war office and the Effel Tower
station.
The military regulations covering en-
trance and exit were strongly enforced
1odey. While the refugees from the
north were permitted TO enter the gov
srnment was making arrangements to
send them right through the city. Spe-
cial trains were in service and all were
hurTy1ng all Americans to the seacoa st
where arrangements had been made to
lend them across to England.
The government had made elaborat te
preparations to care for the refugees
from the zone of fighting. Concentra-
ton C4mps will be established wherever
necessary and all will be housed
Records Sent Away.
Although the government is ready to
move TO Bordeaux and the records Of
the nation have been sent there the
american embassy will remain here
Ambassador Myron T. Herrick very
frankly states ne sees no reason 1Or
moving at this time. The embassy is
neutral territory. 1t will not be at
.acked and. even though the Germans
should eventually occupy the city, the
ambassador and his staff would be in no
danger
Paris is the center for the American
refugees who are coming from the south
and from Switzerland. The ambassador
-EeVes he can best serve them by re-
aiming here. At his request the bank
lS house of Morgan. Harjes & Com
ny. which has been handling the en-
ssy's financial business, will remain
N at least for the present
Of the wounded in the Paris hos
being sent away today. They are
eing transferred on special trains to
tr'porary hospital camps which have
established
certain that whether Paris is
or not, il will be the center of
yOtal operations planned to fol-
my further retreat OF the allied
wing. There is no doubt that the
mans plan siege.
heir great thirtyton Krupp guns
.ich were SO serviceable in smother
out the Namur forts. are being
1yed south. Instead of horses the
Ermans are using enormous traction
ngines TO bring the guns forward. The
French artillery experts, however. pro-
. fess to believe these guns will prove
utterly ineffective against even the
outer ring of Notifications.
German Charge Fails.