The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-08-14
FRENCH OCCUPY
ALSACE.LORRA|NE
ANCIENT PROVINCE THAT HAS
LONG BEEN A BONE OF
NATIONAL CONTENTION.

| Western Newspaper Union News Service,
PariS.-lt is officially reported that
French troops have entered Muel-
hansen.
Muelhausen is the second largest
town of Alsace-Lorraine and lies CT
miles to the sOuth-southwest OF Strass-
burg, the capital. 1t became a free
city of the German empire in 1878, and
in the fifteenth century entered into
an alliance with the Swiss, which last
ed until 1898, when the city became
French. 1t was taken from the French
in September, 1870, and was ceded to
Germany with Alsace in 1871.
Muelhausen is garrisoned by a full
Infantry brigade of about 5000 men
and full cavalry brigade of about
$500 1t has a population Of about
100000, and is the principal seat of
cotton spinning in western Germany.
News Of the first French victory of
the war-the capture Of the village of
Altkirch, in Alsace, near the Swiss
| frontier-which probably was more i'm.
portant than the cautious official an
nouncenent indicated-was received
here with extraordinary enthusiasm.
Observers in Paris were prepared to
hear that the French had been obliged,
| during the first days of the fighting,
to give way before the German adj
vance. The rejoicing was all the great
er, therefore, because the first impor-
tant engagement had been fought in
German territory and the French had
obtained footing.
The capture OF Altkirch appears to
have taken place two or three DAYS
ago. The French army has penetrated
the enemy's country considerably far
Their.
Military authorities had been con.
WINGED that the French army would
assume the offensive at the first op.
portunity because during the last eight
years the word defensive" has disap-
peared from the French text books on
strategy. Instruction in tactics have
been always to go forward.
The official report of the French in
vasion Of Alsace Saturday says the
French troops crossed into Alsace and
delivered fierce attack on the Ger.
man forces at Altkirch. The French
troops took the village, place Of
nearly 1000 inhabitants.
The German forces retreated, pur.
Fsned sbys the French troops in the di.
rection Of the great fortress OF Muel.
hansen.
The minister Of war announces that
the Germans suffered 10000 casualties
and the French $4,000 in the battle at
Altkirch, which resulted in the cap
ture of the Alsatian village BY the
French troops.
The Alsatian inhabitants are over.
joyed at the appearance of the French.
Reports of the arrival of an Austrian
army corps on the Swiss frontier near
Basel were the object of close atten-
ton by French military authorities. 1t
was said that several more Austrian
army corps were being organized in
the Tyrol, when they later would be
sent toward the French frontier.
Before retiring from Muelhausen,
the German troops are said to have set
fire to numerous buildings. The forest
of Hard, near holman, is said to have
been RACED.
1t was nightfall Friday when the ad.
vance guard of the French brigade ap-
preached Altkirch, French official
statement says. The city was we'll de.
Tended and occupied by German bri-
gade. The French began the assault
with ardor, regiment of infantry dis
tinguished itself by furious charge.
shortly after which the Germans re-
tired in disorder.