The Sentinel=record., 1914-09-18
Shorter Battle Line and Concentration
of Troops of Both Armies Indicates
the Hardest Fighting of the War
England Expects New Army of Indian
Troops to Arrive in Time for the
Battle on Line on the Aisne River.

London Sept. 17-9:O7 p. m.-An-
other great battle, even more vital
for the countries concerned than
those that have preceded it, is IN
progress on line extending from
the region OF Noyon on the River
Disc, northwest of Paris, to the River
Meuse. north of Verdun. The front
is shorter than in the Battle of the
Marne, but this will result only in
more fiercely contested battle with
masses Of troops throwing them
selves at each other, and every avll-
able piece Of artillery concentrated
in the determined effort Of the arm as
to break through each others lines.
The Germans, who a fortnight ago
had to abandon their first endeavOr
to destroy the armies of France and
Great Britain and capture Paris, have
fortified themselYes on the noun
tains north of the River Aisne,
through the plains of Champagne and
in the Argonne mountains, through
which the Meuse flows. They are IN
stronger positions than they were for
the battle Of the Marne and have
been strongly reinforced with fresh
troops from the north and east. They
already have attempted counter at
tacks against the allied troops which,
flushed with victory, have been try
ing TO prevent them from entrenching
themselves.
According to English and French
official reports, these attacks have
been repulsed, and the Germans com
PEELED to give way at certain points,
but the German general staff claims
the opposite.
It is certain, however, that the hily
country north of the Aisne offers
good ground for such tactics. 1t
would appear that these western
wings of the two armies, the German
right and the allies left, again are
to bear a heavy part. Upon the ar
mics of General Won Kluck and Cen
eral Won Buelow depend the safety
of the rest Of the German army
These German forces hold a posi-
tion from a point near Noyon on the
Disc. along the district north of the
Aisne to the junction of the latter
river with the Suippes. Behind them
are splendid railway lines running in
all directions which facilitate the
movement of troops from St Quentin,
Guise and Mezeres. In this respect,
therefore, they are well placed.
The allies, on the other hand, can,
and it is believed they are bringing
new troops through Rouen and Amir
ems to threaten the Germans flank.
In fact nearly the whole of north
western France is open to the allies
Che Germans having withdrawn most
Of their scattered troops eastward to-
ward the Disc.
Field Marshal Kitchener, secretary
of state for war, speaking today with
fun knowledge of the situation at the
front declared.
The tide has turned" SO he, al
though telling the public that the war
will be a long one, appears to be
hopeful of the outcome.
he little British army that mas
fought so long and hard is looking
forward to support from Indian
troops which soon should be at the
side Of the Englishmen if not for s4e
present batt.e, then for the one when
must soon follow it, no matter how II
goes
The French troops, who occupy
valuable center of occupation at Sols-
sons, the engineers having closely
followed the army and repaired the
railway, are being reinforced.
Both as to positions and strength OF
forces the opposing armies appear
evenly matched except for the adVah-
lage of the allies in having an army
TO threaten Won Kluck's flank.
The situation along the rest OF the
line is much the same. In the center
between Rheims and the Argonne'