The Sentinel=record., 1914-09-22
Fierceness of the Encounter Slackens Probably Because the Tired Troops Have Reached the Point of
 Physical Exhaustion.
France Claims Slight Advantage Gained but Both Armies Are in Practically the Same
 Position as When Battle Started.

London. Sept. 2l.-9:55 D. m.-The unparalleled struggle on the River Aisne, which commenced about a week ago Saturday, has developed into siege operations. The two ar mics, strongly entrenched, are carry ing on an artillery duel while the in. fantry make attacks and counter at tacks which are in the nature of scr. tieisi from besieged fortress
 Occasionally one or the. oher gains little ground, but it is so little that the opposing forces remain in
 their trenches or take up positions in
 new entrelchments immediately be-
 hind those from which they are driven.
 It is now becoming the conviction of military men that nothing but outflanking movements can have any serious effect on either army. Tho Germans, according to their own off NAhi ANPbib v hhf0 UttH SlIOHBlJ ItlH- forced both on their right, where General Won Kluck is making such a stubborn stand in almost impreg- nable positions on the hills north of the Aisne, and in the center, where the Germans are making almost ,u- perhuman efforts to recapture It is probObly the desire to recapture this town at all costs, be- cause of it's importance as the key co important communications that will improve all their connections for at tack or retreat, that has led the Ger mans to continue the bombardment which has resulted in the destruction of the famous cathedral.
 This bombardment has been of the most severe kind and is being di- rected from Brimont, which the French recaptured but lost again, and from other hills around the town. and is of deadly character The French have brought up additional heavy in an attempt to drive the Germans out of these hills, for until this is done the situation in the towl must be difficult.
 On the allies left the French claim another advance ol the right bank of the River Oise as far as the heights of Lassigny, west of Noyon, which has been the center of heavy fighting for a week past.
 Severe fighting also continues north of the Aisne and in the Ora. onne district, where the Germans, French official contamination says, have been repulsed at all points with losses.
 This is an extremely difficult coun- try over which to make an advance. The plateau of Craonne is of lime stone formation with the sides almost as perpendicular as walls; the valleys in wet weather become quagmires. It was on this plateau just century ago that Butcher failed to check Ma poleol.
 The allies apparently have scaied the walls of the plateau and now hold the heights, but ahead of them they have found Von Kluck in great strength and now are awaiting the outcome of the attempt to turn his flank which would clear the road for them. The French army, which Is trying to work around the German right, Is pushing it's way slowly. Starting from Compiegne, it reached Noyon and today is on the heights of Lassigny. It's next objective point, Terjenier, 19 miles from Laol, an important railway junction which the Germans are using for provisioning their forces.
 The French have made some head way ia Champagne and on the west slope of the Argonne and have reoc- cupied Mesnil Les Hur.us and Messi-