Milford chronicle., 1914-09-11
10000 Prisoners Reported
Taken at COmpi9gna
ALLIES TAKE OFFENSIVE
Fresh Troops Fr0m Paris Forts
Help Them.

The allied forces, assuming the of
fensive along the faI-aung battle line
from Nanteuil-le-Haud0uin to the left
wing Of the German forces east OF
Nerdun, have hurled back the inyad
ing army and forced the Germans to
retreat along the right wing and in
the center.
1t is officially reported from Paris
that the Teutons have been forced to
retire between Meaux and Sezaaue
and at Fere-Champenoise and Vitry-le-
Francois. The allies advance reaches
from the banks of the river Ourcq in
to the region Of Montmirail
Accounts of wounded soldiers who
reached Paris indicate that the result
of the three days fighting in the Com.
piegne country has been more favor.
able for the allies than at first sup.
posed. They say the German losses in
killed were enormous and a great
number Of prisoners were taken. One
French officer estimates the prisoners
at 10000.
The following official communication
bearing on the fighting now in pro-
gress east of Paris was made public:
THE left wing of the allied armies
comprising certain portions of tie
forces now defending Paris, continues
to make progress against the enemy. /
The French advance reaches from
the banks Of the River Ourcq into the
Montmirail region (Montmirail is 4Si
miles east of Paris).
"The enemy is retiring in the direc.
tion of the River Marne. between
MeauX go miles east Of ParisD and
Sezanne (42 miles east of Meaux).
THE French and the English armies
have taken numerous prisoners, in.
Guiding a battalion of infantry and a
company serving a detachment of ra.
pid-fre guns; they captured also many
gun carriages.
There have been violent encoun.
ters with the enemy on the center.
between Fer-Champenoise Q2 miles
east of Sezanne) and Vitryle-Fran.
co.'s, the southern point of the forest
Of Argonne. (Vitry-le- Francois is 27
miles east OF Fere-Champenoise).
AT no place have we fallen back;
the enemy has lost ground.
"The reported retiring Of the enemy
near Vitry-leFrancois has been con.
irmed.
"On our right a division Of German
.roops delivered an attack on the axis
If Chateau Salins-Nancy, but they
we're repulsed to the northward. pass.
ng the forest of Champenoux.
Further to the east, our troops re.
the crest of Mandry and the
,eak of FOurneaux.
There has been no change in the
situation in the province of Alsace."
Germans Ask Armistice.
It is reported unoficially in Paris
hat the Germans east Of the city have
.sked for an armistice to bury their
cad and care for their wounded.
1t is understood that this request
as been refused by the allies.
The leading military authorities are S
onvinced that General Joffre. com. I
lander-in-chief of the French forces
J at last holding at bay the vast Ger I
ian army of invasion. i
The worn-Out troops Of Emperor Y
William, who may constitute an army j
1talling 100000 men, are encounter S
lg the relatively fresh soldiers OF T
le French and British armies upon d
round selected by the allies, and in
ositions within easy reach of supplies c
nd reinfOrcements. 3
The Germans are in a hostile coun. +
y and at distances relatively great
ON their home bases. The invaders
re probably now at their greatest
rength, while the defenders OF A
rance, especially the British contin
ents, are being augmented steadily.
The fighting on the long line to the Il
lst Of Paris probably will last for a
lmber Of days; no quick and decisive il
ltcome is expected. The results OF B
e encounters of the past two day.
e regarded as distinctly favorable tc r
e allies, and there is an atmosphere Il
cheerfulness at the French war OF
,e. G
A great area Of country, probably N
100 square miles in extent, has been u
vaged by the fighting so far. Bridges re
ross the Grand NORM, the Petit Mo al
n. the Ourcq. Marne, Aisne and the
Sc rivers have been blasted to i'm NJ
de operations. te
A heavy British force. supported BY pl
'ench troops, is reported to be mOv ca