Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-09-24
FILLING BLOODY GAPS
Both Sides Rushing Reinforce
j inenis to the Front.
HUMAN ENDURANCE STRAINED
Never In the History Of the World
Has There Been Such Carnage.

London special: The battle OF the
Aisne, which has endured for eight
days, has been the most sanguinary
battle in the history Of the world. At
least 10000 900 men have contended
Nth the utmost ferocity. The Ger
mans are opposing 100000 to an al
lied force OF 100000
This estimate of the forces engaged
may be retained, because 1t can be as
sumed that Germans and allies have
obtained reinforcements to I'LL the
gaps made by bullet, shell and bay
onet. These troops, after series OF
engagements each vital to the general
combat, are stretched from north OF
Noyon to north Of Montfaucon, on a
line which forms an obtuse angle. run
ming southeast from Noyon to Ora
onne, Berry Au Bao and Rheims, and
thSncssorth east and northeast to
Montfaucon and the forest Of the Ar
gonne. This is the main battle line
where human endurance is being put
TO unimaginable strain to determine
whether or not the Germans can again
assume the offensive against Paris, or
II they are to be broken and hurled
back over the frontiers of Belgium,
Luxembourg and Lorraine. UP to the
present 1t Is a drawn battle. The Ger
mans, evading attempts to envelop
their right and left wings. and them
selves developing a strong offensive in
the center of the battle line, which Is
east and north Of Rheims. have the adj
vantage of entrenched and fortified po-
|&itions, defenses calmly and skillfully
Isepared by the German engineers at
6st three weeks ago. The terrible
slaughter OF the past eight days has
been due largely to the attempts of
the allies to capture by frontal attacks
Of infantry and light artillery the key
points Of this strong line Of defense.
The Crest Battle Lines.
The disposition OF the forces re-
maing In general as follows: At the
west Ut the battle line General Won
Kluk, constantly In danger from a
turning movement, has been forced to
give way slightly by an AngloFrench
army. At Berry Au Bao and little
east OF north of Rheims, General Won
Buelow and General Won Einsem have
combined in furious endeavor to-
break the French center. At the east
end Of the line the Grand Duke of
Wurttemberg and the crown prince, I'M
able to check the French advance al
together, have nevertheless preserved
the integrity Of the whole German bat
tie line and are intrenched west and
north of Montfaucon.
The series of battles now known as
the battle of the Aisne began at Soiss
tsons on the morning of Sunday, Sept.
ll3. Won Kluk, most closely pursued,
Vas therefore to feel first the impact
81 the allies offensive, an attack
strengthened by the confidence gained
BY the French in the victories of the
Marne. The Germans had had time to
form behind their carefully prepared
intrenchments. Their first aim was to
prevent the Anglo-French force from
swarming across the River Aisne to
ridges which would be favorable for
artillery. For several days German
cannon were turned upon pontoons
built by the allies for fifty miles west
ward along the Aisne. Time after
time these military bridges were de-
stroyed, but the French and British
SUCCEEDED iii crossing the river and in
taking elevations where intrenchments
were made.
"a No Definite Advantage.
Almost simultaneously, in the center
o4Hhe battle, the allies drove the Ger
mans from Rheims, but in succeeding
days we're unable to dislodge the Ger
mans from intrenchments east and
north Of that city. The Germans for
four days have held the dismantled
forts, ring OF old positions which are
about six miles In semi-circle to the
north and east OF Rheims Here there
has been most desperate fighting with
out definite advantage to either side
The Germans have essayed many
times to take the offensive and to hew
their way through the allied center,
but counter attacks often delivered at
night have been repulsed The I'M
portance Of the engagements At
Rheims Hes in this. that German sue
cess In the French center would re-
Hsve the pressure upon Won Klak at
We German right and the crown prince
II the German left. and might compel
general retreat Of the allies 10 tbs
Dorti1oations Of Paris.
"