The Washington herald., 1914-08-25
FRENCH WAR OFFICE
ADMITS CRUSHING DEFEAT
BY GERMANS IN BELGIUM

Paris, Aug. A-The war once late to
night issued a statement summing uI
the reverses OF the allied armies in tht
following language:
The French and English. the plan oi
attack having failed. owing to unforeseen
difficulties have retired on the covering
positions.
West Of the Meuse the English army
on our left was attacked by the Germans
but behaved admirably, holding 1t:
ground with traditional steadiness.
The French assumed the offensive
with two army corps. An African bri'
gade in the front line, carried away by
their eagerness. were received by muir
derous fire.
They did not give an inch. but coun-
ter attack by the Prussian guard. they
were obliged to retire, only, however
after infiicting enormous losses. The Prus-
sian guard especially suffered heavily.
East Of the Meuse our troops ad-
vanced across an extremely difficult
country and made a vigorous attack
when they emerged from the woods. bat
were obliged to fail back after a stln
fight south OF the River Semois.
Troops Are withdrawn.
''on order Of Gen. Jofrre our troops
and the British withdrew to the co.,
ering positions.
Our troops are intact; our cavalry
has in no way suffered. and our artillery
has affirmed its superiority. Our Of
ficers and soldiers are in the best OF
condition. morally and physically.
"As a result of the orders which have
been issued the aspect of the struggle
will change in a few days
The French army will remain for a
time on the defensive. but at the right
moment, to be decided upon by the CON-
mander-in-chief, II will resume a vigor-
Gus offensive. Our losses are heavy. II
would be premature to enumerate them
1t would be equally so to numerate those
Of the Germans. who suffered so heavily
that they were obliged to abandon their
counter attacks and establish themselves
in fresh positions in Lorraine.
We delivered four attacks yesterday
from our positions north Of Nancy, in
fiicting very heavy loss on the enemy.
Make Use of Railroads
TN regard to the general situation. we
have the fun use OF our railroads and
retain command OF the seas. Our opera
tions have enabled tho Russians to come
into action and penetrate the heart OF
East Prussia
TT Is to be regretted that the offensive
operations planned failed to achieve their
purpose as a result of difficulties impos-
sible to foresee. It would have shortened
the war, but our defenses remain intact
in the presence Of an already weakened
enemy.
Every Frenchman will deplore the
temporary abandonment OF portions of
Alsace and Lorraine which we had occu-
pied. and certain parts of the national
territory will suffer from events of which
they will be the theater.
THE ordeal is inevitable, but tempo
rery. Thus detachments of German cav
airy belonging to an unattached division
operating on the extreme right have pen
etrated to Doubaix, six miles north Of
Lille, and the Tourcoing district, which
are defended only by territorial reserv-
lists
Our valiant people will know how to
find courage to support this trial with
unfailing faith In final success. which is
not to be doubted. In telling the coun-
try the whole truth. the government and
military authorities give II the strong
est proof of their absolute confidence In
victory. which depends only on our per-
severance and tenacity."