The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-09-18
FIGHTING PROCEEDS
ALONG 2OO-M,LE LINE
Both Sides Claim Advantage in
Contest, but Death Is Only
Decisive Victor.

London, Sept. 1S.-The third day OF
the battle of the Aisne finds the hosts
of the Germans and the allies facing
each other along a line of some 200
miles stretching from Noyon. fifty
five miles northeast of Paris, south
east to the Swiss frontier. The bat
tie line proper extends roughly from
Noyon to Nancy, about $50 miles.
Here between 100000 and 100000
men are engaged in struggle that in
ferocity and strategic Importance bids
fair to rival the battle of the Marne.
Each side claims a slight advantage
and no more. II is known only that
the German retreat has been turned
into a stubborn resistance. The allies
assert that they were so close on the
heels of the Germans that the latter
were compelled to turn about and
fight TO escape destruction. German
reports represent their armies as re-
forming in strong positions following
the withdrawal from the vicinity of
Paris and again taking the offensive.
Thus far Death is the only decided
victor. IL is admitted that the toll al
ready is enormous-so staggering that
official sources hesitate TO reveal the
facts.
Allies Try Turning Movement.
The British and French armies
A. - fn rannut on
the Aisne the turning movements car
ried out successfully on the Marine.
and i'm the present case they have the
additional incentive of knowing that
should the German right be turned
again there are no great defensive
positions behind the invaders until
they reach the River Meuse.
The position of the army of the
German crown prince, making its way
toward the Stenay Gap, remains full
of interest. The French army, which
barred the exit of the crown princes
troops by way of Toul, is still hurry
ing in pursuit of him.
1t was reported that Liege has been
abandoned by the Germans, but there
is no confirmation. In London the
view prevails that the Germans may
abandon Belgium altogether If there
is any truth In the report that the
eastern theater of the war has be-
come the decisive position In Ger
man eyes. The report that the Ger
mans are fortifying Brussels, how
ever, does not coincide with the Eng
lish theory.
Wars Horrors Are Shown.
Something of the horrors of modern
warfare is indicated by the hesitancy
with which the authorities described
the terrible losses marking the prog
ress of the armies from the Marine to
the Aisne. The stories are told with
restraint, but with enough grewsome
details to make even military mer
shudder
Ofticial advices from Berlin say thu
German retreat of the eastern wins
was practical maneuyer not af
fecting the strategical position ant
that the French attempt to breal
through the center of the German po
sition was repulsed.
One report says the losses of thu
British army in the recent fightinl
amounted to $1,000 dead and wounded
The French official reports describ,
the allies position as heing to thu
north OF vic-sur-N Naisna. scissors ant
Laon, and also the high hills on thu
north Of France. The line reaches OF
the north to ville-Sur-Tourve. towl
on the west OF the Argonne mountains
and continues over the Argonne b!
Tine passing to the north Of Warren
mes. This last place is said to hav'
been evacuated by the Germans. VIII,
have reached the River Meuse, to thu
north Of Verdun.