The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-16

tie bEe this tfne is nea-Iy straight
from the east to the west. -.
In case the German force should re-
tire again they would have two lines
Of retreat by Longwy and by Sedan.
It remains to be seen whether, un-
der the adverse conditions the Ger
mans have been able to get their ar
tillery into position through the mud.
The situation would be desperate in
case of defeat for the heavy rains
continue and under the circumstances
the Germans could hardly get their
heavy artillery away.
1t was rumored last night that the
Indian cavalry had arrived and would
go into action. This is unconfirmed
and doubtless no one will know def
nitely about them until they have ac-
tually participated in an engagement.
The German Side.
Berlin, Sept. 16.-The German gen.
eral staff announces that the situation
on the west front is still favorable"
1t declares that the French and
English have at no place, on the
that the Germans can look with con-
fidence to the outcome.
Other than this no news is obtain
able regarding the progress of opera
lions.
The public has been showing signs
of impatience because of the absence
of news from the front and this has
led headquarters to @epart from its
practice and issue reassuring state
ments in general terms.
The fact that the Siberian corps was
engaged in the fighting at Lyck, East
Prussia. is noted with interest here
as indicating the mobilization of this
corps must have been accomplished
with extraordinary rapidity to enable
it to arrive in Europe within six weeks
after the Russian mobilization order
was issued.
of the cruiser Hela has been given out.
1t was merely stated that 172 of 181
members of the crew were saved by
German ships in the vicinity. Among
those lost in the previous battle near
Helgoland were Admiral Mas, COM
mander Of the second scouting di-
vision, an6 Baron Won Maltzohn, navi-
CATION officer Of the cruiser KOeln,
who served a long time on the cruiser
Bremen while she was on the Ameri-
can station. He had many friends In
the United States
Americans will also be interested to
learn that Commander Won Retse-
mann, formerly naval attache at
Washington, commanded the cruiser
Strassbury in her engagement with the
enemy.
Hundreds Of British subjects, prin-
cipally women and girls, gathered at
the American embassy yesterday to ar
range for their return passage to Eng
en-, children and boys under 16. The
embassy has arranged for special
trains for them for September 81.
Views of the Experts.
London, Sept. 16.-The center of
interest in the western theater in the
war has shifted from the right wing
of the German army under General
Won Kluck to the left wing where the
relief of Troyon by the French is re-
garded in London as leaving the army
Of the German crown prince, Fred
erick William, apparently in dan
gerous situation.
AS had been predicted in England
tho FRI nch have retaken Rheims, but
this step is OF greater moral than
strategical value. for the line to the
northeast of this town provides a bet
ter defensive position for the German
forces than does the front marked by
Rhei As itself
According to advices received here
from Berlin the demand for news In
Germany, where the people appear to
be growing impatient, has been
soothed to a certain extent by the re.
assuring statement from the general
staff that the German line is holding
out successfully against the offensive
movement Of the allies. So far as the
last "a hours are concerned this in
formation agrees with news received
in London with the exception of that
regarding the German left wing. This
part OF the line. judging from dis
patches made public In London. APP
pears not only to have withdrawn
from investment Of Verdun, but by
permitting the relief of Troyon. which
is twelve miles southeast of verdun,
to have left itself only one line of re-
treat. This Is through the Stenay
gap. to reach Luxembourg. or by way
Of Longuyon and Longwy to reach
Thionville (Diedenhon).
If the allies are able to prevent the
army Of the crown prince from using
Metz as q base of OPERATIONS. 1T is
felt in London that the German left
wing would be in a13perious q situa-
ton as was its right Pt week.