The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-09-23
BATTLE OF THE kISNE
REMAINS UNDECIDED
Arrival Of ReinfOrCementS Would
Have Much to DO With Out
come OF Conflict.

London, Sept. 23.-"Perceptible
progress" is all the light the official
chronicler permits to be thrown on
the. great siege of the fortified posi-
tions along the battle line in Western
France, which now has lasted ten
days. Along this section of the battle
line the allied army is expected to
descend on the German right wing,
which already is bending backward
under the persistent pressure to the
northward of the River Aisne. Ii
these German positions are once car
ried it is the belief of English STRAIT
egists that the whole German front
will be in danger.
Berlin reports indicate German re-
Inducements have beaten the allies
In the race to the fighting zone and
the result is seen in the rapid series
of Hussar strokes which General Won
Kluck has been able to deliver in an
effort to stem the allied enyeloping
movement around st. Quentin.
Depends on Reinforcemtns.
Thus far the battle of the Aisne re-
produces on a larger scale the chief
features Of the struggle on the River
Marne, but whether in the final out
come the victory will rest with the
allies is likely to remain a secret for
few days more. Ten days of the
most furiously contested struggle In
modern history has left both sides in
such a position that neither can claim
a definite advantage over the other
and the result must depend largely
upon what reinforcements the oppos-
ing commanders are able to control.
On the River Aisne, as on the
Marne, the Germans are thrusting per-
sistently at the allies center, while
the French and British troops are
pursuing their favorite movement of
working around the German flank.
Day by day the allied line, though sta
tionery in the center, seems, accord
ing to official reports, to gain a little
ground on both wings.
No confirmation of the report from
Antwerp that General Won Kluck has
transferred his headquarters to Mons
has been received. If the report be
true 1t is of the greatest significance
as showing his recognition of the
danger which might threaten him
from an army marching from the
west.
Berlin Reports Victories.
The latest official communication
from Berlin says the Germans have
captured the hill positions at Craonne
and occupied the village of Bethany,
three miles to the north of Rheims.
| the Germans as attacking the strong
forts south of Verdun. The Germans
are reported to be fortifying with
| great haste along the River Sambre
from Maubeuge, in France, to Namur,
| in Belgium, but this report lacks con-
firmation. 1t finds place in Paris
newspaper.
In Belgium the situation shows no
| real change. Belgian sorties from
| Antwerp continue, but apparently
| without affecting either the German
or the Belgian positions. Belgian re,
cruits OF the 1914 class have been call.
ed to the colors.
The military expert of the London
Times gives positions to the French
forces on the left, which, IL correct,
show a remarkable advance along the
flank of the German right wing. UP
to the present time the French line
has not been reported north of Noyon
The Times places it at Lecatlet, Ro
siel and Lassigny. Lecatelet is thir
ty miles north of Noyon, Rosiel il
nine miles southwest of Noyon, and
Lassigny is eight miles due west oil
Noyon.
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