New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-18
TROOPS CROSS AISNE
ON PONTOON BRIDGES
Report of Field Marshal
French'S Officer Covers
Sept. 10 to 13.
CITY OF RHEIMS
GOT DIRE WARNING
Proclamation Threatened 81
Leading Citizens, Held as
Hostages, with Hanging.

London, Sept. l7.-An account Of the
operations of the British army IN
France and Of the French army in i'm
mediate touch with it during the period
from September 10 to 13, written b. an
officer attached TO Field Marshal Sir
John Frcnch's staff, was issued tonight
by the official pr2ss bureau. The ac-
count follows:
"Since Thursday, Septembert1o, tho
British army made steady progress in
its endesyor to drive back the enemy
in cooperation with the French. The
country across which it had to force
its way and will have to continue to do
is undulating and covered. with patches
Of thick wood.
within the area which faced the
British before the advance commenced,
right up to LaOu, the chief feature OF
tactical importance is the fact that here
are six rivers running right across the
direction of the advance, at all of which
it was possible hat the Germans might
make resistance. These are, in order,
from the south, the Marne, Ourcq,
yesle, Aisne, Ailetto and Disc.
"The enemy held the line Of the
Marne, which was crossed by our forces
on September 0 as purely rear guard
operation. Our passage of the Ourcq,
which mere runs almost due east and
vest. was not contested. The Nesle
was only lightly held, while resistance
along the Aisne, both against the
French and the British. has been and
still is Of a determined character.
Little Opposition Met.
On Friday, September II, but little
opposition was met with along any
psrt of our front, ard the direction of
the advance was, for the purpose OF
cooperating with our allies, turned
slightly to the northeast. The day was
sn, in rushing forward and gather
inc in various hostile etachments. BY
riQhtfal! our forces had reached a line
north of the Ourcq extending from
Ouchy-le-Chatcau TO Longpont.
con this day tn e as also a gem
,ral advance g the French along their
whole line. which ended in a substan-
tiaI success in one portion OF the field,
Duke Albrecht Of Wurtemberg's
army being driven * across the
saulx and elsewhere the whole Of the
corps artillery Ct German corps be-
inc cantured Several German colors
also were taken.
"It was only on this day that ,Aa
full extent of the victory gained by
the Allie OH Septer - was appre'
ciated by them, and the moral effect
Of this success has been enormous. An
order dated September 6 and Z, issued
he the commander e the German Sew
enth Corps, was pi ed up. 1t Stated
that the great object of the war was
AZ ut to be attained, since the Trench
were going TO accept battle, and that
upon the result OF ,ls Dattle would
depend the issue of the war and the
honor OF the German a.mies.
1T seems probable that the Germans
not only expected to find that the Brit
ish army was beyond the power of as
Stunning the offensiv for some time. but
counted on the French having been
driven back on to the line of the Seine,
and that, though surprised to find the
latter moving forward against them
after they had crossed the hsrne, they
we're in no wise deferred from making
a great effort.
Enemy in Formidable Position.
"On Saturday, tks 18th, the enemy
were found to be occupying a very for
midabIe position opposite US on the
north Of the line at Scissors. They
held both sides of the rive. and i
intrenched line on the hills to the
north of eight road bridges and two
railway bridges crossing the Aisne,
within our section of the front
Seven OF the former and both of the
latter had been demolished
Working from the west to the east,
Continued on page :, ,seOlumn