The Washington herald., 1914-09-03

IA
taking the offensive when the campaign
opened. instead OF maintaining their lines
and strengthening the natural defenses
to resist the impetuous attack Of the
Germans.
Despite the optimistic statements Of the
war minister, no ofhcial would predict
today that siege OF Paris could be
averted.
The heaviest fighting was reported
from Montdidiere, where the German In
fantry In great strength is making a
desperate effotr TO break through the al
lied lines. The object OF the Germans
apparently IL to break through the en-
emy's center, separating the allies into
two forces.
The Germans also were reported TO be
striving to flank the French left and
turn II back on the center. The success
OF such q move would give q portion of
the German army a road TO Paris, while
the rest held on the main army Of the
allies. q
An Evening News dispatch from PariE
says that an important section OF the
general battle which resulted In the re-
treat of the allies left wing was fought
at Bapaume, fourteen miles southeast of
Arras, on Friday morning.
The Germans, the dispatch declares.
brought up many machine guns In a
dense fog. In the engagement which fol-
lowed the French were suffering Sc
verely when the British force came up un-
expectedly and occupied the French posi-
tions, allowing the weary French ter
ritorials to fall back Although hard
pressed, the British continued to fight
a magnificent rear guard action.
Pau Commands the Left
An official statement by the French
war ONCE, that the allies center was
holding, was viewed as encouraging and
II was not overshadowed by official ad-
mission that the left wing was slowly
falling back and that the distance be-
tween the German right and Paris was
steadily diminishing.
Military experts said that the allies
In falling back upon Montdidlere had
taken up a splendid stragetic position.
Gen. Paul Pau, the veteran OF 1870, has
been withdrawn from Lorraine and placed
in command of the French left wing.
A dispatch from Petrograd (St. Peters,
burg) said that the Russian army against
Austria had taken complete possession
Of Lemberg, the capital Of Galicis, after
desperate battle, in which the Austrian
army was all but crushed.
The surviving Austrian regiments were
surrounded. the Russians claimed, and
the entire Austrian army OF 1000 900 Is in
danger Of Annihilation. Whole brigades
OF Austrians were annihilated, and the
Austrian prisoners include men OF high
est rank. The Russians admit appall-
ingly heavy losses, but give no figures.
Abandon BeIfort Attack.
Because Of the activity Of the Russians
in East Prussia, the Germans have been
forced TO abandon their proposed attack
on the French fortress OF BelfOrt. accord
ing to a dispatch today from Basel.
Switzerland. via Rome. The 10000 Ger
mans. with several huge Krupp siege
guns. who crossed the Rhine TO advance
on Belfort, have suddenly withdrawn
from Alsace TO take the place OF the
German troops withdrawn from northern
Lorraine TO oppose the Russians in the
east.
BY this movement OF the Germans, the
French are now in a position to re-
occupy Alsace II they can spare the men
for It. There are today only some 1000
German reservists in the province.
Plan to Invest Antwerp.
A dispatch from Paris said that the
Petit Parisien tonight stated that four
teen German officers had been captured
and sent to Mines.
Dispatches from Ostend today were be-
lieved to indicate that the Germans con-
template the investment Of Antwerp. An
extensive movement OF German troops is
reported from Brussels.
From Antwerp came a dispatch that the
civil authorities have petitioned the gov
ernment to increase the garrison, fearing
a German bombardment.
Paris Gets More Bombs.
The fourth ae-oplane bombardment OF
Paris occurred again today. A German
aviator dropped four bombs, one of which
struck a house in the Place de rOpera,
setting It afre. So far as known there
were no casualties. Soldiers fired at the
aeroplane with rifles and cannon. but the
airman escaped. A German aviator has
bombarded Paris every day this week.