The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-08
Fiercest Fighting in the
French Theatre of
War Takes Place
Since Monday
ENDURANC OF
HUMANS TESTED
Each Side as Determined as the Othe,
Not to Give Up the Struggle Be
fore Victory is Achieved on tn,
Aisne

On the Battle Front, Oct. Z, Via
Paris, Oct. s, t2.i1 A. M.-The ierces-
fighting which has marked the confiic-
IN the French theatre of war has taker
place since Monday on the western
wing of the allied armies. New force;
of German cavalry and infantry which
have appeared in front of the allies
lines have used every resource and
every effort to attain success. They
have thrown themselves again and
again at the French and British whc
have brought equally strong bodies of
troops forward to oppose them,
The battle is no longer one of ma.
chine-like strategy of two armies, hut
a contest centeripg in the powers of en-
durance Of two bodies of human ne.
ings,. each as determined as the other
not to give up the struggle before VIC
tory is achieved. Here and there the
lines have falterei one way or the
other under the shock, but again have
tightened up and become firm.
Break Through Allies Lines
At one point the German cavalry
even succeeded in breaking through the
allied lines at place which must re-
main undisclosed but not in sufficient
strength to make their feat of appreci-
able Importance. The retirement of
the allies was, however, fully in ac-
cordance with the plans Of the general
staff. The breach in the line was at
an acute angle and the Germans we're
placed in a very precarious position
from which they were ousted with
great loss later in the day.
All through last night and to-day
the fight proceeded, continuing until
this evening when a period of calm set
in. Never, perhaps, in military annals
have so many men come to close grips
with cold steel and kept up the strug
gle so long. On both sides many re-
markable instances have been recorded
of daring and bravery and the French
and British troops, who themselves
showed unparalleled GOODNESS and cour-
age without exception, when the fury
of the battle died down, expressed ad-
miration for the fearlessness of their
German opponents.
Terrible Nature of Fighting
The terrific nature of the fighting
may be seen from this fact: One com
pany of French infantry started the
war with 100 men and full compile
ment of officers. Since then it has re-
ceived drafts bringing the total up to
324. To-day the company is composed
of 80 men, commanded by a sergeant,
all the higher officers having disap-
peared.
The heroic self-sacrifce shown by
wounded men is exemplifed in the re-
ply of British soldier who greeted q
comrade, coming to his assistance with:
"Hike off | IN no good any more.
An official announcement made
known to-day for the first time the
vast numbers of the German forces
fighting against the allies in Belgium
and France. They are composed of no
fewer than % army corps of the active
German army, s army corps of re-
serves, several divisions of the land
wehr and large detachments of the
landsturm. Under normal condition.
this number of units make a grand to-
tai of nearly 100000 men. From
this total, however, losses must be de-
Quoted The number of allies facing
the Germans has not been made public
but it is known to be very large.
Emblem Beneath Heap of Dead
In abandoned German trench oppo-
site the English lines, unvisited since
September 10, was found to- day a Ger
man regimental flag beneath great
heap of dead. The emblem was taken
to the headquarters of the British field
marshal, Sir John French
1t is generally expected that to-
morrow (Thursday) the fighting on the
western wing will have extended to
Belgian soil, as the cavalry of bath ar
mics is operating with incredible swift
ness.