The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-09-10
DRIVE BACK !
GERMANS ALL
ALONG Line
Vigorous Offensive Is Suddenly
Taken by the Allies
DRAMATIC CHANGE IN
THE FORTUNES OF WAR

Powerful Force OF Invaders That has
Been Smashing Back British and
French Unexpectedly outHanked by
Fresh Army Hurled Forward After
Enemy Had Been Lured by Allies
Plan OF Retreat--Battle over ire
mendous Area crumples UP Ger.
man Lines and May Be Carried Into
German Territory-Nothing Appears
TO Have Been Overlooked by strate.
aists Who Planned Surprise
London, Sept. S.-The great gray
armies OF Germany have their backs
to the foe. Lured on by the mastery
strategy OF the French generals.
smashing blow has been delivered by
the allies, and the Germans are slow
ly retreating over the French soil
across which they have been sweep
ing like irresistible conquerers.
Whether the defeat will be so de-
cisiye as to drive the Germans out OF
France and change the war scene to
Germany cannot be determined for
several hours.
All that can be said now is that
for the moment the offensive has been
taken by the allies, that everywhere
along a battlefront of ITS miles the
Germans are either retreating or bare
iy holding their own and that every
indication points to the fact that the
invaders have not only been out
generated but outfought.
The powerful German force that has
for days been smashing back the Brit
ish and the French, seeking to out
flank the retiring armies, was itself
outnanked by a fresh army not yet
identified that struck suddenly and
heavily into the invading ranks at
Nanteuil -e- Haudouin, many miles
north OF the outposts OF the German
force.
OutHanked by Fresh Army
The movement was mastery in plan
and execution. Before the Germans
could face about and get into strate-
gic positions for fighting. another at
tack was delivered at Meaux. The
| fighting began Saturday and hour af-
| nytandnd IN
Sezanne, to Vitry-Le- Francois, and
| finally to Verdun, the great French
fortified town near the Lorraine Dor
| der.
The Germans, confident in their
ability to continue the invasion that
had been so uninterruptedly success
| full, had penetrated to Coulommiers
and LIE Ferte Gaucher on Saturday
and Sunday, meeting with some re-
sistance, but advancing steadily.
Nothing indicated that the French
and British were willing to engage in
battle. The high tide of the German
triumph was sweeping southwark like
tidal wave over the countryside to
the southeast of Paris. Already the
German host was prophesying that
the allies were afraid to fight, that all
France lay powerless before them.
Lured Into a Trap
Lured on until the lines were too
| far outstretched, the first blow OF the
battle Crumpled up the German lines.
Before they could be reformed, the
armies that had been retiring unwill-
ingly we're hurled forward at last :.
Both British and French, rebellious
against the orders that had carried
them backward so many miles.
rushed forward against the lines that
we're trying to face the new danger
from the west.
The German retirement began Sun
day night. but so doubtful even then
was the result of the battle over SO
tremendous an area that not until
Monday did the news of the engage
ment reach Paris. within few miles
OF the great battle lines.
Even now the result Of the fighting
in the east is uncertain, but in the
west the Germans are in position
that is perilous. From Nanteuil-le-
Haudouin the allies have continued
Their victorious march eastward as far
as the River Ourcq, where several en-
gagements have been fought which
have resulted uniformly in German
retreat.
Invaders In Dire Peril
The French official statements,
which have been characterized by con-
servatism and accuracy, do not state
that the German retirement will be
permanent or that the allies can con-
tinue their triumphs.
But unofficial reports, coming d.
rect from the theatre OF war, indi-
cate that the invaders are in dire
peril. One considerable force is said
10. be falling back toward Paris /,
straight upon the great guns that
France expected would be turned upon
an advancing and not retiring foe.
A message from General Pau, the
French hero OF the war, conquerer at
Mulhausen and at Guise, announces
that the allies have won victory at
precy sur Oiise. evidently a still
earlier achievement than that at Nan
II ...t nS mara dramatic and i'm :