The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-09-07
FIRST BATTLES
MERE INCIDENT
0FSTRATEGY"
Official News Bureau SAYS
British Have Achieved
Great Successes.
GEN. SIR JOHN FRENCH
PRAISES HIS SOLDIERS
British Losses To-day Total
$4,000 in Killed, Wounded
and Missing.
BY Cesfruj Neus o. London.


LONDON. September 8.
The statement issued by the official
news bureau to-day SAYS:
What in other wars would have
been considered operations Of the first
magnitude in this war are merely In
cidents Of strategic withdrawal and con.
centration OF the allied forces neces-
STATED by the initial shock on the
frontiers and by the enormous strength
which the Germans have thrown into
the western theatre OF war while suf-
fering heavily through weakness in the
eastern theatre.
THE British forces have conformed
to the general movement of the French
forces and have acted in harmony with
the strategic conceptions of the French
General Star. Since the battle at Cam
brai on August rs. where the British
successfully guarded the left flank Of
the whole French line from a deadly
turning attack supported by enormous
forces. the seventh French army has
come into operation on our left.
This conjunction. with the Nth army
on our right. has greatly taken the
strain and pressure off our men. The
fifth French army in particular on
August 30 advanced from the limo OF
the Disc River to meet counter Ger
man forward movement and a con-
siderable battle developed south Of
Guise. in which the Nth French army
gained a marked and solid success,
driving back with heavy loss and in dis
order three German army corps, the
Tenth, the Guard and a reserve corps.
II is believed that the commander OF
the Tenth German Corps was among
tho killed.
Sham Action Near CsmpteGne.
DESPITE this success. the general re-
tirement toward the south has been
continued, the Germans remaining prac-
tically In continuous contact with our
rear guards Tho British troops on
August 80 and 81 were frequently en-
Raged and on September a very Wig
orous effort made by the Germans
brought about a sharp action In the
neighborhood of Compiegne This ac-
ton was fought principally by the
British cavalry brigade and the Fourth
| Guards brigade and was entirely cat
sfactory 10 the British.
"The German attack, which was most
strongly pressed was not brought &c
a standstill until much slaughter had
been inflicted upon them. Ten German
guns were captured. The brunt or this
creditsble affair fell on our Guards bri'
sade. who lost in killed and wounded
about 500 men. After this engagement
our troops were no longer molested.
"Wednesday. September 2, was thu
first quiet day since tho battle OF Nom
on August 80. During the whole Of THU
pcriod the marching and fighting were
continuous and In the whole period tn
British casualties amounted, according
TO the latest estimates. TO about 1900
officers and men. The fighting havin,
been In open order upon wide from
with repeated retirements led to a larg'
number OF officers and men and ever
small parties missing their way ant
getting separated. 1t 10 known that {
very considerable number OF those nov
included in the total will rejoin (th'
forces) safely.
"These losses, though heavy in 81
small a force. had in nowise affected
the spirit of the troops. They do no
amount to n third Of the losses inflicted
BY the British upon the enemy and tn
sacrifice required Of our army has no
been out OF proportion to Its mil'tar!
achievements.
I'm all drafts amounting TO 1900
men have reached our ARMY or are ap
preaching them on the line OF communi
cation, advantage being taken of TIT
Ave quiet days since September t.
I'll ND the gaps and reit and 10 con
solldate and unite the British army nov
| rn.tlnuea on Third P0lA