Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-19
CHANGE NEAR
IN EUROPEAN
BATTLE LINE
German FOrcesMassing
For a Concentrated
Attack on Allies

Oct. 1S.-All the signs indicate that a
change is impending in the protracted
struggle in northern France, where
for weeks the hostile armies have
faced each other in such strongly en-
trenched positions that neither has
nous cost. The principal effect of the
mutual fanking operations has been
to extend the battle lines without eth
eder side finding a weak spot.
The German army which besieged
Antwerp is now free and the invad-
ing forces have been strengthened
otherwise for an assault against some
point in the extended battle front.
The point chosen for this offensive
movement is being guarded jealousy.
The bulletins given out by the Ger
man headquarters throw no light on
the nature of the struggle which is
America is perhaps better
informed concerning this than Ger
many. The latest bulletin reports this
stereotyped sentence:
The situation is unchanged
Reports from the front state that
the entrenched positions on the CEN
ter have become full-fiedged fortresses.
The infantry Is lodged in such elabo-
rately protected shelter pits that dam
age is done only when a heavy shell
strikes squarely. Shrapnel or other
fragments do not penetrate. The SOL
diers have introduced mattresses. ia
bles and other comforts into these
underground rooms in which they live
in comparative comfort except when it
is necessary to man the trenches
against infantry attacks. Heavy artil-
lery is planted in masses near the hne
These guns include the rs which were
captured from the fortresses at Sivet,
France.
Demonstrations and false alarms are
frequent. The fall of Antwerp caused
a sudden flare of. activity. the cheers
of the German troops causing the
French to believe that general at
tack was now pending and drawing
general fire from the French forces
Near Rheims, the allies launched
counter attack to anticipate an ex-
pected German charge.
German headquarters state that the
French report of a repulse by the
French of a night attack near Saint
Die, in the French department Oh
Vosges. on Oct. II, had no other
foundation than the German cheering
to which the French answered with
a half hours heavy artillery and rifle
fire along the IT miles front. me
French still hold the eastern frontie:
fortress line, although a number OF
barrier forts have fallen. A letter
from a German officer who was peiore
Toul describes the art with which the
French defend every yard before ana
between the fortresses.
The French infantry is sheltered IN
three story trenches. The bomb proof
infantry positions are rooted with con-
crete. against which all except the
heaviest shells are ineffective. cannon
in disappearing armored armored tur-
rets answer the German fire.
Telephones have been found in
houses outside the French lines. by
means of which the position OF the
German batteries have been betrayed.
The dogs carried letters and carrier
pigeons were used until the dogs were
shot and the pigeons taken.
The German officer in his letter ex-
pressed high praise of the French
ayiators. Where the German earth
works were not concealed from aerial
reconnaissance, the appearance OF
French aviator was followed by an
artillery attack upon the position
How tensely we watch our shrapnei
bursting around these aeroplanes and
how seldom is one brought down.
saws the writer. 1.-THE German aviators
are equally as good"
The Swiss newspapers report severe
fighting and frequent artillery iueis
ir the vicinity of Belfort, France. The
German papers are without dire t
news regarding operations in this &c
ton.
Prince Joachim, youngest son OF
Emperor William. has been promoted
to be a captain and has been re-as :.
signed as a staff officer In the 18th
Army Corps.