The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-09-12
FIGHTING is Severe
ALONG THE CENTER
Both Sides Rushing Reinforce.
InentS to Crucial Point
Of Engagement.

London, Sept 12.--The key to the
outcome of what perhaps viii be the
greatest battle in history, still raging
on the plains Of Campiegne, to the
east of Paris, lies in the successes of
the center OF the opposing forces. For
five days the tide of battle there has
ebbed and flowed, bearing Germans
and French alternately ON its crest,
but without permanent advantage to
either side. The Germans still appear
to be making headlong efforts to
drive their wedge into the French
line at point to the south of Ver-
dun, and the already large army un-
der Crown Prince Frederick William
has been reinforced with the object
of pushing home this attack, the re-
suit of which is conceded to be of ex-
treme importance.
On the German right wing the Ger
mans officially admit retirement but
not defeat, as was at first reported.
From the extreme right Of the French
lines comes a report that battle scar
red Mulhausen again had fallen to the
possession of France. If this is true
1t will be the fifth or sixth time that
this Alsatian town has changed
hands In the present war
Beleians Harry Rsservists.
The renewal of activities on the
part of the Belgian army seems to
be a fact, but up to the present 1t has
not gone beyond marrying the small
forces of German reseryists left be-
hind when the German army of occu.
patton was sent to the battlefelds to
the east of Paris.
Laconic announcements declare the
Germans have been driven back thir-
ty-six to forty-seven miles from the
line they had reached to the east of
Paris, but no indication is given OF
the breaking of the powerful battle
array which swept through Belgium
and Northern France. Berlin admits
that its forces have retired before
the attack of the allies, but the In
vaders have been strengthened by the
arrival of fresh troops from Belgium
and they may resume the offensive
The allies also are said to be pre-
pairing for German reinforcements by
bringing up reserves. A French OF
fensive Is not unexpected by military
experts. as the French lines occupy
ground that has been used for many
years for maneuvers; consequently
every inch of IL is kncsin to the
French officers.
Claims Are Conflicting.
The conflicting claims In oficia
communications issued at the head
quarters of the opposing forces EN-
phasixe the prudence of the advice
volunteered In a late official French
communication against drawing In
ferences from phases of the struggle
before a decisive result is attained.
The British official bureau reports
the enemy is retreating rapidly cas-
of Soissons in some disorder" In
later telegram 1t is declared that from
further information "the captures o
yesterday are n1gner tnan nrst re
ported. Considerable bodies of In
fantry are being found hiding owini
to the rapid retirement of thei
forces. These surrender at sight
The pursuit of the enemy is beini
vigorously pressed"
German official reports say that Il
the battle east of Paris "the German
held their own in heavy two days
fight against superior forces attack
ing between Meaux, Montmirail an
from the direction of Paris. We cal
tured fifty guns and several thousan
prisoners, but retired the fank whe
the advance of strong hostile column
was reported. The enemy failed :
pursue"
FIVE LINERS AT NEW Y0RI