The Detroit times., 1914-09-15
BRITISH CHIEF
SAYS KAISER'S
men ARE BRUTAL
SIR John French, in Report, De-
clares French Villagers Were
Outraged
OvERCpNFIDENCE COST
GERMANS BATTLE
Ohense in France Believed End
ed-English Air-Men Prove
Efficient
BY ND. q. KEEN.

seems certain. has ended the German
Offensive In France. This was EN-
phasixed In an oficial review of the
general operations which was issued
by the war ONCE today.
The story OF the general campaign
was duplication of the Official state
ment issued on Saturday night, but
the Incidents. as reported by General
French, throw a new light on many
phases OF the campaign. Especially
Is IT made evldent that the Germans
have been responsible for great brutal
ity to the residents Of the territory
through which they have passed. Much
needless damage has been caused by
these tactics. the report says; cha.
teaus have been pillaged and wanton-
lily destroyed.
The report says that on Sept 4. the
Germans were apparently confident
that they had completely defeated the
British and that from then on they
would have only the French, whom
they held in contempt, to reckon with.
Consequently. General Won Kluck be-
gan an attempted thanking march di.
rectly across the front OF the allied
lines. clearly intending TO split the
allies In two and then defeat them at
his leisure. In this manoeuvre he was
outgencraled. the allies being freed
to attack in force by the splendid CO.
operation Of the army Of the defense
OF Paris.
1t Is stated that the numerous let
tiers found on the German dead show
that all OF the troops believed they
were about to enter Paris, when the
order TO retreat was given. They were
SO close TO the city that the bitterest
disappointment Is expressed in many
OF the letters that the attempt to take
the city was not made.
On Sept Z, II is apparent General
Won Kluck realized that he was In
danger of being completely outfiank.
ed. and either annihilated or forced to
surrender. Consequently, on that day
the order to retreat was given and
the high tide OF the German invasion
| OF France had been reached.
AZ that time, the entire British army
and the French sixth army were CO
operating and the German rear and
right flank were In great danger and
we're only saved by precipitate fight
General French pays the highest
tribute 20 the work Of the British avia.
ton corps. They have at all times CO.
operated with the French general
stan and that their work was appre-
ciated is evidenced by the message
regarding them which General Joffre
sent to General French In which he
said:
"The precision. exactitude and reg.
ularity of the news brought to head
- hxr - -.
Is evidence Of the perfect organization
OF these trained pilots and observers.
Their reports have been Of the great
est benefit to me and my stan"
During 20 days Of fighting the Brit
ish aviators have made daily aver
age Of nine reconnaissance fights Of
more than 100 miles each, establishing
the individual ascendency Of the Brit
| fsh methods.
Whenever hostile air craft have
been seen the British have fmmedi
ately attacked with one or two ma
chimes and have driven them on
killing many Of them.
Wherever the Germans occupied
villages on the route of march, the
report OF Gen. French says, It was
their invariable custom to abuse the
inhabitants. They destroyed furni
lture in the homes they occupied, ever
going to the extent OF pulling pic
lures from the wall and demolishint
them.
The report il filled with striking In
cidents, but one Of the most remark
able deals with the operations OF Z
British second army corps. On Sept
10 this section Of the. British forces
was marching northward. Another
! force was reported marching In thu
same direction along parallel road
For q time II was believed this body
also was British troops. Finally .
scout reported II was composed o.
Germans who were retreating.
The British commander immediate
| " took steps to give battle 10 the
enemy. First they were headed on
and then when In the trap an on
deavor was made to give battle by
the Germans. They had all the worst
of the position, however. being
| trapped In a sunken road with great
marsh on their flank. The Germans
were badly defeated and one body OF
400, surrendered.
The same day q small party OF
French troops under a non-ccmmis
stoned officer was surrounded by 9
body Of Germans. They fought des
perately until only the officer and
one man was left alive. Both were
badly wounded and surrendered. The
German officer In command OF the
detachment shook hands with both
complimented them on their bravery
and permitted them to retain theiI
arms as they were carried on or
stretchers side by side. Advices from
Antwerp today say strong bodies ol
Russian troops have been landed In
Belgium and are to cooperate with
the Belgians In attacking the Ger
man lines OF communication. The
advices say that included In the new
lly-arrived forces are cossacks and In
fantry and that they number rot lea
than 100000 men. II Ii stated tha
AZ steamers were used by the British
authorities In transferring these
troops from Archangel to England
among them the Aquitania of thu
Cunard line. Reports here say ths
Aquitania and the Canadian. insteat
OF colliding on the Irish coast al
was previously reported here, actually
smashed while being used as trans
ports and steaming with lights out
Both we're badly damaged. but man
aged TO make port