The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-19
FIGHTS CALLED
MERE INCIDENTS
GERMANS REPULsEo AT SAINT
DIE WITH A EAvY
DEATH TOLL.
NOW Have Ten-ineh Mortars in Place
Tor Siege Of Beifort-Pris-
oners Make Attack.


FROM THE BATTLE FRONT. via
previous wars would have been called
great battles were fought TODAY On
the eastern wing of the fghtinr line
strentching from the Belgian coast 10
SMitzeriand. In this great battle OF
nations, however, these fights are re-
garded merely as Incidents. The fphT.
ing always has been OF the most ferce
nature In this district, owing 10 fbe
s,Iennous efforts OF the Germans 10
oDtaln possession of the strong fort
reSses of Nerdun. Toul and Epinal in
France. iH'o
saint Die on the Heurthe 80 miles
noftneast OF Epinal. was the center of
todays attacks, which resulted in a
rrpulse for the Germans with heavy
casualties. The borders of both Alsace
ana Lorraine also felt the shock OF
nattle and In Nosages the famous
French Alpine regiments were in con.
laCl Win German columns. These
Inountaineers continually keen the
6ermans busy by utilizing their re-
markable mountain guns and baffling
thelr guns TO drive them out
Iheir greatest achievement in the
recent operations was the cutting of
railroad communication between Col.
mar. capital OF upper Alsace and Muel-
hausen. Prussia. thereby Increasing
the difficulties Of the Germans in uend-
ing their wounded TO the rear and
ringing up supplies.
The Germans have brought m 10
inch mortars in this district. sup
posedly for an intended eventual
siege OF Belfort. In view OF this nos
sloility the French have renewed their
attacks from the south and again ad-
Vanced beyond Althrche. A great
part OF the theatre OF operations IN
nlght by forest fire along the Swiss
frontier caused by shells falling
across the border.
Only Oesultory Firina.
Along the entrenched line where the
armies have been face TO face for six
weeks nothing beyond a desultuly
compartment occurred to-day: but
further north. on the western wing,
where The German efforts to break
me allies lines have been unsuccess-
fui, the lighting still continues
Durlng dense fog which overhunC
the battle line. hindering operations
on Doth sides, a section of French ar
,liery. under cover OF the fog. recent
y made dash on the Germans ON
the Somme river. surprised the men
IN the trenches, and annihilated their
nrst line with the bayonet
me frenchmen pursued their adj
vantage. but fell into the hands of a
V bdNAdllOn OF herman infantry
VINO captured all OF them. The Fog
thlckened and prevented the Ger
mans rom moving. and they formed
hollow square around the prisoners
ana stacked their arms to await the
clearing OF the atmosphere.
Prisoners Make Attack.
me Germans then bivouacked. and
absolute silence reiened for some lime
Ihen a voice rang out from among
the prisoners, To the guns. com
rades! Every Frcnchman thereupon
rose and rushed to the stacks of guns.
me butts OF which could be seen be.
meath the fog. The German command.
or and dozen men who were stand
ing guard tried 10 resist the French.
but fell under their bayonets and the
entire German battalion dazed BY the
onslaught. surrendered. The French
took them back TO the French lines.
after the fog lifted
On another part Of the line. where
200 Germans were well burrOwed IN
quarrics. the French general called for
200 Turco volunteers. During the
night the Algerians. discarding their
rifles. crept in with bayOnets between
their teeth and surprised the Germans.
81 whom only eight escaped
The number Of spies In the Sar zone
seems undiminished and there are fte-
quent executions Of them. p; incipally
in the east