South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-31
WITHDRAWAL OF ALLIES
WAS STRATEGIC. MOVE
Official Statements Fail to Re-
assure PariSianS, However,
Who StoiCaIIy Prepare for
Siege-DeStrOy Homes.
BY FRANKLIN p. MERRICK.

PARIS, Aug. 31.-Abandoning the
Napole Onic tactics by which the
French army attempted to strike and
shatter the Germans at their weakest
point, the armies of tae republic are
now concentrated along a massive
front TO resist step by step. the an
emy AS ii advances upon the capital.
If by the sheer weight of numbers, the
British and French are forced back
upon the capital. they will not take
refuge here, but will stay in the open
to harass the Germans
This was learned today after Minis
ter of War Millerand had returned to
the war office from the front, where
he was in conference for several hours
at headquarters on Sunday. His de-
parture from the capital was secret
and no official statement as to rea-
sons for it have yet been made public.
but il is understood that at army
headquarters he saw not only Gen.
JOffre, the French commander, but
also Field Marshal French, the
British leader.
Radical Change i'm Plans.
A radical change in the French mil
itary operations has gone into effect
within the last 72 hours. Gen. Joffres
policy of dividing his armies, which
was indorsed by NJ. Messimy, the for
mer war minister, has been discarded.
NJ. Millerand has taken possession. 1t
is expected that Gen. Joffre will be
succeeded by Gen. Pau, the One-armed
hero of the Franco-Prussian war, but
there is no confirmation of rumors to
this effect.
AT any rate. the bOttling up of vast
forces within the confines of the forts
surrounding any of the main centers
of defense. will be avoided. This was
an error committed by the French in
1870.
The fortified cities will De strongly
garrisoned, of course, Paris most
strongly of all, but the French and
British forces will keep the field.
Preparations have already been made
TO establish bases for them in cities
south Of Paris. If the Germans in
vest Paris they will thus Oe between
two fires, the garrison in the capital
and the field army south of 1T. This
will also prevent a terrific strain be
ing placed upon the capitals food
supply.
Withdrawal Was Strategic.
The official statements issued by the
war office says that the continual with
drawal of the allies left wing was for
strategical purposes has failed to re-
assure the people Of Paris, but the eX-
citement manifested over the first an
nouncement of the first rumors that
the capital would be seized has dis
appeared. In it's place has come a de-
termination to fight we'll and suffer
whatever be necessary for the welfare
of the republic.
The daring raid by a German aero
plane that dropped bombs and a de-
mand for the surrender of the city
was confirmed today by war office Off
Gals but no feeling OF panic was evi-
dent among the populace. Even the
boom, boom" of explosions in the
buildings along the river Oise to give
the guns of the forts uninterrupted
range caused no terror.
In the northern outskirts of the cap
ital many OF the residents owning
homes that lie beyond forts De Dom1-
nant. De MontlignOn and De Mont
morenci have fired them in obedience
to the order from the war office.
Beginning tomorrow, dynamite
squads will be sent out TO destroy the
homes that are left standing where
they would afford shelter for a Ger
man attack.
Parisians Are Prepared
The papers print numerous incidents
showing that the Parisians expect the
worst but are prepared for IL The
Bonnet Rouge, commenting upon the
aeroplane attack. says:
''Parisians, it is the salute Of the
barbarian to the city. Courage Con-
fdence. The salute Will be returned.
A French reporter who visited the
northern points where householders
are destroying their homes and COM
ing into the main city. said
The things L have witnessed wrung
my heart. There is where the real
valor OF France is found. Our sol
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