Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1914-08-28
Germans Win Battle
in Belgium.
FRENCH WAR OFFICE
ISSUES STATEMENT
Says Allies Plan Of Attack
Failed and Losses on Both
Sides Are Heavy.

Paris, Aug. 25.-The French war
office issued the following announce
ment
"The French and English, the plan
of attack having failed owing to I'M.
foreseen difficulties, have retired on
the covering positions.
West of the Mouse the English
army on our left was attacked by the
Germans, but behaved admirably,
holding it's ground with traditional
steadfastness.
"The French assumed the offensive
with two army corps. An African
brigade in the front line. carried
away by their eagerness, were receiv.
ed by murderous fire. They did not
give an inch, but, counter attacked By
the Prussian guard, they were obliged
to retire, only, however, after inficting
enormous losses. The Prussian guard
especially suffered heavily.
east of the Meuse our troops ad.
vanced across an extremely difficult
country and made a vigorous attack
when they emerged from the woods,
but were obliged to fall back after q
stiff fight south of the River Semois.
Allied Troops Withdraw.
"On order of General Joffre our
troops and the British troops with
drew to the covering positions. Our
troops are intact; our cavalry has in
no way suffered and our artillery has
affirmed it's superiority. Our officers
and soldiers are in the best of condi-
ton, morally and physically.
':As result of the orders which
have been issued the aspect of the
struggle will change for a few days.
The French army will remain for a
time on the defensive, but, at the
right moment. to be decided upon by
the commander-in-chief, it will resume
a vigorous offensive.
Our losses are heavy; it would be
premature to enumerate them It
would be equally so to enumerate
those of the Germans, who suffered
so heavily that they were obliged to
abandon their counter attacks and es-
tablish themselves in fresh positions
in Lorraine.
I'VE delivered four attacks from
our positions north Of Nancy, inflict.
ing very heavy loss on the enemy.
Defenses Remain Intact.
I'm regard to the general situation
we have the full use of our railroads
and retain command of the seas. Our
operations have enabled the Russians
to come into action and penetrate the
heart of West Prussia. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that the offensive operations
planned failed to achieve their pur-
pose as a result of difficulties impos-
sible to foresee. 1t would have short
ened the war, but our defenses remain
intact in the presence of an already
weakened enemy.
Every Frenchman will deplore the
temporary abandonment of portions Of
AlSdCo duu AOIIolu0 WulCA VIC u0U
occupied and certain parts Of the ma
tional territory viii suffer from events
tional territory will suffer from events
'sThe ordeal is inevitable, but tenn
porary. Thus detachments Of German
cavalry belonging to an unattached di.
vision operating on the extreme right
have penetrated to Roubaix (six miles
north of Lille) and the Tourcoing dis.
trict which are defended only by ter.
ritorial reservists.
"Our valiant people will know how
10 find courage to support this trial.
with unfailing faith in final success.
which is not to be doubted. In telling
10 the country the whole truth the
government and military authorities
give it the strongest proof Of their alb
,olute confidence in victory, which de-
Ponds only on our perseverance and