The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-09-17
CONTEST TO DATE
WITHOUT RESULT
Neither Side Can Claim Advan.
tdge In Numerous Battles
Already Fought.

London, Sept 17.-An official state
ment issued in Paris stated that the
German army was fighting defensive
battle along it's entire front from No
yon, a town on the Disc river, four
teen miles northwest of Compiegne,
to a point north of Verdun. This
would indicate battle front of ap-
proximately 110 miles, almost due
east and west, with the extreme west
at a point fifty-five miles northeast
of Paris.
The German general staff announced
that the situation on the west front
still was favorable. 1t was added
that the allies at no place on the
whole battle front have won vic
tory, and that the Germans can look
with confidence to the outcome. Other
than this no news is obtainable in
Berlin regarding the progress of op-
erations.
Dispatches indicate the center of in
terest has shifted from the right wing
of the German army under General
Won Kluck, which has been hard
pressed for several days, to the left
German wing, where the relief OF
Troyon by the French is regarded in
London as leaving the army of Crown
Prince Frederick William in danger.
Gus situation.
Situation Like German Right.
II the allies are able to prevent the
crown prince from using Metz as a
base of operations it is felt that the
German left wing would be in as seri-
Gus a situation as was its right a few
days ago.
A second great battle in Northern
France since the southbound sweep of
the German invaders met its check
apparently Is progressing to the north
ward of the River Aisne. The oppos-
ing lines are arrayed from the Ar
gonna hills, through Rethel to Cha
teau Percien and near the practice
camp Of scissors, where the progress
of the French summer maneuvers con-
templated cavalry training on large
scale for this very date.
The German right wing in its re-
treat abandoned scissors Monday at
the same time leaving also the south
ern bank of the River Aisne, says a
Scissors message to Paris. The Ger
man retirement northward continued
during Monday night. The French in
their pursuit crossed the river.
The French artillery Tuesday was
heavily in action on the other bank
of the Aisne. The only interruption
of the almost Sabbath-ike stiffness
here is the crash of French artillery
concealed at a point scarcely 300
yards from Scissors, mingled with
the lessened roar of other guns fur
ther distant.
Germans Manifest Skill.
Whether the Germans purpose to
fight to a finish at this position or
plan merely to cover their retreat to
the River Meuse is not yet clear but
the German commanders are showing
the same skill in retreat and in keep
Ing their forces intact as the allies
showed a fortnight ago.
The German rush into France and
their check by the allies has brought
no decisive result and although bat
Ties on a huge scale have been fought
neither side is in position to say 1t
has obtained more than the opening
advantage in the war game.
The allies for the moment have re-
trieved their perilous position and
have turned the tables on the invad-
ers. but the next move is with the
Germans, whose armies are in great
force on ground more or less Sc
lected by themselves for defense.
Official French advices received In
Washington say the German left wing
Is retreating toward Metz. For this
reason the French experts believe the
relief Of Troyon Is likely to have an
important bearing on the fate of the
German army which has been invad.
ING Troyon and neighboring forts near
Toul end verdpn with tha object %