The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-09-24
British Slowly Beating Back the
Kaiser'S FOrCeS, Reports
Genera! French
MAKING STEADY GAINS
II Ground Can Be Held Awhile
Longer Invaders Will Be
on the Run

London, Sept. 24.-Britain's bulldog
fighting spirit that crushed Napoleon
on the field OF Waterloo ana sent the
| Light Brigade i'm obedience to orders
| that meant certain death, charging into
the teeth OF Russia's death dealing ar
tillery at Balaklava, has again been
exomplified In the battle OF the Aisne,
according to the official report OF Field
Marshal Sir John French to Lord Kit
chener, secretary of state for war, de-
scribing the operations Of the British
expeditionary army In France.
British Troops Gain Ground.
In the face o. tOrrential rains that
| hampered troop movements. filled the
trenches with water and increased
many fold the ordinary rigors of des-
perate combat, encountering German
| resistance far greater than had been
anticipated, meeting a foe whose de-
fenses and line OF entrenchments were
far superior TO their own, and whose
smashing offensive and night attacks
kept them i'm constant turmoil, the
British soldiers have remained cheer
full and confident, and, upholding the
best traditions OF their army, have sue
eeeded in repulsing all onsaughts
against them and gradually. out new
ertheless surely, yard by yard. have
been gaining ground.
Defeat Of Germans Predicted.
That the French armies are making
good progress against the Germans,
and that, IL the British troops under
his command can but hold the ground
they have gained for short time
longer, the allies soon will be again in
full pursuit OF a beaten enemy, is the
prediction made by General French.
General French reports the German
resistance along the banks OF the River
Aisne developed unlocked for strength
What had at first appeared To be n
rear guard action has become "undis-
tinguishable from what is known as
pitched battle"
Germans Strongly Entrenched.
The Germans were found to be
strongly entrenched. with their lines
Of defenses cleverly concealed and sup
ported by masked batteries and ma
chine guns and rifle fire that swept the
ground i'm front OF their position with
deadly cross fire. which the heavy
howltzers in the rear maintained a de-
structive high angle fire.
Despite the elaborate defenses. the
British troops succeeded in crossing
tho Aisup and gaining a footing on the
north side Of the river, where they
threw up strong entertainments.
Night Attacks RepuIsed.
They have succeeded in holding their
position despite desperate counter at
tacks and night attacks in which, Cen
eral French says the British have suf-
fered heavy casualties, but says ''it is
probable that those OF the enemy are
heavier"
Gradually the allies have gained
ground in the terrific combat, creeping
forward by degrees--slowly. but never
theless surely smashing the Germans
back, n few yards at time.
Germans Are Pushed Back.
The allies since the beginning of the
battle of the Aisne have pushed back
the Germans distance of dozen
miles. forcing them to seek a new de-
fensive position on the plateau and in
the rough country, which, however,
offer excellent opportunities for en-
trenchment. The headquarters staff
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