Middletown transcript., 1914-08-29

l
the presence of the Germans, arrived
on the scene and killed one, wounded
five and made prisoners Of the others
Paris.-The French War Office is
sued the following announcement:
THE French and English, the plan
of attack having failed owing to un
foreseen difficulties, have retired on
their covering positions.
West Of the Meuse 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 its eagerness, was received by a
murderous fire. The men did not give
an inch, but, counter-attacked by the
Prussian guard, they were obliged to
retire, only, however, after inflicting
enormous losses. The Prussian guard
especially suffered heavily.
RepuIsed East Of Meuse.
East Of the Meuse our troops ad-
vanced across an extreemly difficult
country and made vigorous attack
when they emerged from the woods,
but were obliged to fall back after a
stiff fight south of the River Semois.
"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-
tion, 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
time on the defensive, but at the right
moment, to be decided upon by the
commander-in-chief, it will resume
vigorous offensive.
Losses Admitted To Be Heavy.
"Our losses are heavy; 1t would be
premature to enumerate them. 1t
would be equally so to enumerate1
those of the Germans, who suffered so
heavily that they were obliged to aban-
don their counter-attacks and estab-
lish themselves in fresh positions in
Lorraine.
"We delivered four attacks Sunday
from our positions north of Nancy, in
hicting very heavy loss on the enemy.
''In regard to the general situation,
we have the full use of railroads and
retain command Of the seas. Our
operations have enabled the Russians
to come into action and penetrate the
heart of East Prussia.
"It is to be regretted that the Of
fensive operations planned failed to
achieve their purpose as a result of
difficulties impossible to foresee. 1t !
would have shortened the war, but
our defenses remain intact in the pres
enec of an already weakened enemy.
Also Fell Back In ReichsIand.
Every Frenchman will deplore the
temporary abandonment of portions
of Alsace and Lorraine which we had |
occupied, and certain parts of the ma
tional territory will suffer from events
of which they will be the theatre.
"The 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 Turcoing dis
trict, which are defended only by ter
ritorial reservists.
Tokio.-The Emperor of Japan Sun
day declared war upon Germany,
handed the German Ambassador his
passports and notified the powers of
the action.
This action was taken at the expira-
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