The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09
FRENCH TAKE
ALSATIAN TOWN
FROM GERMANS
Surprise Frontier Guard and
Attack Altkirch Sue
cessfully.
TRAP CAVALRY WHEN
1T PURSUES THEM
late Report Says Invaders
Have Entered Muel-
halSen.
spSci1i cabe De.pdtch 10 TnE srS

PARIS, Aug. s.
French troops which crossed the
frontier into Germany won great vic.
tory over the German troops. captured
Inc town Of Altkirch, I'm Alsace. after
fierce fighting and pursued the fleeing
Germans toward Mulhausen. eight miles
distant.
Il IS rumorcd here tonight tina, the
french army operating in Alsace has
entered the fortified city of Muelhau.
sen. II true IL means that the French
have won great victory. as Muelhau-
sens fnrtreSSes were considered of the
h'sf and formed an important link In
tlo German frontier defences.
A'tkirch Is II small town about seven
teen miles from the Swiss border 1t
- seventy miles south of the large
.iy Of Strassburg, the capital OF
N-Hcc.
Earlier in the day the invading
army moving forward from it's posi-
uon at Vie ANA Moyon Vie. which it
oNupied yesterday, attacked the Ger
pInS at Altkirch and was victorious.
II then advanced against Muelhausen.
This invading column has its base at
Ee'furt.
NJ details of the strength Of the in.
Nding army are obtninable at the
French War office. but ii is known
that extensive preparations were made
~ ReIfort In the days of the mobiiza-
ton aud concentration of the French
forces To be ready for extensive op-
rrations in Alsace and Lorraine in an
mort to recapture these lost prov
inrcs"
Expect AIsstinn-' support.
The French people believe that IL the
military control of the two provinces
can be- wresled from the Germans the
people of the provinces will join the
Trench army in resisting any attempt
On the part of the Germans to recover
them.
Muehausen Is the capital of upper
Alsa'o and an important manufacture
ll- town. French military experts say
that q foothold there would enable the
French armies 10 break through the
, hrSt line Of the German defence and
would put Germany clearly on the de-
fansivo.
Tie War Office Describes the In
Nas."n Of AlSace-L Lorraine ms exceed
rs'y brilliant The French advance
guard took the German frontier gun rd
"y surprise aud the latter retreated
eftor losing several killed who were
Ie't on the field.
Tho main body Of German frontier
troops Al that time was at the fortified
to~n Of Alrkirch. Their position was
determined by the French aviators and
10" French main column advanced. with
body Of cavalry sent ahead. Field
'i'l0ry moved with the infantry under
'N"r NJ tho cavalry operation
ID" engagement began with a clash
Wocn the cavalry and the German
oN'r0sts. The French cavalry after a
Wing encounter retired and the Ger
I'N@ started In pursuit. The cavalry
anon led tho Germans in front of the
.n'N artillery. which by this time
.'a h'en placed in position, then sud
.HN sN"rrcd uff AT right angles, leav-
-hr German pursuers facing the
batteries which Immediately opened
hu.
I'"u. % ro"nforcemcnts then were
l.-H"d forward and the infantry began
} ' assault on the Qualifications.
A. Soon - tho French infantry came
INN range of the German batteries
''''r opened on the attacking col
"nr nilct!ug considerable losses. but
' French attack was not turned back,
'' French charged into the fortfica-
'.' 'usi AS Ranking party of French
N"Hp- arrived
I'' Germans fearing they would he
'''"nnd"d, gave way and retreated
'Wir. hutchinson. Outside OF saying
., III" German troops were engaged sin
'I'Ng'h' the War OfllCe gives no fig
..r' on the number OF men engaged in
M battle.
reports received in Paris after the
'.'Wans had fallen back say that the
'hii'ans living in the vicinity went
'' with 10y at the French success
NO A'satians are said TO have destroyed
'eri' NJ the abandoned German from
NbDions and 10 have hauled dowr
VIZ German flags dying over them and
WV mo flag 10 shrcds.
sEeneh soldiers who haYe recrossed