The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-29
KAISER MUST WIN.
French Lines Must Be Pierced
A sst Any. Cost.
Otherwise, Cars Steam Roller
Cannot Be Checked.

London, Sept. 29.-In his review Of
the situation of the battle in North
ern France the Paris correspondent OF
the Times says: THE furious battle
Of the Aisne is a soldiers battle in
the sense that ground is won and the
final victory insult be attained by the
courage and tenacity of the infantry.
On no point along the gigantic line has
the AnglO-French wall been pierced.
The German center still holds
strongly. In fact it seems clear. as
pointed out by Colonel Roussel. the
military critic of the Liberte. that the
Germans have received orders to break
through the French lines anywhere
and at any cost. The Russian steam
roller has come too close to be- any
longer disregarded and it is felt by the
German general staff that a decisive
success must be won against the allies
in the western theater of war in order
that Germany may be able to turn ito
attention with assurance to the VIC
torious advance Of the Russians in the
eastern war theater.
The enemy continues to fight with
great fury at certain points of the line,
though the action is 1eneralIv less in
tense along the immense battle front.
A narrow strip Of territory. which they
succeeded in gaining as the result OF
violent attacks, was Immediately re-
won by the allies who captured cam
non, prisoners and flags"
Quiet Follows Sunday Ffrlltinx
Paris. Sept 29.-The comparative
calm on the French battle line yes-
terday after Sundays storm of shot
and she'll was a surprise. 1t was SUD-
posed the extreme violence Of the
German attack meant a determine
ton to finish the campaign on the
Aisne, breaking the allies lines at all
cost, and the pressure, it was expect
ed. would continue especially on the
allies left, where the Germans had
brought reinforcements. The center,
however, was the only point seriously
attacked. probably on the supposition
that the line here has been weakened
to reinforce the left. One theory Is
that the armistice Of four hours
granted by the French for burying
the dead was not sufficient and that
the invaders needed the entire day to
get rid OF the bodies encumbering the
trenches. Another il that further
shifting Of troops is in progress pre-
paratory to a violent shock
In any case the opinion. il preva-
lent here that the Germans are losing
valuable time and that a return Of
the bad weather will perhaps md
them still burrowed in the chalky clay
OF the Aisne district, and they viii
again be forced to uncover themselves
by invading floods.
The operations in the extreme east
of the Vosges and in Alsace have been
hindered by bad weather as there il
snow on the heights and floods in the
valleys The Rhine is much swollen.
while the Doller. Ill and Thur rivers
have overlooked. The plain between
the Muelhausen and the mountains q
under water to great extent and It
is impossible to move heavy artillery,
which gives an advantage to the allies.
who have comparatively light guns.
Both sides, however, are handi-
capped and IL the bad weather con-
tinues it will have the result of pro-
longing the campaign on the side o.
the vosgeS and the Ardennes region.
The French people are busy prepar-
ing winter underclothing for their SOL
diers in the field