South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-28

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violent attacks which have been
This statement was regarded as the
least satisfactory from a news stand
point that has yet been issued. It
made absolutely no mention of the sit
uation on the right and left wings
where the heaviest fighting Of the Is
days battle has been in progress.
The brevity of the official announce
ment was taken as an indication that
the wishes of the British government
as to the publication Of military de-
tails would be observed. at least in
part, hereafter. 1t is understood
here that a certain plan that has been
conceived in the war office at London
was upset by the publication of GER
tain details made public in Paris.
1t was frankly admitted at head
quarters here today that though the
decisive phase of the combat had not
been reached, the allies had been sur
prised by the continual attacks Of the
Germans and it was impossible to
predict when the struggle would end.
Kaiser Directs Army.
That the kaiser is personally direct
ing the offensive movements of the
German army in France was the be-
lief expressed today at the head
quarters Of Gen. Galleni, military gov
ernor OF Paris. Evidence that the
government holds the same opinion is
contained IN the following sentence
OF the official state ment:
These German attacks were made
with a uniformity which denotes in
structiOns from the highest command
TO seek the solution of the battle"
Thus it would seem for the time
being the German emperor has as
sumed the task Of his general staff.
The 18th day found the great bat
tie Of the Aisne raging more furious
ly than ever, with the hardest fighting
centering on the eastern and western
ends Of the 120-mile line.
Losses Grow Heavier.
That the losses are growing heavier,
due to the increased ferocity OF the
attacks is shown by the greater num-
bers Of wounded that are being
brought from the battle ground.
Especially heavy are the losses on the
Disc, Somme and Aisne rivers. where
the French and British are trying to
encircle Gen. Won Kluck's army and
are meeting with violent counter at
tacks.
1t is impossible to estimate the
staggering loss Of life that has result
ed in the present conflict but it is un-
officially estimated that the Germans
=
wounded and captured since they in
vaded France.
The desperate efforts Of the Ger
mans 10 smash the allied line indi-
Gated that they are endeavoring TO
conclude the engagement before Eng
land can send another army 10 rein
force the allies.
Report Typhoid Epidemic.
1t is reported from the front that
an epidemic of typhoid fever has
broken out in the German army, and
field hospitals suffering from this dis
ease or from measles or dysentery.
The troops, worn TO the point Of ex-
haustiOn by continuous fighting and
marching, fell easy victims 10 disease
when subjected to the inclement
weather which has been prevailing.
The battle continues 10 rage day
and night. When the soldiers are not
under rifle fire they are facing the
hail from machine guns. When they
are not in machine gun range they
are under bombardment from artil-
lery and howitzers.
Some Of the troops have been under
fire continuously for more than $50
hours and the only sleep they have
been able TO get is snatched in the
trenches while artillery is crashing
around them and the bullets are hum
ming overhead
All Forces Engaged.
Both sides have all their forces en-
gagged. The only means Of strength
ening weak points on the battle line
is by moving troops from some other
part Of the front
It seems inevitable that one OF the
armies must break under the terrific
strain. This week the fighting Will
surely see the tide Of victory swing
to one side or the other.
At the eastern end OF the battle
front where the Germans have man
aged TO secure a fOOthOld on the west
side OF the Meuse. south Of Verdun.
the invaders are struggling most Wig
orOusly 70 swing their line 20 the
northwest and thus form a complete
circle OF steel around Verdun and its
forts.
Fierce Fighting Rages.
Farther 10 the west toward the
Argonne forest. the fighting is less
heavy. But 10 the west OF this point
between the ArgOnne and Rheims.
hostilities have taken on a violence
rivaling the ferceness OF the lighting
up the Disc. IL was at that point
that the Germans gained ground but
they subsequently lost IL. AT some
points in tl.at locality the trenches
OF the opposing armies are only 500
II. al