The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-24
The Battle Now Raging on the
Belgian Boundary
Surpasses in Magnitude Any
Previous Engagement.
GERMANS INCREASE FORCE
Zeppelins Are . Marked Fea-
ture of the Fighting.

London, Oct. 24.-Superlatives have
been SO frequently used IN the at
tempts to describe the engagements of
the present war that the emphasis of
such terms as most desperate 'vio-
lent" and Crucial has been weak
ened by daily use. but today, as if by
mutual agreement, both German and
British newspapers characterize the
conflict along the front from Lille in
France to the Belgian seaboard as the
greatest struggle of all.
London newspapers were quick to
seize the suggestion of q German mil
itary expert as cabled here from Ber-
lin, that this is the critical conflict of
the whole campaign, and whether this
be SO or not, it is contended that the
outcome is likely to decide the fu-
ture of German operations in France.
Reinforcements of 100000 men are
said to have. been rushed to the Ger
man right wing, and it seems no ex-
aggeration to say that these opera
tiOns spell the supreme effort of the
invaders to break through the allies
lines.
Being denied the use of warships
which have been rendering good SER
vice for the allies, Germany is said to
be throwing her aircraft, and partic-
ularly Zeppelins. more and more into
eHC Aldys dAO ucWS OlSpaCCneS relate
that the operations of Zeppelins have
been a marked feature of the fighting
to the southwest Of Ostend, toward
| which seaport the troops Of France
England and Belgium are said to be
working their way.
Results Unknown.
This in brief, is a broad view of the
situation in France and Belgium from
an English standpoint. Which side
had the advantage when dawn broke
or when noon came, or which will
have it when the sun sets, will not be
known except to the general STATS o1
the opposing armies.
All the public will know. barring
something unforeseen in the nature o
a catastrophe to one army or the other
Will be that the terrific artilleer due
and that one side was pushed, bael
here, only to advance there as was ex
pld1hed in the ofiicial communication
issued in Paris last night
That the Russians generally speak
continue to hold the upper hand, il
| the eastern arena Of the war, is tn,
gfst of most of the dispatches reachins
London. and accepting this as tru,
England thinks that the putting q
Germany on the defensive in this ter
rltory will prevent her from transfer.
! ring any forces to the western arena
! a plan SO often discussed during the
early stages of the war
The French forts at Verdun which
have been more or less lost sight O.
during the days the line of battle ha.
been making its way slowly across
northern France and Belgium came t.
the fore again today as result of new.
from German sources that German
forces are drawing closer to these DO.
sitions and that the French sorties arr
| failing.
London newspapers are treating a.
significant the withdrawal of German
troops from Antwerp and Brussels, bu
these movements would appear to b.
only part Of Germanys plan Of rein.
forcemeiits for her fighting line. Th<
dragnet for Germans and Austrians il
the British Isles is still spread out, bu
| there has been a temporary lull IL
these efforts. due to the lack of ade.
| Quate detention camps