Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-09-11

Continued from Page one.)
line extended along the line of the canal
from Condo on the west, through Mons
and Binche on the east.
During August % and q the advance
squadrons did some excellent work, some
OF them penetrating es far as Soignies "a
town of Belgium, ten miles northeast of
Mons and several encounters took place
in which our troops showed to great ad-
vantage.
Attack on Mons Line.
"On Sunday, the 2Sd, reports began to
come in to the effect that the enemy was
commencing an attack on the Mons line
apparently In some strength, but that
the right OF the position from Mons was
being particularly threatened.
1.-THE commander OF the first corps had
pushed his flank back to some high
ground south of Bray and the fifth cav
airy evacuated Binche, moving slightly
south. The enemy then occupied Bnche.
The right OF the third division under
General Hamilton was at Mons, which
formed a somewhat dangerous salient,
and l directed the commander of the
second corps II threatened seriously to
draw back the center behind Mons. This
was done before dark.
In the meantime, about o'clock in
the afternoon. / received a most unex-
pected message from General Joffre, by
telegraph, telling me that at least three
German corps were moving on my posi-
ton in front and that q second corps
was engaged in a turning movement from
the direction of Journal. He also in
formed me that the two reserve French
divisions and the fifth French army corps
on my right were retiring. the Germans
having on the previous day gained pos
session of the passage of Sambre between
Cherleroi and Namur.
In view OF the possibility of my being
driven from the Mons position, I had
previously ordered a position in the rear
to be reconnoitered This position rested
on the Fortress Of Maubeuge on the right
and extended west TO Jenlain. southeast
of Valenciennes on the left. The position
was reported difficult 20 hold because
standing crops and buildings made the
digging of trenches very difficult and
limited the fire in more important locali-
ties. 1t, nevertheless, afforded a few
good artillery positions.
Retreats TO MaubeuEe.
when the news OF the rtirement of the
French and the heavy German threaten
ing on my front reached me I enGeevored
to confirm it by aeroplane reconnaissance.
and as a result OF this determined TO
effect retirement 10 the Maubeuge posi-
ton at daybreak on the 24th.
"A certain amount Of fighting continued
along the whole line throughout the night,
and at daybreak of the Gath the second
division from the neighborhood of Har-
mignies made a powerful demonstration
as II to retake Binche. This was sup
ported by the artillery OF both the first
and the second divisions. while the first
division took up a supporting position in
the netghborhood of Peasant. Under
cover of this demonstration the second
corps retired on the line for Dour.
Quarouble and Frameries. The third di-
vision on the right of the corps suffered
considerable loss in this operation from
the enemy. who had retaken Mons.
The second corps halted on this line,
where they entrenched themselves. en-
abling Sir Douglas Haig. with the first
corps to withdraw TO the new position,
and he effected this without much further
loss. reaching the line from Bavay to
hhuoSuBo dpout IN the evening.
Germans Attack Left.
Towards midnight the enemy appeared
to be directing his principal effort against
our left. I had previously ordered Gen
eral Allenby. with cavalry, TO act vigor-|
ously in advance Of my left front and
endesvor TO take the pressure Off il,
About $50 In the morning General
Anenby received a message from sir
Charles Ferguson, commanding the fifth
division. saying he was very hard pressed
and In urgent need OF support. On receipt
Of this message Allenby drew in his lines
and endeavored 10 bring support TO the
fifth division.
During the course OF this operation
General De Lisle OF the second cavalry
brigade thought he san a good oppor-
tunity to parslyze the further advance