Evening star., 1914-10-05
PARIS BELIEVES GREAT BATTLE
IS DRAWING NEAR CONCLUSION

Both armies, however, have kept up
| desultory firing at nearly all points, al
| though the infantry did not come into
action.
The French soldiers were greatly
| surprised today to see their British
comrades after the long spell in the
rear and initiate several foot balls and
begin lively games. Some of the Brit
! ish battalions had lost a large proper
tion of their numbers in the severe bat
ties of the last week, but the zest of
the men for the sport was unabated.
| Two battalions engaged in a regular
match. on the result of which some
| money changed hands. The players
stripped off their tunics and caps, but
retained their footgear, which was
covered with thick layers of clay from
the trenches.
This morning most of the units not
actually advanced on the firing line at
tended open-air religious services con-
Quoted by the army chaplatnS.
The news that President Poincare Is
coming to the front has created good
impression in all ranks in the army.
Poincare Off for Front.
BORDEAUX. October s. President
Poincare, accompanied by Premier Nivi-
ami and Minister of War Alexandra
Millerand, left at noon yesterday to
visit the battle front. The party trav-
sent from the temporary capital for
three or four days.
The president goes to the battle line
not to take part in the strategy, as
Is the case of Emperor William and
possibly Emperor Nicholas, but that
troops upon the bravery they have dis
played in the long and stubborn fight
ing.
NJ. Poincare long ago determined
upon this project, but until now has
been prevented from executing 1t,
either by the necessity of presiding at
the daily cabinet conferences or by the
wish of the military authorities, who
deemed the moment unfavorable for
the trip.
The news Of the presidents departure.
for the front has given rise to rumors
that the allies have gained a great
victory, the news of which is with
held, and that NJ. Poincare has gone to
Germans.
First Visit to Joffre.
The correctness of this deduction is
officially denied, and it is repeated the
situation in the fighting zone is as de-
scribed by the statement of the war
Office 1t is added that the presidents
sole motive is to convey the nations
appreciation and encouragement to the
troops Ile1r long anu ulihSu1i 81 o67
gle to free the soil of the invaders.
The president will first visit the head
quarters of Gen. Joseph Joffre, COM
mander-in-chief of the French army.
Interest in every movement of the al
lies as revealed in the official announce
ments of the war office and reports or
the enemy's strategy. continues intense.
Despite the rushing Of reinforcements
to aid the Germans. their attacks. as
viewed here, seem to have little erect
The battle takes Oh more and more the
form of a siege. Additional German
forces which are being sent to the lines
of the Aisne and Disc. it is noted, are
not coming. from Lorraine, Belgium or
Germany, but are being drawn from
the army operating in Champagne
province. The withdrawal Of German
forces from the center has caused con-
siderable surprise in view of the
extraordinary precautions taken to
stop the French advance in this re-
gion, especially the center Is regard
ed as an important element in the Ger
man defense.