Evening star., 1914-09-26
FALL Of FORTRESS
FIRST OF ITS KIND
Associated Press. Correspond
ent Describes the Taking
of Maubeuge.
WORK OF GERMAN GUNS
SURPRISE TO THE FRENCH
Able to Overcome What Latter
Thought Impregnable Positions.
Armored Train in Action.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

ROTTERDAM, September 1.-THE
correspondent OF the Berliner Tage-
blatt with the German general head
quarters in the field, describing the
fortification of Maubeuge, recently
taken by the Germans, points to the
fact that this was the first fortress of
its kind to be taken.
The forts consisted of series Of
forts and outworks. These latter were
composed of permanent trenches and
redoubts, access to which was difficult,
owing to the general use of barbed
wire entanglements. The artillery was
placed in deep epaulements. but was
mobile instead of stationary, as usually
Is the case. During the attack on the
fortress an armored train on the line
north of the city was in action.
Before Maubeuge surrendered six
forts and seven units among the out
works were taken by the Germans
The lesson of this, asserts the corre-
spondent, is that the German heavy
artillery was able to overcome what
the French thought to be impregnable
positions.
In view of the German claim that
dumdum ammunition was found in the
French fortress of Longwy. Col.
Darche, commander of the French
troops there. who was permitted 10
prince, has now been deprived OF that
honor.
The German general staff announces
that the recent figures of French. Eng
lish and Russian prisoners OF war, eA-
elusive of the 10000 French taken at
Longwy and all others taken since
that date, total now over 26O,000.
Alcohol Production Cut Down.
According to a journal of the alcohol
Industry. the production Of alcohol in
Germany has been cut down 40 per cent,
and of the remaining 60 per cent large
amount must be converted into prod
uct suitable fuel for motors. This
was due. it is said. to the efforts of the
German government to convert the
potato crop into food. a large part of
which in the past had been used in the
manufacture of alcohol.
The Prussian minister of agriculture
has announced that those wishing TO
establish potato-drying plants could get
necessary capital from the German gov
eminent at per cent returnable be-
tween 1917 and 1924. together with in
terest. provided the production was
commenced Immediately. The manufac-
turers have formed society for the
development of a dried potato produc-
tion and consumption. and are turning
over to this society their entire output.
Bakers everywhere have been instruct
ed to teach the population to use
potato meal as an ingredient for bread
dough. 1t is asserted that while the
was expected. it was unusually rich in
albumen, and the addition of potato
meal. therefore. would be desirable in
proportions of 10 per cent potato starch
and 20 per cent potato meal.
Naturalization of Foreigners.
The German minister of the interior
has recommended that the requirement
IN the German naturalization of for
eigners be limited to the utmost in
favor of foreigners offering their serv-
ices as volunteers in the German army.
Speaking of the advance of the Ger
man right wing in France, Maj. Gen.
Gatti of the Italian army says in the
Corriere Della Sera that the perform
ance was astonishing in speed and in
results. The advance, he says. resem-
bled the progress of an earthslide. The
100 kilometers C11s miles) from Brus-
sells to Compiegne were travelled in
about twenty days. notwithstanding
the fighting. making nine kilometers
CO.. miles) per day. which, in view of
the large bodies moved and the exten-
sion of the line of communications, the
major general adds, was remarkable
performance.
Russians residing in Germany have
received permission to go home, except
males between the ages of seventeen
and forty-five and active and retired
officers: Special trains are being put
at the disposal of those returning to
Rus.ia- y special bureau has been es-
tablished for the issuance of the nee
essary papers.
The return of English, French and
Belgian civilians in Germany is not yet
permitted. but it is thought this will
be merely matter of a few days, pos
sibly after the Russians have gone
home.