The state herald., 1914-08-28
PROMISE DEFEAT OF GERMANS
AFTER CONFLICT is STARTED
FROM NEW BASE.
TO TAKE KON|GSBURG
HoRDEs OF RUSSIA ANNIHILATE
GERMAN EASTERN ARMY IN
ADVANCE INTO PRUSSIA.

Paris, Aug. 25.-The French war OF
lice issued the following announce
ment last night:
"The French and English, the plan
Of attack having failed owing to un-
foreseen difficulties. have retired on
the covering positions.
West of the Meuse the English
army on our left was attacked by the
Germans, but behaved admirably,
holding its ground with traditional
steadfastness.
''The French assumed the offensive
with two army corps. An African bri-
gade in the front line. carried away by
their eagerness, were received by
murderous fire. They did not give an
inch. but, counter attacked by the
Prussian guard, they were Obliged to
retire, only, however, after inflicting
enormous losses. The Prussian guard
especially suffered heavily.
East of the Meuse our troops ad
vanced across an extremely difficult
country and made vigorous attack
when they emerged from the woods,
but were Obliged to fall back after
stiff fight south Of the river Semois.
"On order of General Joffre, our
troops and the English troops with
drew to the covering positions. Our
troops are intact; our cavalry has In
no way suffered and our artillery has
affirmed its superiority. Our officers
and soldiers are in the best Of condi'
tion, morally and physically.
''As result of the orders which
have been issued, the aspect of the
struggle will change for few days.
The French army will remain for n
time on the defensive. but mt the right
moment, to be decided upon by the
commander-in-chief, 1t will resume a
vigorous offensive.
Our losses are heavy; 1t would be
premature to enumerate them. It
would be equally SO to enumerate
those OF the Germans, who suffered so
heavily that they were obliged to
abandon their counter attacks and es-
tablish themselves in fresh positions
in Lorraine.
I'VE made four attacks Yesterday
from our position north OF Nancy, In
flicting very heavy loss on the en-.
emy.
''In regard to the general situation
we have the full use OF our railroads
and retain command OF the seas. Our
operations have enabled the Russians
IN m ha
heart OF east PRUSSIA.
1T is to be regretted that the Of
fensive operations planned failed to
achieve their purposes as a result OF
difficulties impossible to foresee. II
would have shortened the war, but
our defenses remain intact In the
presence OF an already weakened
enemy.
Every Frenchman will deplore the
temporary abandonment OF portions
OF Alsace and Lorraine. which we had
occupied. and certain parts OF the ma.
tional territory will suffer from events
OF which they viii be the theater.
The ordeal is inevitable. but TEN.
porary. Thus detachments OF Ger.
man cavalry, belonging TO an unat.
tached division operating on the ex.
treme right, have penetrated to Rou.
baix tsix miles north OF Lille) and
the Tourcoing district. which are de.
Tended only W territorial reservists
"our valiant people win know how
to find courage TO support this trial.
kki - la.
which Is not 10 he doubted. In tell.
Ing TO the country the whole truth.
the government and military authori.
ties give Il the strongest proof OF
their absolute confidence in victory,
which depends only on our perseve.
rance and tcnacity."
Namur IL reported to have fallen
after the outer fortifications had been
battered by German artillery. The
city wns evacuated almost without a
struggle when the outer dofcnses
were destroyed.
st. Petersburg. Aug. 25.-in n line
OF battle extending from the Poland
border TO the Baltic sea. the hordes
OF Russia are advancing into Ger.
many. sweeping the KRiser's resist.
ancc before them Ike ehnff before
the wind.
The advance guard Of CoaSacks,
which had been harassing the enemy
during the advance and conccntrn.
tion OF the main body OF Russian
troops. has fallen back. The infantry
aud artillery have come To the front.
The fire OF the heavy guns In the
vanguard has swept the pruHsian vii.
lagos along tho frontier out OF o.lst
cnce. Like n swarm Of locusia the
CEar'R foo, troops cover fields and
highways The German soldiers have
been hunted out of every nook and
Granny along the entire line OF
march and behind the Cxara advance
not a German flag or uniform Ia left
Half the territory OF east Prussia
10 now under the Russian flag and