The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-09-19
PARIS DECLARES THE
ALLIES ARE GAINING
German Reports Assert, How
ever, British and French
Are Falling Back.

London, Sept. 19.--It was announc-
ed officially in Paris that the allies
had progressed somewhat. The west
ern wing is declared to have repulsed
a vigorous German offensive.
An official statement issued at Ber-
lin says the battle between the Disc
and Meuse rivers continues, with sure
indications that the allies are falling
back. 1t is declared that the French
attempt to cut through the German
right wing failed and a sortie from
Verdun, on the right bank of the
Meuse, was repulsed. The German
army is said to be advancing slowly
but surely.
The public in Germany, as well asl
in France and England, has been
forced to content itself with most
meager news of the progress of mill
tary operations.
No extended statements have been
issued in the past until after the re-
tirement or temporary defeat of one
army or the other and this leads to-
the conclusion that the battling con-
tinues to be a draw.
Three Efforts by Allies.
Dispatches would indicate the ef.
forts of the allies have been divided
into three supreme struggles: First,
to dislodge the Germans from the
heights of the Aisne; second, to
break through the Fourth and Fifth
German armies at the center; third.
to outfank the German right under
General Won Kluck. The position of
the Fourth and Fifth armies is con-
sidered not so strong as the remain
der OF the line, while If the fianking
movement is successful the railroads
on which the Germans depend would
be cut.
Roughly speaking the line of the
advance of the allies is threaded by
six rivers, four of which have already
been crossed. The crossing of the
Marne, marking the assumption of
the aggressive by the allies. was pure
ly rear guard action, in which Gen.
eral Won Kluck cleverly kept the Ger
man right from being outfianked. So
far as the British were concerned the
passage of the OurcQ was not con-
tested The Vesle river was only
lightly defended by the Germans,
while, as is now well known, the re-
sistance of the Germans at the Aisne
was and still is Of the most stubborn
character on both the French and
British fronts.
More Rivers to Cross.
II the allies hold the shore across
the Aisne. which they gained despite
the heavy artillery fire from conceal
ed German batteries on the heights
above the river, two more rivers, the
Ailette and the Ois, remain to be
crossed. The country between the
Aisne and the Ailette is ideal for de-
fensive purposes and IL the German
army holds the Aisne heights for a
few days defensive works can be con-
structed along the other two rivers.
which may delay the allies advance
on German territory for a long time.
On the other hand. If the Germans
resume the offensive the country now
occupied by them affords an excellent
operating base.
It is clear from reports coming in
from the allies that the victory in the
battle OF the Marne and the assump-
ton Of the offensive had tremendous
moral effect on the Franco-British
armies.
The next move OF either army is a
matter of speculation, but the press
OF London dwells on the possibility
that the Germans are striving only
to hold strong position with a view
of keeping the allies at bay and thus
affording Emperor William an oppor-
tunity to rush more troops to his
eastern frontier.
Seeks Aid for BeIgians.
New York, Sept. 19.--Madame Van