The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-09-02
GERMANS VlCT0Rs
FRENCH ADMIT Loss OF ALLIES
IN BELGIAN BATTLE.
FALL BACK TO DEFENSEs

French and English Suffer Serious
Reverse When They Take the Of
fensiye Against Gathering Ger
mans-Allies Fall Back Into
Strongly Entrenched Positions.
The French war Office issued the
following announcement Monday
night:
"The French and English, the
plan of attack having failed owing to
unforeseen circumstances, have retir-
ed on the covering positions.
"West of the Meuse the English
artillery on our left was attacked by
the Germans, but behaved admirably.
holding its ground with traditional
steadfastness.
1.-THE French assumed the offensive
with two army corps. An African
brigade in the front line, carried
away by their eagerness, were receiy-
ed by murderous fire. They did not
give an inch, but counter attacked by
the Prusian guard, they were obliged
to retire, only, however, inf1ictins
enormous losses. The. Prussian
Guard especially suffered heavily.
EAST of the Meuse our troops adj
vanced across an extremely difficult
county and made vigorous attack
when they emerged from the woods,
but were obliged to fall back after a
stiff fight south of the River Semois.
"On order Of Cen. Joffre our troops
and the British troops withdrew to
the covering positions. Our troops
are intact, our cavalry has in no way
suffered and our artillery has affirm
ed its superiority. Our officers and
soldiers are in the best Of condition,
morally and physically.
"As a result of the order which
have been issued the aspect of the
struggle will change for few days.
The French army will remain for a
time on the defensive, but at the
right moment, to be decided on by
the commander-in7chief, it will re-
sumo a vigorous offensive.
"Our losses are heavy; it would be
premature to enumerate them. Il
would be equally so to enumerate
those Of the Germans, who suffered
so heavily that they were obliged to.
abandon their counter attacks and
| establish themselves in fresh posi-
tions in Lorraine.
eve delivered four attacks yes
terday from our positions north of
Macy, inficting very heavy losses on
the enemy.
'ln regard to the general situa-
ton, we have the full use of our
railroads and retain command Of the
seas. Our operations have enabled
the Russians to come into action and
penetrate the heart Of West Prussia.
It is to be regretted that the ofen-
sive operations planned failed to
achieve their purpose as result OF
difficulties impossible to feresee. Il
would have shortened the war. but
| our defences remain intact in the
presence of an already weakened en-
emy.
every Fr.lchman will deplore
the temporary abandonment of por-
tions Of Alsace and Lorraine which
we had occupied, and certain parts
of the national territory will suffer
from events of which they viii be the
| theatre.
"The ordeal is il eyitable, but tenn
porary. Thus det.,chments of Ger
man cavalry belonging to an unas-
tackled division operating on the ex-
treme night, have penetrated in Rou-
bad (six miles north Of Lille} and
the Tourcoing district, which are de-
Tended only ny territos sal reservists.
"Our valiant people will know how
to ind courage to support this trial.
with unfailing faith in haaI success,
which is not to be doubted. In tell
| ing to the country the whole truth,
the government and military authori-
ties give it the strongest proof of
their absolute confidence in victory.
which depends only on our persever-
ance and tenacity."
A dispatch to The Daily Telegraph
| from Ostend says: "An Engiishman
who succeeded in getting out of Brus-
sells to-day probably Sunday makes
the following statement regarding
conditions there:
German troops are being rushed
southwark through Brussels as rapid
! ly as possible. The general estimate
was that 100000 had passed through
during the 4S hours following the oc-
cupation Of the city. The German
troops are finely equipped and cap
able Of making long and hard days
march. Some of their officers whom
I met in the cafes told me that their
companies were making from 80 to
40 miles day.
"'The equipment Of all the Ger
man forces is wonderful. Every de-
tail is perfect. I noticed that of the
thousands Of carts which passed not
one had been requisitioned, but all
were built for military service and
bore the government mark. All their
horses were equipped with an extra