New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-17
RETREATING FOES
in SORE STRAITS
All HomeWard Routes for
German Armies Thick
with Dangers.
BY NINE. Jean ALCIDE PICARD.

Paris, Sept. 16.--What we want deS-
pcrRtely We are very much inclined 10
imagine actually happens This is tie
only explanation of the announcement
made by the Wolff Agency of the Ver-
dur bOmbgrdment ana the fall Of Fort
Trovon, which announcement. was con-
tn Gicted officially last night. Verduu
has never been besieged. Troyon re-
sisted violent attacks, but has been ell
tirely cleared since Monday. Our
northeastern line. as the Germans
know, offers them an opportunity to
break through, but is guarded BY
Troyon. Hence the efforts to storm
that place.
That the enemies have stopped their
disordcrl; retreat 20 try to organize ii
defence we know. The latest reports
arc that this is not an offensive, but a
desperate effort to cover the return to
Germany for the bulk Of their troops,
the immense forces now in French ter
ritory. They have only few routes to
depend on, and all are crossed by seri-
Gus distractions, the Allies outfank-
ing their columns in the west while
their left withdraws toward the north
east. 1t may be the result of our OPP
erations on their right, but more Likely
NAaNN dAN SNNNlAe NdACbN my Sbil'
hold the north of the Argonne forest,
and are probably using that as pivot.
The mass Of their army will turn
through the shortest course to take
refuge under the protection of Metz
and Thionville, along the Moselle.
Avoiding the Belgians.
There are two advantages in the plan
to seek the nearest safety zone. One
is the possibility of giving a wide berth
to the danger Of the Belgian army il
the north. To execute tits manpuvra
they must cross the Meuse at safe
distance from NerdUn. Between
Charny and SteNay. twenty-four miles
apart. they can throw five army corps.
which could take Dainvillers. Etaiu,
Contains and Bricy. but 20 reach Eta.a
they must cross the Meuse not so far
north from Toul and Nancy but thai
our troops might take an offensive
position between E:ain and the upper
Meuse.
The other return route lies between
Stenay and Mezieres, but there arr
serious obstacles 10 crossing the Meusc
and the Ardennes forest, which latter
is traversed by five roads. Once
through il, the way home is open
through Luxembourg and Treves. but
it is not impossible that a Belgian
army coming south through Paiseul
and Neufchateau could master TIE
northern issues in the Ardennes and
throw the army back on Sedan.
On the left the two western armies,
commanded by Generals Won Kluck and
Won Bllow, seem to be aiming to pass
Vervins and Chimay, but they Will find
small chance to cross the Meuse be-
tween Givet and Namur, and may be
surrounded even before reaching the
river. The heavy artillery is great
impediment 20 their retreat, and they
are abandoning q great quantity on
the way.
Their retreat is so precipitate "a
some points as to take on the character
Of fight. They leave behind prisoners
and wounded, war material. and even
papers Of the General Staff and letters
for soldiers.
Six Officers Caught.
At La Fore Champenoise. where the
hight was very hot the Allies found ~
a house six officers Of the PruSSian
Guard. the flower Of the German arm%,
dead drunk. They were picked up be.
fore they knew what had happened
In the last two DAYS more thar
twenty-five trains have arrived on the
eastern and northern railroads loaded
with cannon. guns, mitrailleuses, an
muntion, three aerOplanes, auto
mobiles, ambulances and various out
fits.
The German Withdrawal seems r.
markable difference from our own well
planned retreat after Charleroi, which
was represented as defeat in Ger
many. This retreat was so orderly
that on meeting a herd of cows below
ing to be MIXED French soldiers re-
cruited among peasants. who under
stood the animals distress, asked ana
received permission to relieve them.
Three hundred prisoners passed
through Paris yesterday on the way 10
! OrlfaLs