Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-23

been very heavy and on Sunday, Mon
day and Tuesday was practically con
| tinuous. Nevertheless, in spite of thu
| general din caused by the reports o
| the immense number of heavy guns II
action along our front on Wednesday
! the arrival of the French force acting
against the German right flank was a
/ once announced on the east of ou
front some miles away by the continu
Gus roar of their quick-f1ring artillery
with which their attack was opened.
so far as the British are concerned
the greater part of this week has beer
passed in bombardment, in gaining
ground by degrees and in beating bach
slaughter Our casualties have beer
severe, but it is probable that those OF
the enemy are heavier.
1.-The rain has caused great drop III
the temperature and there is more thar
a distant feeling of autumn in the air
especially in the early mornings.
French Fight Fiercely.
"On our right and left the French
have been fighting fiercely and have
also been gradually gaining ground
One village has already during TINS
battle been captured and recaptured
twice by each side, and at the time OF
writing remains in the hands OF the
Germans.
THE fighting has been at close quar-
tiers and of the most desperate nature
and the streets of the village are nlleo
with dead of both sides.
las an example of the spirit which Is
inspiring our allies. the folioWihe
ed September 9. after the battle OF
Montmirail, by the commander OF the
French fifth army is given:
Soldiers: Upon the memorable neios
of Montmirail, of Vauchamps' o.
Champaubert. which century ago wit
messed the victories of our ancestors
over Blucher's Prussians, your vigor-
our offensive has triumphed over tne
resistance of the Germans. Held on MS
flank. his center broken the enemy st n y
north by forced marches. The most re-
nowned army corps Of old Prussia. the
contingents of Westphalia. Of Hanover
of Brandenburg, have retired IN haste
before you.
This first success is no more than
the prelude. The enemy is shaken, but
not yet decisively beaten. You nave
still to undergo severe hardsnps; 70
ties. May the image of our country
soiled by barbarians. always remain
before your eyes! Never was 1t more
necessary to sacrifice all for her.
in the lighting Of the last few days, my
thoughts turn toward you. the victors
in the next battle. Forward. soldiers
'0f aFRENcHEr D'EsPEREY.
General Commanding the Fifth
"sMontmirail, 9th September. 1914
German Army Formidable.
1.-THE Germans are formidable en-
envy, well trained. long prepared and
brave Their soldiers are carrying or
the contest with skill and valor. New
ertheless, they are fighting to win. any.
how, regardless of all the rules of fail
play, and there is evidence tina they
do not hesitate at anything intorder tc
gain victory.
"a large number of the tales Of theiI
misbehaviors are exaggeratfon, ano
some of the stringent precautions they
have taken to guard themselves against
the inhabitants of the areas traversec
are possibly justifable measures Of
war But at the same time 1t has beer
definitely established that they have
committed atrocities on many occa'
sions and they have been guilty of bru
tai conduct.
terest is the following: During 3
| counter attack by the German 53t
| Regiment on portions of the North
| ampton and Queens regiments Thurs
day. the 18th. force of some 400 O
| the enemy was allowed to approach
| right up to the trench occupied by &
platoon of the former regiment, owing
| to the fact that they had held up theil
| hands and made gestures that were in
terpreted as signs that they wished t.
on the parapet of the trench held b!
the Northamptons they opened fire OF
| our men at point blank range.
| "Unluckily for the enemy. however