New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-10
Troops Took Up Position
on Line with Mons
as Centre.
BELIEVED 2 ARMY
CORPS OPPOSED HIM
Retirement Carried Out Success
fully, He Reports, Amid
Continuous Fighting.

London, Sept. 1O.-"The London Ga
zette" issued late last night contains
dispatch from Field Marshal Sir John
French. commander of the British
forces in France, reporting the pro-
ceedings Of his force.
The British took position on August
%, the report says, on a line from
COnds on the west, through Mons and
Bnehe on the east. General French
understood that at the most two army
sorps we're in front o. the British DO
sition.
At 5 o'clock on the evening Of Au-
gust 2S he received a most unexpected
message from General Joffre, the
French commander in chief, to the
effect that three German army corps
we're moving frontily on the British
and that another corps was engaged IN
turning movement from Journal
General Jofre also stated that the
French army on the British right ~as
retiring
As a result of this information re
determined to retire to a position
which he had previously reconnoitred
extending from Maubeuge west 70 Jen-
lain, southeast of Valenciennes.
Support from Msubeuge.
There was a certain amount Of
sighting along the whole line of the
right. The retirement was carried out
successfully throughout the oath amid
continuous lighting.
"As the French trops we're still re-
firing" General French continues, u
had no support except from the fortress
Of Msubeuge and determined attempts
Of the enemy to get around my left
a,nk assured me it was his intention
10 press nc aginst that place and sur
round US. | felt not moment must
be lost in retiring to another position
"This operation was full of danger
and difficulty, not only owing to the
superior force in my front, but the
exhaustion of my troops. The retire
ment recommended early in the morn
ing Of the 25th to a position near lie
Cateau.
Although the troops had been or
dered 10 occupy Cambria, lie Cateau
and Landrecies, and tnat position ana
ground had during the 25th been par
tally prepared and intrenched, l had
grave doubts, owing to the information
received regarding the sccumulating
strength Of the enemy, as to the WIS
dom Of standing there to fight.
Needed Time for Rest.
Moreover, the retirement of the
French troops on my right continued
and / determined 10 make great CT
fort 10 continue the retreat till | could
put substantial obstacle, such as the
SOmme River or the Disc River, be-
iNeen the British and the enemy and
'fOrd the former some opportunity for
lsst and reorganization.
Therefore, the corps commanders
we're ordered TO retreat as soon as pos
slble TO a general line from St. Quentin
to Ribmont"
General French then describes the
march through all that day and until
late in the evening, during which time
ne was necessarily harassed by the
enemy, who continued the attack late
at night on the exhausted British.
General French continues:
General Sordot, commanding three
cavalry divisions, whom | had called
10 my assistance. though he rendered
valuable aid, later was unable to af-
i0fd any support on the most critical
OAy, the 26th, owing TO the exhaustion
oI his horses.
Al daybresk the 18th it became APP
parent that the enemy was throwing
'ne bulk Of his strength against the
Vsatlnued a. Asso Z. sAlauan &