Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-09-01
GIGANTIC ARMIES
NOW ARE ENCAG-
Ed IN BIG BATTLE
As Allies Struggle to Hold Teutons.
Russian Host Draws Nearer
Berlin.
BRITISH ALTER THEIR POSITION
French Operations, Extending Over
Distance of $50 Miles, Neces-
state Change.

London, Aug. %, 1 a. m.-The
conflict of millions appears at last
to be in progress. Even such news
as the sinking of the German steam
er Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse pales
beside the titanic battle evidenced
by the tribute of General Joffre, the
French commander in chief, to the
British arms, and the realization
that the allies are fighting to block
the road to Paris, with the Germans
hardly farther away than New York
is to Philadelphia.
Meanwhile the Russian host is
drawing nearer to Berlin. Not even
during the first great struggle be-
tween Europe and Asia on the far
Manchurian plains was the enor-
nous battle fought in such impene-
trable silence as far as concerns the
outer world.
LITTLE NEWS OF BATTLE.
Only the vaguest generalities are
given to the peoples of Great Britain
and France by their respective gov
ernments. Probably the German
people know little more of what
their armies are accomplishing.
All the information the British
public obtained yesterday was the
report from the French, announced
by Premier Asquith in the house of
commons, that the army was engag-
ed Wednesday against superior
force and fought splendidly, and
that he considered his position and
prospects in the impending battle
BRITISH CHANGE POSITION.
After midnight the officials news
bureau gave further information
that the French operations, extend
ing over a distance of ESQ miles,
necessitated changes in the position
of the British troops, which are oc-
cupying a strong line supported by
the French on both TANKS, to meet
the Germans.
The impending battle undoubted-
ly will be an attempt by the Ger
mans, with the hugest army ever
employed for a swift attack, to
sledge hammer it's way through the
allies lines while trying to outflank
them between the left and the sea-
board
The Pail Mall Gazette's cores
pendent says the fighting has been
on front twenty miles along the
line between Cambria and LIE Cateau
and between the rivers Scheldt and
while the Germans have
steadily been attempting an out
thanking movement by forced
The allies have the adj
vantage Of working on interior lines
and have been falling back in the
interest of concentration.
The Russians appear to be stead
lily advancing in east Prussia. They
are approaching the great fortress
Of Koenigsberg and have crossed tho
river ALE at several points. While
they continue their advance with
Posen as their objective, they are
the Austrians between
the Sniester and the Vistula and
claim a number of victories along
hat line.
AUSTRIANS CLAIM VICTORY.
The Austrians assert that they
nave detected the Russians in six
lays battle near Krasnik, Russian
Poland, repulsing them decisively
over the entire front of about forty
.hree miles. A dozen battles are be-
ng fought around a great wall Of
German and Austrian bayonets, all
If which will be considered mile
tones of history in less overwhelm-
ng days.
The sinking of the Kaiser Will
lelm der Crosse by British cruis-
r and the loss of the German cruis-
r Magdeburg are small episodes in
he chronicles of day. The Brit
sh public is becoming restless I'M
er the suspense. The newspapers
re beginning to demand a loosen
ng of the censorship, while women
hrong the war Office for word as to
7hether their husbands and sons are
mong the 1000 British dead and
rounded of last weeks fighting.