Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-24

LONDON. October "a, 2:15 p.m.-Su-
perlatives have been SO frequently used
in the attempts to describe the engage
ments of the present war that emphasis
of such terms as most desperate"
violent" and crucial has been weak
ened by daily use; but today, as If by
mutual agreement, both German and
British newspapers characterize the
conflict along the front from Lille, in
France, to the Belgian seaboard as the
greatest struggle of all.
London newspapers were quick to
seize the suggestion Of a German mill
tary expert, as cabled here from Berlin,
that this is the critical conflict of the
whole campaign, and whether this be
SO or not, 1t Is contended that the out
come is likely to decide the future of
German operations in France.
Reinforcements of 100000 men are
said to have been rushed to the Ger
man right wing, and it seems no ex-
aggeration to say that these operations
spell the supreme effort of the invad-
ers to break through the allies line.
German Aircraft Active.
Being denied the use of warships,
which have been rendering good serv-
ice for the allies, Germany is said to
be throwing her aircraft. and particu-
larly Zeppelins, more and more into
the fray, and news dispatches relate
that the operations of Zeppelins have
been a marked feature of the fighting
to the southwest of Ostend, to which
seaport the troops of France. England
and Belgium are said to be working
their way.
This in brief is broad view of the
situation in France and Belgium. from
the English standpoint. Which side
h = .k,<r l. IL,
or when noon came, or which will
have 1t when the sun sets, will not be
known except to the general statfs of
the opposing armies. All the public
seen in the nature of a catastrophe
to one army or the other, will be that
the terrific artillery duel near the Bel
gfan coast has continued and that one
side was pushed back here only to ad-
vance there, as was explained in the
official communication issued in Paris
today.
Germans Held In East.
That the Russians, generally speak
ing, continue to hold the upper hand
in the eastern area of the war is the
gist Of most of the dispatches reaching
London. and accepting this as true,
England thinks that the putting of
Germany on the defensive in this terri
tory will prevent her from transferring
any forces to the western arena, a plan
SO often discussed during the early
stages of the war.
The French forts at ,Verdun, which
have been more or less lost sight of
during the days the line Of battle has
been making its way slowly. across
northern France and Belgium, came to
the fore again today as result OF
news from German sources to. the ef-
feet that German forces are drawing
closer to these positions, and that the
French sorties are failing.
London newspapers are treating as
significant the withdrawal of German
troops from Antwerp and Brussels. but
these movements would appear to be
only part of Germany's plan OF REIN
forcing her fighting line.
Antwerp is said to have been practi-
cally deserted by the Germans. and
the wives of German officers In Brus-
sells are said to have received orders
to leave within forty-eight hours.
Gains Are Not Important.
Paris reports that the action on the
allies left wing. continues with great
violence. especially around Arras. La
Basses and Armentferes. where some
of the most desperate fighting of the
war has taken place during the past
fortnight. Here the usual see-saw oc-
ours, first the allies giving some ground
khA INC 1NiRN at