The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-08-27

one army of three or foul corps COW
ering the area from Metz to the Vos- 6
ges mountains. 1t is this German |
army that the french army operating
on the offensive between Toul and
Epinal in the direction of Sarrebursr
a into and was driven back by.
South of the Vosges mountains
there is at least one German army
corps and probably three Austrian
corps in The area with Strasburg as
a base. All of these can be quickly
shifted to reinforce the central Ger
man mass, as there are plenty of
railways available for that operation.
The French concentration probably
has taken place with its left on Reims
or Laon. Whether a serious often
sive was undertaken into Lorraine in
ehe direction of S%aarburg is "a ques-l
ton, although a central advance in
that direction would urn the main
German army.
1t is probable hat the French
would not SO seriously compromise
themselves as to involve so large
a part of their army in this hazard
Gus move, especially as they could
not be We'll prepared for it in the
short time given them from the
. time of their assuming the offensive
in that place.
German reports indicate that there
were eight French corps in this
y theater. This is to be doubted, but
IL SO the french have seriously COM
promised themselves.
y The French also have been wise
not to oppose in force the German
: advance through Belgium, because
= by S o doing they would be playing
: right into the hands of the Ger
, mans; first, because they could not
u begin to bring up forces of sufficient
strength to stop it, and, sec:nd,
e they would run the risk of having
W their forces destroyed and add 70 tho
:" German morale by allowing them TIC
-. English Troops Given Time.
=. Also a delay would give England
- 4 chance to get whatever forces she
y had available. on to the continen'
and into the position where the,
would do the most good. The French
=, then wisely ave taken the defensive
along heir own frontier opposite
. Belgium and have intrenehed AM
strengthened their position to tn
greatest possible extent.
The British troops have beel
brought up probably to the ~vicinit.
of Maubeuge. which is the intrench
ed camp at the southern end of tn
| Lille-Maubeuge defense area. y
this place they viii be enabled t
| xert their maximum effect agains
the flank of the right German col
umn. They are not expected to b
| of much effect, however, as the Gel
mans have provided for this con
tingency by having a greatly super
Tor number of troops in that vic
nifty.
The strategical advance guards {
both forces are 10 in strong cor
| tact n have been so for the las
tive or three days.
rance Defense Put to- Test.
1t may take a week for the pres
ent advance guard actions to /
terminated before the actual contat
of the main armies takes place.
the French are not able to hold III
German advance for that lengt
of time their chances for uccess :
a battle around or north of Rein
will be comparatively small.
A great point is being made i
he European press of Russian su,
ess in East Prussia. While has
fighting may have occurred in tha
area. a study of the German frontis
in that theater will show what to
rible disadvantages Russia labo'
under in offensive operations againI
East Prussia.
An advance by Russia in that d
rection will not become dangoro,
70 Germany until the Vistula riv.
has been crossed and the line of II
Oder attacked. Should this be dor
by Russia her forces would be e.
posed to pretty nearly certain ann
bilation at the hands OF the &c
a and Austrians.
The affairs in the Balkans and {
Austria's Russian frontier On Il
eat have not developed anything a
preaching . decision and wifi Il,
for some time. The forces engage
against Servia at present are sma
! when compared to those in the 9th,
fheaters Of war, and probably co
- sist Of two corps and several r
serve divisions.
of GREAT BRITAIN MAY SEND
.. 600. zoo MEN INTO WI