The chronicle=news., 1914-09-17

Paris, Sept. 1.-THE rear guard
action, supposed at first to be in
tended as a check to pursuit and to
facilitate the retreat of the mass of
the armies of Generals Won Kluok
and Won Buelow has developed into
what will probably be called in his
tory the battle Of Aisne. Whether
the Germans have found it necessary
or advisable to turn and engage in
a general action or not, this great
battle wages fiercely and rivals in
importance the battle Of Marne.
The war office says that tho
French have not flinched at any
point. This sounds as II they were
on the defensive and this might be
30 In view Of the strength of the po-
|sition the Germans occupy. ..ft '.d
Tho official communications Sun
day said that French and English
had crossed the Aisne. If so they
have the river at their back, while
the Germans are strongly entrenched
on the heights of Laon and Rheims.
with their right protected by the
Disc and the Aisne at Mon. The
undetermined element in this light is
the allies right. which is in pur-
suit Of the crown princes army. All
reports indicate that the latter is
quite as demoralized as was Won
!tluck's army and is suffering equal
ly from lack of provisions and am
munition. While Won Kluck has no
doubt received what he needs in this
respect 1t is doubtful If the crown
prince has.
The issue of the battle may depend
on whether the crown prince reaches
the front and whether he can make
n stand and prevent the allies from
turning the German left.
The German are slowly giving way
In the great battle that continues to-
day along the line OF the river Aisne.
according to official announcement
made in Paris this afternoon.
The positions of the army of the
German crown prince making It's
way toward the Stenay gap. remains
full OF interest. The French army
which barred the exit of the crown
prince of Toul. Is still hurrying in
pursuit OF him.
Italian and Roumsnian activities
seem today to point to decisive ac-
tion in the near future. Should
these contries take the field against
Austria 1t is argued Chat Russia
would have her hands freed and that
Germany would be thrown entirely
on her own resources to repel the
Russian hosts thus far reinforced.
| The official report is issued in Pa
ris this afternoon on part OF the
lighting north of the capital, shows
that the great battle is continuing
with undecisive results.
The resistance of the Germans
has not been broken, although at GER
tain points thev are described as CIV
ing back slightly. At other points
they continue to fortify themselves.
The French have repulsed soma of
their counter attacks.
The text of the official communi-
cation is rs follows:
| First. on our left wing the re-
distance of the enemy on the heights
Ito the north OF the river Aisne has
continued in spite of the fact that
the enemy gave back slightly at cer-
tain points.
Second. on the center between the
Au Bac on the Aisnc and the Ar
gonnc the situation shows no change,
"Thc enemy continues to fortify
himself along the limo previously In
dicated. Between the Argonne and
the Muese the Germans are en-
trenching themselves in the vicinity
of Mont Faucon. In the Woevre dis
trict we have come in contact with
several dctachments of the enemy be-
tween Et Ant and Tiauccurt.