The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-09
The Allies Center Rests on tho
Field Of Chalons.
WHERE ATTILlA WAS BEATEN
And Napoleon Conducted His
Brilliant Defensive Campaign.
Here Victory Was Won After
Commander Had Surrendered.

London. Sept. s.-If inspiration
means to the French soldier what 1t
did in the time of the first Napoleon.
the situation today Of the allies center
on the historic field of Chalons should
offer compensation for q disheartening
month OF rear-guard actions.
At any rate. the allies, now superior
or at least equal in numbers to the
Germans. evidently have begun the Of
fensive.
At least 100000 men are engaged
on both sides. and as the center Of the
true to many prophecies, another Ar
mageddon may take place where At
tilla, surnamed the ''Scourge of God,'
was defeated by the allied Visigoths
and Romans in the bloodiest battle in
the worlds history.
On these plains. centuries later, Ma
poleon conducted the most brilliant de-
fensive campaign Of his career. The
French soldiers will not be allowed to
forget, also. that on this field a French
army fought victorious action after
its commander had surrendered his
sword.
Logically, a great decisive battle
ought to be under way from Paris to
Verdun, but the veil of secrecy and
meagerness Of the official communica-
garding the nature of the engagement
proceeding in the western war theater.
News from Austria indicates that the
dual monarchy is in grave danger of
internal troubles while her military sit
uatfon Is daily becoming worse.
Berlin Less Optimistic.
Even Berlin seems to have lost some
thing of its prevailing optimism. 1t
confesses to the turning Of anxious eyes
in the direction of Galicia. During the
first few weeks Of the war Germany
and Austria virtually dictated the di-
rectfon of the campaign along the Rus
sian border, because of the inadequacy
of Russian railroad and other transport
tatfOn. But this situation has been
radically changed by the Russians sue
cesses in Galicia.
Russia now appears to be assuming
the offensive in East Prussia. She has
thrown 100000 men along the bor-
der. This action IS regarded here as
q. menace against the heart of Ger
many, which cannot remain unan-
swered. Hence the stories Of the
movements Of German veterans from
the western war area to the eastern
Prussian frontier are generally con-
sidered credible.
Capture OF Nicolaicn.
The latest Russian success, the cap.
ture Of the fortress of Nicolaieff. about
Is miles southwest of Lemberg. is al
most as great feat as the taking OF
Lemberg itself. The place is not only
strongly fortified. but it was believed
to be virtually unassailable. owing to
the fact that it was surrounded by
marshes extending rs miles.
One of the most significant features
of the Austrian misfortunes is the
growing uneasiness in Rumania and
other Baltic states. Montenegro and
Servia already are engaged against
Austria and have taken the offensive
Rumania also is hungry for territory
and is said to be ready at any moment
to throw her 100000 veteran troops
against Austria.
Another brilliant success along the
border by the troops of Emperor Mich
| o1as is almost certain to unite the Slax
| states of southeastern Europe to hel
cause.
Russia evidently has again begun
her advance along the East Prussiar
| frontier, the Russian vanguard beinf
reported today 60 miles beyond Koen
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