The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-11

and the French are taking advantage of this opening.
 The great battle may continue for days when it is remembered that smaller oper- ations in Manchuria in which hundreds of thousands only were concerned. lasted a fortnight.
 In the west German armies have been fighting almost continuously for 9 days, and until the last phase of the campaign on the offensive. Field Marshal French view that they are becoming exhausted finds ready credence among military ex- perts here.
 A German official wireless dispatch to- night says that no report has been made public in Berlin of events in France for the past three days.
 From Holland comes the news that 60,000 German endorsements are marching south. These troops may haze an effect on the tide of battle, but there is reason to believe the allied armies also are re- ceiving counterbalancing. accession of strength.
 General Frenchs report is published in the London Gazette, the official organ. It follows:
 .The transportation of the troops from England by rail and sea was effected in the best order. and without check. Con- centration was practically completed on the evening of Friday, August 2l, and 1 WdS dDle to make QlSpOSlIlOnS 10 move the force during Saturday to positions considered most favorable. from which to commence the operations which General Joffre requested me to undertake
 'The line extended along the line of the canal from Condo on the west through Mons and Binche on the east.
 During August 22 and 23 the advance squadrons did some excellent work, some of them penetrating as far as Solgnies. town of Belgium. 10 miles northeast of Mons, and several encounters took place. in which our troops showed to great advantage.
 '.On Sunday, August B. reports began to come in to the effect that the enemy was commencing an attack on the Mons line, apparently in some strength, but that the right of the position from Mons was being particularly threatened.
 Tn view of the possibility of my be- ing driven from the Mons position | had previously ordered a position in the rear to be reinforced This position rested on the fortress of Maubeuge on the light and extended west to Jen- lain. southeast of Valenciennes on the left. The position was reported diff ficult to hold because of standing crops and buildings.
 Tt, nevertheless. afforded few good artillery positions.
 When the news of the retirement of
 
 threatening movement on my front reached me. I endeavored to confirm 1t by aeroplane reconnaissance. and as q result of this I determined to effect retirement to the Maubeuge position at daybreak on the 24th.
 "A certain amount of fighting con tinued along the whole line through out the night and at daybreak of the 24th. the second division from the neignborhood of Harmignies made powerful demonstration, as If 10 retake Binche. This was supported by the artillery of both the first and second division. while the first division took up a supporting position m the neisn- borhood of Peissant.
 Second Corps Retires
 Under cover of this demonstration tre Second corps retired on the line of Dour, ouarouble and Frameries. The Third division on the right of the corps suf- fered considerable loss in this operation from the enemy, who had retaken, Mems.
 "The Second corps halted on this Inc, where they entrenched themselves, en- ablIng Sir Douglas Haig. with the First corps. to withdraw to the new position, and ha effected this without much fur ther loss. reaching the line from BavaS to Maubeuge about ! o'clock in the eveu- ing
 "The Fourth division commenced it's de- trajnment at Le Cateau on Sunday. the 23d. and by the morning of the 18th II battalions and brigade of artillery with the divisional staff were available for service.
 Continues Retirement .Throughout the 25th and far into the evening the First corps continued to