Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-10-29
Facts Such as This Show Fury
of Conflict in Western The
atre of War--kaiser's Troops
Force Passage of User River.
COLD, WET NIGHTS ARE TRYING
Won KIuck's Command Has Not
Moved, but Three German
Armies Have Changed Front
Are Trying to Shake Off
Grip of Allies at La Bassee.

Paris, oct. p, l:j1 u, m.-The German
masses at La Bassec appear from the
desperate struggle which they are making
to be trying to shake themselves loose
from the close grip Of the allies who
menace thei" communications from there
and from Armentiores. The intense ardor
of the battle was uuliminished to-day
Both armies received reinforcements but
the allied lines Withatood formidable
shoes and delivered severe counter at
lacks
The furious nature Of the conflict can
he gathered from thu fact that in front
of one British infantry division in a
very small space over 1,JoO German bod
les were found after an engagement
while COO German prisoners were taken
by the British in the course Of one at
tack
La Hassoe which forms a promontory
near Lille is very important point
covering railroads which the Germans
seem determined to capture at what
ever cost. but the allies resistance
hitherto has been too stubborn.
RATTLE Is UNABATED.
The battle continues it's course with
undated violence near the Belgian coast
and the Germans have been able to force
themselves across the User, which is a
sluggish, shallow river where the allies
opposed them with strong defense
along every foot of the ground.
General Won Klucks command, which
was thought to be in Belgium, has not
moved from its position on the AiSne, nut
three other German armies have COM
plctely changed their fronts. Grand Duke
Alhrecht of Wuertemherg now COM
mands the forces in Belgium while Cen
eral Won Buclcw is further down and
the army of Crown Prince Rupprecht OF
Bavaria is stretched along line OF
trenches on an extended battle front be.
tween the Somme and the Msne and from
Rheims to the Argonnc region.
MEN LIE on STRAW.
In this last named region the lighting
is only dcsultory. The troops on botf
sides are becoming tired of the inactivity
but the positions of the opposing armies
are too strong to permit of successful
assaults. Therefore the campaisn here
has become one of patient endurance
The cold, wet nights are very trying, be
ing relieved by only occasional spells OF
activity which do not last long.
Most OF tho mon ''.n ou the straw il
the deep trenches, but lookouts are posted
1T wide intervals and these soldiers from
time to time take a shot at their adver-
saries This is Immediately followed by
a general exchange of rifle fire. but soor
all becomes quiet again.
During the nights the sentinels are
posted 90 or 80 yards in advance of the
trenches to give warning of anything un
usual that is happening in the opposing
lines The trenches are connected by
telephone with the headquarters In the
rear where a strong reserve force awaits
the call
FIGHTING IN FORESTS.
In the Argonne region the lighting il
jhe forests has been very heavy witt
numerous casualties while on the heights
of the Meuse the artillery keeps up @
continuous lombard ment. A French oh.
servation official by a daring reconnais,
sance saved a detachment of French ar
tiery and infantry from probable ami
hilation and brought about the defeat of
q strong German column which suffered
terrific losses
The officer made his way by side
paths 10 point n considerable distance
IN front of the French lines where he
perceived that the Germans were ad-
vancing towards n village where the
French We're In occupation He sig
nailed his discovery and the French
evacuated the village and opened artil-
lery fire on tho approaching Germans
who dashed into the houses for shelter
-Four French batteries bombarded and
destroyed the village ana then turned
their attention to the surrounding
woods to which tho Germans had fled
After the fight 5000 German dead wer,
found in the vicinity, only a small
remnant Of the column escaping.
Two French aviators, Corporal Stro
becEs and Mechanic David. to-day pur,
sued and brought down German
aeroplane east of Amiens. Both were
decorated with the military medal OF
honor on the field The operators of
German aeroplane threw four bombs in
to Nerdun. One Of the bombs hrok,
through the roof of a house, doinl
little damage, another did not eXplod,
and two fell into the Meuse.