Evening journal., 1914-09-16
today 5 MOVES
IN THEWAR ZONE:
What THEY MEAN
By J. W. 7. MASON.
Former European Manager Of the United
Press.

ErcsS.
NEW YORK, sept. l6.-(ll a. m.)-
The Germans have checked their head
long retreat from Paris and their line is
holding fast, except at the extreme left.
Here a retirement has taken place 60
the frontier fortified line ON the German
side Of the Lorraine border. running
south from Metz
This army, in Lorraine, is practically
a separate force. Its retreat to the shell
ter of the permanent German fortifca-
tions pobably indicates that much of its
strength has been detached to reinforce
the right wing Of the crown princes
army, and the center Of the entire Ger
man line to the north and northeast Of
Rheims and the Aisne river.
This is the critical strategic position
Of the invaders. Lines of communica-
tion and retreat would be gone if the
allies broke through here. The fact that
the Aisne posts are being held by the
Germans must mean reinforcements
have arrived. The allies reported sew
eral days ago they had possession of
the principal crossings of the Aisne.
Nevertheless, they have been unable
to drive the Germans from the north
of the river
The suggestion advanced in London
that muddy roads and lack Of proper
pontoon bridges account for the dimin.
ished speed Of the allies pursuit, is in
sufficient. The real explanation must
be that the Germans have been
strengthened and General Joffre very
properly has diverted a more cautious
advance.
There is great danger TO the Ger
mans in their present position, but i
must be remembered they number
probably over a million men and
serious blunder resulting from a to-
ardent pursuit might easily result il
disaster to a large part Of the allieI
forces. From the standpoint Of tn
allies. therefore. II is a good sign tha
a more cautious policy is now opera
tive.
An attempt TO rival the rapidity @
the. German drive on Paris would b
in keeping with the former ideas q
the French temperament which Ger
eral JOffres calm ability has done s
much to dissipate. The German ger
eral staff doubtless Is counting on n
possibility OF impetuous generalshi
leading the French into trap Of the
own making. II was largely this san
impetuosity perhaps dictated
stragetic consideration that led TO q
German Marne disaster. With so r
cent an example before them. an
I rash enterprise by the French at Oh
moment would be inexcusable. Thi
\ General JOffre realizes this is ind
Gated by the present slowing up
the allies offensive.
J Russia's advance to the San riv,
suggests that the major operations
Galicia may be sufficiently near
and end to permit the main advan,
, on Berlin shortly to begin. Once ovI
the San river Russia will be past II
= main Austrian fortified line, and if Il
d Petrograd reports of stupendous vi
A tories in Galicia are true, CracOw, 1.
miles west of San river, should
reached without serious OppositiO
! Once at Cracow Russia will be in po
{ session of all Galicia, which the ca
t covets for annexation to his OWL
p Poland. Then, the Russian gener
a staff can give all its time to planniT
= the march to Berlin.
= ,Russias military machine, therefor
y by crossing the San, is entering upC
the last stage of the Galician iourn'
u. which must be concluded TO insu
. the Cars share in the spoils of wa
/ before the long advance through &c
:, many begins.