Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-09-18
General War Summary.
BY J. L. GARviN,
Special Correspondent.

The change at the front is, almost
too sudden to inspire perfect trust.
The German army, which advanced
steadily and irresistibly from August
"a to September 2, has now, without
having fought any decisive battle,
started falling back. This movement
has continued for four consecutive
days.
We must not be deceived. Although
we do not know what it is, some for
midable counter stroke is being exc
cuted. The German army has not
yet been defeated anywhere in the
center, where the hardest fighting
has been since Tuesday 1t is never
theless plain that the Germans have
not exerted their full force. They
must be doing something. but what
is the unknown quantity?
Several swe are given. One
suggests that the Germans have de-
cided as the least of the evils pre-
scented to force, if they can, the north
from Verdun to Toul and especially
to reduce the former great fortress.
This would not be a solution nor any
thing like it of the main German prob
lem, but it would very much simpli-
fly it.
The fall of Verdun or of some
Of the smaller forts to the south of
it might compel the allies to resume
their great retreat.
The recent presence of the kaiser
at Metz and near Nancy gives color
to the view that the Germans may
be hoping to batter their way through
the huge artificial bulwarks Of the
| French frontier along the middle
| Mouse. Then the Germans would be
able to concentrate freely at least
six of their seven armies instead OF
five as now for a further invasion Of
France.
The biggest battle, indefinitely pro
longed, would still have to be fought
out more or less on the present lines
Another view is that the Germans
are accumulating strength and work
ing out plans for a more tremendous
| 6IJ6luQt Ou IuS HlCDCA CCuICA a. oCL
anne and Vitry in the hope of break
ing the allies front and cutting of
i at least a considerable portion OF
their forces.
A third view, and l am inclined tt
share it, is that at the end of the
sixth week of the war the whole Ger
man position to the west and te
the east is of a character too unex
pected, too disappointing and too Sc
rious to be dealt with hastily.
The entire change in the military
situation has only become clear tt
the French general staff within the
last two days. Neither General Joffre
it seems, nor his lieutenants, Generals
Pau, Damede, Gallieni nor Sir Johr
French are men to be held cheaply
It is by no al easy to plan a heroic
stroke. Just as the fall of the Ma
muir f~ortressses forced a complete
change in the Anglo-French plan o.
defense two weeks ago and started
their unfortunate retreat. SO nov
there is reason to believe that the
failure of the Germans to turn tht
allies left flank or break through it!
center before Paris has compelled
complete change in the Germans of
fensive program.
One day lost in executing any plaI
by the Germans now is an inestimablt
loss.
sertion was vehemently denied by tn
French.
The German ambassador at Wash
ington admitted that in a c~ablegran
to the president, Emperor William
had protested against the use OF dun
dunn bullets by the allied army and tn
participation in the war by Belgian
civilians.