The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-23
NEW LINE or DEFENsEs
FOR KA|sER's TROOPS
Renewed Activity of Germans BE
lieved to Be Screen to Shield
Retiring Movement.
NOT ACTUALLY on OFFENSIVE
Theory Borne Out by Reports Of
British Flying Corps-Terrific De-
struction Caused by Furious Fight,
ing In Lille Region.

Especial Gable to The Times Dispatch.
PARIS. October 2a.-The furious gem
crul attack launched by the Germans
on both wings OF the allies front to-
day ragged with undated energy, but
the most violent efforts OF the invaders
We're futile.
the general character of the attacks
has led certain officials of the War or
flee TO believe that the renewed ac-
tivity Of the invaders is "a screen to
shield an early retiring movement II
has been noticed that the enemy has
directed Its early assaults with great
violence, but the recent attacks shave
not been repeated with the enormous
energy which characterized those pre-
viously made. This is taken to mean
that the general movement is not ac-
tunlly offensive. but liz designed to con-
reE the impression Of great strength,
while actually the enemy Is preparing
To establish itself on a new line
This theory is borne out by reports
of the British flying corps to General
Sir John French's headquarters, that
German engineers have been hard at
WORK laying out new limo of defenses
far behind that at present occupied by
the kniser's troops
Although the exact location OF this
position is withheld. II Is believed that
the German general staff is convinced
that 1t cannot longer hope TO gain
ground from the North, and now plans
to withdraw its main right wing into
belgium, and devote It's energies to an
the French centre aud left in the
neighborhood of Verduu and the line
Of the Mouse forts,
Both the Belgian and the Franco
british lines held firm to-day, accord
ing to the midnight bulletin Issued from
Bordeaux, and given out by General
Gallieni in Paris.
The most violent oil eli,
chronicled In the official bulletin is
sued III the afternoon occurred i'm the
region between Arras and the Disc
River. Here, under cover of terrific
bombardment from the German field
guns, the infantry attempted an adj
vance in force. but the shell fire from
the French guns, both heavy and quick
firing, was so whitening that the
massed ranks of the oncoming: at
tackers We're torn and wilted by the
raking vo|leys. Compelled TO retire In
the face of the brilliant resistance of
fered by the French, the Germanss re-
covered and with reformed ranks re-
turned TO the attack again, but with
no better results.
About Lille the destruction caused
by the furious fighting of the past week
has been terrific. Whole villages have
beeni RACED in the path of the sh ellis. as
the Germans were driven back, step by
step, onto Lille,
Great gains in ground--from fifteen
to twenty miles in some places--have
heen made by the French ana British
| in this advance on Lille.
In the fighting in the north, where
| the left wing army is heavily engaged,
aided by the British and the Belgians,
attacks by the Germans i'll considerable
force have been repealed near Dixmutle
and around Warneton. while at Armen-
there's, Radenhen and La Bassee furi-
| Gus assaults by the invaders failed 10
make any impression on the allied lines
As matter of fact. the allies were
able to advance their positions ut sew
eral points, Immediately digging them
selves in, a Fricourt. cast of Albert,
a German advance also was halted with
disastrous results to the enemy.