The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-16
GERMANS REGAIN
LOST ADVANTAGE
Original Offensive Plan
Checked, They Ward OFF
Terrific Counter Blow.
ROB ALLIES OF EARLY GAIN

-Four weeks ago the allied army, adj
vancing after tho victory OF the Marne
and temporarily halted along the Aisne,
undertook to turn the Germans out OF
France by a drive by their left nank--thnt
Ia by an attack on Won Kluck. who
then held tho German right. Viewed
from the present evidence this attempt
seems to have failed. despite obvious and
considerable advantages possessed by the
allies at the outset, and the consequences
are now apparent in the prospect of a de-
fcnsive campaign in northwestern France.
Viewed In the light OF Its possible con
sequences, this failure OF the allies is
the most discouraging thing. from their
standpoint, which has happened since the
victory at the Marine. Thus when, about
September 30, the world first began TO
hear OF the move against Won kluck
the situation OF the Germans in France
was wholly Insecure they had suffered
severe reverse, their troops were wearied
by tremendous exertons which had ended
In a temporary check OF considerable pro-
portions. and behind their battle line was
Belgian army based upon strong for
tress, while their flank to tho west. near
which their chief line OF communication
passed, was thinly defended.
For the allies, superior In numbcrs.
heartened by their recent success. there
were both the opportunity and the pros
pect OF material advantage In sight
Having beaten down tho German attempt
to renew their advance to Paris, having
checked the attempt about Rheims and
in the Argonne, they were now In a posi-
tlon from which they could hardly be
driven and had Immediately available
troops not needed on tho front and right
to use on their left.
But four weeks after the beginning
OF the great left flank thrust 1t Is no
longer possible to doubt the fact that In
the larger view at least they have failed
The Germans have not been driven back
from the Champagne HUls to the frontier
TO the Meuse and to the foothills or the
Ardennes Every attack upon their lines
OF communication about st. Quentin, east
Of Doual. around Cambria. has been re-
pulsed. Instead of bending the right OF
tho Germans back upon their centre the
allies have been checked every ;.W th'N
made a new drive. SO the Germans have
steadily extended their line due north
and perpendicular to their contre and l"it,
and now that II has touched Lille IL IL
far away from the main railways winch
after going north for some miles, turn
east.
German Offensive Effective.
/ been able, on shorter lines and presuma-
| biy Wits larger resources to bring up
| on the west the Germans have been able
| TO bring up German troops sufhcient IN
| numbers to hold back the allies thanking
parties. At the same time they have con-
| tinued to throw out tremendous assaults
| from the older portions Of their lines.
| about L.assigny and Roye, along the
| Arsorne and even far off on the Woevre
| Plateau they have driven wedge through
| the Nerdun-Toul barrier forts TO 81
| Mihiel and to the eastern bank or the
| MeuSs.
but the failure OF the allies has been
| the more serious because II they did not
succeed in driving the Germans from the
| Aisne within a hxed time they were
bound to lose certain great advantages
possessed by them. These advantage
they have now lost by the fall OF Ant
werp, the exile OF the Belgian army ana
the consequent freeing of German troops
| hitherto occupied In Belgium for use
| against the allied left.
! Thus already we are beginning to note
the steady drive west and south OF the
| German troops now released at Ant
werp They are approaching Ostend they
have captured Client. They must pres
emily arrive on the extreme left of the
allied armies which Is now On the Fran.
| CO. Belgian frontier. When they touch
the seacoast as they undoubtedly will
then the last prospect of outhankng this
Germans will vanish and the German line
will rest on the sea and the German
fortress of Metz.
All the troops the allies were able tc
concentrate in the west were not suf
ncient to break In on the German right
They we're not able to keep the Ger
mans out OF Lille, out of the northwest
ern tip OF France. hut now some thou
sands OF fresh Germans are released an,
are coming steadily down to this area
Such numerical advantage ~ the allie
have had and been unable to turn int,
victory Ia thus about 20 disappear.
| It is conceivable that about Lille. Ypre
and Arras the allied left may now viii
. smashing victory In the open feel,
against the German right. II It should
the German line In France would agaii
be IN danger But falling In this, tn
| Miles have TO faca the nrohh hillty tina