The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-22
2 BeZ5150L9ub1xZA E~aIn &. =

brigade landed to reinforce the land
forces, had forced the Germans to aban-
don the project OF mounting their heavy
artillery along the coast for offensive
operations against the British warships
IN this battering Of the coast tho
British airnen are said TO have PLAY
90 an Important part. IT Is supposed
mat the three monitors which We're
purchased by the admiralty at the out
break OF the war from British shin
yards, where they had been construct
ed for Brazil. are the boats which
bombarded the Germans. These mont
tors, christened Humber, Mersey and
Severn, after three. British rivers. are
ideal for such work. They draw about
eight feet of water and carry several
four-fnch Howitzers apiece. with
these guns, when given the range and
position OF the saemy by aerial scouts,
they can throw shells four or five
miles inland.
While nothing is Forthcoming from
the War Office on this feature of the
hghting or on the result OF the bat
tie around Newport, news from the
front through private channels say
that not only did 1.-THE Belgians and al.
lies hold their ground against the at
tempted march on punkirk, but that
they had forced the Germans TO full
back on their reserve lines between
Newport and Ostend.
The pick of the allied troops appar-
emily have been Entrusted with the task
or stemmin3 the movement asuirst
Dunkirk. Could the Germans seize this
seaport and establish naval base for
their submarines, they would menace
seriously the short water line oil com
munfcation between England and
France, and doubtless would press OH
IN determined effort to take Calais
almost within the range of their
heaviest guns to the British coast.
Therefore, 1t Is thought that the pick
of the German right wing has been
intrusted with the task of seiZing Dun
Kirk This makes the battle ground
from Newport to Dixmude the CRAP
pie OF the choicest troops OF the line on
both sides.
Summing up its official report of the
operations in the north, with the state
ment S!,nt the allied forces are hold
ing their own at all points" the War
| Office dismissed the situation in the
centre and on the right wing with the
cusionnrlly terse there is nothing TO
announce" but reports OF activity IN
the region about Verdun and from
Nancy to Metz from other sources snid
thar fighting of q desperate character
WAS in progress there.
General Gallieni. military governor
of Paris, vigorously denounced re-
port that reached Paris from Berlin. to
the effect that several Of the forts in
the outer ring of Verdun had been
captured by the Germans. Heavy rains
have been reported from that section
and 1t is believed here that in con
sequence the rapid movement Of cav
airy and artillery has been so seriously
hampered that both sides have settled
down to the use of artillery from in
trenched positions.
Indications that France Is preparing
for long struggle are seen in orders
from Bordeaux. calling to the colors all
French youths who are approaching
eighteen years OF age. Ordinarily they
would be called to serve In 1916, but
they have been ordered to report for
preliminary training By officers TO be
designated by Baron Pierre de Cou-
bertin. This will provide. an additional
100000 men for the French army