Evening star., 1914-10-06
FRENCH DECLINE TO CONCEDE
CHANCE OF DEFEAT ON AISNE

vigorous offensive. The British and
French encountered such strong re-
vanced detachments on the western
wing were compelled to fall back.
"Only at this part of the long battle
tine did the opposing troops actually
come into close contact.
which hundreds of Thousands Of men
occupy positions, have suffered severe
ly in the recent fighting, and probably
will suffer still more before the strug-
gle for supremacy is over.
1.-The country where the chief fight
ing is going on Is fat and under culti-
walton. In many places 1t is boggy,
and there are scattered coal mines.
The allied armies are continually ex-
eastward toward the Belgian frontier.
thus compelling the Germans. in order
to prevent the crumbling up of their
main army, to move large forces from
the center and SO keep pace with the
allies. whose position menaces the In
vaders along the whole line. The al
lies plan. it is thought, may compel
the Germans to release the pressure on
the Belgians.
Long and Rapid Marches.
THE rapidity with which the French
change position il considered remark
able. Two entire divisions of infantry
marched nearly thirty miles Saturday
and twenty-eight miles Sunday. The
Germans, however. by means OF their
aviators, who are continually fitting
ualties, discovered the movements and
brought up reinforcements to meet
them. As the Germans occupy the IN
side of the circle they are able to reach
an appointed spot with much shorter
ut was this that enabled them to
force the advanced guards OF the al,
lies to cede a small amount OF ground
until further assistance nee came s,ss front
French regiment after three days In
the trenches, on being ordered to the
rear for rest, sent petition through
their colonel to the commanding gen.
erai asking permission to remain until
the German position facing them was
taken. This was granted and the men
advanced. Although they. met with
such q terrific IRE from the machine
guns that an advance of 500 yards took
eight hours. they captured the position
and a number of prisoners. They them
selves suffered severely.
Daring Raid by Cavalry.
French cavalry executed . daring
raid back of the German lines. whore
they blew up a railroad tunnel and es-
capped before their presence was dis
covered.
british lancers and French troopers
performed q brilliant exploit at an
other point. Getting between the Inn
perial Guard and their artillery ammu-
milton train by a long, dashing ride.
they cut of the supplies. DESTROYING
were rendered temporarily useless.
Gen. Jean Rousseau of the French
cavalry died today of wounds.
"Audacious espionage carried on by
the Germans has caused the stan Of
tho allies to deal severely with all
strangers found within the lines. When
two curious Irishmen who were ar
rested yesterday had proved their iden-
tity to the satisfaction Of the officers
they were asked to go to the headquar-
ters building, where an automobile was
drawn up with two officers. apparently
French. occupying the front seat. Be-
hind them were two supposed gen
darmes with a manacled civilian be-
tween them. The stan officer said:
This is the reason for our severity.
These five men are German officers
who were captured today near the hr-
ing line"