Evening star., 1939-09-17
Movements on Europe's BottIefieIds-Doy by Day
Bottle Of the Soar Brings Hundreds Thousands Action
In West Germans Prepare Smashing Attack Warsaw
By the Associated Press.

| BY the Associated Press.
The first general battle OF the
western front-described as "the
battle of the Saar"-developed yes
terday between hundreds of thou
sands of French and German troops.
The French general staff reported
the Germans were driven to re-
treat, and stated they were Destroy
ing villages behind them.
Heavy activity" of both artil-
leries was reported along the entire
front, which extended 40 miles
southeastward from the Moselle
Valley to Saarbruecken.
Military experts estimated that
Is German divisions, or from 150,-
900 to 225,000 men, were opposing
an equal or larger number of
Frenchmen. AS the battle pro-
gressed, the French said, the Ger
mans constantly" brought up REIN
forcements.
Swiss advices said the German
high command, abruptly changing
its defense tactics, had launched a
series of violent attacks in four
main sectors of the western front
Warsaw Residents Warned.
Army gave the Warsaw populace
II hours to leave the city under
threat of bombardment at an ulti-
matum expiration, believed to be
am. Sunday, or 9 pm. Saturday
eastern standard time).
A smashing German attack on
the Polish capital was expected
soon after that hour. The Germans
said they had advised the Polish
civilians by leaflets dropped from
airplanes that they could leave the
city on two roads which would be
protected.
A Polish radio announcer in War;
saw announced last night that a
terrific land and air bombardment
of the capital had been under way
all day Saturday. 1t was described
as the beginning of an apparent at
tempt to take Warsaw at all COSTS"
Germany, again silent on activi-
ties on her western front, disclosed
in communiqueS that bitter fighting
was under way in Poland, particu-
larly around Kutno and Warsaw.
Kutno, rs miles west of the capital,
still held out against fierce Nazi at
tackS.
A third section of the German
army centered drive on Lwow, in
the southeast, Polands second larg-
est city. The Germans announced
capture of Przemysl, SO miles west
of Lwow.
japanese Offensive in East.
In the Far East. japanese troops
were reported to have opened a gen.
eral offensive against Chinese forces
in Central China.
The offensive, coming after nearly
year of desultory tactics, was seen
as possible result of the signing
Friday of a Far Eastern armistice
between Russia and Japan, leaving
Japan free to concentrate on China
and forget her Manchukuo border.
The war at sea:
At least 100 French sailors were
reported killed in an explosion
aboard the cruiser Pluton, a main
unit in the French mine laying
fleet.
The explosion, understood to have
occurred off the coast of French
Morocco last Tuesday, was indicated
in first advices as due to accidental
explosion of a mine.
Britain blamed a German mine
or submarine for the sinking Of
the 6,000-ton Belgian motorshir
Alex van Opstal Friday night in the
English Channel. Belgian authori.
ties meanwhile withheld action
pending a report from the vessels
master.
1t was disclosed authoritatively in
London that enemy craft had sunk
total Of 21 British ships, of 1922
843 tons, in the first two weeks OF
! the war.