Alsace-Lorraine.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 5, 24 August 1914, Page 5

Alsace-Lorraine.

FRENCH ADVANCE AND CLAIM VICTORY.

Paris, August -22

Official news states that th'e'Frenc-rf Made a general advance along ■" : the whole front. Engagements' with -German p were reported at Diouze,- Delme, sMerhange, and Teany. The German icorps engaged along the Iront made a particularly vigorous attack on theFrench position, and were repelled with heavy losses. The right is in a strong position near Bonon. The strength of the enemy makes it apparent that an attempt to hold Lorraine at present would be impudent and useless. Paris, August 23.

It is officially reported that Mulhausen being difficult to defend against attacks from east and north, and as German night attacks from the forest of Hard and Neubrisack threatened to cut off retreat to Belfort. the French commander, instead of ordering the reserves at Altkirch to counter-attack the Germans threatening the French rear near Sennheim. ordered them to retreat.

! General Joffre then entrusted the ■ operations in the district to General i Pan. The forces re-formed under the shelter of Belfort. The Germans mean* while were suffering greatly from the French artillery, while the French were | hampered by the German howitzers defiling in the ravines, which woro difficult to localise. General Pan was strongly reinforced, and advanced on Thann, simultaneously advancing from the Vosges and threatening the German retreat. Goneral Pau's attacks on Dammerkirch and Thann were rapid and decisive, the Germans burning a great park at Dammerkirch before evacuating the town. General Pau then ordered the French left to advance on Col mar and Neubrissack and the right on Altkirch, threatening the Germans on both wings. A hot fight occurred, the French capturing 24 guns at Davnach, a suburb of Mulhausen. The Germans retreated across the Rhine, and tha French now hold the Rhino bridges.

GERMANS ROB THE DEAD UNDER COVER OF RED CROSS.

Paris, August 22

The Germans bombarded an open Marslatour, For an hour while tha inhabitant! were at church cols-

beating the anniversary of a iamows battle. The people took refuge in eellars. Two were killed.

Eighty-three Germans were arrested at Mulhausen for robbing the dead and wounded. Some used the Red Cross

badge tQ cover their misdeeds. They will be court-martialled at Clermont and Ferrand.

It is reported that the French aviators destroyed a Zeppelin and three Tau.be aeroplanes at Frascati, near Metz.

The French have alreaoy captured 91 pieces of German artillery, 19 military motor-waggons, foier flags, and other war material. DESPERATE FIGHTING ON BOTH SIDES. Amsterdam, August 22. In Alsace, the French fought desperately to frustrate a German attempt to cut off French communication with Belfort. On the third day the French made an incomparable general assault, and at the bayonet's pome drove, the Germans from their advanced positions. Then a brigade of Lancers and several companies of Turcos dashed into Mulhausen, The French, after entrenching in a strong position, brought up their cannon from Belfort. The German cavalry fought valiantly, charging right up to the trenches, but the French artillery's deadly accuraey decimated the Bavarians.

Unless reinforcements quickly arrive the positions of the Germans on the left bank of the Rhine ,between Hunningen and Brissac, will be precarious J GERMANS LOSE SGO DEAD AND INJURED. Paris, August 22. A telegram asserts that a conflict occurred between French troops and German cavalry between Limpoldshohe and Hunningen. The Germans fled, leaving 500 dead and injured in the field.

FRENCH ADVANCE PROVES COSTLY BUT NECESSARY.

FIGHTING ON THE FRONTIER.

(Received 9.0 a.m.) Paris, August 23

Reuter states that the , French losses in the Vosges during the last three days have been very heavy, but that the German loss is indisputably as great.

'An official statement saVs that the French left a small neutral zone inside the frontier, where the Germans advanced to the crests and required di^odging.',- V'ilC The French captured Hobucke and Schlucht, but the difficulties were greatbr; With.']the''"central section, where the Germans were entrenched. The French-got round by the "ThbeisSaales pases and shelled the German rear. The movement was costly, especially at Saales, but it paved the way for the occupation ' of "Donon Saales and opened up the Bruch« Valley to Antwerp. Cutting down plantations and destroying villas and cottages are proceeding, ju order,not to afford cover (for the-tGermanSi .Earthworks are beijag. thrown,up, a«d'heavy field artillery is; .being placed on new defence works in o,rder tp reinforce the forts. . The sale of alcohol, is forbidden, except by.chemists..-. s t '^