France

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 28, 19 September 1914, Page 5

France

A NEW ARMY.

GERMANS RETREAT BEFORE THEM ON THEIR RIGHT.

100-MILE BATTLE.

London, September 1"

The Daily 'News special correspon-

dent asserts that a new army, of secret I composition, has arrived against the German’s right, which is retreating in front of the Aisne. The battle covers over a hundred miles,

THE STRUGGLE LONG.

BRITAIN’S NEW ARMY IN THE

MAKING.

LORD KITCHENER’S REVIEW. 1

(Received 8.50 a.m.) London, September 18

Lord Kitchener, in the House of Lords, paid a tribute to Sir John French’s consummate skill and calm courage in withdrawing his force in face, of vastly superior numbers. Lord Kitchener added: “The struggle is bound to be a long one. Britain now had in the field six divisions and two cavalry divisions, which are being maintained at their full strength by steady reinforcements. We are also drawing on the Overseas garrisons and replacing them by Territorials, a division of which has already been sent to Egypt and a brigade to Malta. Four armies are now being raised. Two are being collected at training centres, a third is being formed, and a fourth consisting of reserves will be utilised to feed the expeditionary force. I am confident of our new armies being ready, and well trained to take the field in the spring, and prove themselves formidable opponents.,” ■ *

THE “NEW” PARIS.

RELIGIOUS REVIVAL STIRS THOUSAMDS DAILY.

SERVICE AT FAMOUS OATH-

EDRAL.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) London, September 18. Paris, it appears, is acquiring a new temperament. There is a religious re vival, and as a striking accompaniment to this change thousands daih attend service at the Cathedral oi Notre Dame.

(The Cathedral of Notre Dame war built between the 12th and 15th centuries. It is cruciform (cross-shaped) with a magnificent western front 128 ft wide, flanked by two towers 201 ft high; the length of the Cathedral if 390 ft, width of transept 14.4 ft, and height and vaulting *lß2ft. It has beer, magnificently restored, and is now out of the finest specimens of Gothic architecture in Europe).

SAVED BY THE SWISS.

GERMANY’S INTENTION TO IN-

VADE. SWITZERLAND.

FRUSTRATED BY MOBILISATION.

(Received 8.50 a.m.) London, September 18

The Standard’s Geneva correspondent shows that Germany intended to cross Swiss territory in order to turn the fortress at Belfort, but the project was defeated by the extraordinary rapidity of the Swiss mobilisation, which was completed in fortyeight hours.

WAR TROPHIES IH PARIS.

HIGH PRAISE FOR THE FRENCH AND BRITISH LEADERS.

PARAGRAPHS FROM PARIS.

Times and Sydney Sun Services London, September 18

Parisians are greatly interested in an exhibition of war trophie's, especially in eleven cannon. -

Over twenty trains of German war material have been sent to Paris since the opening of hostilities. During the last week, sixty cannon, thirty mach-ine-guns and forty motor-vans were captured. It is a curious fact that Generals Joffre, Galliene, Pan and Castellan are all Southerners. This is considered 'a proof that the Latin peoples can play"4'' Waiting game, besides one requiring courage and dash. General Joffre and General Sir John Frdnch are both remarkable for then humanitarianism. Both have systematically saved their men and declined battle when victory was only purchastble with terrific loss of life. The good results of this policy are now visible. General Joffre has now an immense reserve on which to call, and the resources of France are by no means exhausted.

BATTLE PROCEEDING.

ENEMY OCCUPYING AND FORTIFYING THEIR POSITIONS.

ALLIES’ SLOW PROGRESS.

(Received 8.50 a.m.) Paris, September 17

Official.—Battle continues on the whole length of the Oise and Meuse. The Germans occupy a prepared position, and are armed with heavy artillery ; consequently, the Allies’ progress is slow, but their vigor and enthusiasm are unabated. They successfully repulsed a German counterattack, and the situation generally is unchanged. The enemy continues to fortify their positions.’ RETREAT FROM MARNE. WAR CORRESPONDENT DAVIS AND HIS BIRD’S-EYE VIEW,

CONDITIONS ATTENDING THE FOUR DAYS’ BATTLE.

THE SO-CALLED “MISSING.”

(Received 11.40 a.m.) Paris, September 18

Mr Richard Harding Davis, war correspondent, who witnessed the cud of the battle at Soissons, states that during the retreat from the Marne, he German gunners sought to de.dioy tho road from Meaux. The marksmanship was so accurate and the execution so terrific that pursuit was impossible. During four days the irmios struggled thus, and the lour miles of country is now littered with mexploded shells, knapsacks arid uniforms. Red .Cross flags hung on bushes still show where the dressing stations were, together with tho bodies of German solders whom first aid failed to save. flneso are tiro so-called “missing.” Some peasants will bury them not knowing tire purpose of the medal which each man wears on bis neck as a means of identity, and tire circumstances will never reach the relatives. Everywhere are dead horses, some killed by shells, but the majority the property of French peasants which the Germans destroyed lest they should be used as /French re-mounts.

Continuing, Mr Davis says: It was impossible to count the motor trucks

a.id automobiles abandoned along fho twenty miles of road ror lack ot p<'tml or breakdowns. The Germans sin.;;- .md or fired the cars before abandoning them. The shattered remains of two German airsirps were also seen. When Mr Davis readied Soissons, tlie Germans had abandoned the Jiills .in the south, and had left a rearguard to protect the sappers destroying bridges. The French ordered the Tnrcos to clear the town, and the black fellows crossed in boats, followed by engineers who endeavored to repair the bridge. Meanwhile.T German guns were bombarding the hills and pounding the roads in order to retard the French advance. From the heights, it was possible io see Compeigne, and 30 judos northward to St. Quentin there was a beautiful panorama of wooded and grainclad country. The track of hurtling and bursting shells and the smako of battle could be followed for fifteen miles, including a section to the right where the British were fighting from time to time. The shells sot fire to houses, haystacks, and piles of grain, a gale fanning them into a fierce blaze. The siege gnus sometimes dug holes in the ground twenty yards in 'circumference. The French disregarded them, and slept peacefully' in the German trenches or under haystacks. They had been fighting for seven days without, a pause. Late in the afternoon the firing ceased, and the Germans retired. Mr Davis saw. signs of little wanton damage, nothing comparable: to the horrors in Belgium, but other observers state that during the siege at Meaux the German General and his staff occupied the historic Chateau ot Guie at Congis, which was filled with art treasures and priceless tapestries. Little now remains but the bare walls, broken pieces of buhl furniture, stained and tattered tapestries which- the Germans used to clean their boots, and the slashed remains of old mast-