TO SMASH FRANCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 70, 12 August 1914, Page 5

TO SMASH FRANCE

DETAILS OF GERMAN PLANS. UPSET BY BELGIANS. Received 11, 1 a.m. ti m k^ oll . August 11. iJie Daily Chronicle states that Germany detailed three armies to smash France. The Northern Army, co-oper-ating with the. Ardennes Avmy, was to be flung against the French left, while the third army held tile French right in check. But the Belgians l upset this scheme. Details from all the war centres are meagre. Reconnaisance forces have temporarily ceased. The French advance on Alsace has apparently proved that no great preparations had been imade for the German advance near Belfort. Experts conclude that the mass of the German armies, possibly 12 army corps, aggregating 600,000 men, is preparing to advance between Liege and Thionville, and the remainder probably to Lorraine. The Belgian War Office claims that the situation is satisfactory. Received 12, 1.45 a.m. London, August 11 (Morning). Evidence of unprcparcdness on the pait of tiie German attack is accumulating. German prisoners in Belgium state that new boots were served out, and their, feet were cut to pieces in consequence of the high and heavy boots being unsuitable for quick marching. A French doctor states that the French bullets are causing must more serious wounds than the German. Many stories are told of German cruelties upon non-combatants, but they .apparently have little basis "in fact, though there has been illegal execution of French subjects'. The French troops have taken seven of the principal citizens at Montreus and Vienx as hostages. ,