Big Battle Imminent

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 74, 17 August 1914, Page 5

Big Battle Imminent

PREPARING THE POPULACE FOB. * NEWS. Received 17, 1.15 a.m. ' Pari;-;, August 10 (5 a.m.). ' An official eonKiMiniquc 'lias Ibecn issued to prepare the public for the reception of news of a grc.i, battle which is imminent. ARMIES JN T ALSACE. HAW' 1 A MIL-LIDX FRENCHMEN. SOME OUTPOST ENCOUNTERS. r Received 17, 12. 5 a.m. : ; Paris, August .Hi (morning). It is estimated that half a million French arc massed in Alsace, strong forces hold all the passes from the west as far as those loading down to Colmar, while the southern line spreads across country south of Mulhauscn. Germans are concentrating around and south of Colmar. Thevo have already been alight artillery duels, ii. which the Germans were the most active. The French had the better of numerous outpost encounters. The Germans burned many farms in their retreat, from advanced positions. THE PEACE PROPOSALS. Received 17, 12.5 a.m. Paris, August IB (morning). The Government, replying to President Wilson's mediation proposition, says: "Franco recognises thb evidence of y:onr interest in the destinies of France." \ ZEPPELIN" DISASTER. OUTMANOEUVRE!) AXD DESTROYED,, BY FRENCHMAN. Received 18, 5.5 p.m. Paris, August 15. A Zeppelin commenced a recoimaisance above Nancy on August 8. Perrin, attached to the French garrison, immediately went oit, and, out-manoeuvring the Zeppelin without difficulty, dropped bombs from above the airship, which fell a mass of shattered wreckage at Chateau Sarins, < 'A number of French aviators have flown over Alsace, throwing message* and accurate accounts of the fighting. _. _ M$ TALES BY DESERTERS. ;.-*, GERMAN ARMY STARVING. ; Received 17. 12.30 a.m. ' \ , Paris, August 15. Deserters state that General Deimling wis wounded bv a bullet in the tongue. and taken to the hospital. The deserters are almost dying of hunger. They .mbsisitcd on a morsel of sausage and two spoonfuls of peas. The German troops had been informed that M. Poincare, the. French President, had been asFj9.3sina.ttfd, and Paris declared a commune. •