SSSiiJ POSTSCRIPT EDITION EVENING JuJciJLiijrJJiii POSTSCRIPT EDITION VOL. I-NO. 1 PHILADELPHIA, TIIUK9DAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1914. PltlCJE OlfE CENT KAISER READY TO HEAR PEACE PLAN, IS REPORT Washington Hears Presi dent's Second Mediation Offer Has Been Accepted by Emperor. , protection of German Territory and Commerce Said To Be Torma For Ending Hostilities. WASHINGTON, Sept. 17. There la it persistent report In Administration circles that Emperor William has accepted con ditionally President Wllson'a second proffer of mediation. , These conditions are said to Insist that Gtrman territory be preserved nnd Ger man commerce nftorded full protection. Both tho While Housa nnd State De partment refused to discuss tho report and the German Embassy said It was tut off entirely from Berlin. DEMOCRATS MEET TO APPROVE WAR TAX BILL Introduction of Measure Today or Tomorrow Wilf Tollow. WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.-Democrats of tho House Ways and Means Committee mot today to approve the tentative draft written by Clinlrman Underwood of tho Inttrnal revenue "war tax" bill. The Republicans will be called In later for a formal, perfunctory meeting, to bo fol lowed by a fa voi able report and Intro duction of tho measure lato today or to morrow. tTndcrwood Indicated today that some of the Spanish war tax Items might not be Included In tho present bill. Republican committeemen plan n scnthlns minority report, Indicting the Democrats for alleged extravaganco In appropriations. COUNCILS TO TAKE FIRST STEP FORWARD IN CITY'S ADVANCE New Draft of Loan Bill In cludes $500,000 Item for Preliminary Work on the Subway. REPUBLICANS IN SENATE WOULD OUST PENROSE La Follette, Cummins, Borah and'Clapp Say His Elimi nation Is Party Neces sity. Evening Ledger's Support of Palmer Regarded as Powerful Factor in Campaign for Poli tical Morality. U.S. ASKS BRAZIL TO EXPLAIN Government Wants to Know Why Clearance Papers Were Refused. WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.-The United States today called upon Brazil for an explanation of her refusal to Issue clear ance papers to the steamship Robert Dollar at Tllo De Janeiro. MT. LASSEN'S NEW FISSURE Tho first step toward the actual con- COPI3NHAGEN, Sept. 17. . -m.i.i ...n'ir lin Nnril ?eUt! 1. . .,nHlB aom-cos that Ger- llncs and tho abolition of exchange tickets will be tnken today when Councils' Fl- iik utorles irom iiuhiub mmu. " many Is Inclined to make peace and Is thed of the war nre entirely false. "Tho German pcoplo will never lay own their arms In this wnr." It says, "without guarantees necessary to Its fu ture In the world of nations." A military expert has Inquired directly of tho Krupps at Essex If 42 centimetre juns (guns of a calibre of 16.5 Inches) lst. Tho Krupps' reply wns that such guns, transportable over land, have been manufactured but that they regret they are unable to glvo details nt present. The reference Is to the Immenso siege iuns which the Germans have lccn re ported as UBlns In bombarding the Bel clan and French forts, for which they are said to have to lay tracks along roads and streets. BERLIN, via Amsterdam. Sept. 17. Informal representations hnve been made through diplomatic channels to Em peror William as to whether Germany flould accept another offer of mediation by tho Vnlted States. A reply has -n ent to Washington. Though the contents or tne repiy nave not been made public, it Is reported semi officially that the Emperor pointed but that Germany had not sought tho war nd that It would place no obstacles In tha way of peace, but under no eircum itance would enter into negotiations that would threaten tho territorial Integrity of the Empho or weaken her commercial resources. NO ACTION ON RATE CASE UNTIL EARLY IN OCTOBER Officials Close to Commission Think New Hearing Will Be Held. WASHINGTON, Sept. 17. Tho next step In the new five per cent, advance rate cbeo -Rill not be taken until tho early part of October, Interstate Commorco of ficials today said. Then the commission IU consider tho petition of the Eastern railroads for a reopening of their case. Ofllclal close to members of the com mission expressed the opinion that tho case will bo reopened und a dato set for tho new hearing. RHINE CITIES STRENGTHENED TO GUARD ESSEN DISTRICT Move to Protect Centre of War Sup ply Manufacture, THE HAGUE, Sept. 17. The Oerman fortifications about Co logne, Duesseldorf, Wesel and Dulsberg re being strengthened, apparently as u offensive mcasuic, according to reliable reports received hero today. These four cities occupy strategic positions along the ilhlne and constitute the western line of usitnse. Their capturo by the allies would bo terrific blow to Germany. They guard i-ssen and the Mirroundlng district. een Is the arsenal of the Gorman em pire. Not only aie tho Krupp guns mado uwa, but the mills where are made tho mor plate for battleships and powder na ammunition works also are located in that Prussian city. GENERAL CONSCRIPTION ORDERED IN AUSTRIA Francis Joseph Grieved Because Order Was Needed, Dispatch Adds. HOME, Sept. 17. A Vienna dispatch to the Corrlcro Delia ra tas that Austria has ordered con niption en masso to form new armies, "adds that Emperor Francis Joseph on "king this step a,Id: "I 'lave never felt so grieved over a de "''on of such giavlty." nance Committee and Common Council meet to carry out the ngreement made by Councllmanlc lenders last Tuesday to reapportion tho now $11, 700,0V) loan bo as to Include the item' of $:co,000 for pro llmlnury work In the transit progrnm. Just before tho Subcommittee oji Ap propriations mot in City Hall at 1:30 o'clock there was a feeling of confidence among the business men of Philadelphia that the subcommittee would prepare a now draft of the loan bill and Include the appropriation for transit. This com mittee Is expected, to present the reappor tionment to the general Finance Commit tee at a meeting to be held Immediately before the session of Common Council this afternoon. A general reapportionment of the loan probably will be made. Tho original al lotments for tho Parkway, for man damuses and for general rcpaving, It Is planned, will bo cut to provide the $00,000 ror transit. Dlroctor Norris, of tho De partment of Wharves. Docks and Fer ries, hns nlso asked a new allotment of the apportionment for the work of his department. Ho wants two Items of $600, CO0 and J20O.OOO to bo incorporated In a lump sum of SSOO.OOO for general pier con struction, and also wants other changes made. Ilia request probably will be granted. Theio was considerable discussion pre ceding the subcommittee meeting nbout n plan accredited to Councllmanlc lenders to cut tho payioll of the Transit Depart ment. It was said that Councils planned to ttansfcr $03,000 from Director Taylor's unexpended salary appropriation as part of the $272,0)0 asked by Dr. Hnrto for tho completion of work at Byberry, Holmes burg and for repairs at the Municipal Hospital. The appropriation to the Transit Depart ment for salaries this year was $210,030 and on August 1 there was a balance of $1.13,316.57. Tho transit payroll that month was $11,417.48, leaving a balance of $121, 929.33. Councils. It was said, figure that only $.",3,000 would be needed for the rst ot uie year, leaving a balance of approx imately JCS.OOO. On the other hand, it has been said that In view of the universal protest against tho original attitude of Councllmanlc lead ers, they have been ordered to keep hands off the Transit Department for tho pres ent. BRYAN HAS A NEW DRINK "Villa. Sorrentq Limeade" Displa tne drape Juice. toatn!,N'0TOX Sm- ".-Secretary of S Ink H'f" ls "itroduclng a new "dry" IJiSL."", 7"" " "VHa Sorrento Vila H'r '"s maUe at '"nes "' marv ,rr?,n.'0' 1"8 I''lorlda home. Sec be .n,.i ..?!",, M"41"1"180" uKsts that it The Mm Vl la-carraiua-55apata." Juice llmade U a substitute for grape- ces WEATHER FORECAST For PhUudelphta and vicimtuln 0 cloudiness tonUjht followed Z He" iH the tarlu morning and Zrl,V! not much ' "; moderate easterly winds, details, see last pane. JAPANESE ENGINEER HERE ON MISSION OF PEACE Inspects Water Works and Declines to Discuss European War. Sntoru Nlshloedn, chief engineer of tho municipal water works at ToMo, Japan, and one of the most noted civil engineers In his country. la visiting this city, en route on a tour of tho world, for tho purpose of Inspecting the filtration nlnniH of tho gieat cities of America and Eu rope. Mr. Nlshloedn. visited the water works department In City Hall today, where he obtained permission to inspect any part of tho departmental machinery, AVIATOR'S DARING AIDS JAPANESE AT KIAO-CHAU Railroad Station in German Lease hold Taken With Little Loss. TOKIO, Sept. 17. v The capture of the railroad station at Klao-Chau was effected with slight toss to the Japanese because of the daring of an aviator who flew In a hydroaero plane from n warship outside tho bay. Filing high nbovo the German troops gathered to resist tho seizing of the rail way familial ho dropped live bombs among them. His aim was so good that three of the bombs exploded among tho Germans, killing and Injuring many. While the Germans were In disorder tho Japanese charged and drove tho de fenders back towaid Tslng-Tao. S. P. C, A. Wants Motor-Driven Patrol A committee representing the Society lor me t-revrnuun "i i rueiiy to Animals, conslbting of S. B. Rutherford, William Phillips and H. Leppcr. Jr., called on Di rector Porter today and reiluested that a motor-driven patrol be given to the Tacony police station The committee pointed out that the district. In which are Included Bustleton. Summerton. Vox Chase and Lawndale and which comprises 13 square miles, Is entirely too largo to permit the employment of horses, par ticularly in view of the hard roads they have to traverse in answering emergency calls fpnoM orn sTArF conRrsro.vrnsT.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 17. Republican and Democratic Scnatoro are silent to day on the resolution Introduced In the Senate yesleiday by Senator George W. Norris, of Nebraska, for an Investigation by the Committee on Privileges and Elec tions, of tho primary campaign expenses of Senator Pentose und Roger C. Sulli van, tho Democratic Senatorial nominee In Illinois. Many predictions nre mado that tho resolution will not bo reported out of the committee. Progressive Republicans like La Fol lette, Cummins, Rornh .and Clnpp make no secret of their opposition to Penrose, nnd among the lenders of this wing of the Republican party there Is a strong feeling that tho sooner men of the typo of Penrose nnd William Barnes, Jr., of New York, nro eliminated as leaders, the better It will bo for the party. On the other hand, Democrats who ten days ngo weio very outspoken In their opposition to the nomination of Sullivan refuse to discuss the Norris resolution. CALL, FOR SPECIFIC CHARGES. Senator John W. Kern, of Indiana, chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, announced todny that the committee would be called for a special session within a few days to consider the Nonls resolution. Senator Kern told the Evening Lodger, however, that there Is little prospect of an investigation of the Pennsylvania and Illinois primary campaigns unless Senator Norris Is will ing to Incorporate Into his resolution defl nlto nnd specltlc charges of the misuse of money by Penrose and Sullivan "to tho end that we may have something to Invostlsnte." The repudiation of Senator Penrose by the Evening Ledger nnd tho Puiilic LrjoaEn, has caused more comment In Washington than has the resolution of Senator Norris. Republicans of the old school type, who have been confident of the re-election of Penrose, now express fear that Representative A. Mitchell Pal mer will be elected to tho Senate. Pon roso Is expected to visit Washington within a few days to confer with his friends in the Senate for the purpose. It is believed, of bringing every pressure to bear to keep the Norris resolution from being reported out of tho committee. Secretary of the Navy Daniels today said: "The strong support that is being given to the candidacy of Representative Pal. mer by the Puni.ic LEDonn and tho Evening Ledger has, I believe, turned the tldo in Pennsylvania. Those who a few weeks ago thought Mr. Palmer wns engaged In a hopeless fight nre now satis fied that ho has more than an even ennnce to win tho senatorshlp in Penn sylvania." Colonel Thomas C. Penco, assistant to National Chairman William F. McCombs, said: "No one thing is going to contribute so much to making the election of Represen tative Palmer certain ns the stand tnken by tho Evening Ledger and the Public Ledcjeii. Mr. Palmer Is making a won- uenui campaign and the support of the Curtis newspapers will. In my opinion, make the defeat of Penrose possible. Tho repudiation of Senator Penrose by these newspapers has occasioned much com ment among Senators and Representa tives of both parties." Art-laden Vapor Escapes Erom West Side, Below Summit Crater. MINERAL, Cnl., Sept. 17.-Vast clUan tltlcs of ash-laden steam vapor are es caping today as a result of a violent eruption yesterday at LaBsen Peak. The vapor ls escaping from the west side of the mountain below the rim, of the eum mlt crater. The Indications are that the crnter will fill up and that future erup tions will occur through the new fissure. BELGIANS START NEW ATTACK ON GERMAN INVADERS GERMANS HURL BACK ALLIES' ASSAULTS ON AISNE ENTRENCHMENTS The War Summary King Albert Leacjs Army Against Foe Kaiser's Veteran Troops Rushed to France Reserves Replace Them. ANTWERP. Sept. 17. King Albert led his army away from Antwerp today for another offensive movement against tho Germans, whllo Belgian volunteers are carrying on an ac tive cumpalgn In tho extreme Wrthwost ein part of Belgium ngnlnst Uhlans who nre raiding Isolated districts In west Flanders. Fights aie leported from Wnereghem, St. Elol and Inglemunster, where the Belgian volunteers were successful. At Iscghcm 150 Belgians attacked SOU Uhlans, who were ambuscaded In housc3. 64 Ger mans are reported to havo been killed and a number wounded, while 30 others were made prisoners. The balance fled. Tho Belgians lost four men killed and 14 wounded. Another German detachment is reported to have been defeated by Belgians near Alost. Tho Germans lost a number of men in killed and wounded and seven wagons. Ono hundred regiments of German In fantry (about 100,000 men) and artillery forces with 40 guns passed through Liege toward France on Tuesday and Wednes day. The Germans are withdrawing their main forces and sending them into France In enormous numbers. But there are no signs that they contemplate the general evacuation of Belgium as those withdrawn are Immediately replaced by troops of the second line and from the The battle of tho Alsno continues. Tho allies nre hurling forces again and again upon the strongly entrenched linos of Germans north of tho river nnd have been repulsed In each ad vance. Tho position of tho Kaiser's forces Is said to be so strong that attacks arc made only at heavy losses by the allies. General von Kluk's army on the Ger man right wing Is In danger of be ing surrounded, London reporting his forces nlrendy hemmed In. French War Olllce, at Bordeaux, an nounces that the Germans have been compelled to rulse the siege at Ver dun and that the Crown Prince's army ngnin has been forced back. German official War Olllce statement todny explains the retreat of tho Germans in Franco wns only to their prepared positions and to enable the troops to recover from their earlier Kaiser's Artillery Mows Down British As They Force Passage of the Aisne. German Line Repulses French Infantry As They Storm Defenses. Flanking Movement to Cut Off Army of Von Kluk Reported Successful Both Sides Bring Up Powerful Guns and Great Duel Is On. ENGLAND OFFICIALLY SENDS APOLOGY FOR CARDEN CRITICISM Ambassador Spring - Rice Expresses H i s Govern ment's Regret for Attack On Wilson by British Dip-lomat. navy reserve. A continuous stream of trains Is pass ing through Alx la Chapelle carrying fresh troops to the scene of battle in the south, and It Is believed certain here that the Germans ngaln are hoping to resume the offensive. Reports that the Germans were actually evacuating Brussels were set at rest to day when couriers arrived hero from the Belgian capital, now held by the enemy. They reported that the troops which have been holding the city have been with drawn to go to the French front, but that their places have been taken by members of the naval reserve who are acting as Infant it. and by troops from the landsturm. Only the western lines through the cen tre of Belgium are held by the Germans. The towns to the eastwaid, notably I.tege, have been lenuded of their gar risons and the troops sent on to the general battle front. As a result of these manoeuvres. If the Germans so desired, they could evacuate all of Belgium with in SI hours. TO ANSWER BELGIAN CHARGE Germnn-Anierlcans of Chicago Inter view President Wilson. WASHINGTON. Sept. 17.-Headed by Horace L. Brand, a Chicago editor, a group of Chicago German-Americans will present to President Wilson a reply to Belgian charges of German atrocities. Their documents were received by way of East Africa. SOUTHERN STOBM LOST ON WAY NEW YORK, Sept. 17.-Tho Weather Bureau today announced that the South ern storm had passed inland to Georgia and that it would lose Its Intensity Warnings were ordered down to the South Atlantic WASHINGTON. Sept. IT.-The British Government today, through Ambassador Sprlng-Rico, apologized ans expressed a great regret to the American Government for tho Interview alleged to have been given by Sid Lionel Carden, in which Carden criticised the administration for withdrawing the troops from Veru Cruz. Sir Lionel Carden was banished from Mexico by Provisional President Car ramsa. This was the surprising state ment made today by a high oitl clal. It was Intimated that be cause of the known animus of Sir Lionel Carden for the Mexican Constitutional Government, the Washington Administra tion would take no further notice r.f the diplomat's recent Interview In New York In which he characterized the withdrawal of American troops as a "desperate siiame. Carden la now on his way to England, and from there will go to Braiil where he hub ueen accredited by tils Government. Carden's published criticism of with drawal of American troops from Mexico was regarded In administration circles today as unfair and untrue. N'o ottlclal confirmation of the widely printed Inter view was at hand, government authorltlei were Inclined to view It as tho outburst of a diplomat, admittedly personally dls gruntled at the Carranza administration A high diplomat here stated today that he would not be surprised If France should withdraw her Ambassador to Mex ico, because of the treatment of nuns and monks by the Constitutionalists. In dip lomatic circles It became more evident that serious difficulties. In securing com plete re ognltlott from foreign Powers confront the ConstltutlonalbU, MUST NOT FLY OVER CANADA Official Warning: After Canadians Fire at American Aeroplane, WASHINGTON. Sept. 17 -Official warn ing that American aviators must not fly over the boundary Into Canndlau terrl tcry, today was Issued by the State De partment. Acting Secretary of State Lansing said that an American aeroplane had been fired upon by Canadians while In the vicinity nf the Long Sault Canal. This action was taken, the Canadian authori ties stated, because the did not care to talio any chancer of damage to their val uable locks Other air craft hovering over Canadian territory will be similarly greeted, and Americans, therefore, today wer warned to fi only on this side of the border. RETIREMENT IN PRUSSIA ADMITTED BY RUSSIANS German Attempt Unsuccessful to En circle Czar's Troops. Ninv YORK. Sept. 17 -Admission that the Rusiian force Is retiring from -East rrussia and that the Germans attempted an encircling movement to surtound a portion of the force, although it did not succeed, was included In a statement Issued by the Russian Consul General here today. The statement reports con tinued successes In Gallcla. It declares: The fighting against tho Austrian rear guard continues all along tha line. Re ports about prisoners, guns and war stores being taken are coining In from all our armies. On the left bank of the San we attacked successfully the retiring Austrian. "In East Prussia, In aplte of all the effoit of the Germans to surround a. part of our retiring force, their plan did not succeed," exertions. It is announced that tho seneral battle now In progress Ih pro ceeding favorably to tho German cause. Przemysl, the strong; fortification on the San, near where the Austrian armies are reported to havo effected a Junction, has been captured by the Russians, according to a Fetrogrnd dispatch. The Austriaus will be compelled to take a final stand nt Cracow, near the meeting: point of Russian, Austrian and German bor ders. Capture of Cracow would open the way for the Czar's forces to march on Breslau, In Silesia, 190 miles from Berlin. Meanwhile, another Russian army is proceeding west through Poland to ward Silesia, and military oxperts bollevo that these movements will fatally expose Berlin, if the Kaiser haB, as reported, withdrawn eight army corps (320,000 men) from East Prussia and Gallcla to reinforce tho German armies in France. Advices from Vienna, however, state that tho fighting: in Western Gallcla ls not ended and that tho Junction of the armies of Generals Dankl and Auffenburfir will be followed by fresh offensive tactics between tho San and Vistula, with the object of keeping the lino intact between Przemysl and Cracow, thus protect InB Central Austro-Hungary on one hand, and Silesia on the other, from Russian encroachments. German forces to the number of 320,000 are reported from Petrograd to have been withdrawn from the East Prus sian campaign and rushed to aid the Kaiser's forces defending their posi tion along tho Aisne. Klght corps comprise the force reported moving. Belgium dispatches report that Ger many Is rapidly withdrawing her veteran troops from all the large cities and towns. They are being rushed to reinforce the army of Von Kluk. New garrisons of the naval reserve and Landwehr have arrived to replace the veterans. British War Office says the general situation continues favorablo to tho allies, but makes no statement re garding the battlo now In progress in France. Turkey has an army within Russian borders along the Bulgaria River, according to reports in ivtrogrnd. It is satd a German cavalry officer Is in command. Servia announces officially that tho Crown Prince's army has been with drawn from the proposed invasion of Slavonla. Air scouts detected a trap laid by Austrian forces and the army was saved. The Invasion of Bosnia, however, continues. Italy clamors for war against A us trla and Germany. Soldiers have been called, ready to nuell rioting. street demonstrations already hay ing reached almost, unmanageable stages. LOW WATER CLOSES MILLS Nearly 400 Persons in Mnnayuuk Plants Made Idle. Nearly 400 persons were thrown out of work today by the closing of several Manayunk mills on account of the lack of water In the canal. Unless rain comes to their relief none of the manufacturers will be able to operate for at least several days. PARIS, Sept. 17. Tho battle of the Aisne continues. Again and again havo tho allies at tacked tho German lines, but except on the extreme western end they havo failed to break the German defense. The Germans made a fierce counter attack from their strongly entrenched positions along the Aisne river, but were re'pulscd by the allies. Furious fighting Is going on all along the lino. Tho war office Issued an official statement at 3 o'clock this afternoon giving this Informalon: "Fighting continues with the utmost violence everywhere. Allies have re pulsed a fierce counter attack at tempted by the Germans from their strongly entrenched positions." Heavy reinforcements have reached the German right wing and General von Kluk's army, taking the offensive, ls striking fiercely at the allies' left. New French troops are being rushed to the vicinity of Noyon from the army of the defense of Paris. This statement was made by a high Government official at noon today: "The German action on the right has suddenly becomo very strong, indicat ing that the enemy is making another effort to cut our line. Along tho centre the Germans show less strength, while on their left their position is almost untenable. "The Germans have attempted a bombardment of Rheims, but with lit tle effect. Should the enemy win the battlo now In progress, a second ad vance on Paris will naturally follow, but wo believe General von Kluk's army has little chance of success." It Is believed here that the Germans have succeeded in withdrawing a largo portion of their eastern army from Prussia, and have hurried it into ac tion in another attempt to break through tho allied line In a general circling movement. Tho official War Office statement is sued at Bordeaux at 3:15 this after noon, and mado public at General Gal lleni'a hendqunrters, states that the battle continues along the entire front between tho Rivers Olse and tho Mouse, with the Germans resisting the French advance nt all points in an effort to prevent the carrying of their fortified positions behind which tho armies which participated In the battle of the Jlarno are re-fornnng. "Tho battle continues along the en tire front between the Oise and the Meuse," says the statement, "with the Germans fiercely resisting the French attack nnd fortifying their positions along the Hues previously indicated." The allies havo suffered the heaviest losss yet sustained Uy them. The allies aro still bombarding" the German positions along the Aisne River. The Germans, despite the dllfl. culties caused by heavy rains of the past week, lin,v brought up most of their guns, and the greatest artillery duel that the world has ever heard of is in progress. At least, 5000 guns are believed to he engaged. The Germans thus fur have repulsed the efforts of the British and Freneh forces to drive them hack from the points under a terrific concentrated fire from the German batteries. The efforts of the Fifth French Army and the First and Second Brit ish Corps are concentrated in an en deavor to shatter tho German lino by cutting off the German right wing, commanded by General von Kluk. Tho French aro driving from the west, while the British ure striking up from the southeast. Tho fighting nt this point on the 120 mlle front is deadly to both sides. The British attack on the German right wing centres around to the north of Solssons. No details have been re ceived as to the fighting along tho allies' centro and right flank. It is reported from tho front that the British army has been successful in Its flank movement and that Von Kluk's army Is practically surrounded. General von Kluk was reported to day withdrawing his lines closer to" those of General von Buelow, which were In turn drawing in on the main German centre. This movement fol lowed the attempt of tho allies to flank the German right, perilously ex- v . rrV.rta mrtst .Mirim, b1i affmtnA .... and plush manufacturers, who w that "" al0nB the Alsne Tne 'a hve thtf is their busy season The water is ; been unable to secure a firm foothold tan Inches below normal in Flat Rock on the north side of the river, al- Dam, and unless It soon rises It is te- I uovea urn mora miua vvui uave to close, J vuuusu mey gaweu crossings at three tended west of Noyon. The losses of the allies havo been far heavier in the last two days -than at any other period of the war. Tho German counter nssaults have been determined and have required frequent use of the bayonet in checking them. But It has been in the general as saults that tho French have lost heaviest. The German artillery fire continues particularly deadly. Their batteries, masked in tho hills which for the most part constitute their new positions, are served with the utmost precision, while their rapid flrers, mounted on automobiles, simply mow down the French who attempt to carry the Ger man lines by storm. It is evident that the Germans have massed all their available strength along tho battle line to hold back the pursuit of tho allies. The battle front ls about the samo as it was yesterday. It extends from a point nenr Noyon across the plains to the north of Vic- sur-Aisne, near Solssons and Laon. and thence over the heights north and northwest of Rheims: thence to tho north of Vlllo-sur-Tourbe and from there through Vf-rennes In the northern part of the Argonno region to Meuse, north of Verdun. The position held by the Germans around Laon is particularly strong. They have heavy artillery and troops massed on a hill which rises above a big area of marshy ground. The allies aro compelled to cross this marsh land before they can attempt to dislodge the Germans by storm. General Gnlilenl, the Military Gov ernor1 of Paris, declared that dis patches to the military authorltlei here from the front show that the al lies have been gaining ground smco tho fight opened, although slowly. "The Germans have been compelled to yield under the pressure of the French and British, despite their re inforcements," said General Gnlilenl. "We feel sure that the Germans will again he In rapid retirement before the end of the present week T' In vaders fell hack to a good position, but their strength and the power of their big guns will be as naught be fore the glorious bravery and dash of our men. The artillery duel which is going on is one of tha mlgtitleat known to warfare, with guns of tre mendous power used on both sldea. We have been fortunate In silencing a number of German batteries that commanded fordable points on the Alne." The great battle front la admitted by the French military authorities to glva the Germans an advantage, if they have a sulflcienl auprly of ammunition and their men are not too exhausted to hold it. The line of the German VJ! i IsW-M , .; -w ?.!-.' mi Ibi !.: m