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Show BRITISH REFUTE GERMAN STORV By W. T. MASSE Y France (name of town deleted by censor), Sept. 24. If the battle lines on the banks of the Alsno were the chains of a big fortress, the progress of the combatants could not be slower. slow-er. Wo are fighting in difficult country. coun-try. The enemy chose its positions three weeks ago, and when the malnl body advanced past the eastern side of the forest of Complegne there was left behind a body of engineers who put the hills In a state of defense. General Von Kluck must have anticipated an-ticipated that if he was thrown back it would be the British troops who would harass his retirement. There is no British soldier on the left of tho allies' lino who does not believe that the Germans will be compelled com-pelled to leave their lntrenchments. It has been suggested that the German Ger-man artillery fire was less violent yesterday yes-terday because the main body has already given way. Others, less ready to congratulate themselves on a victory which is not yet apparent, believe that the enemy was preserving its ammunition supply sup-ply to resist another and stronger attack. at-tack. But all are confident that the Germans must yield ground, and any suggestion that reinforcements may be brought up for a grand attack to pierce our lino Is ridiculous It is not wise to be oversangulne. At the same time It would be foolish to Ignore the fact that the German front attack upon the British position would be at least as difficult as n direct British advanco on the enemy's lntrenchments. The fact is that both lines are so strongly held that it is hardly conceivable con-ceivable that either side would give way. Another factor which may end this long drawn-out and heroically fought battle Is the condition of the men I have seen English officers still full of fight and anxious to get back to their shell ridden posts after they had hud nerve-wrecking experiences In the trenches. That spirit will not die if the Aisne trenches are occupied for months. Will the Germans stand the strain so well? I think not I have seen ?ome of their officers and men brought in as prisoners and unwounci-ed. unwounci-ed. Some of the officers maintained a haughty bearing while others wept and the men's faces have marked on them the traces of the strain of long exposure to the British artillery fire. This evidence that the British soldiers sol-diers will stay long is the strongest ground for my optimism. |