The Daily Transcript (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 111, Ed. 1 Tuesday, October 20, 1914 Page: 3 of 4
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NORMAN DAILY TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 10 DEATH
10
Make Their Attacks Singing and
With Drums Beating Says
One Correspondent.
THRILLING STORY OF BATTLE
Description of the Retreat of the Ger-
mans to the Aisne and the Des-
perate Fighting T^at Accom-
panied and Followed It.
By HERBERT TEMPLE.
European Manager of the Internation-
al News Service.
London.—German troops are dying
to the music of their regimental bands
in the valley of death along the Aisne
by day and night.
Their losses are colossal, says an
English correspondent who sends his
story from La Ferte-Milon, south of
Soissons.
Describing a counter-attack made by
the Germans, he says:
"They came on singing, with their
drums beating behind them. Even at
night they had their bands to play
them on to attack.
"We met them in the holes they
had themselves dug, and, as a French
soldier who told the story, said: 'You
know, in a light like that we had
them at a disadvantage, for our bay
onets are longer than theirs, only all
these straps about our chests and
shoulders get in our way and hin-
der our movements. The Germans
are better off in that respect and so
are your soldiers, as they can use
their arms freely. The Germans
would break for a while and go back
but as soon as we sent them back
another lot would come on, and so it
went, time after time/'
Sees Waste of Battles.
The same correspondent sends this
soul-stirring story of the battle that
had entered its second week:
"From the battlefield of Marne
worked my way northward through
Chantilly and Senlis to Cropy-en
Valois to this valley of death. I came
by night through lands wasted by the
feet of tens of thousands of armed
men and by innumerable wheels of
the world's greatest armies.
"It was a strange, terrible expert
ence. All along the route I saw
death and destruction. I saw dead
men and dead horses, villages in ruin
and railway rolling stock scattered
_ over bare fields. A great water tank,
hurled from its base, was lying dere-
lict amongst ruined hay stacks,
saw a transport wagon, its wheels
smashed, leaning dizzily over Uie
bodies of the brave men who failed
to save it from destruction, and who
refused to leave it.
"I have seen on this road sights
that convince me that the retreat
v was not only swift, but precipitated
to a point of actual panic.
Reasons for Retreat.
"It was Aisne or destruction. It
necessary to realize that just as the
allied army, on its way from Mons
to Paris, war in danger of the Ger-
man flanking movement which threat-
ened to overwhelm it, so Was General
von Kluck's right flank, in its re-
treat from Paris to Aisne, in extreme
danger. To avoid annihilation, he fled
o a position of tremendous strength
toward the west. It was absolutely
essential to his safety to gain the
position of Aisne.
"One must not lose sight of the su-
preme fact of the present situation
that just as the junction of the Ourcq
and Marne at Meaux made that town
the key of encounter last week, so
the junction of the Oise and the Aisne
at Compeigne has endowed the lat-
ter with cardinal importance. Once
across the Aisne, the German army
had the River Oise on its right, and,
for the moment, the danger of being
out-flanked was averted.
"This was the position on Sunday,
September 13, the first day of the
great frontal battle.
"On the right the army was pro-
tected by the forests of Aigle and by
the River Oise, which descends al-
most due south from Noyon. It was
and is an extremely strong position
and one capable of only a frontal at-
tack.
Open Attack on Sunday.
"It was clear from the outset that
these fortified positions must be
fought for and taken, no matter how
great the effort or how terrible the
sacrifice. Happily, the time afforded
General von Kluck's army for prep-
aration was short, due to the fact that
the allies, although tired by the long
pursuit of the 9th, 10th. 11th and 12th,
lost no time in opening the attack
on Sunday.
"Sunday proved to be a day of tre-
mendous importance. With the ex-
ception of one small structure and
a railway bridge girder, all the
bridges across the river near this
point had been blown up. It was ob-
vious that pontoon bridges must be
constructed, and, to work out this
aim. an artillery duel was begun with
the Germans, whose position wa3 such
that they commanded the river dur-
ing a greater part of its course in
that section.
Great Artillery Duel.
"The artillery battle that began
early Sunday and lasted throughout
the greater portion of the day, was
of terrific character. The heaviest
guns of the enemy were brought Into
play, enabling the enemy to make a
great showing at the longer ranges.
"The valley of the river became an
inferno. From height to height the
great guns belched forth their fire in
terrific fashion. Huge shells went
shrieking across the river and the
river meadows.
"The enemy poured a withering fire
upon the allied troops and engineers
that were engaged In building pon-
toon bridges. The pontoons are car-
ried on wagons especially construct-
ed for their transportation. It Is nec-
essary to bring these pontoons to the
water's edge, launch them anil then
lash them together.
"The scene by this time had become
fearful and beyond the description of
words. To the terrible grandeur of
it was added the sight of Germon
and French aeroplanes hovering over
the battlefields. Time and again they
dashed across the river to recon-
noiter and carried on their work suc-
cessfully, although they were sub-
jected to a terrific fire from the Ger-
man guns especially made for the
purpose of bringing down airships.
"Finally the allied army, foot by
foot, began to advance toward the
river bank. Thanks to the presence
of the small, unbroken bridge, the
English troops were able to effect a
crossing of the river comparatively
early, while the French, showing
great bravery, began crossing the
river in single file by using the steel
girder.
Germans Forced to Retire.
'In the meantime the engineers re-
newed their task of pontoon bridge
building and columns of troops
crossed the river. By nightfall the
crossing of the river had been ef-
fected and the enemy was forced to
retire.
It was clear that this retirement
was not to be accepted as a victory
for the allies, as all night long search-
lights swept the river, and opposing
generals attempted to carry out vari-
ous strategic moves with a view to
renewing the combat the next day.
Desultory firing was kept up through-
out the night.
'At a certain period during the
night it became exceedingly important
that the enemy should have no knowl
edge of the position of a detachment
of the British infantry, which was up
close to the enemy. A stray shot
struck one of the British soldiers,
shattering a bone in his arm.
Uttered No Sound.
"Had he let a cry escape him the
discovery of the British detachment
would have been made. But this
wounded soldier never uttered a cry,
"Monday dawned cold and windy,
and showers fell occasionally. The
Germans began building little pits
while the allies also entrenched them-
selves against heavy bombardments.
"At times the enemy attempted to
take the offensive, and even suc-
ceeded, within small areas, In forcing
back the allies, just as the allies suc-
ceeded elsewhere in forcing back the
enemy.
"It now became evident that this
was no rear guard of Germans that
was engaged, but that it was a de-
termined stand of the army of Gen-
eral von Kluck. Moreover, it was
strongly suspected that German re-
enforcements were coming up.
"On Tuesday afternoon a very se-
vere attack was made by the enemy,
who evidently had been re-enforced
and who seemed determined to break
through the allied lines between Vic-
sur-Aisne and Soissons. This attack
was heralded by a tremendous out-
burst of the heavy German artillery,
followed by a systematic advance of
the infantry.
"The infantry of the allies, aided
by machine guns, stood their ground,
however, in a most splendid fashion,
pouring a deadly fire into the attack-
ing Germans. At certain points the
allies repulsed the Germans at the
point of bayonets.
"With unabated fury this battle
continued all night and throughout
Wednesday and Thursday. On
Wednesday night the Germans, in
great fury, attacked the French in
the region near Reims. Three times
they attacked, and on each occasion
they were repulsed with heavy losses.
"On Thursday the Germans attacked
the English with equal fierceness in
the neighborhood of Soissons, and
again they were hurled back with
tremehdous losses.
"The first sign of weakening on
the part of the Germans was noticed
Thursday afternoon after their fierce
attacks on that day had been re-
pulsed with huge losses.
"The battle then was almost a week
old. The soldiers wearied by their
pursuit of Hie fleeing Germans and
even more wearied and careworn by
the constant fighting since Sunday,
however, were kept up by their in-
domitable will power. Shells burst
over them and all around them, but
they minded them not. They had
faced bullets, bayonet and shells that
carried their message of death sc
often that they had become used to it.
Every Inch Contested.
"As night fell on Thursday, the al-
lies began to drive back the Germans
along the extreme west of the posi-
tion back from the river bank; that
is, Noyon. The work was slow and
laborious and the Germans contested
every inch of the way.
"The attack of the allies was relent-
less and foot by foot the Germans
backed away. At last the allies
gained - six miles and took the
heights above the river.
"The allies took 600 prisoners and
a number of machine guns.
"A German prisoner told me that
the courage and the recklessness of
the French and British during those
charges amazed the Germans."
VOSGES MOUNTAIN RANGE
IN THE
Rub-No-More
is the slogan of the
up-to-date woman.
She uses RUB-NO-
MORE WASHING
POWDER because it
cleans clothes quickly
without rubbing and
disinfects them at the
same time.
RUB-NO -MORE
WASHING POWDER
is a sudless dirt re-
mover for clothe#.
It cleim your dishes,
sinks, toilets snd
cleans snd swrrteni
your milk crorki. It
kills germs. It doei
not nod hot water.
RUB-NO-MORE
Carbo Napiha Soap
All Grocers
RUB-NO-MORE
Washing Powder
Five Cents-
French infantry attacking a German position in the Vosges in the neighborhood of St. Die, and German Infan-
try, screened behind a patch of woods in the same locality, defending their position against the enemy.
FRENCH INFANTRY RUNNING TO FRESH POSITIONS
I* sacs'
Regiments of French infantry advancing on the double quick to take up new positions in following the retreat;
ing Germans near the River Marne.
GERMAN CRUISER OFF CALIFORNIA COAST i doing her husbands work
The Rub-No-More Co., Ft.Wayne, lnd
A GOOD COMPLEXION
GUARANTEED. USE ZONA POMADE
the beauty powder compressed with healing
agents, you will never be annoyed by pim-
ples, blackheads or facial blemishes. If
not satisfied aft«r thirty days' trial your
dealer will exchange for 50c in other goods.
Zona has satisfied for twenty years—try it
at our risk. At dealers or mailed, 50c.
ZOKfl COMPANY. WICHITA. KANSAS
shrewd trick SAVED BANK
Cashier's Hot Sovereigns Convinced
Depositors That Their Savings
Were Not In Danger,
Many years ago, in consequence of
a commercial panic, there was a se-
vere run 011 a bank in South Wales
and the small farmers Jostled each
other in crowds to draw out their
money. Things were rapidly goinn
from bad to worse, when the bank
manager, In a fit of desperation, sud-
denly bethought him of an expedient
lly his direction a clerk, having heat-
ed some sovereigns in a frying pan,
paid them over the counter to an anx-
ious applicant. "Why, they are q-iite
hot!" said the latter as he took them
up. "Of course," was the reply. "Wbat
else could you expect? They are only
Just out of the mold. We are coining
them by hundreds as fast as we can."
"Coining them!" thought the Blmple
agriculturist; "then there is no fear
of the money running short!" With
this their confidence revived, the panio
abated, and the bank was enabled t®
weather the Btorm.
ERUPTION COVERED BODY >
saaasasss|
1L_
The German cruiser Leipzig, whose coaling in San Francisco harbor was
interrupted and wrhich is believed to be off the California coast in wait for
merchant vessels.
BELGIAN AMBULANCE CORPS AT THE FRONT
I
■
One of the brave women of Havre
who has taken her husband's place as
conductor of a street car whiie he is
at the front, fighting the Germans.
England Has New War Song.
London.—All England is singing a
new war song. It is by Sir Frederic
Cowen and Harold Begbie and makes
a strong appeal for enlistment in the
army. One of the verses of the song,
which is entitled "Fall In," follows:
How will you fare, sonny, how will
you fare,
In the far-off winter night,
When you sit by the lire In an old
man's chair,
And your neighbors talk of the
fight?
Will you slink away, as it were from
a blow,
Your old head shamed and bent?
Or say, "I was not with the first to go,
But I went, thank God, I went!"?
Prussia requires that lightning rods
on government buildings shall be in-
spected by an expert electrician at
least once a year.
321 Lee St., Hampton, Va—"In July
of last year the eczema made Its first
appearance on my fingers and before
the last of August my body was com-
pletely covered. I was unable to sleep
at night the itching was so severe. I
had to take sleeping medicines sev-
sral times a week to get any sleep at
all. It broke out as a rash and soma
of the eruption turned to boils. Mjc'
chin was covered and I had several
bolls on my face. My hands looked so
that I had to stop school and my
clothes Irritated the eruption so much
that it kept me scratching all the time.
I could not stay in a warm room and
I could not put my hands In warm
water at all.
"A friend advised me to try Cutl-
cura Soap and Ointment. I sent for
samples and then bought a box of the
Cutlcura Ointment and Cuticura Soap
and I am completely healed." (Signed)
Miss Dudley Trueblood, Jan. 28, 1914.
Cutlcura Soap and Ointment sold
throughout the world. Samploof each
free,with 32-p. Skin Book. Address post-
card "Cuticura, Dept. L, Boston."—AdT.
Cherchez La Femme.
A western detective said in the
smoking room of a San Francisco ho-
tel:
"To locate the dishonest clerk, I Iso-
lated the one who was chasing round
in taxicabs to roof gardens with young
ladies."
He shook his head and added:
"A slip of a girl can make the stead-
lest man fall."
Important to Mothers
Examine carefully every bottle of
CASTORIA, a safe and sure remedy for
Infants and children, and see that it
Bears the
Signature of |
In Use For Over 30 Years.
Children Cry for Fletcher's Castori®
Good Things.
"I admire John D. Rockybllt," ob-
served the Old Fogy. "He has dona
a lot of good things."
"I know it," replied the Grouch.
"I'm one of them."—Cincinnati Eo
quirer.
Curat Old Sores, Olher Remedies Won't Cur*
The worrt no mutter of how lontf .tending,
are cured by the wonderful, old reliable Dr.
Porter'# Antiseptic Healing Oil. It rel.evee
Pain and Heals at the aame time. 25c, 50c. 1.HV
Never Use It.
"Sewer gas is a serious matter."
"Certainly not a thing to make light
How To Give Quinine To Chlldpsn
FEBRILINE is the trade-mark name civen to an
Improved Quinine. It is a Tameless Syrup, r'-eas-
ant to take and does not disturb the stomach.
Children take it and never km. v it is Quinine.
Also especially adapted to aduhs who p*nno«
lake ordinary Quinine. Does not nauseate net
cau«e nervousness nor ringing in th« head. Try
(t the next time yon need Quinine Tor ahy pui>
po-e Ask for s-ounce original pookas®. Tn«
nam© FEBRILINE is blown iu bottle- 85 cent*
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Burke, J. J. The Daily Transcript (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 111, Ed. 1 Tuesday, October 20, 1914, newspaper, October 20, 1914; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc112821/m1/3/: accessed April 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.