GERMANY'S SECOND EFFORT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 204, 2 October 1914, Page 7

GERMANY'S SECOND EFFORT.

A CERTAIN FAILURE. CORRESPONDENT'S- GRAPHIC ..-'■■ ', STORY. • LONDON, October 4. Mr William Maxwell, correspondent of the '/Daily Telegj-aph," ing. on Sunday, says it is certain that Germany's second great effort has failed, and Avheii an English General, who is incapable of. exaggeration, says "Wo have had two good days," one may be .sure they were more than good. "1 spent two days in a : deserted chateau, and the sound of the gunfire made it evident that the Germans were retreating. For twelve hours the Germans' gnns in. the west did not return the fire of the Allies' heavy artillery.!

"Even the quarries look deserted. It is rumoured that the Germans evacuated them owing to the unburied dead poisoning the air, but they are not all deserted, for the French attacked ouo series of quarries and forts under cover of a mist, and killed the defenders like rats in a hole. In another ease the Allies set fire to. the spinney, and under cover of the smoke reached a point commanding a quarry. The enemy fled, leaving many dead. "It is certain the enemy are beaten along the whole line, despite reinforcements and the desperation with which they fought. They made terrific attacks during two days, in overwhelming numbers, but reinforcements arrived at the critical moment. Charges were continuously delivered, until the plain was strewn with wounded, and the German ranks shattered and '-driven back to the trenches. Similar bayonet attacks were -made throughout the western flank, and victory always rested with the Allies. "The losses have been heavy, but ■ the Red Cross Officers state that the dead are not nearly so numerous as might have been expected. '' There must soon be another retreat to the east and north, but the Germans must hold the western flank to thev very last moment, in order t,o save the centre." '