The expected great battle on the Franco-Belgian frontier began on Sunday, and is now raging over a far-extended front, the principal struggle being between Mons and Luxemburg. Though it is not possible from the information at present available to follow all the movements in a struggle so vast and one which is expected to last several days, it is evident that the fighting is very severe, and that the issue, which still hangs in doubt, will be of moment.
But for the Allies, at least, the issue will not be decisive, because they will be able to fall back on the line of defence originally designed by the French before the German delay at Liége enabled them to take up a more advanced position on the Samabre, from Maubeuge, through Charleroi to Namur.
The most decisive news that has yet come to hand is that Namur has fallen. This is unexpected, as it was supposed that the fortress was strongly held; and it is evidence of the force at the German advance.
The immediate result, as the bulletin of the Official Press Bureau states, is to "necessitate a withdrawal of a portion of the Allied troops from the line of the Sambre to their original defensive position on the French frontier."
As to the fighting which preceded the fall of Namur - the news of which was given out at a quarter to four yesterday afternoon - the Official Press Bureau is necessarily silent, except for the announcement that British forces were engaged all day on Sunday and after dark with the enemy in the neighbourhood of Mons, and that they held their ground. The casualties, It is mentioned, will be published as soon as known.
Mons is a Belgian town, close to the French frontier, and a little less than 40 miles due west of Namur and due east of Lille.
It is evident that a British force had also engaged on Saturday, because a list of casualties issued last evening - a list which includes only three names - refers to two of them as having taken place on August 22. One of these names is that of the Earl of Leven, who is reported dangerously wounded.
A more detailed account of recent movements is given by the French authorities - an account which is supported by the German war news, but which is necessarily obscure in essentials.
We learn That the French troops have withdrawn from Donon and the Pass of Saales, in Lorraine, as those positions were no longer importance; and that the German troops have occupied Lunèville, which is near Nancy.
The great battle, it is explained, is taking place on the line from Mons - where the British troops were engaged - to the frontiers of Luxembourg. The French are said everywhere to have taken the offensive, though they have before them almost the entire active German army strengthened with reserves. TheEnglish Armies it is declared, have the important mission of holding the enormous forces of the enemy.
The allied forces got into position on Saturday, and took the offensive between the Moselle and Mons. In Alsace the French hold all their positions. In Luxembourg the French are attacking about Neufchâteau, while another French army from the Sedan region is advancing across the Ardennes and attacking the Germans on the march westwards.
It is further announced that the movement of the Germans round the left wing of the Allies has been followed, and measures taken to meet any development in that direction, while the Germans are being attacked on the right wing.
The German war news announces the entry into Lunéville, and declares that the Army penetrating into the Vosges has captured 150 guns. The Crown Prince's army is said to be moving in the direction of Longwy. A victory over the French at Neufchâteau is claimed, as well as one over the English cavalry brigade to the west of the Meuse.
It is not necessary to take all these statements quite literally, but they are corroborative evidence both as to the extent and vigour of the movements that are now in progress all along the frontier.
The lesson to be drawn from the news of yesterday is, for Englishmen, an instant and unhesitating response to Lord Kitchener's call to arms. Every man may be needed to win the final victory which is essential to this country's dearest interests, and, as is pointed out, procrastination in offering service is an accute danger. The purpose of the authorities is to raise volunteers to a state of efficiency which will qualify them to be thrown into the field at the earliest possible moment. The longer the beginning of the training is deferred, the longer its completion will be deferred, and with it, it may be, our power to throw the final and decisive weight into the scale of battle.
In Canada alone 100,000 men have already volunteered far active service.
The news from the western theatre of war naturally dwarfs all other for the moment. But our St. Petersburg Correspondent confirms and, emphasises the significance of the Russian successes in East Prussia, by which important points on the German strategic railways have been secured.
Later news not only confirms the victory of both Servians on the Drina, but shows it to have been of a sweeping character. The fighting lasted five days, and enormous losses were inflicted on the Austrians; who put their Slav regiments in the forefront of the battle.