Although the news from the western front is all reassuring it still remains indecisive. The battle that for several days has been in progress along the whole line between the Oise to the west and the Meuse to the east is still being joined.
In a statement issued from Paris yesterday afternoon it was announced that the enemy maintained his resistance on the hills north of the Aisne, while giving way slightly at certain points.
In the centre, between Berry-au-Bac and the Argonne, the situation was unchanged, but the enemy was fortifying himself, as he was between the Argonne and the Meuse.
In the Woevre district several detachments of the enemy had been encountered; and in Lorraine and the Vosges there was no change at all.
Progress has been slow, it is explained, because the enemy occupy positions prepared for defence and armed with heavy artillery. The counter-attacks of the enemy, made by day and night, have been repulsed, and the Allied troops "are animated with the spirit of attack."
Last night the Press Bureau issued a descriptive account from the General Headquarters of the Expeditionary Force of the movements of the British troops and of the French armies in touch with them since the last despatch was published. The account covers the period from the 10th to the 13th September.
Across the country over which the Germans have been driven in their retreat, it is explained, six rivers run, at all of which it was possible for the enemy to make a stand. But the resistance only became determined when the fourth of these rivers, the Aisne, was reached. There the enemy, on the 12th, was found to be occupying a very formidable position.
How the passage of the Aisne was forced is related. The battle which thus began on Saturday last is described as still going on (this was written on Monday), though it was then uncertain whether it was a rearguard action on a large scale that was being fought or the commencement of a more serious engagement.
Specific details are given of the severities and depredations of the German troops in France.
In the House of Lords yesterday, in the course of a statement on the general military situation and on the progress of recruiting and Army organisation, Lord Kitchener declared that "the tide has turned." He paid a fine tribute to the ''consummate skill and calm courage of Sir John French, to the marked ability of the generals under his command, and to the bravery and endurance of the officers and men of the Expeditionary Force.
Lord Kitchener also referred to "the gallant French Armies with whom we are so proud to be co-operating," and offered "our respectful congratulations to Russia on the conspicuous successes which have added fresh lustre to her arms."
The Austrian armies, the Paris statement declares, are evacuating Galicia in a state of complete rout.
Their losses are estimated at several hundreds of thousands, while the German corps which came to their support are in retreat.
The Grand Duke Nicholas has issued, in nine different languages, a proclamation to all inhabitants of the Empire of Austria-Hungary, assuring them that Russia seeks one object only - the restoration of right and justice, the bringing of freedom, and the realisation of national aspirations.
It is announced from Petrograd that all the attempts of the German armies in East Prussia to envelop a wing of the Russians have failed.
In Belgium the German troops which occupied Termonde have retired. Fighting takes place about Alost. Nothing is known in Antwerp of the reported evacuation of Brussels by the Germans.
It is announced in Ottawa that the Canadian Expeditionary Force will be 25,000 strong and that altogether the first contingent will be raised to 40,000 men.
In receiving the Belgian Mission President Wilson said that when the war was over "the day of accounting will come." He declared that America was greatly honoured by the appeal which had been made to its friendship.
The Treasury has issued a statement relating to recent war issues and showing that the money has been obtained easily and on favourable terms.
The official war news from Berlin, in referring to the battle of the Aisne, says that the French atacked in several places, but were repulsed, while "some German counter-attacks were succesful."
In connection with the sinking of the cruiser Hela it is reported that one man was killed and that three are missing. A number of well-known authors, both men, and women, have issued an address strongly supporting the action of this country in taking up arms to defend the neutrality of Belgium and to support France.
A list of casualties among officers of the Expeditionary Force was issued last night. It includes the names of four officers killed, of two wounded, and of one rejoined, previously reported missing. A colonel and two lieutenant-colonels are in the list.
The Prince of Wales's National Relief Fund yesterday amounted to £2,681,000.