August 29, 1914 
LAND AND WATER 
BRUSSELS 
AIECE 
■; CALAIS 
ROlliAlX 'iT, ^ 
CAMBfiAl* •lECATIAU 
F a A 
NATIONAL FftOhTltftS 
10 20 30 «0 so 
100 
Sc6/e cf Miles 
W^ DIFFICULT COUNTRY 
(T) Tha Ardennes 
■XL 
THE WAR BY LAND. 
By HILAIRE BELLOC. 
THE NEWS with wliich the English public is confronted this week from the seat of war 
is at once exceedingly serious and largely indeterminate, at least it is undeteiinined at the 
moment of writing. 
It is serious because it clearly points to a reversal all along the line of the plans 
formed by the Allies. Against the French offensive in Alsace-Lorj-ame to the south, a 
Gorman counter-offensive has succeeded. In the north, against the German offensive, the counter- 
offensive of the Allies has failed. 
Such news, in spite of its gravit}', remains indeterminate, because there has not (Thursday 
noon) yet reached London or Paris any news to shoAv that the check to the counter-offensive in 
tlic north, or to the offensive in the south, has resulted in any clear diminution of military power 
in the forces of cither combatant. There has been as yet no decision. 
With so much said by way of preliminary, Ave will turn to the details of the news, and I would 
remark that in foUo^ving these details, apart from the fcAV sketches and diagrams that illustrate 
particular points, a reference to the outline set above this ai-ticle will always be useful. It gives in 
the simplest form the field of operations upon the French frontier, with its fortresses, its main lines 
of defence, and the ai-eas of difllcult and easy country for the passage of troops. 
On Wednesdiiy last, August 19th, the world was in doubt upon w^hat will be the main question of 
all this war in its earlier stages : to wit, where the main forces of the two opposing groups of armies 
were to be found. 
This doubt extended in some degree (as events have proved) to the General Officers in command 
of tliose groups. 
ThLi doubt did not begin to be solved for the general public in France and England until the 
moniing of last Sunday, August 23rd. It was not fully solved until there came the very gi-ave news 
of the following da}^ Monday, August 24th, as to the retirements in portions of the front which 
l!ie accompanying sketch will make plain. 
I 
!• 
