August 29, 1914 
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21 
THE WAR BY LAND. 
By HILAIRE BELLOC. 
THE NEWS vvitli 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 undetennined at the 
moment of writing. 
It is serious because it clearly points to a reversal all along the line of the plans 
fomied by the Allies. Against the French offensive in Alsace-Lon-aine to the south, a 
German 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 gravity, remains indeterminate, because there has not (Thursday 
noon) yet reached London or Paiis any news to show that the check to the counter-offensive in 
the north, or to the offensive in the south, has resulted in any clear diminution of military power 
in the forces of either combatant. There has been as yet no decision. 
With so much said by way of preliminary, we will turn to the details of the ncAvs, and I would 
remark that in foUo^ving these details, apart from the few sketches and diagi-ams that illustrate 
particular points, a reference to the outline set above this article 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 difficult and ea.sy country for the passage of troops. 
On Wednesday last, August 19th, the world was in doubt upon what will be the main question of 
all this WOT in its earlier stages : to wit, where the main forces of the two opposmg gi-oups of armies 
were to be found. 
This doubt extended in some degree (as events have proved) to the General Officers in command 
of those groups. 
This doubt did not begin to be solved for the general public in France and England until the 
morning of last Sunday, August 23rd. It was not fuUy solved until there came the very gi-ave news 
of the following day, Monday, August 24th, as to the retirements in portions of the front which 
the accompanying sketch will make plain. 
'OSTEND 
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