During the first month of hostilities on the Western front, the Germans claimed that their captures amounted to 233 pieces of heavy artillery, 116 field guns, 79 machine guns, 166 wagons and 12,934 prisoners.  On September 8th General Quartermaster von Stein announced:  “Maubeuge capitulated yesterday; 40,000 prisoners of war, including four generals, 400 cannon and immense quantities of war materials fell into our hands.”

A German war correspondent, who was present at the fall of Maubeuge, wrote:[166] “The march out of the prisoners began on the same day at 2.30 p.m. and lasted over six hours.  They were conducted to trains and despatched to Germany.  Some of the infantry made a good impression, while the pioneers and artillery can only be classed as passable.

[Footnote 166:  Heinrich Binder:  “Mit dem Hauptquartier nach Westen,” p. 96.]

“To the great disappointment of our troops there were only a hundred and twenty English among the prisoners who had been cut off from the main army; young fellows about eighteen to twenty years of age.  When marching out these English youths were so stupid as to offer the hand to their German victors in token of the gentlemanlike manner in which they accepted defeat.  In accordance with Albion’s ancient boxing custom, they desired to show the absence of any bitter feeling by a handshake; just as one does after a football match.

“Our men returned a few cuffs for this warlike behaviour, whereupon the English—­richer in experience—­drew back astonished at German unfriendliness.”

Germany’s rush for Paris reached as far as the Marne; they claim that patrols penetrated to within seven kilometres of the French capital.  The report announcing the turn of the tide is worthy of quotation.

“Chief Headquarters, September 10th.  Our army in their pursuit of the enemy in the direction east of Paris had passed beyond the Marne.  There they were attacked by superior forces between Meaux and Montmirail.  In two days’ heavy fighting they have kept the enemy back and even made progress.

“When the approach of new, stronger hostile forces was announced our wing was withdrawn; the enemy made no attempt at pursuit.  Up till now the booty captured in this battle includes fifty cannon and some thousands of prisoners.

“West of Verdun the army is engaged in an advancing battle.  In Lorraine and the Vosges district the situation is unchanged.”

This seems to be all that the German nation has heard from official sources of the German defeat on the Marne and the hurried retreat to the Aisne.  Almost every report issued by the German headquarters during the succeeding three weeks informed the world that a “decision had not yet fallen.”

Evidently the nation awaited and hoped for a decision which would leave Paris at the mercy of the invading army.  They are still awaiting that decision, but whether the waiting is seasoned by hope cannot easily be determined.