r. Here lies
the source of the Aisne, a river destined to live in history; and on the
farther side begins the great plain.

On the west of the plain of Champagne rises, 300 feet, with a curious
clifflike suddenness, the Plateau of Sezanne. The effect is as though a
geological fault had driven the original plateau from north to south
throughout its entire length, and then as though there had been a
general subsidence of the plain, giving rise to the clifflike formations
known as Les Falaises de Champagne, at the foot of which runs the road
from La Fere-Champenoise to Rheims.

The disposition and arrangement of the German forces is next to be
considered. It can be assumed that their objective was Paris. It is also
worthy of remembrance that the German tactical method has always favored
the envelopment of the enemy's flanks rather than a frontal attack
aiming to pierce the enemy's center, which latter was a favorite method
of Napoleon I to reach decision.

The tactical method of envelopment demands great numerical superiority,
and on account of the extreme extension of front necessitated is apt to
become dangerous as perforce the center is left weak. Attempts to
envelop, with which the observer is confronted again and again when
considering the military movements of the Central Powers on the western
battle front, were revealed on the morning of September 3, 1914, in the
position occupied by the German forces, and, correspondingly, in the
arrangement of the allied armies.

The German right, on September 3, 1914, and September 4, 1914, at which
time it was nearest to its desired goal of Paris, held the banks of the
Marne from Epernay to the banks of the little tributary the Ourcq, which
runs into the Marne from the north. This extreme right comprised the
Second Corps and the Fourth Reserve Corps, encamped on the western bank
of the little stream the Ourcq; while the Fourth Corps was given the
honor of the tip of the right, being camped on the Marne at La
Ferte-sous-Jouarre, supported by the Third Corps, the Seventh Corps and
the Seventh Corps Reserve. The Ninth Cavalry Division occupied an
advanced position west of Crecy and the Second Cavalry Division occupied
an advanced position near the British army, north of Coulommiers. These
troops constituted the First German Army, under the command of General
von Kluck.

The Allies' left, confronting this position, held strong reserves, and
by the nature of the ground itself,