Paris, Oct. 19.
A new element has appeared in the military situation on the Western front due to the sudden rise of the Rhine, a semi-official comment on war developments just released here revealed today.
The course of the Rhine, as is known, was rectified late last century by means of lakes on both banks the height of which is well over the level of the land behind. As soon as the river rises, the waters filter through to plains.
While the flood is threatening both the French and the German fortifications, it is pointed out that the general level of the German military line is considerably lower than the French and is already affected by the waters whereas the French positions are perfectly dry so far. From the French side, heavy pumps at work in the German blockhouses can be heard
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.