The state herald., 1914-10-23
ENGLISH SHIPS FORCE BIG SIEGE
GUNS BACK FROM CHANNEL
PORTS, is REPORT.
WAR NAy|Es IN ACTION
JAP CRUISER SUNK; BRITISH SHIP
DAMAGED; AUSTRIAN SUB
MARINE DESTROYED.
Western Newspaper Union New. Service.

London. Oct. 20.-Ostend has been
recaptured by the allies. and the Ger
mans have suffered the most serious
defeat in western Europe since the
war began, according to reports from
the battle front received here.
The crisis in the German attempt
to seize the French channel ports,
scarcely twenty miles from the coast
of England, came Monday with the
French official announcement that
both the British fleet and the heavy
German guns that destroyed the Ant
werp forts had taken part in a battle,
the front of which extended from
Nieuport to Vladslo.
The Paris war office claims that the
western German wing has been driven
back and that the British fleet has
made an occupation of the channel
ports by the Kaiser's troops impos-
sible.
Heavy fighting near Dunkirk Is an
nounced in statements from both
Paris and Berlin. The German war
office claims that the Kaiser's troops
have reached the neighborhood of that
port and that the inhabitants are flee
ing from both Dunkirk and Boulogne.
The Paris statement declares that
the Belgian army has repulsed the
Germans near Nieuport, which is half
way between Ostend and Dunkirk.
1t is also stated that the British
fleet hurled German land forces back.
In regard to the remainder of the
immense battle front. the Berlin re-
port is silent. while Paris claims
progress has been made between Ar
ras and Roye and near st. Mihiel on
the right bank Of the Meuse.
The ahies have also made progress
eastward from a point south OF Ar
mentieres toward Lille on line run
ming roughly to Arras.
The report tells of house-to-house
fighting in which the allies are ad-
vancing. The battle has ragged around
Arras without respite for ten days
and on the part of the allied troops
with perseverance and spirit
which never has been relaxed.
In Belgium attacks by the Ger
mans between Nieuport and Dixmude
have been repulsed by the Belgian
army effectually aided by the British
fleet" the official communication Is
sued by the French war office says.
Between Arras and Roye slight
progress has been made at several
points. Our troops have reached as
far as the wire nets Of the defense.
in the neiehborhood Of st. Mihiel
we have gained some ground on the
right bank of the Meuse.
mo news of importance has been
received regarding the remainder OF
the fight
Nations Resume Naval Activity.
For the first time since the war be-
gan, the fleets OF all the warning ma
tions have become active and losses
have been reported by both sides.
following the sinking OF four German
torpedo boat destroyers by the Brit
ish Saturday.
The British battleship Triumph was
seriously damaged by shell fire from
the forts ut Tsing-Tau Monday. and II
was officially announced at Toxic that
the Japanese cruiser Takachiho was
sunk by mine in Kiao-Chau bay on
the night OF October II.
The Takachiho was built In 1885 aud
refltted In 1900. She was vessel OF
$500 tons and was 800 feet long and
had 4G-foot beam. Her main battery
consisted OF eight 6-inch guns and her
speed was about is knots. The cruis-
er carried crew OF 357 men. only ~
OF whom. according TO the official re.
port. are known to have been saved.
The Takachiho was on patrol duty.
outside Tslng.Tau, when she iouled n
mine. Japanese destroyers heard the
explosion and saw the flames. They
hurried to the assistance OF the cruls.
or. which. however, disappeared very
quickly.
A battle between n German four.
funneled cruiser. apparently the Karls.
ruhe. and British cruiser somewhat
similar in sire. IN reported by the
American schooner Fannie Prescott.
which arrived Ia Havana, Cuba. from
Gulfport. Miss. The engagement In
said 10 have occurred October II In
latitude 90 40 north and Longitude,
si' gO' west. After half hour OF fir
Ing. tho cruisers separated. according
10 the achooner's crew. the British
vessel going west and the German
north. Tho German, II was stated.
was listing to port, and apparently had
been damaged seriously.
Two submarine vessels went out
from the BAY of Cattaro to attack a
French fleet which was making its
wny along the Dalmatlan coast. accord.
Ing to dispatch from Rome. They
were quickly sighted. however by tho
French iookouta. and n well'directcd
rho, sent one OF them. tho leader. TO
the bottom. The other submarine ca.
capped. The French fleet subsequently
recommended tho bombardmont OF the
| fortn Of cnitnro