The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-01
ALLIES EXTEND FLOOD AREA AND
 STOP ADVANCE
Battle Continues to Rage Furiously-Germans Gain Some GrOund-Little
 Material Change

London, October 31.-(9:50 D. mD New German attempts to reach the French channel ports, Newport to Ar ras, while resulting in progress at some points, have been generally in effective Near the coast their advance has been checked by an extension of the flood area
 Today the battle ragged with the fury that marked the opening of the last phase of this campaign, and even on the English coast the boom of the big naval guns which are bombarding the invaders flank could be distinctly heard.
 The allies have brought up land and sea forces in an endeavor to check this : second effort of the Germans to es- tablish themselves on the French coast. from which they hope to menace Eng land.
 Berlin official report today an- nounced that the German troops had occupied Ramscapelle, on the railway and canal between Nieuport and Dix nude, but the French official communi- cation said they were driven out by a counter attack
 Llttle Cnange on Front
 On the whole, therefore, it would ap- pear that the situation on this most important battle front remains much as 1t was when the Germans, through exhaustion a few days ago, ceased their heavy artillery fire for rest The Ffench report tells of various advances and losses, but these usually, so far as distance is concerned, can be marked In Feet or yards, and the advance made a Pri tIcb tn naI gium of 1900 yards was considered re- markable
 Throughout the great battle front there has been repetition of attacks and counter attacks with at times pronounced thinning of the lines
 The Germans made particularly violent attack east of Soissons on the Aisne and, according to the German report, drove the French across the river.
 Reports that Lille had been reoccu- pied by the French and. that Ostend had been evacuated by the Germans lacked confirmation tonight and were considered premature. but around the former city fighting of most desper- ate character has been going on, and the villages surrounding Lille have been taken and retaken time after time.
 The east Prussian frontier is again the scene of big battle. The Ger mans for five days carried out heavy offensive movements, but according to the Russian reports, were frepulsed with immense losses.
 In Poland the Germans are reported tc be falling back to new positions near their own frontier, while in Gal fcia the fighting continues without material change.
 Should Clear Up Situation
 hy attacks on Russian towns in the Cri- mea and upon Russian ships in the Cri- Black sea should soon be cleared up as Great Britain and Russia have pre- scented a demand to the Sublime Porte for an explanation of the incidents, the dismissal of the German officers from Turkish warships and the dismantling of the Goeben and Breslau, the German cruisers.
 Turkeys reply may be delayed, as 1t was announced tonight that telegraphic communication with Turkey was inter rupted It is not yet clear what dam age the Turkish fleet has done. al- though reports from different sources say four Russian torpedo boats, 8 mine layer, a collier and coast guard ship were destroyed.
 It is believed here that Russia has made preparations to protect her Cau- casian frontier but that she would not attempt to invade Turkish territory for the present. Probably the same atti- tude will be adopted by England in Egypt, which, according to an uncon- firmed report. already has been in vaded by 5000 Bedouins. Fl
 One of Great Britain's difficulties will be the protection of the oil fields, which she recently acquired in Persia. Indian troops can be brought up for this purpose.
 There Is much speculation as to what Doll ct,t yad fa1x txrt1 take in view of Turkeys entrance into the conflict, but as yet there has been no definite statement on this subject.