The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1914-10-17

Escape is cut Off from all sides by
land. and thousands were still gath
cred miserably on the docks when the
last relief ship left late yesterday al
ternoon.
London, Oct l5.-Whle it is fully
expected the Germans will reach Ost-
end and other ports in the northwest
of Belgium, if they have not done SO
already, they will meet a stubborn re-
sistance in their attempt TO extend the
right wing of their main army through
Pas de Calais to the French northern
ports. In fact they have fallen back
in this region in the face OF the allies
offensive
A few days ago the German cavalry
was fighting as far west as Haze
brouck and Cassel, but Wednesday, ac-
cording to the French official com
munication Wednesday, the front OF
this battle extends from La Bassee
through Estaires to Bailleul on the
Belgian frontier, while across the bor-
der the allies have occupied Ypres.
This is gain for the allies and
shows that the German attempt to
work around their left has failed, the
German right being bent back toward
Lille and Courtrai both OF which
places the invaders hold with strong
forces
1t is here the heavy blows, which
both sides hope will bring about de-
cisiye result in the long-drawn-out bat
Ia will bo cit n iS roa
son that the Germans will he able to
make their way to Ostend, although
even there some troops have been left
to inflict what damage they can be-
fore joining the larger body further
south
With most of Belgium already oc-
cupied, there is nothing that can stop
the invaders reaching the coast and
remaining there, at least temporarily,
unless the British naval guns are able
to render tenure impossible. The
length of their stay at the popular sea
side resort. should they seize Ostend,
will. of course. depend on the outcome
of the great battle now understood to
be opening near the frontiers separ-
ating the provinces of West Flanders
and Hainault from the French Depart
ment of the North
The censorship has prohibited any
mention of the operations to the north
of Arras, which probably is RESPONSE
BILE for the belief that the allies have
prepared what one military critic de-
clares is "a smashing blow, which will
be the more crushing in its effect the
longer it is delayed
OF the recent fighting elsewhere the
French communication simply says
that the operations are proceeding
normally on the left wing as far as
the Disc, that the allies progress in
the Berry au Bac region is confirmed
and that ON the right wing there is
nothing new.
For the first time, however, the
French general staff takes notice of
and denies some claims put up by the
Germans. 1t is denied that two French.
cavalry divisions have been destroyed
and it is asserted. on the other hand,
that the ayiators with the French cav
airy inflicted heavy losses OH the Ger
man cavalry. 1t is declared also that
the Germans have not come into
touch with the fortress of Verdun and
that attempts to do so have failed,
while in their efforts to cross the
Meuse at ST. Mihiel they were out
flanked.
German reports coming through
Rome say that the real struggle is
only just beginning and that, if neces-
sary, 100000 men can be called upon
for compulsory service. while. many
volunteers also are available.
The official British press bureau is