The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-10-20
LENS REGION IS
CENTER OF FIGHT
FRENCH REPORT GAINS IN WEST
ERN BATTLES ARE IN
ALLIES FAVOR.
AUSTRIAN SHIPS DESTROYED
Portugal Sends Two Expeditionary
Forces to Reinforce African CARR.
sons-Austrians Are Attacking
Russian Trenches.

ties, one in northern France and Bel
GUM, the other in Russian Poland,
both with front Of 800 miles, have
reached their height. From the
French report it appears that the
western battle is going slowly but
surely in favor Of the allies Under
the pressure of the troops Of the al
lies the Germans who started to ad-
vance on Calais and other French
coast ports have been forced to evacu-
ate the left bank of the Lys river,
which is considerable distance east
Of the points their advance guards
reached last week.
Farther east in the Lens district
and southwark between Arras and
Albert, where the Germans made
their initial attempt to work around
the allies left, the English and
French have made notable pro-
gress.'
Evidence that the German assaults
are being delivered with less force is
conveyed in the intimation that be-
tween the Somme and the Disc their
artillery attacks are not followed up
with infantry charges. 1t is possible
they have withdrawn some of their
troops from this position to strength
en- their advance toward the coast,
but it is considered this would be
risky, as it might permit the allies
to break through and interrupt the
communication of their armies fight
ing north OF the Aisne.
Allies Center Advances.
In the center the allies also have
advanced, particularly toward Craen-
ne, and several German trenches are
reported to have been carried to the
northeast of the road from Barry-au-
Bac to Rheims and to the north of
Prunay in the direction of Beine,
which is slightly to the southeast of
Rheims
All this shows a determined and
partly successful attempt to drive the
Germans away from Rheims, which
was under bombardment again on
Thursday The famous cathedral has
been made the target of the German
artillery once more, the Germans ac-
cusing the French of having used the
towers for military purposes.
Warships Damaged.
Trieste via Havre, Oct. ia new
Austrian dreadnought, just complet-
ed, whose launching was scheduled
for Thursday afternoon at the gov
eminent shipbuilding yard at Monfal-
cone bel Trieste, mysteriously caught
fire early on Thursday and was gut
ted by the flames. Six new torpedo
boats also caught fire and were seri-
ously damaged.
The entire shipyard was under
military patrol on Thursday. The
government is alarmed at the coup,
undoubtedly executed by spies.
Portuguese Troops Sail.
New York, Oct 16.-Two expedi-
for one of which English transports
were used, sailed from Lisbon on
Sept. 10 to reinforce garrisons in
Portuguese possessions in Africa
which adjoin those of Germany.
This was made known on Thursday
by c. Rangel de Sampaio, Portuguese
consul general at New York, and is
the first news to reach this country
of any actual military operations by
Portugal for the eventuality of that
country's participation in the war.
One of the expeditionary forces
about 5000 men, commanded by Col
Rossades, a veteran in warfare
against African tribes-had sailed, he
said, for Angola Portuguese Congo)
the other, 5000, commanded by Col
Massano, for Mozambique (Portu
guese East Africa).
"These forces were sent to pro
tect our colonies in the event of wal
with Germany" said the consul.
Attack Russ Trenches.
London, Oct. 16.-Reuter's Tele
gram company has received from
Amsterdam the following officia
statement issued in Vienna at moor
on Wednesday:
''The general staff says that The
Russians have occupied fortified posi-
tions on the line of Stry, Sambor anC
Midyra in Galicia. The Austrians arr
now attacking the positions.
I'm the Carpathians the Austrian
occupied Toronya after four days o
fighting and pursued the enemy il
the direction of Wyskow. Smalle
successful skirmishes have takel
place in the Visse valley