The Holly chieftain., 1914-10-23
GMcLisH SHIPS FORCE DIG siEoE
GUNS BACK FROM CHANNEL
PORTS, 10 REPORT.
WAR NAvIES IN ACTION
JAP CRUISER SUNK; sRirisH SHIP
DAMAGED; AUsTRlAN SUE
MARINE DESTROYED.

Western Newspaper Union News 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 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
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 allies have also made progress
eastward from 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.
I'm 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.
I'm the neighborhood 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 at Tsing-Tau Monday, and it
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 and
refitted in 1900. She was a vessel of
300 tons and was 300 feet long and
had 46-foot beam. Her main battery
consisted of eight 6-inch guns and her
speed was about 1S 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 Tsing-Tau, when she fouled a
mine. Japanese destroyers heard the
explosion and saw the flames. They
hurried to the assistance Of the cruis.
er, which, however. disappeared very
quickly.
A battle between German four.
funneled cruiser. apparently the Karla.
ruhe, and a British cruiser somewhat
similar in size. is reported by the
American schooner Fannie Prescott.
which arrived in Havana, Cuba, from
Gulfport, Miss. The engagement /.
said to have occurred October II in
latitude 26' 40 north and longitude
s4' 20 west. After half hour of Fir.
Ing, the cruisers separated, according
10 the schooner's crew. the British
vessel going west and the German
north. The German, 1t was stated
was listing to port, and apparently had
been damaged serinnslx -