The Elbert County tribune., 1914-10-16

cred miserably on the docks when the
last relief ship left late yesterday af-
ternoon
London. Oct. 15.-While 1t is fully
expected the Germans will reach Ost-
end aud other ports in the northwest
of Belgium. If they have not done so
already, they will meet 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-
cisive result in the long-drawn-out bat
tie. will be struck. 1t is for this rea-
son that the Germans will be 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
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 Oise. 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 divicions have been destroyed
and 1t is asserted, on the other hand,
that the aviators with the French cay
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, II neces-
sary, 100000 men can be called upon
for compulsory service, while many
volunteers also are available.
The official British press bureau Is
sued the following statement:
British troops have been engaged
With the enemy toward the left OF the
allied line Tin France) with the result
that the Germans have been pressed
back slightly on their flank. The ma
ture of the country in which the
has been conducted. makes