Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-10-19
fierce BATTLE
NEAR OSTEND
Germans Reported to be Un-
able to Pierce Allies
Line.
DRIVE ENEMY BACK.
Heavy Rains and Cold Weather Ham
per Opcratiuns-All Roads Have
Been Badly Damaged.

parlS, Oct. III! ne herman III
Paris, Oct, 19--The German i'll
vasion Of France by way Of southern
Belgium has been checked.
The official communique issued
issued this afternoon 50 decares.
The Germans have been driven
back from the sea coast as far as
Roulers and the line to Dunkirk,
strongly held by combined French
Belgian army, is intact.
The general battle line now extends
almost due north and south from
Arras, with heavy fighting in the
vicinity of Lille and La Bassee.
Military headquarters here con-
tinues increasingly optimistic. 1t is
believed the entire German strength
has been tried and has been found
wanting. The proposed second at
tempt on Paris by way Of the sea-
coast and the rich valley Of the Seine
is now expected TO be abandoned and
already, in many quarters, can be
heard the declaration that the re-
tiremcnt of the Germans entirely from
northern France is in sight.
Paris. Oct, i9--Severe fighting
southwest Of Ostend. near Nieuport;
south Of Thourout, in Belgium; and
between Lille and Armcntieres is re-
ported in this mornings bulletins at
military Headquarters
The official reports Indicate that
I the Germans are not in sufficient force
to penetrate the allied lines at the
extreme northwest. just north Of the
Belgian border. Little early change
is looked for at this point.
! Between Arras and the neighbor-
hood of scissors the allies continue
to drive the enemy back and at points
have driven wedges into the German
line which reaches to the main line
; Of intrenchcd positions maintained
directly west of the main lines OF
! German communications.
It is believed that the Germans
will be compelled to evacuate St.Mlh-
iel very shortly, inasmuch as the
French advance is proceeding steadily
near that point, the most advanced
. Of the German positions or the right.
, The French armies operating from
! Nancy and Toul continue their eF-
forts to penetrate the valley of the
! Moselle. the objective being Metz.
Operations are being decidedly
hamrered by the heavy rains and
cold weather. Official and unofficial re-
ports received from the north agree
that all roads nave been badly dam
aged by the transport Of heavy guns
and supply trains. and that they are
difficult Of passage. while the iieIds
generally are veritable bogs, through
which men and horses founder. Auto
mobiles forced to leave the highways
become mired and are hard to res
! cue. The weather is also very cold,
and this added to the dampnesS. IS
a natural handicap felt moro by the
Germans that by the allies.
Reports that small torpedo boats
are utilizing the canals in the north
to aid the allies in their operations
are widely circulated.
Although the official communica-
tions fail to make any definite claims
Of bic successes. all information
reaching General Gallieni's headquar-
ters indicate that the main strength
Of the German offensive has been
greatly weakened by the operations
Of the last fortnight. The reinforce
mcnts released through the fall Of
Antwerp. it is claimed here, reached
the extreme right wing Of the Ger
mans Just in time to prevent the en-
forced retirement Of the armies Of
iC.r.,,1 e. .,-op T[l-1cS and won ROehn.