Arizona republican., 1914-10-18
Each Day Brings Big Con- flict Closer Home to Bri- tain With Germans Less than Seventy Miles From Dover.
BRITONS MAKE
 NAVAL GAINS
Report Comes of Sinking Four German Destroyers but Kaiser's Troops Are Moving Rapidly on the Land.
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPATCHl

LONDON, Oct. 17-Each day brings the war nearer home to England. To- day there was naval battle off the Dutch coast, in which a British crus- CT and four destroyers sank four Ger man destroyers, while on land Ger man troops reached the coast of Bel gium, less than seventy miles from Dover. They are about to attempt to march southward to Dunkrk and Calais, which are even closer to the English coast. It is here in West Flanders and across the French from tier in Pas de Calais that the heaviest and most important fighting is going on.
 According to a French official con- municatiOn this afternoon the Germans have not advanced beyond a line run ming from Ostend to Thorout, Poul- CTS and Menin, the last mentioned place being just on the border north of Lille which the Germans occupied some days ago, but which, according to an unconfirmed report, they have been compelled to abandon. The all lied line in this region runs from a point on the coast which is not dis closed. For a moment Arras was the scene of most persistent fighting, the Germans trying to break through to the Calais railway, while the French were attempting to push the German front to the northeast. In this fight ing the French appear to have met with some success as they announce that they occupied FleurbaiX, and have also taken the immediate ap- proach to Armentieres. At Arras, they claim they are continuing to gain ground. Both Berlin and Paris express the greatest confidence in the outcome of the battles in the east and west
 The fighting has only comenced in this district however, for the Germans who would consider it great success to reach the coast of France, have brought up strong endorsements, and will strive with all their might to achieve this object Their official report issued this afternoon says no events of importance have happened, but as they always await important victories before making any an nouncement, this does not mean there was no fighting.
 The allies also can bring up rein forcements both by land and sea, and have been doing so, a fact which makes it certain that a great battle must be fought before either side gives ground.
 The allies will be assisted by Brit ish ships when the fighting reaches a point near the coast. Along the cen ter, which now stretches from Rove to Mouse, there appears to have been a lull in the fighting, which means of course, although the artillery has been as busy as ever, neither side has attempted any attacks. Around St. Mihiel and south of Verdun, where the Germans are hanging on to a little strip of the river Mouse which they have succeeded in cross ing, and from which the French have been trying for weeks to drive them, q battle has almost been continuous. The French claim they gained ground. Away down in Alsace, which is sel- dom mentioned in the official reports, there has been fighting, which how ever, both the French and German statements ignore. Twice during the week reports have come from Basel that the Germans have been defeated there, and now an unofficial account from Berlin says the fortress at Bel
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