Arizona republican., 1918-10-31
FORCING ENEMY
 BRITISH SNUG !. UP T0 SCHE[DT
In Mighty Advance They
 Protect Civilians From Bombardment - Cross Scarpe-Lille in Great Joy

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM, Oct. 30.- CBy the Associated Press, 8 p. m.)- The victorious British troops ill the Valenciennes- -Courtrai sector were resting on their arms this morning, with their line or the greater part Of the way snug up against the, Scheldt river and canal, to which they had forced the enemy. On the other side of these natural defenses the unhappy Germans are still clinging to positions which they hoped would afford them protection in further withdrawal.
 In the meantime, preparation for retirement to line further back was going on apace in the enemy forward areas. Railway communications were being destroyed and highways being blown up as fast as the war materials could be removed. The new German line would depend largely on events, but indications are that the enemy would stand temporarily on the Dendre river which affords an excellent de- fense.
 British Safeguard Civilians Civilians have not been withdraw ing in great numbers. Tournai for example, which is closely invested by the British, appears to be full of civil ians, who, thanks to the chivalry of the British forces, are in no danger excepting from the Huns. The British have religiously refrained from she'll | ing towns along the line, even though it might be of military advantage to do so.
 On the other hand. the enemy has been venting his hate on villages in theallied territory along the line. Last night such places were shelled with high explosives and gas shells, and casualties were caused among the in habitants.
 Fighting last night was confined to | local engagements. South of Valen- ciennes the British extended their bridgeheads on the Rhonelle river, east | of Artres. A countermove of the en- emy north of here came to grief. The Germans put down an artillery bar rage northwest of F'amars, but British gunners so badly smashed them that the attack did not materialize.
 Patrol Crosses Scarpe Further north a hard engagement was fought on the Scheldt river. Here the British attempted to cross under ! artillery support and a battle de. veloped at two destroyed bridges. At tacking forces essayed a crossing twice but the advantage was always with the | enemy, who had the river for protec tion and the project was abandoned.
 British patrol, however, crossed the Scarpe southeast of Maudle by raft, and penetrated 800 yards eas of the river where they encountered heavy machine gun fire.
 The Germans had been defendinl their present waterway positions viz. orously, although holding considerabl, stretches, mainly with machine guns along the eastern sides of the river. and canals. Some infantry reliefs ar, being made along the line but all Ger man troops are tired, so that such change makes very little difference t, the strength of the enemy
 Ideal weather has brought out grea fleets of allied airships and the Ger mans are not idle. Yesterday alon, the front between Tournai and St Amand, the British destroyed min hostile planes and sent three nor down out of control. The British hay absolute dominance of the air.
 Lille Becomes Herself
 Lille is rapidly coming into her owr after four years of stultifying con uitlollS, lmpOSeu Dy the invaders. Tn streets have an air of happy activit and business is being resumed Price of foodstuffs have dropped enormousl with the opening up of supplies fror the allied territory.
 Potatoes form a striking instance Under the German regime they wer seven francs per kilo, (about tw pounds) now the same amount ma be had for one franc, twenty fiv centimes. Food was exceedingl scarce and dear while the German were in Lille. The residents say whe they received supplies from the Amer ican relief commissions. they were al , ways beseiged by Germans with offer to purchase. The enemy was willing t pay any price for this food, but tn people used to hide their meagre sun plies.
 The city is having considerable diff
 ficulty with light and water, becaus
 the Germans severed the electric wire . in most houses, and cut off the wate
 supply when they left.
 ? When the British released the plac there was considerable dysentery be
 cause the water had been cut off. an
 many cess pools had not been cleane for four years. These conditions al being rapidly overcome.