The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-21

statement issued Saturday says:
 On the 17th the Serbia1ls captured So- kobanja On the 18th we continued the advance on the whole front
 DRIVE GERMANS EASTWARD
 With the Allied Armies in France and Belgium, October 2O.-The An -Belgaans are also northeast of Deerlyck, Spruete and Stratte. The rhrc army in it's attack had C&p- tureo by early afternoon nearly 15oO prisoners.
 While the Belgians, French and Brit ish were driving the Germans rapidly to the east in the direction of Ghent, which is being approached both from the east and the southeast, the Brit- ish Third army, attacking at Z o'clock this morning, smashed it's way east ward to the south of Valencinnes. The success of this operation, which this evening seems assured, means tne turning of the Valencinnes llne and endangers all the German forces northward to Flanders and southeward to the Disc canal behind which the Germans have begun to retreat from other British forces and the Ameri- cans
 This thrust will serve to upset tho known, German plan of trying to hold the line east of the Scheldt, to whicl, the enemy is retiring hastily from what was once the Lille salient.
 Reports from the battle line m Flanders indicate that Ghent will soon be recovered. Already the allied guns are hammering the Germans on all sides; cyclists and cavalry patrols ere sweeping in front of the infantry, drawing closer and closer.
 The Germans were driven out of the northwest coast in Flanders much sooner than they expected, for cap- tured orders show that they intended to hold the line of zeebrugge- -Bruges- Thielt but were unable to resist tGe terrific pressure.
 Thousands of civilians have been liberated by the Belgians and French and masses of booty which the Ger man had no time to carry away, fell into their hands. M f ..s4,.,
 It is considertd quite possible that the Germans will try to make several successive stands in Belgium. and one line of resistance undoubtedly will comprise Antwerp, Brussels and Ma mur, on which much work is being done. At the same time it is worth noting that the Germans are labor ing frantically in the preparation of a defensive line on their frontier, esae cially in the neighborhood of Ak la Chapelle and Liege.
 The operation of the Third army was characterized by most severe fighting, for the Germans realized the importance of trying to delay the British here. Re- gardless of the enemy resistance. how ever, the British gained the high ground to the east of the line from which they were advancing, against perfect storm of machine gun bullets fired from ad- vantageouS positions. The machine guns were cleared, out with rapidity and great numbers of Germans were killed The fighting was especially fierce in the neighborhood of Python, where many barricades had been hastily erected.
 South of LeCateau the British and Americans are continuing their sue cesses of the past two days. American patrols, pushing out from the Mazng- hier area, have reached the banks or the Disc canal. The German artillery m this region has been quite active ana many towns, including Bazuel, have been heavily shelled
 There were civilians in some of those towns. so that their speedy removal was necessary, the Germans dsregardins their presence entirely.
 North of Courtrai the British Second army is across Lys river at several places, and making good progress. while
  CT near Haspres and Saulzer and con- tinued driving.
 From in front of Denmin this army is pushing frontally for valenciennes. a movement which is in cooperation with the Third army's attack southward.
 Obviously the Germans intended to de- fend the east bank of the Scheldt, for they trenched and wired it. But there are strong indications that the enemy has little faith in his ability to hold the line long. for all the bridges are ready for speedy demolition.
 A few fires are still visible at Tournal and the surrounding country. showing that the enemy is burning his stores The Germans are also stripping the coun- try of everything imaginable and are burning what they have been unable te remove. Cattle taken from the peasants are being driven eastward, and the farm CTS haystacks have been burned 1T Buin Turcoing. whore there were thou sands of civilians. scenes occurred sim liar to those at Lille, the citizens ex- hibiting intense joy at their liberation.
 The Germans are plainly showing theil intentions. By removing and destroying machinery of cotton mills and similar industrial works they apparently hay, the idea of stiflng French competition in the future. In the footing of private houses they have displayed their GUS tomary fondness for such things as clocks, family ornaments. Even cruel. fixes have been taken from the homes Of the poorer classes.
 The Germans have carried off virtually the entire male population of the dis. tricts which they evacuated, capable o1 doing any work.