The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-10-24
BATTLE rs
STILL RAGING
(Continued from page ID

O1AlL 6kf40AN0
CONTINUED from page ID
markable preponderance of rifle and
machine gun wounds over sheli
wounds. The former injuries are iisnt
lin the majority Of cases and permll
an early return OF the casualties 10
the line.
On the other hand, the Boches are
suffering heavily from allied artillery
fire and their losses greatly exceed
those of the allies, conditions, coupled
with their lowering morale, which Is
inevitable In view of their peace drive
and to the explanations OF the Ger
man desire for an aTrnistice.
New Drive is Important.
TBy Lowell AIelett, United Press stan
Correspond
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN
FRANCE. Oct. 24.-The new drive be-
tween the Scheldt and the Sambre is
expected to have wide results, the
most important of which will be the
complete turning of the Valenciennes
line
On the front from Valenciennes
northward to the frontier Of Holland,
German resistance is stiffening- Br1t-
ish patrols have managed to push
across the Scheldt ar several places
north of Journal.
Although the strongest opposition
since the enemy withdrawal began
was looked for south OF Valenciennes,
there are no signs SO far OF any great
defensive preparations beyond sleno-
er, new trench and wire systems
The Germans are retiring largely
upon the strong, natural positions be-
hind the canal and the Raismes for
est and the flooded area between
Douai and yafenciennes.
During the past four days, the Ger
mans have withdrawn about three
kilometers 1.-TWO miles every night, al
ter holding on all day, the British at
day break, occupying the abandoned
ground and resuming their pressure.
An example of the forces preying
ON the minds of the German troops
ts found in a letter which a captured
private received from his brother in
Hamburg, written october IL. The
letter reiterates five times that peace
ia certain within a few days and
urges the soldier to surrender or
avoid death in some way. He sur
rendered to the Americans near Baz-
uel.
Serbs Make Further Progress.
LONDON, Oct 24.-Serbian troops
have made further progress toward
their former capital, driving the
Austro-6sermans across the west Mo
rayia river, ninety miles from Bel
grade, the Serbian war office an
nounced today.
AFTER stubborn fighting, the enc
my was forced to retreat on the
Razanj 'front.' the communique said.
1--WE crossed the west Moravia
northwest Of that village, taking 800
prisoners"
Violent Opposition
LONDON, Oct 24-(British Admir-
atty Wireless) "A Times coT5sSs1E-1-
emit with the American forces SAYS
in a dispatch to his newspaper TO
day that it would be difficult 20 eI-
aggerate the violence Of the opposi-
ton which the first American army
is meeting between the Meuse and
the Argonne.
Indeed, slow as the progress is"
he writes, at Is quite remarkable
when all the circumstances are taken
into considera ton. Little by little,
forward, and both at Grandpre and
east of Landres they can fairly be
said to have preached the Kriem-
hide position.
ION the left of the American front
around Grandpre, there is constant
heavy artillery firing and vicious
machine gun resistance. More TO the
right, Romagne, Sous, Mont Faucon.
Cunel, Cterges and Mantillois are
kept continually under heavy bonn
bardment by the enemy, who is
using a good deal OF gas along the
roads behind the American lines.
ION the east bank of the Meuse
there is greater infantry activity,
and enemy patrols sre continually
farassing and counter attacking. It
is quite evident that Ludendorff and
the German general staff have or
dered this part Of the line to be held
at all costs and that reinforcements
are continually being thrown against
the Americans.
despite all the efforts of the
enemy, who have every advantage of
terrain, the Americans are adVanc-
ing slowly and with every prospect
of ultimate triumph"
Local Gains.
PARIS, Oct 24.-Local gains on
the Disc front, between the Disc and
the Serre and north of Rheims, were
reported by the French war office to-
day.
"On the Disc front we crossed the
canal east of Grand Verley," the com
munioue said. Despite enemy coun-
ter attacks we hold the east bank.
Between the Disc and the Serre
there was lively fighting in the region
of the railway north of Mesbrecourt.
North of My LIE Comte We en-
larged our gains during the night.
"On the plateaus east of Vouziers
there were great artillery duels."
Attack is Resumed.
LONDON, Oct. 24.-The attack
was resumed this morning on the
whole front between the Sambre-Oise
4 Cy,l,, u T. Ill