The sun., 1918-10-24
BRITISH GAIN ON
WHOLE FRONT
BELOW SCHELDT
Enemy Resistance Stiffens,
but Haig Moves on Three
Miles More.
yALENCIENNES FLANKED
Fighting in Streets as Evacua-
tion Is Begun-Ghent Also
Is Given Up.
yALENCIENNES FLANKED

LONDON, Oct. 23.-The British are
gaining on the entire front held by
them in Belgium and France extend
ing from the Scheldt river south
ward to region south of lie Cateau.
At some points along this front Field
Marshal Haig's men penetrated to a
depth of three miles, taking many
important positions and capturing
several thousand prisoners.
South Of yalenciennes the British
Third and Fourth armies smashed
through strong enemy defences. gain
ing three miles on n front of six
miles. This advance now constitutes
wedge into one of the most vital
points of the German defence sys-
TEN. At every step of the way the
British were compelled to overcome
the most desperate resistance, the
German machine gunners putting up
particularly stubborn fight.
stood Cntil Bayoneted. .4----.s.
Scores Of these stuck to their
Weapons until the British bayoneted
them. At several points along this
part OF the front the fighting was of
the hand to hand type. Last reports
nom the battlefield stated that the fight
was continuing and that the Germans
were being forced further back.
Outstanding features Of the news
from the front were contained in des-
patches stating that the Germans were
rapidly evacuating Ghent. and that
the Belgian Government. now that the
whole of the province Of western
Flanders has been liberated. has de-
cided to establish its administrative
departments at Bruges.
Enemy Resists Desperately.
The Germans on the northern and
eastern reaches of the battle line are
fighting with desperate energy. par
t.cularly at those threatened points
where further allied advance would
mean the breakdown Of the Whole
enemy defensive system. At these
POINTS immense numbers of machine
guns are in action, with the result that
oiled progress Is painfully slow.
In spite OF these greatly increased
defensive efforts the British. French and
Belgians continue to forge ahead.
Northeast of Laon the French have
reached and passed the Serre River and
are continuing their progress there. The
British advanced a mile on six mile
front Immediately south OF Valenciennes.
North Of that city Field Marshal Haig's
men also made progress. The British
thrust TO the south of Valenciennes re-
suited in driving wedge through the
German lines In the direction of Mau-
beuge. North OF the lace manufacturing
centre the British pushed through
Bruay
Valenciennes Being Evacuated.
BY these drives on both sides OF
Vaenciennes the British have made
that city untenable for the enemy. VIII"
already has begun to withdraw. Haigs
men, in addition to their flanking move.
ments, advanced into the western sui
uros and at last reports were engaging
te German garrison in street fighting
Along the Scheidt Canal, which di-
Ndes Nalenciennes. the Germans have
posted innumerable machine guns. ana
tAese are Offering vigorous resistance to
the advancing British.
It is evident. however. that Field Mar
sAal Haig is relying more on his hanking
movements than on the frontal attack,
and that ne Is bidIng his time until the
wings OF his Fourth Army shall have
eh'eIoped the city, thus forcing Its evac-
uAuon without bombardment.
On all the British parts OF the front
ne action has developed into a contest
oH'weeu Infantry and machine gunners.
owing to the unfavorable nature OF the
country the use Of tanks is out OF the
question, and SO soft are the roads as
ne result Of recent rains that the haul
Eg up Of artillery has been hampered.
Americans sim tn IL.
Dispatches from the front state that
tte American units cooperating with
ne British in the neighborhood of Va
.enciennes are lending valuable assist
snCe
TO the north OF Valenciennes the
British made further crossings of the
Scaeldt river and canal. establishing g
sT'ago heads on tho eastern banks, Al!
'o.d the British advanced on a front of
seventeen miles. their maximum pene-
U@aon being three miles. Two thousand