Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-23
Today's Smash aimed at
Vital Mainstay Holding
Wide Hun Front.

London, Oct. 23.-The Brit
ish began new attack today
on the front between lie Cateau
and SOlesmes, south OF Nalen-
cienneS, Field Marshal Haig an
nOunccS.
The British have captured
Bruay, two and a half miles
north of VaIencieRneS, and have
reached the Vest bank ,Of the
Scheldt.
With the Allied Armies in
France and Belgium. Oct 23.-
(BJ the Associated Press -
British troops were fighting
their way into the center Of Va
lencienncs early today. They
were facing a strong enemy
machine gun fire from the east
bank Of the Scheldt canal which
flows through the city.
Push Through Forest
North of Valenciennes. the Brit
ish have forced their way almost
through the Raisnes forest. Along
the entire front between VaIen-
ciennes and Journal recent rains
have made the ground difficult md
progress has been slowed up.
The Germans on this front in the
last few days have been following
the tactics of retreating during the
night. The British have not been
able to establish contact with the
enemy rear guards until noon OF
the next day. The rear guards en-
deavor to hold the British in check
until nightfall when they again re,
treat.
Huns to Abandon. Line.
There appear to be good indica-
tions that the line on which the
Germans are now resting tempOr-
arily in this region will not be de-
Tended for any great length OF
time. ----7
The entire country between Va
lenciennes and Tournai is as bar
ren as a desert as far as the per
sonal property of the French in
habitants is concerned. Liberated
civilians say that the retreating
Germans carry so much loot that
they stagger under the loads. Ap-
parently the alleged instructions
given the German troops to take
the most strict care as regards the
property of civilians are not OBJ
served at the front
CBy the Associated Pressl.
British troops again are storm
ing the German defenses west Of
Maubeuge. The new attack, launch
ed early today between Solesmos
and lie Cateau, is reported to be
making good progress.
Field Marshal Haig in driving
forward on the seven mile front
north Of lie Cateau also is increa9-
ing the menace to 'NalenCiennes.
through the western suburbs of
which the British are fighting
North of Valenciennes the city has
been outhanked by the capture o.
Bruay. 1t is not probable thc Ger
mans will be able 70 hold out in
Valenciennes much longer, and once
the Scheldt is crossed here the
British will be in position 10 threat
en- seriously both Mons and Maui
beuge.
Strike at Vital Point.
Between lie Cateau and $alcsmes
the British are on the high ground
east of the Sellc river and IT, is from
this favorable position today's az
tack was begun. The German gc-
sistance here has been bitter as the
line is vital TO the security or rlo
German defenses over a wide from,
to the south and southeast.
In southwestern Belgium The
British continue 10 close iu on
Tournai. North Of the town they
have forced a crossing OF ths
Scheldt while on the soutl they
have reached the western bank NJ
the river on a four-miIe front, from
Bruyelles 10 Bleharics-
South Of lie Cateau the enemy is
resisting stubbornly French at-
tempts to cross the Serre river AMI
take in he rear the German pos
tions east OF the Disc South 0f rrc
railroad junction OF MoutCorret gte
French have made progress uC.
tween My -Le-Comtc and Lc Tl0lr.