Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-16

m.)-The Belgian city
of Thourout has been
captured by the allied
forces in their Flanders
offensive. The fall Of
Courtrai is imminent.
British Army Headquarters
in Flanders, Oct 16. Reuters.
Belgian cavalry this morning
was reported TO be within
mile OF the important railway
center of Thielt. That town II
only about fifteen miles south
west oil Ghent
Paris, Oct. 16.-British pa
trolls entered the southwestern
suburbs of Lille this morning.
London, Oct. 16-The Belgian
army under King Albert is adyanc-
ing rapidly along the Cortemarck-
Thourout road. The fall OF the Bel
gfan town of Thourout, whose cap
ture was prematurely announced
unofficially yesterday, is expected
almost Immediately.
Gains of ground by British pa
trolls during last night in the
Douai-LiIle sector are reported In
Field Marshal Haig's report today.
CBy the Associated Press,l
Sweehfdg steadily ahead over tho
IoWlands of Belgian Flanders, the
British, French and Belgian armies
are rapidly bearing away the eN-
treme right flank Of the Germans
battleline Twelve thousand pris-
oners have been captured in Two
days, according to official stat e.
ments. This would seem to indl-
cate a victory Of great importance
even if the ground gained was not
vital in the development Of mighty
allied offensive.
Lille Outilanked.
Allied forces have captured
Menin and Wervicq and are across
the Lys river in the neighbOrhoou
of the latter town There are uu-
official reports that Thourout has
been taken and it is confirmed that
the British are within two miles
of Courtrai. This completely out
fianks Lille from the north and the
Germans probably viii be forced
out of that city in a very short
time The allies are now about
eleven miles from Bruges and %
miles from Ghent They have adj
vanced in the neighbOThuod OF
seven miles since Monday morning
Huns Must Retreat.
Darfc DOT lE Tho German Tv-
treme right wing is being threat
ened more and more as the allied
wedge in Flanders is driven deep
er. The enemy resistance seems
to be slackeuing in Flanders and
il is believed here that Important
results may be seen within a few
days. Already the advance of lua
allies is from two and Uue-haH f0
five miles on a 3O-mile front On
the right the British hold Megin
and Weryicq and have CourtraI all
most within their grasp The
evacuation OF the great industrial
centers Of Lille, Roubalx and Tour
Going seems inevitable as the re-
suit Of this gain On the lett tla
Bclgians are approaching Thuurllt
only u miles from bruges HlI
within ~ miles OF the Dutch Gou-
tier.
Push Across Lys.
With the Allied Armies tn Bel
gium, Tuesday, Oct I5. = p. M .-
tBy the Associated Press Mauln
has fallen Allied troop are q
mile east Of Boulers and advanced
patrols are, according TO latest re-
ports within a mile OF Cuur-rai
The Lys river seems to have been
crossed between Confines. which
has been captured and Warut,au.
Reports indicate that another
crossing Of the Lys has been et-
fected at Weryicq, although This
has not been confirmed l- tL.s
hour.
Fight In DOWnpOur.
Everywhere the Germans arc
fighting rear guard actions wi.h
large numbers OF men Involved in
the struggle. The battle is be.lg
fought in continuous rain,
which makes the fighting .ucreas-
ingly difficult Troops siormIug
ahead lose their fitting in the uozr.
some sinking In as far as tha.r
knees. The wounded returning
from the front are plastered vita
mud
Cuerne has been starmed and
taken and the BeIgians have cap.
tured Beyen station They are
east and north OF the Beyen canal