The British monitor M 21 is mined off Ostend. Oct. 21 (Mon.) The Germans temporarily gain the protection of water (the Scheldt and its canals and other waterways) from the Dutch frontier to the neighbourhood of Valenciennes. The British 5th Army reaches Tournai. Oct. 22 (Tues.) The French and Belgians advance upon Ghent; they cross the Lys Canal. The British 1st Army enters the western outskirts of Valenciennes. Further south the French advance on the River Serre Front. Serbian Front:--The French occupy Negotin. Oct. 23 (Wed.) The British 3rd and 4th Armies attack on a twenty-mile front north-east of Le Cateau; they advance to a depth of four miles. The British 1st Army, advancing between Tournai and Valenciennes, captures Bruay, Bleharies, and Espain. Further south the French cross the Souche against strong resistance. Mesopotamian Front:--The British advance (east of the Tigris) along the road Kifri--Kirkuk--Alton Keupri. Oct. 24 (Thur.) The British 3rd and 4th Armies advance between the Scheldt and the Sambre; they approach Landrecies and the Forest of Mormal. Italy:--The Allies launch an offensive on a wide front against the Austrian positions in the Trentino and on the Middle Piave; the Italians capture Monte Solarolo, the French Monte Sisemol; the British attack to force a crossing of the Piave. Oct. 25 (Fri.) The British 1st Army advances north of Valenciennes; the British 3rd Army captures eight miles of the Valenciennes-Avesnes railway: this ends the Battle of the Selle (see Oct. 17), which has forced the Germans from the line of the river, driven a new salient into their front, and cut their chief lateral communication, the Valenciennes-Metz railway. Captures in the battle amount to 21,000 prisoners and over 450 guns. The French attack and advance on a front of twenty-five miles between the rivers Oise, Serre, Souche, and Aisne. Italy:--Lord Cavan, in command of the 10th Army (of British and Italians), crosses the Piave against fierce resistance. Mesopotamian Front:--The British capture Kirkuk (see May 24) and force the passage of the Lesser Zab. Oct. 26 (Sat.) General Ludendorff, the German First Quartermaster-General, resigns. The British make progress south of Valenciennes. Palestine Front:--British and Arab forces capture Aleppo; by this the conquest of Syria is completed and the Baghdad railway cut. Oct. 27 (Sun.) Austria asks for an Armistice, which is refused. The Germans retreat before the French between the Oise and the Aisne towards Hirson. Italy:--Lord Cavan's army advances several miles east of the Piave. Albania:--The Italians capture the port of Alessio. Oct. 28 (Mon.) An Allied Conference opens at Versailles. The Italians cross the Piave in the Montello area. Mesopotamian Front:--General Marshall captures Kalat Shergat on the Tigris. Oct. 29 (Tues.)