New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-10
Seize Important Position
of Les Eparges, South
east of Verdun.
LOSS OF LIFE ON
BOTH SIDES HEAVY
Germans Present Obstinate Re-
sistance - Charge Fifteen
Times to Retake Trench.
Try cnhl, 70 The Tribune J

Paris, April 9.-Ihe french nave won
notable victory in the fighting be-
tween the rivers Mouse and Moselle by
capturing the German position at Les
Fparges twelve miles southeast OF
Verdun and ten miles directly north Of
st. MihieD, thus gaining command
ing position over the fat lands Of the
Woeyre district and further imperilling
the apex Of the German wedge at st.
Nihiel.
The French are necessarily lombard
ing st. Mihiel, the point which they
are irving TO force out; at the same
time they are attacking the two sides
Of the wedge with infantry and ar
tlllery in an endeavor to reach the
roads which lead from st. Mihiel to
Metz. If the progress already made IS
~ great as the official report claims,
these roads now should be almost with
in reach of the French guns.
The loss Of life In these engagements
around st. Mihiel IS undoubtedly
enormous. The French report speaks OF
the great number of German dead, and
military experts here are convinced
that the offensive movement against
such an opposition as the Germans are
Offering must be costing the French
heavily.
To-night's official report indicates the
Cbstinacy Of the Germans efforts 10
protect St. Mihiel. In the Forest Of
Nontmare they made fifteen counter
attacks TO recapture lost positions. All
Of these, the communlque states, were
lCpulsed
The Germans have made an attack
on the British lines in Northern France,
which was repulsed. and have recapt-
tured from the Belglans trench near
the village Of Drei Grachten, on the
ser. which has changed hands several
times within a few days.
Following is the text al the latest
statement issued by the War Office:
after new and brilliant attack the
important position of Les Eparges,
which dominates the plain of WOcvre
and which the enemy defended obstin-
ately, is now completely in our hands.
We carried yesterday 1000 metres
about 500 yards) Of trenches, and this
morning the Germans held in strength
on the plateau only two isolated posi-
ti1ns of some metres. We carried
these this afternoon, taking 100 prs
oncrs We have thus attained one OF
the principal detectives of our opera
lions of the last few days.
Further to the north, in the Forest
Of ALLY we have maintained all the
ground gained 200 metres on a front
Of 100 metres and repulsed three
counter attacks. In the Forest of
Montmare the Germans made fifteen at
tacks TO retake trenches which we
wrested from them yesterday. They
were repulsed fifteen times. Heaps of
German bodies are lying on the ground.
an Belgium, near Drei Grachten, the
Germans by an attack occupied part of
trench on the left bank Of the User,
while tho Relgians made attacks, de-
bouchiug not far from the spot on the
right bank, and installed there bridge
head.
"In Champagne there have been in
fantry attacks of quite local but very
vigorous character. TO the north Of
Boausejour the Germans endeavOred to
retake part Of the trenches lost by
them last month They were mown
down except at one point, where they
succeeded yesterday evening, in install
ing themselves in an advanced French
position. To-day We made counter
attack. We recaptured the place and
pushed the enemy back TO his point Of
departure, inAicting appreciable losses
upon him.
con the southeastern slope of Hart
mauus-W eilerGopf the lumber Of pris-
oners taken by us during the last few
day. was l50.'