New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-19
LOSSES TERRIFIC
IN ALLIES'D DRIVE
NORTH OF ARRAS
Berlin Reports Attacking
Force Near La BaSsee
Nearly Wiped Out.
SMALL GAINS WON
AT BAYONET POINT
Each Side in Official Report EN-
phaSizeS Loss of FOe-French
Press On in AlSaCe.

London, June lS-Although disagree
ing as TO results both the German off,
cial war statement, on the one hand,
and the French and British communi-
cations on the other, indicate that the
fighting progressing in the Arras sector
and az the northern and southern parts
Of the short British front is as des-
perate as any the western theatre Of
war has developed.
The area Of hostilities is tiny as com
pared with the sweep Of the Galcian
front, but the last few days have
brought much aand-to-hand fighting,
the British and French striving to hold
the trenches gained, and the Germans,
with o preponderance of machine guns,
as promptly initiating a counter at
tack.
Each Emphasizes Foes Losses.
Each side dwells on the losses Of the
other and each emphasizes its gains, all
Of which have been costly, although
comparatively small as measured in
distance 1t is too early 70 say whether
this means a serious Franco-British at
tempt TO break through. but it is patent
that they are on the offensive.
The German official announcement
says that an allied force which at
tackled German positions north Of La
Basste was destroyed, only few sue
cecding in rctreating.
The French are still continuing their
offensive in Alsace. They have reached
the outposts Of Metzeral and seriously
threaten the line Of communication be-
tween that place and Munster, The
text Of the French War Office statement
follows:
in the sector 10 the north Of Arras
violent artillery duel has taken place
to-day. The front here remains un-
changed We hold all the ground we
have captured.
Reach Metzeral Outskirts.
an Alsace we have fortified the
positions which we took yesterday
and continue to make progress here.
Our advanced parties at the end Of
the day had reached the outskirts Of
Metzeral. We have advanced along
both banks Of the Fecht. We hold
under our fire the enemvs communi-
cations between Metzeral and Munster.
Further prisoners, machine guns and
q very large quantity Of war materi-
ais. notably rifles and cartridges, have
been taken by US"
Following is a report from Sir John
French, commander in chief Of the
British forces on the Continent, given
out here tonight:
"The fighting in the northern and
southern portions of our front con-
tirucd throughout June l6 In cooper
alton with the attack of our ally
about Arras.
East of Ypres all the German first
line trenches which we captured re-
main in our hands, in spite Of two
counter attacks which were rcpulsed
were, however, unable to retain those
Of the enemy's second line trenches
which we had occupied in the morn
ing.
East of Festubert, as result Of
a further attack on the afternoon Of
the 10th, we made a slight advance,
and, judging by the number of dead
Germans in the trenches entered by
us. our artillery fire was very effect
i've"
Attacking Forces Destroyed.
The German Army Headquarters
communication says:
"Our enemies continue their at
tempts to break through our Lines to
the north of La Basste Canal and have
suffered a new defeat Their attack
ing troops were destroyed. Only a
few men succeeded in rctreatinE.
East of Angres south Of Souchez
and north Of Ecurie the French pene-
trated our outer positions at inter
walls. Due north of the Lorette Hills
we surrendered a section of q trench
situated within range of the cnemy's
fire. in accordance with our plans. The
rest of the enemy's attempts to at
tack were frustrated
"Since June Is we have captured
on the battlefield 70 the north of Ar
ras seventeen officers and 64l men.
The sanguinary losses of our oppo-
nents were equal to those Of the bat
ties in the Champagne district
"ln the Argonne we repulsed weak
enemy advances at NauquoIs. Local
fights developed in the Nosges. En-
gagcments around Mctzeral still are
going on"