New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16
Germans Cleared from
W0ods-Bapaume
Threatened.
BERLIN ADMITS
LOSS OF TRONES
KaiSer's Forces Weakened
by Pressure on
All Sides.
By ARTHUR S. DRAPER.


BY ARTHUR S. DRAPER.
London, July 15.-Haig's troops.
battering at the third German line
in. Picardy, are forcing a breach
through which Bapaume can be won.
To-day's stubborn fighting won for
the British High Wood and Delville
Wood, north of the Bazentin-Longue-
vile line carried yesterday, and a
hold in the third German line at the.
Bois de Faureaux. Thus Pozieres
and Martinpuich-and through them
Bapaume-are seriously menaced.
The Germans are offering the
stiffest resistance, but they are no
longer fighting in front Of their Sec
ond defences, the line on which they
relied to stem the British advance.
In this new drive Haigs men have
now advanced more than four miles.
The energy with which the offensive
is going on is indicated both in the
ground gained and in the number OF
prisoners. Within the last day 1000
were taken, bringing the total to
10000.
London Stirred by Successes.
London has been stirred more by the
second British assault than by any pre-
vious success. Even those in high po-
sitior, who were inclined at the begin
ming to be somewhat pessmistic about
the advance. have now given them
selves up to the highest hope.
Unofficially the statement is made
that Yesterdays fighting was the most
intense OF the whole war. II has re.
suited not merely in a British threat
a threat that grows hourly-but men.
aces seriously Pozieres and Peronne,
with the prospect of compelling the
Germans to retrea. precipitately.
That Germany is now placed in the
greatest jeopardy since the beginning
Of the war is the opinion of officers in
the highest stations and who are known
for their GOODNESS of decision.
Pressure on TeutOns.
The ring of fire is being forged
stronger every day. The tremendous
pressure on the Teuton in the West
shows no sign Of relenting On the
Eastern front the Germans are prepar-
ing TO make a desperate effort 10 pre-
vert further Russian advance near
Kovel.
According TO one report seven army
corps 100000 mem have been rushed
TO this sector of the Russian front.
With the offensive on the West they
could hardly have been spared. The
Austrians, too, are hard pressed. and
canrot lend assistance TO the Kaiser's
armies in France. Rumors OF a sep
arate peace again are filling the air.
And the Bulgsrians refuse 10 leave
Serbia with a scant garrison.
As for the Turks, Grand Duke Nicho-
las is rcsuming the heavy push in the
Caucasus All signs point TO a rapid
and energetic advance on ths
Euphrates. The capture of the great
Turkish military depot at Erzingan is
expected in a few days.
Kaiser's Forces Weakened.
Thus the Teutonic allies are each
busy on his own front. None can aid
the other materially. and the scsnty re-
serves left at the Kaiser's command are
hardly enough TO bulwarA the defenees
weakened by the enemy's repeated
blows. The operations on all Allied
fronts are going on according TO the
joint plan.
But London is absorbed in the bat
tie in the West. which grows hercer
and brings more promise daily. While
the French remain comparatively in
active having fulfilled their share in
the first phase Of the offensive ve-ths
British push steadily on.
Berlin claimed this morning that the
tide had been stemmed. but admitted
that the fighting was continuing and
that Trones Wood had been lost. The
British losses were described AS most
severe" General Haig tonight reports
that heavy counter attacks were re-
pulsed. The German losses, London
believes, were as severe as, II not
heavier than, those of the British.
Offensive Only Begun.
Premier Asquith announced three
days ago that the offensive had only be-
gun. Each days fighting brings new
significance 20 these words. The aues-
tion Of munitions has been settled by
a Joint conference. Each day knits the
Allies closer and makes the Battle of
Europe" a vast Allied offensive, almost
perfectly coordinsted.
All tidi1gs from the front from cor
respondents and wounded agree tha.
the British plans have been well
worked out and executed. There. are
.-A.sAsA~>run<xkIs1nmn.