New-York tribune., 1917-06-10

last 'front.'
Minor activity in Balkans.
Iondon. June 9.-Five hours OF
..,ssd copnter attack against the new
grtish line east of the Messines-
yvt.ehsete Ridge last night failed 10
restore any Of the lost positions to the
Germans. The promptness Of the re-
,prn blow was equalled by the CELEBRITY
with which the British heavy artillery
had been raised to the crest of the con-
ouered ridge, and the assaulting waves
Of the enemy were cut TO pieces oy
shell fire.
General Plumer's troops even extend
cd their gains little northeast OF Ar
montieres. while the recapture of Klein
ZiDebeke, on the northern flank OF the
advance, reveals that the British are
we'll across the Ypres-Comines Canal.
The number of prisoners taken IN this
area has been increased to over 7,oOo,
and thirty cannon have been recovered
while many more, with machine guns
and trench mortars, still lie buried IN
.hc debris of the great mine explosions.
Advance Near Lens
While the German reaction in Flan-
ders was in progress General Haig eX-
tended his operations from La Bassee
southwark TO Lens and thence through
the Arras battlefield to the small sec
lion Of Hindenburg trench still held by
The Germans west of Bullecourt. These
operations developed as raids in force
on a larger scale than anything pre-
,iously attempted, and indicate Brit
tsh purpose TO make the battle general
both north and south of Lille. There
has been no activity between Armen-
there's and La Bassee, the front imme-
diately facing Lille. which discounts
The probability of frontal drive upon
he city.
Last nights raid by the Canadians
southwest Of Lens was practically a
battle in itself. The enemy's lines were
penetrated for half mile over front
Of Two miles on both sides of the
Souchez River. the raiders working
methodically through this strip of ter
ritory almost 10 the streets Of Avion,
bombing the hostile dugouts and gun
emplacements. working all the damage
possible, and then returning with sew
eral machine guns and seventy pris-
oners.
Attack Near Bullecourt
a raid south Of La Bassee netted
'orty-fOur prisoners and more machine
guns There were also successful
,hrusts southeast Of Loos and around
Bullecourt, while to-day the British i'm
proved their positions on Greenland
Hill, southeast Of Gavrelle, on the
north bank OF the Scarpe. All these
briskly fought little actions and the
continued air raids on the German
troop supply stations suggest that the
second phase Of the new British often
sye, inaugUrated at Wytschaet4, is
about 20 open. In fact, the Berlin bull
ls,ins admit as much.
No mention Of counter attacks on
ne FLANDERS front is made in the Ber-
I'm statements, which, while confessing
ne loss Of the entire Wytschaete ss-
nsnt, point with pride 10 the fact that
me British got no further. Indeed,
ssmi-ofScal German bulletins, received
through Amsterdam. declare the first
phase % the expected" British often
'iye has passed in our favor" II is
ne German contention that 100000
men we're employed in the Flanders at
tack and that the British casualties
we're heavy. The Germans say their
present lines are strong and amply sup
ported By reserves.
Germans in Perilous Position
A. matter Of fact, the situation Of
u btrcral Sixt yon Arnim's army in this
rector is uncomfortable, IL not serious.
" is crsmped into small equilateral
triangle the base Of which Is occupied
~ me British on commanding ridge,
n,ni!e the two sides are formed by the
itDrts-Comines Canal and the River
~, which intersect al Confines. Thus
mere is water az the back o. the Ger
mans In whichever direction they are
sttscked.
The development Of the British strst-
syy ~ strongly suggestive Of com
o.usd assault on Hi 10. between Loos
80 Lens, and the whole Wotan line
nill 10, where the British we're blood
~ rfpulssd IN 1916, is the hinge by
Nhlen The WOtan support line IL at
l~rhsd 70 the original German trench
syst.m running northwsrd 20 the Bel
gan coast. ~ 10 the only important
tlt of high ground the Germans still
hpio In their present zone Of defence
tsfore Lille.
iOHcioI reports and other Vor
"s'cs on Page 81