Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-11
MESS|NES BATTLE
MERELY A PRELUDE
Engagement of a Far Mightier
Description Is Projected
by the Allies.
TO MOVE IN MACEDONIA, TOO

The wiping out of the German salient
at Messines appears. in the light OF
later developments. to be merely the
prelude to a projected battle of a far
mightier description after German
reaction of a surprisingly feeble char
acter. The British have resumed
trench raids over front reaching from
north of Ypres to as far south as
Epehy. a distance of about seventy
miles as the crow flies. but far more
than that along the tortuous windings
of the battle front.
The official announcement of raids
rorth of Ypres is of especial interest
in view of the recent frequently re-
ported heavy artillery fire on the Bel
gian front. Some weeks ago the Ger
mans made a voluntary retirement
from in front of the Belgian lines. a
fact little noted at the time In the
pressure of greater events. From Ypres
the allied front curves sharply to the
sea and an advance here would threaten
the German hold on their great sub
marine bases on the Belgian coast
Ostend and Zeebrugge.
Preparing on Macedonian Front.
In the meantime there are indications
that Gen Sarrail is preparing to re-
sumo the offensive in Macedonia. the
Bulgarian official announcement re-
porting a great increase in the violence
Of the allied artillery fire on this front
Considerable fighting has been going
on in Macedonia for a month or more,
but the meagerness of the official re.
ports and the surprising interest OF
events in France have combined to OBJ
scure the exact situation.
Another CLEAN of light has pierced
the dark clouds hanging over Russia
The Cossacks have again voiced their
determination to support the pro-
visional government. and there are in
dications that they will receive strong
backing from the peasants. This cheer
ing news comes on the heels OF the
publication of President Wilson's mes
sage to Russia, which is hailed by the
document, but a powerful reinforce
ment to the men who are striving for
law and order in the infant republic.
Berlin's official bulletin today points
British are preparing for new attacks
on the Belgian front A considerable
increase in the artillery activity is re-
ported there, notably in the sector OF
of Nieuport and east of Ypres. where
the recent British advance was carried
out. In this last sector. indeed. Gen.
Plumer's troops made a new local
tHT TuSt last night ana advanced lhelT
lines slightly south Of Messines.
On the French front the artillery on
both sides has displayed somewhat un-
usual activity north Of the Somme and
in the region of Cerny. along the
min-des-Dames on the Aisne front.
German attempt to carry out sur
prise attack near Cerny was stopped.
British Make Additional Advance.
LONDON, June II, 1888 am.-The
British have made an additional ad-
vance south of Messines according to
an official statement issued by the war
office this morning.
The statement follows:
There was considerable artillery ac-
tivity on both sides during the night
east Of Epehy. Bodies Of hostile troops
persed by our fire. We made a sue
cessful raid last night southwest OF
La Bassee. Much damage was done to
the enemy's trenches and mine gal
lertes. and eighteen prisoners were
captured. Parties Of our troops also
raided German positions east Of Yer
mclles and south Of Armentieres. They
inflicted a number Of casualties on the
enemy.
Our own and the enemy's artillery
showed great activity last night south
Of Ypres. Our line has again been ad !
vanced slightly south OF Messines."
German Raids at Cerny Repulsed.
PARIS. June II. noon.-There was
active artillery fighting last night north
of the Somme. the war office announces.
A German raid west OF Cerny was re-
pulsed.
The statement follows: There was
| rather unusual activity Of the artil-
lery on both sides north Of the Somme
and in the region of Cerny. To the
west OF this village the enemy at
! tempted a new surprise attack and wa.
repulsed. Patrol encounters occurred
! near Hill 304 and in the Woeyre. The
| night was calm on the remainder OF
| the front
German Report of Activities.
BERLIN. June H. via London.-There
| was a considerable increase yesterday
in the artillery activity in the sector oi
the dunes on the Belgian front. near
| Nieuport and east of Ypres, saws todav's
army headquarters announcement
Italians Take Two Points.
ROME, June II. via London, 5,33 n m
Inc italians have resumed the Of
/ fensiye. Today's official statement vays
| they have captured Monte Ortipara
east OF Gina tndice. and have carried
Angelic pass.
Austria's Version of Events.
| VIENNA. June 10, via London, June
; ll1.-The Austrian official conm,nica
| ton issued today says:
! AT several points in east C.,;ot,
| there mas been an increase in the fipht-
| ing activity Of the Russians
| italian theater: There is notbin,
| new win the lsonzo army. In the Sli-
CANA valley and on the Siebenpma;dan
l Il arft