New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-25
French Hold New Gains
Teuton Retreat in
Belgium Foreseen
20, 1000 Men Captured
By Haig and Nivelle
Forty of Hindenburg's Di'
visions Defeated by
British

London. May 24.-Ofiicial announce
ments of German prisoners taken on
the Arras battlefield since April ana
on the front from scissors to AuberIve
since May /. issued here and in Paris
to-day, indicate that the Allied general
stats consider the recent operations
or the West front as closed and are
now concentrating the energies OF the
two armies for the second phase of the
grand offensive.
At the same time comes new maj
cation Of plans for German retreat
in Official Belgian confirmation that the
civilian population is being driven from
the Mons and Luxembourg districts OF
Belgium.
Major General Maurice pointed out
to-day that the British had captured
q 900 men and over 200 big guns from
forty different German divisions. The
experts differ as to the present strength
of a German division, some insisting
that the former figure OF 10000 men
still stands. while others place the
lighting unit to-day at 5000 men,
Probably some OF the divisions remain
AT original strength. while others have
been regrouped at the smaller hgure'
in which case the British have met and
defeated somewhere between 100000
and 100000 German soldiers.
The French declare that since May |
they have taken $500 unwounded Ger
mans on the Asnc 'front.' and in the
Champagne.
French Repulse Attacks
Fighting actions on the two fronts
TO day were OF minor importance. Paris
reports that determined effort by
forces of the Crown Prince last night
10 recover the strategic positions lost
Tuesday evening at the eastern end OF
the Chemin-des was broken up
by French barrage. Berlin chron
icles French repulses in the same re-
gon. Both war Offices mention an in
crease Of artillery fire in the Moron
villers sector. Haig reports nothing
but raids on the Arras front.
The British are now in a position to
strike Hindenburg's Wotan line, the
last system of German defence before
Douai. over the twelve-mie gap which
has been opened along the Valley of
the Scarpe. The supporting positions
which the Germans still hold north and
south OF the gap are outfanked
ard must fall before a powerful blow
The French are now facing the Sieg-
fried line south of Laon, but have stiff
trench fighting ahead of them on the
plateau on which the city stands. They
are thrust.ng wedges northwest and
east of Rheims to force the Germans
out of that vicinity, as well as from
Laon.
Germans on Defensive
The Manchester Guardian" to-day
referring TO the general military pros
poets, says:
"For the first time during the war
the Germans are on the defensive on
all fronts. In 1915 the enemy had
strength for limited offensive in
France and for an ambitious movement
against both Russia and Serbia. In
1916 he had strength for an offensive
against Verdun and Rumania. This
year nc has developed no offensive
anywhere. Germany had laid plains for
an attack against Italy and also in the
neighborhood of Ypres, but has not been
able to carry out either OF them.
"This is the real measure of our
success on the West front, and when
we remember the fanatical devotion OF
the Germans to the practice OF the
offensive it gives very full satisfac-
ton"