Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-18
GERMAN|C
RETREAT IS LIKELY
Teutons Burning Towns in France.
Drocourt- -Queant Line
Doomed.

Bullecourt is in British hands at last,
and the Drocourt-Queant line appears
doomed. The tremendous sacrifices
made by the Germans have proved in
vain, and the flames Of burning towns
behind their lines give color to reports
that Field Marshal Won Hindenburg is
contemplating another strategic re-
treat.
the British to within two miles of
Queant, on the northern side of the ia
nous switch line. Their guns have al
ready encircled it at an equal distance
to the south and east and only mar
row gateway to the northwest lies open
to the German garrison. Bullecourt it.
self, over which much blood has flowed
stands on height overlooking broad
valley which runs directly to Queant
1t presumably will take some time for
the British to establish their heavy
guns on this height, but the fall Of
Queant seems sealed.
Hold All Of Bullecourt.
By the Associated Press
LONDON, May 1.-THE British troops
today completed the capture Of the
village Of Bullecourt, according to the
announcement from the war office is
sued tonight.
French Check Attacks.
PARIS. May 1s.-Several attacks were
launched by the Germans last night in
the vicinity of Craonne. Today's official
statement says they were repulsed
French recolnoitermg parties pene-
trated the German lines in Lorraine.
The statement follows:
In the region of the Chemin-des-
Inv hn <frvsA
centrated on the California plateau,
where there was a violent lombard
ment- Several attacks in the extreme
northeastern part Of the plateau were
repuised after very spirited grenade
fighting, and all our positions were
maintained.
I'm the Champagne the artillery fight
ing was intense during the night in the
regions of Mount Carnillet and Mount
Haut- A surprise attack by the enemy
east OF Auberive was repulsed by our
fire.
I'm Lorraine one of our reconnoiter-
ing detachments penetrated the adver-
sarys lines near Petoncourt and de-
stroyed number of defense works.
Everywhere else the night was calm"
Further Retirement Likely.
The desperate German counter offensive
that has been going on since Tuesday in
the region Of Laffaux is considered in
competent quarters here as intended to
mask a further retirement Of the German
first line on other parts of the 'front.'
During the last few days the number of
fires in villages behind the German front,
both north and south of ST. Quentin, has
greatly increased. The town of St Quen-
tin itself, which has been gradually burn
ing for the last few weeks, is now over
hung with heavy smoke clouds These
facts are considered indications of a re-
treat. being similar to those which pre-
ceded the last retirement, in which the
Germans left a vast area of devastation.
Berlin Admits Evacuation.
BERLIN. via London. Nav 1a-rbe o,-
fetal statement issued today by the Ger
man army headquarters staff says that
the ruins OF the former village of Bulle-
court were evacuated by them yesterday.
The German headquarters statement
says:
western theater-Group of Prince
Rupprecht. Arras front: Artillery fire
on both sides Of the Scarpe again in
after midnight on the Gavrelle- Fresnes
road was repulsed by hand-to- hand
fighting.
''The ruins of the former village of
suliecourt were evacuated, according
to command, without disturbance by
the enemy, who only established him.
self there twenty-four hours later"
Group or German crown prince, Aisne-
Champagne front: Clearer sighting con-
ditions reigning, the artillery activity
again was more lively, especially on the
height of the Chemin-des-Dames and near
Prosnes. After this increase of fire the
French made partial attacks near Braye,
north of Craonelle and near Craonne'
All were repulSed.
"a renewed enemy attack north of
Sapigneul against Height 108 was un-
successful.
East of La Royere farm two COM
panies, composed of men from Berlin and
Brandenburg, stormed a trench occupied
by the French May 5, and captured its
occupants, consisting Of more than $50
men"