New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-05
Win New Sectors of the
Hindenburg Front at
Bullecourt
~cutonS Lose 900
Prisoners, IL Aeros
London Critic Says Foe
Has Exhausted His
Reserves
b. ARTHUR :. DRAPER
-- rsf-e % The Nurr1

Io-l--. Nay Heavy fighting on
the P-.,5 front continued last night
and tr-oac -3ut to-day. General Haig's
forces beng forced to withdraw from
tfci- advanced positions near Chcrisy,
bu. maintaining their gains in and
around Frcsnoy, capturing additional
sectors O. che original Hindenburg line
shove Bullccourt and extending their
front cast Of Hargicourt More than
600 prisoners were taken yesterday.
Regarding the breach in the cid Ger
nan Inc. near its juncturc with the
emergency switch-lino running north
ward from Queant. the British night
oFc.sl statement says:
During the day our troops strength
eucd their positions in the sectors Of
tho H,rdenburg line captured yester-
day. and have progressed eastward
slo-r the onemy's trenches, killing
many Germans and taking several pris-
orers"
ilaic last night took advantage Of
the concentration Of German reserves
on the front from Lens TO the Sensee
River to extend the lighting almost 10
S. Quentin British detachments
operating from Hsrgicourt, northeast
or which the canal running down to st.
Quentin has already been crossed,
cap,ured the MslakoF farm. Still fur
Their south progress was made north
west o. St. Quentin itself.
British Down Eleven Aeros
The battle was fought last night
under bright moon. The fine weather
has developed severe fighting in the
air. At the cost Of two Of their own
machines yesterday the British brought
down eleven hostile machines.
To understand the situation it is
necessary 20 remember that the Brit
ish arc attacking a line almost as
strong as the one they battered in on the
Sommc. but now the Germans hold the
advantage Of lighting from powerful
positions. while the British must ad-
vance over long stretches Of war
wrecked country.
So far all has gone we'll with the
British. The third battle OF Arras is
the fcrccst fought in the war. and the
British success is the greatest, even
though the other two brought more
prisoners and quicker gains.
The Drocourt- Queant line is a stout
barrier especially strong under present
conditions. but the British are batter
irc a. u successfully. At several
points Prince Rupprecht has counter
attacked. not with few hastily organ
iled bsttalions. but with many divi-
giOns OF reserves. He hit Fresnoy, but
failed he hit BulleuOurt. where Haig
is trying 10 turn his flank. but again
he failed. Only at Cherisy. near the
Arras-C ambrai road. where the British
found difficulties from the start, did he
igrn the tide in his favor.
Canadians Hard Pressed
The Canadians. who took in turn
lmy Ridge. Arleux and now Fresnoy,
he loss Or which Berlin admits. with
slood an attack from three quarters.
At Bullecourt. along the HindenburS
Ine the British have nearly surround
Cd large force OF Germans.
Berlin's statement that sixteen or
seventeen British divisions were in the
attack means approximately that $50
900 men were used. Ludendortf claims
the capture Of over 1000 prisoners and
The infection Of heavy and sanguinary
losses
The presence Of the Prussian Guard,
eho arc sisisting at Oppy, shows Hin
denburr', anxiety 10 hold the present
line. which is vital 20 Lille, the eyacu-
alton OF which would jeopardize the
German defences Of the Belgian coast
and Zccbrugce. their submarine base.
lsig. a. we'll as Jellicoe, is fighting
he submarines. His offensive must be
considered a counter to the submarine
attack
Writing from France. Colonel Rep
rington. The Times's' military critic.
ssys that the Germans have 100000
men on both fronts and 100000 on
ihe line OF communication, with 1000
600 m the dcpots. They have $50
divisions In the West. of which sixty
elgh, are between the sea and the Disc.
heir companies average 200 rifles.
Their morale is still respectable. He
consider new divisions a bluff FOR
'ow that an industries have been
eonbed the only drafts must come
from youths and recovered wounded.