Evening star., 1921-06-02
MANY GERMANS DIE
BEFORE ONSLAUGHT
OF FRENCHIN TANKS
Garrison at Beuthen, South
eastern SiIesia, RepuIses
Attack by inhabitants.
SITUATION COMPLICATED
BY POLES ABOUT THE CITY

Well Planned Attack by Teutons
Causes Grave Crisis-Threaten to
Destroy City-Women Armed.
Hy the Associated Press
OPPELN. June 2-French soldiers
forming the garrison Of Beuthen, a
city in southeastern Silesia, near the
tackled by forces organized by the
German inhabitants of the town. Re-
ports state the Germans in the fight
ing numbered 5000. The French
used tanks in charging the Germans.
and are said to have gained the upper
hand. There have been many German
casualties. 1t is reported. but the
French have not suffered losses.
The situation at Beuthen Is compli-
Gated by the presence of Pol:.h in
surgent forces around the city. The
Poles began a fight with Germans in
the outskirts of the town on Sunday,
and when the French were attacked
the Poles rushed to their assistance.
tirely clear. but it would appear that
the French commander refused the
proffered aid, as 1t is said the French
are holding the Poles from entering
the town.
Telephone. Lines Cut.
The attack by the Germans on the
French is said to have been well
planned. Telegraph and telephone
wires between the French headQuar-
ters and the barracks were cut. SEN
tries were driven back and the head
quarters detachment was surrounded.
Tanks were rushed to the scene, and
the Germans, who were armed with
chimes. but were repulsed and. were
driven into adjacent bAildings. from
the windows of which a hot fire was
opened. The tanks charged on the
buildings, firing volleys through the
doors and windows.
The situation at Beuthen Is reported
by neutral refugees reaching here to
be grave. The German population OF
the city is declared to be desperate
Food supplies are running short and
there has been much looting during
recent nights.
All wire communication between
Beuthen and Kattowitz, further south,
has been interrupted since Monday.
REFUGEES arriving here say the
French at Kattowitz have killed q
number of Poles, who attempted to
loot two motor lerries loaded with
some French casualties. !.
Germans and Poles Battle.
Germans and Poles have been en-
gagged in a battle near Gross -Strehlitz,
Just east of the Oder river and south
tackled the Poles and have forced the
insurgents to withdraw from strong
positions.
German dead and wounded have
been removed from the scene of this
fight, which took place at Posnowitz.
about hve miles west Of Gross -Streh-
litx, and were taken to Krappitz. a
town on the west bank of the Oder.
When farm wagons loaded with Ger
man dead entered Krappitz the popu-
lace was so excited that Baron Won
Pless, commander Of German volun-
teer organizations there, had diff
Guilty in controlling the temper of his
officers
The correspondent of the Associated
Press was at Krappitz when these
wagons entered the town. and saw
the dead, who, ranged from sixteen
years to sixty. removed from them.
The improvised ambulances which
brought the wounded from the scene
of the fighting were parked in rows
in the court of the castle at Krapitz.
Women Volunteer for Service.
night for service at the front. A
number Of women, wearing mems
clothing, are driving wagons and
automobiles, some of them carrying
army revolvers in their belts. The
Germans are sending every man pos
sessing any sort of weapon to the
Poenowitx front.
Advices received here state the
Germans in control OF the city of
Gleiwitz, about ten miles northwest
Of Beuthen. have mined the town ana
will wreck 1t II the Poles attempt
to, capture the place. Members of the
Black Watch, constituting part Of
the British forces sent into Silesia.
have reached Stubendorf, about six
miles northwest Of Gross-Strehlitx,
and Polish sentries are on duty only
q short distance away. French SOL
diers are in undisputed possession OF
Gross-Stfehlitz.
Poles May Destroy In Retreat.
It is reported in German circles
here that orders have been issued by
the Poles to destroy everything as
they retreat. should the British adj
vance.
Allied officials have received ad-
vices Indicating the probability OF
considerable lawlessness and looting
in the next few days. since the Poles
are Losing control of the situation.
that as soon as the allied advance
began German protective organiza-
tfons, which have been secretly or
Ranixed in towns in the territory
occupied by the Poles, would go into
action and would attempt to prevent
the destruction of property.
The Industrial situation in Upper
Siiesia, with the exception of the
Myslowitz district, is said to be
chaotic.