New-York tribune., 1921-06-03
5000 Germans
Attack French: /:
?
Lose Heavily
Allied Force Gains Upper
Hand With Aid of Tank
Charge: Assault Was Well
Planned by the Teutons
Serious Looting Feared
Poles Declared Preparing
to Devasfate Country as
They Give Up Contro |

oPpELN, June . tBy The Associated
ess).-French soldiers forming the
garrison Of Beuthen, city in south
frontier, have been attacked by forces
organized by the German inhabitants
of the town. Reports state the Ger
mans in the fighting numbered 5000.
The French have used tanks in charg-
have gained the upper hand in the
battle. There have been many Ger
man casualties, it is reported, but the
French have not suffered losses.
The situation at Beuthen is compli-
csted by the presence of Polish in
surrent forces around the city. The
Poles began fight with Germans in
ths outskirts Of the town on Sunday,
and when the French were attacked
the Poles rushed men to their assist
ance. Reports from Beuthen are not
entirely clear, but it would appear that
the French commander refused the
preferred aid, as it is said the French
are holding the Poles from entering
The town.
German Attack Planned
The attack by the Germans on the
French is said to have been we'll
planned. Telegraph and telephone
wires between the French headquarters
and the barracks were cut, sentries
we're driven back and the headquarters
detachment was surrounded. Tanks
were rushed to the scene, and the Ger
mans, who were armed with pistols, at
tempted to capture the machines. but
we're repulsed and were driven into ad-
jacent buildings, from the windows of
which a hot fire was opened. The
tanks charged On the buildings, firing
volleys through the doors and windows.
The Industrial situation in Upper
Silesis, with the exception of the
Myslowitz district, is said Go be chaotic,
Coal that has been mined is lying at
the. pit mouths. owing to the lack of
railroad service, and lead and zinc
mines have been closed.
Germans and Poles have been en-
gagged in battle near Gross-StrehGtz.
east OF the Oder River and south of
0ppeln. The Germans have attacked
the Poles and have forced the insur-
gents to withdraw from strong posi-
tions.
German Dead Removed
German dead and wounded have been
removed from the scene of this fight,
which took place at Posnowitz. about
five miles west of Gross-Strehlitz. and
were taken to Krappitz, a town on the
west bank Of the Oder. When farm
wagons loaded with German dead en-
tered hrappltz the populace was so
excited that Baron Won Piess. comman-
der OF German volunteer organization
there, had difficulty in controlling the
temper OF his officers.
Women began volunteering last night
for service at the front and declared
they were ready TO take the places of
men who were killed. 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 possessing any sort Of
Weapon to the Posnowitz front.
Advices received here state the Ger
mans in control of the city of Glei-
witz, about ten miles northwest of
Beuthen, have mined the town and will
wreck it if the Poles should attempt
10 capture the place.
Members OF the Black Watch, con-
stituting a part of the British forces
sent into Silesia, have reached Stuben-
dorf, about six miles northeast Of
Gross-Strehlitz. and Polish sentries are
on duty only short distance away
French soldiers are in undisputed pos
session OF Gross-Strehlitz.
1t is said in German circles here
that reports have been received to the
effect that orders have been issued by
the Poles TO destroy everything as they
retreat should the British advance.
Allied officials have received advices
indicating the probability of consider
able lawlessness and looting in the
next few days, since the Poles are los
ing control of the situation.
The Germans informed the British
that as soon as the Allied advance
3egan German protective organizations,
which have been secretly organized in
towns in the territory occupied by the
Poles, would go into action and would
attempt to prevent the destruction Of
property. These organizations are
armed only with revoivers, but it is
declared they will secure arms from
the Poles who are killed or made
prisoners.
General Lerond, head of the Inter