New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-17
yERDUN'S FORTS
HEM IN ENEMY
Retreat as Difficult as Ad-
vance for Troops OF
Crown Prince.
DEFENCES GAIN
STRENGTH DAILY
Big Guns, Melinite and Barbed
Wire Cement Barrier
to Paris.

Verdun. Jan. l6.-Metz is visible
through field telescopes from TINS
great French stronghold. and its out
works can be reached by the heaviest
French guns. The defensive barrier
between the two places, after -FOUR
days examination Of the lines IN the
Argonne, the Woeyre and the Nosges'
shows strength unsupported by the
average civilian.
It is along this front that Crown
Prince Frederick Williams forces are
being held back, and positions, already
seemingly impregnsble, are being
strengthened everv day. The french
are sure Of their ground and that'
should the Crown Prince decide upon
another effort 10 pierce the French
lines. II will end as 1t ended before.
The general ut the head of the army
in the Argonne and Woevre. who re
ccived the Associated Press CORE
spondent, is most confident.
Clearing Roads for Supply Trains.
The heavy rains notwithstanding,
the work OF organizing the defences by
the territ0rials goes on with the task
of improving the approaches, removing
mud from the roads and making easier
the routes for the supply trains.
Travellers from Paris begin TO see
military activity at Chalons-sur-
Marine. Regular trains. the coaches
filled with troops. are being moved
continuously 10 VarlO-5 parts OF the
front. shouts and bursts OF song show
ing that there is no lack OF gayety
among the departing soldiers. Con-
tinuing eastward, past the historic bat
uefeld Of Nalmy, one Of the early re-
suits of the present war Is to- be noted
in the ruins Of ClermJnt-cn-Argonne.
where to-day the children Of the few
remaining residents play at war games
within the sound of the cannon at Nau-
quois.
At Notrc Dame de TEpine the
Church of Notre Dame. built IN the
fourteenth century and IN many re-
spects similar 20 the Cathedral OF
Rheims. stands out prominently from
the ruins. Unlike the Rheims Cattle
dral, 1t is unchanged.
The Nerdun forts are most lmporiani
strategicaliy. Observers on constant
guard have view Of the plain Of the
Woevre and OF little villages dOtting
the territory separating them from the
enemy positions Entering tunnel
lighted Iy candles. one reaches the
rlace where the guns are manipulated.
4 storcroom adjoining is filed with
melinite shells. giving some idea OF
the damage which could be inflicted:
Narur and Liege have demonstrated
what reliance can be placed on fortified
defcaces against the heaviest modern
guns.
4 Cincinnati Representative.
Barbed wire trenches here, as else
where, play prominent part This
region Is well garnished with these
protective devices. There has been
comparatively little hring from the
large guns Of the forts, but their moral
effect has been considerable. The COM
mandcr of the fort is the Paris repre-
sentative of Cincinnati firm.
Proceeding almost due south from
Verdun, there is direct contact with the
German line, as the frequent firing IN
dicatcs. The Germans are IN posses
sion Of St. Mihiel, and on Hill 27'
where they are intrenched, they have
hoisted the German, Austrian, Bul-
garian and Turkish flags, which can be
seen futtering in the wind.
Dad taste" was the comment OF
captain attached 10 headquarters when
his attention was called to this.
Though the Germans possess -.