, 1916-03-01

from Bucharest to Reuters says that NJ. Fili-
pesco, former Rogmanian Minister Of Wa,
will depart on Sunday for Petrograd on his
way TO the Russian front. NJ. Filipesco is
the leader OF the Conservatives and frequently
has expressed sympathy for the Eutou,e
Allies.
Paris, Feb. 25th-The French have been
forced back still further on the defences OF
Nerdnu in the face of the great German.
drive for the fortress, and the T.ntons are
now at one point net more than five and Il
half miles distant. Lq4t night The lines, rs
established by the otficiol bulletin, ran to he
rear of SamogneuX on the northWard carving
line through Beaumont to the east. To-day
they stretch along the crest Of the hills q
the east of Champonueyil,e five ana q hat
miles uorth If Eortun somewhat to the ear
of the former position at SnmogueuX aud
behind the old lines at Beaumont showing
the evacuation Of the latter yitlrge b. tho
French-ChampanuegilIe Itself is sill WITHIN
the French lines, the statement nd Gates the
new front being someuha 10 tie east ibis
village which may be the next poiut Of the
German attack is something moIe than y
mile southwest of SamognepX and lies GA the
east bank of the PassereIle cana,, which leads
to Yerdun. Beaumont, behind which the
French front now extends, IS almost cue
north Of Verduu, and about seven miles dis
taut.
Paris, Feby. 25.h The German losses
during the FIRST four days Of the battle
around Verduu are authorjtpt!vely estimated
at $50, GOO. The German offensive Is recoS-
nizrd now as probably only the beginning OF
a determined effort to take the fortress for
merIy the key TO Tie French mont, and com
pares in violence and losses to the LATHE of
the User. The French assume the battle
may continue for Il fortmiGht. The German
forces are known to be ut least 100000, sup
ported by numerous l5-inch and l(-lnch
Austrian mortars with all the heavy artillery
used in the Serbian campai8u aud part OF
THAI formerly employed ON th, RUSSIAN front,
Preparations Tor tie battle were observer
early III December when Tie hrat troops as
signed to the operations were brought mp.
Eight divisions, which returned from Serbia,
were sent to EaiSium for a rest ard then
transported to the region o. Nerduu IN Jan
uary. Five Army Cops IN ali are known to
have been brought to reinforce two Corps
which previously held thmt part of the limo
between Elaine and Vnuqnols. The French
compare the ground gained by The Grrmaps
IN she four days with twice that amount juk
en- by the Freuch il the first two day of
then offensive in Champagne together WITH
eight times the number Of prisoners. Tho
confidence Of the French is mistaken by the
fierce attacks and tie Slight bending Of lie
French lines. Tie military critic OF the
"Temps" reports that heavy French reinforce
ments have been brought ZIP. Lieut.. G"'.
Leonce Rcussot, auothar military cutie, re-
lates a conversation he bad with u surgeon ls5
returned from Verduu. On Feb3 22sd datiug
the present buttle the surgeon saw an e1tl',
brigade winch was advancing II c.o,e order
caught by the concentrated fine of French
batteries and eunihilate6 in Il few minutes.
Berlin, Feby. 26ta lva London)-It IS
officially announced chat fort Beaumont, enc
of the notifications Of Verdun, was taken by
storm yesterday, and is how firmly held by
the Germans. The o%fficial announcement Is
as follows: The atmoured fort Beaumont,
the north eastern corner pillar OF the permJ-
nent main line Notifications Of he stronghold
Of Verdun, was s;ormed Yesterday afternoon
by the 24th Regiment of Braudenburg In
fantry and is pow firmly in German hands.
London, Feby. 26th-The only word con-
corning the German claim to taking the ar
incurred fortress of Beaumont outside of
Verdun, comes through German sources,
Further information is expected anNiously
owing to the recognized strn5egic Importance
Of this fort which is the base If solid field