Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-14
FRENCH TROOPS
AGAIN HOLD FOE
FROM HILL 3O4
German Attack on Position
Northwest of Verdun
Repulsed
NEW ASSAULT EXPECTED
PARIS nr,i

PARIS. April IA.
Following a vigorous bombardment Of
the French position on Hill 304 northwest
Of verdun. in which gas shells were used
tho Germans again attacked last night
but we're repulsed.
The French war ONCE in an official
connmunique, announced the breakdown OF
the German attack at Hill 304 and an
nounced also that the Germans have been
Smelling the French positions east OF the
Neuse
A heavy cannonade has been directed
against the French positions on the Vaux-
Haudromont front. and also south of Dou-
aumont
Hundreds Of German guns we're con-
centrated against n comparatively short
front. pouring an unending storm OF shells
into the French positions.
The text of the official communicate fol-
lows:
on the left bank of the Meuse vio-
lent bombardment was directed dur
ing the night against our first lines
west of Hill No. 3O4
on the right bank the Germans yes
terday evening launched a, small at d,
tack upon our positions south Of Dou-
aumont which was completely re-
pulsed. The night was comparatively
calm except for a rather active bonn
bardment of the region south of Hau-
dromont.
In the woeyre region there was an
artillery duel in the sector of Moul-
ainville.
There were no important develop
ments on the rest of the front
After an Unprecedented struggle Of SO
days the first battle of Nerdun may be con-
sitiered ended, in the opinion of the
French military critics.
wi. ,,IN hNy thn
Germans were made on Wednesday, al
though the French communique mentions
an attack last night in the region of Hill
s04.
The Germans attribute the let-up in in
fantry fighting to the weather saying the
atmosphere has been so foggy that OBJ
servation was impossible.
French officers, however declare that
the force of the German onslaughts natur-
ally died out and that the foggy condition
OF the weather had nothing to do with the
cessation of general activity.
II is certainty that another great bat
tie will quickly develop at Verdun. Heavy
artillery is active both northwest and
northeast of the fortress. This cannonade
has been particularly intense against the
French positions on lie Mort Homme
\ .(Dead Mans HID. Hill 30I which ad-
Joins Dead Mans Hill, and on the Vaux-
DSuaumont front.
The Germans fired a great many shells
containing gases, and these fumes, mingl-
ing with the murky atmosphere, formed
yellow fog which hung liRe curtain
above the lines.
The Petit Parisien is authority for the
statement that seven new German divisions
arrived at the Verdun front last Sunday.
Five of these divisions 100000 mem were
Immediately thrown into the fray. while
the other two were used later, but the net
result of all these efforts was the capture
of 500 yards of trenches on the north
slope OF Dead Mans Hill, at cost of a0,-
900 men.
The Echo De Paris says that German
troops which were formerly facing the
British have been sent to Verdun
''It is certain" says this paper, that the
Germans are now weakening other parts
OF their line to strengthen their front at
Verdun."
The Kaiser, in addressing the Branden-
burgers. Is quoted as saying that the
treaty of peace in this war will be signed
in verdun.