Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-02-29
Both German and French Authori-
ties are Claiming Gains
Germans Capture
16,575 Men.
GERMAN ADVANCES DENIED.
Teuton Prisoners Describe Effect of
Enemy Fire as "a F1ightful
Massacre" t.. +

Petrograd, Feb. ,29.-The Rus
SLAMS say that the Turks are fleeing
from Trebizond, a Black sea port
on hearing that two Russian armies
were advancing. .s.. E.s
London, Feb. 29.-The French re-
port that the German minor attacl,
upon Verdun hill was repulsed but
that the city Manhaulles, eleven
miles southeast of Verdun, was cap
tured, which is a part of the German
enveloping movement. The Germans
are bringing up achievements to
renew the attack.
Swiss authorities say that they be-
lieve the capture Of Verdun not to he
= the main German offensive, but that
they will strike at Quentin and con-
tinue the attack all along the line.
Berlin, Feb. 29.-The German
troops in an armed movement west
of Verdun took 16,575 men, 22S of
whom We're officers. In the fighting
southeast of Verdun sixty-eight can
non and eighty-five machine guns
were captured.
Paris, Feb. 29.-One thousand
lives We're lost when a submarine
sunk the French auxiliary cruiser,
Province, of eighteen thousand tons,
in the Mediterranean Saturday.
Eighteen hundred persons were on
board, two hundred and ninety-six
of which are wounded. 1t is thought
that the total number saved will
reach eight hundred. Ten ships
have gone to the rescue
-.. Washington, Feb. 29.-Permis-
sion was given an Italian liner to
leave New York harbor today follow
ing a conference between Secretary
Lansing and the President. Secre-
tary Lansing is again displeased
with the German ambassador over
the determined rumor that captains
of British vessels have been author
lied to capture merchantmen. A
copy of the so-called instructions,
which was handed Ambassador Ger
ard in Berlin, and which is constru-
ed by Secretary Lansing to be the
!. all-important element in the situa-
ton, has not yet arrived.
Paris. Feb. PA frightful mas
sacre" is how the German soldiers
taken prisoners in the battle of YER
dun describe the effect of the French
artillery, machine gun and rifle fire.
But the impetus of the assaulting
forces was not diminished thereby
during the first four days because
fresh troops were thrown into the
battle increasingly.
advance no matter what the
losses may be- was the order given
to the German troops before the at
tack. This is verified by documents
found on one OF the captured offic-
ers.
The most critical moment in the
six days actions was when the Ger
mans gained footing in the en-
trenched camp by the capture of
Fort Douaumont. The least hesita-
tion on the part of the defenders
would have been disastrous.
The Germans redoubled their eff
forts to take advantage of any con-
fusion, but the French Immediately
began a counter offensive.
French infantry advanced at
double quick to the trumpet charge
and leaped at the first ranks OF the
Germans with Irresistible fury. The
clash was murderous to both sides.
The thinned French ranks were not
to be denied but went to the second
German wing, while reinforcemtns
were hurried to their support.
The German lines wavered first
west OF Douaumont; then were drir-
. en- out of the ruins of the fort. A
cry of triumph went up all along
the French line and the ardor of
the counter attack was redoubled.
In the meantime an artillery duel,
surprising in intensity any previous
action of the war, added to the car
mage. re 49,
The battle now seems to have
reached a critical point. The as
saulting forces, however, recoiled
slightly in the region of Douaumont,
leaving the regiments which occu-
pied the fort cut off and surrounded,
by French troops.
The attacks upon the French left