Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-26

Berlin, via London, Feb. 2S.-It fs+of-
cially announced that Fort Douaumont,
one Of the Notifications of Verdun, was
taken by storm yesterday afternoon
and is now firmly held by the Ger
mans. II
The official announcement is as fol-
lows:
..The armored fort Douaunont. the
northeastern corner pillar Of the per-
manent main line Notifications of the
stronghold of Verdun, was stormed
yesterday afternoon by the Twenty
fourth regiment Of Brandenburg infan-
try and is now firmly In German
hands"
It was announced by the German
war office today that the capture OF
the village Of Champ Neuville. in the
verdun sector, reported yesterday, was
based on erroneous information.
One Of Cluster Of Seven.
Fort Douaumont lies four miles
northeast Of verdun. 1t is one of near
" a score Of forts circling Verdun ana
lis situated Just to the north OF the
railroad running east from the city OF
Metz.
Douaumont 10 one of cluster Of
seven forts protecting verdun from the
east.
The conquest Of this fort was made
by the right wing OF the huge attack
ing army which has scored the great
est advances IN the assault on the
French positions II Is somewhat to
4 the east ox what hitherto has been the
Z main line OgspFosFess- The main force
OF the German stack was being ex-
erted southWard along the Meuse.
lnspertans Achievement.
The capture OF Douaument Is the
most Important achievement. since the
Ina auEuTatiun 6 the German drive at
Z verdun The war office has expressed
confidence that notwithstanding the
admitted great strength Of the German
drive, Verdun and its protecting fort
resses would be able to hold out. These
positions form what has been regarded
as one OF the greatest strongholds of
Europe. It is the strongest fortress OF
France and Is Of great Importance, s.
It offers direct communication to Paris,
/ $50 miles to the west.
verdun marks the northerIy points
Of the great French defenses against
direst attack from German territory,
the most southerly being Belfort, as
between these two points lies the
stretch Of frontier on which Germany
touches France. France has other
fortified points farther north.
Battle Of Momsntous Importance. z
"A dispatch from London of yester->
days date said that Maj. Gen. Sir
4 Francis Lloyd, general officer COM
manding the London district, in a
speech at the opening OF the military
] building. declared that the battle be-
fore verdun was Of momentous impor-.
tance to Great Britain as well as to
France.
.Do yous realize" he said, @that a
fight Is now going on for passage to
Paris? The result will hang In the bal
ance until the Teuton is driven back,
as i have great confidence he will BE-.
But IL our allies line is pierced ths
way will be open to the French capital
and II that capital is reached new
complexion would be put on the whole
face Of the war. A German success
on the French front would not merely
dangers London"
Emperor William Present.
An official statement issued today
says InHL gcO1SluSIdU10 StuNdIiSeS lidSc
been made east Of the .Meuse in the
region north Of verdun. in the presence
of Emperor William.
The war office also announced the
capture ofshills north Of Louvemont'
ana the fortified positions to the east
thereof. s
Resistance Of the french broke down
! ons the Woevre plain along the entire
front to Marpboville south Of the high,
road from Paris to Metz.
I'VE are pursuing the retreating
enemy. the statement says.
Eeanot Gain At One Point.
The French forces in the Champagne
have made an attack on the German
positions south Of st. Marie-a-Py. The
war oifice statement today says the
French penetrated the first German
trenches over a distance of about 25o
yards.