The Washington times., 1916-03-05

AOOpb sONoy nav baSANN 49,
grasp with which the Kaiser's
gray coated legions held the,
smoking ruins Of the village Of
Douaumont at Verdun.
II IL officially admitted by the
Berlin war Office that the French
counter-attacl1s, pressed home at
the point Of the bayonet,
were only partially repulsed."
LONDON, March 5.-The great
battle for Verdun is believed to be
reaching its climax.
For two weeks there has been
unparalleled fighting for the
French stronghold, and not since
their initial gains have the Ger
mans been able to win important
advantages. Although it is not
thought that the strength Of their
offensive has been spent, there is
every indication that the resisting
power Of the defenders has been
increased.
The fiercest struggle now centers
around tie village Of Douaumont,
which has repeatedly changed
hands, and which the Paris war
office admits is now in the hands
Of the enemy.
VILLAGE NO MANS LAND.
But the village IL a no mans land.
and It is under a terrific fire showered
upon Il by the French from COM
mandIng hills south of the town.
The struggle for possession Of the
little group of houses continued
| throughout the day. the official state
ment says. The French are counter
attacking with the greatest vigor.
| The Importance OF holding the VIII
LACE, the interesting point OF three
highways. II recognized by potn
| armies. In the fierce PUSHES and
ed to change hands several times.
Paris reports that an attack launch
ed by the Germans from the Bois
Haudoumont. east OF Pepper Heights,
Preparation, was checked by machine
| gun and rifle FIRE. Violent cannon
! aiding continues on the lett pank OF
| the Mouse In the region OIL hul' aVf
ard on the right bank around Goose
The French have captured several
German trenches near Thiavtlle. In
| Lorraine, according to the Paris or
fetal communicate.
EXcept around Douaumont the Ger
mans appear to have abandoned their
infantry attacks at least temper
arily The rains have iaterfered with
ali the battle fronts facing Verdun
the Germans are hammerinE away
with their heavy artillery.
Passes to the French.
Military experts assert that the
| initiative has passed from the Ger
mans to the French. The French In
fantry is more active than II has
been at any time since the German
drive at the formidable fortress be-
gan.
French attacks and biz gun fire have
brought the crown princes advance
! on the Nerdun sector TO u complete
halt French air scouts. however.
! report the heavy massing OF Germans
! east of Fort de Naux and around
| Fresnes. Some critics state that the
| Germans plan hard smash from the
The Germans have resumed the she'll
ing OF the city of Verdun itself. Sew
eral dozen heavy shells have iallen into
the streets. doing considerable damage
| to property, but causing no loss OF ire
| II Is declared. Only a handful OF civil
ians remain in the city.
Berlin dispatches claim that more
than 10000 unwounded French prisoners
have been taken since the attack on
Verdun was regun. The German war
office asserts that the number or cap
tured field pieces and machine guns Will
exceed the amount of booty taken by
the French In their September offensive.
Telegraphing from British headquart-
ers In northern France, General Haig,
the Berlin tatement Of a lull on the
British front. He reports an unimport-
ant engagement northeast OF Yer
melles, where the Germans failed In
an attempt to gust the British from
AS for losses in the battle for ver-
dun. It is impossible at this time to
give figures with any degree OF accu-
ed officers who have returned to Paris
agree that the slaughter OF the Ger
mans was terrific.
OF about 100000 men engaged they are
believed to have lost close to 10000.
or so badly wounded that they died on
the battlefield. For the first few days
of the battle II was impossible to rescue
the wounded owing to the intense and
continuous artillery FIRE. A heavy snow
The figures on French LOSSES are
now In the hands of the military COM
mittee OF the Chamber OF Deputies. but
the censor will allow no estimates to
be published. 1t Is believed here-if the
censor will let II pass-that about 300.-
900 French troops took part in the de-
Tense OF the fortress. This 10 likely to
be an oyerestimate. as II Is known Cen
eral Jofrre has not weakened any other
part OF the long battle line, intending
to be prepared for any surprise which