The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-03-03
GERMANS STRIKE
AGAIN AT vERDUN
Attacks in WOeVre Region, Re-
pulsed, Says Paris.
TEUTONS MASS BIC FORCE
Fort Vaux to Northeast Battered
Down-French Place German Losses
at 10000.

DOWN. rench FIace 0erHan LOSSES
at 10000.
London, March 3.-The German Of
fensive at Verdun has been resumed
after brief halt, but apparently not
on the scale or with the force exert
ed during the early days Of the drive.
The offensive was recpened on the
plain of the Woevre, east of Verdun,
where the Germans have worked at
several points to the base OF the
heights of the Meuse, pausing before
the strong French positions that
crown the ridge to the west OF the
plain.
In an apparent attempt to break the
French line near the southern end
of the twelve-mile front along which
their recent advance In this region
was pressed, the Germans made a
drive on the French at Fresnes, ten
miles southeast of Verdun, and sue
ceeded in penetrating the French po-
sitions at some points. Paris, how
ever, declares that they were prompt
~ elected in counter attack.
(Fresnes was reported from Berlin
sources to have been taken by the
Germans Monday.)
The French themselves took the Of
fensive at Douaumont four miles
northeast of Verdun, the outlying fort
captured last week by the crown
princes Brandenburg troops, and
since reported to be held by Germans
cut off through subsequent French
advance. Berlin announces that the
attacks were fruitless, only resulting
in useless sacrifices Of French troops.
The Berlin statement does not men
ton the Fresnes operation, the Yer
dun situation being otherwise covered
in the general statement that condi-
lions along the Franco-Belgian front
remain unchanged.
West of the Meuse river, the Ger
mans are showing signs of renewed
activity, violently bombarding French
positions between Malancourt, ten
miles northwest of Verdun. and
FORCES, five and a half miles east of
Malancourt, indicating possible
spread of the line Of the Verdun at
tack to the west.
Outside of the Verdun district the
only important happening recorded In
either of the official statements was
a German attack in the Lorraine dis
trict, west of Bezange, ten miles north
of Luneville, which Paris declares was
a complete failure despite prolonged
artillery preparation.
There is possible significance In a
German announcement of intense ac-
tivity by the British artillery in the
User district of Belgium, where mill
tary observers have forecast a pos
sible diversion by the British in aid
of the French further down the line.
In the eleven days since the battle
of Verdun opened it Is estimated by
French experts that the Germans
must have lost close to 100000 men
in killed, wounded and missing. Most
Of them were picked f1rst-line troops,
carefully selected.
The exact figures Of the French
losses have been given to the commit
tee of military affairs of the chamber
Of deputies by Colonel Boucabeille,
chief secretary to General Galltent,
minister of war. 1t Is stated that they
were not high.
An Amsterdam despatch to the Gen.
trail News says that Fort Vaux, five
miles to the northeast Of Verdun, has
been destroyed by heavy mortars, &C.
cording to unconfrmed German re-
ports, but that the Germans cannot
approach the fort, as the French have
brought heavy artillery to bear on the
approaches.
It Is added that the Germans have
concentrated 10000 men near Buzy,
who are to resume the offensive with
reinforcements from the Argonne.
(Buzy is about sixteen miles to the
east of Verdun.)