New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-26
Capture Ridge Only
Az Miles from the
French Fortress.
BATTLE RACES
IN SNOWSTORM
100000 Men Are Believed
Massed for New Drive
TO Break Line.
n, C.blste Tne Tr.oune.l J

London. Feb. 25.-With the dis
.,rce separating the Germans from
y, fortress Of Verdun cut down to-
i,v from six TO four miles and a
,,f Paris tonight tells of a lull
/, The attack. This is believed to
h only for bringing up fresh re
s.rves and for burial Of the dead.
Tho German losses in the four days
ls-,le are estimated at more than
10000 men.
Berlin reports the capture Of SIX
additional villages in an advance
from Beaumont to the ridge OF
Ioudernont, north Of the fortress,
and the capture of 1000 additional
prisoners. The Paris official state
rsnt. admitting the German gain,
ays;
Several German attacks with
arge electives have been conducted
With UNPRECEDENTED violence on La
Cote du Poivre (about four and a
half miles north of Nerdun), but
were without success.
In the region to the north Of
yerdun snow has fallen in abun-
darcs during the day. The activity
4 the artillery on both sides has con-
nued very intense On the whole OF
me front. and principally to the east
Of the Meuse, where the fighting goes
On with the same tenacity."
4On the right bank Of the River
Neuse." says the Berlin report, "our
successes previously reported were
exploited Yesterday in different d.
rections. The fortified villages and
farms Of Champneuville, Cotellate,
Marmont. Beaumont, Chambrettes
and Ornes were captured.
IN addition. all the enemys po-
ations as far as the ridge of Loude-
mont we're captured by storm.
The ssnguinary losses Of the
Enemy again we're extraordinarily
heavy. while our losses were normal.
The number OF prisoners taken was
Increased by over 1000 10 more than
1000
"No information can yet be given
siih regard TO the booty in materials
'hich We captured"
Fate of Paris at Stake.
The German offensive. conducted un-
t,r the eye OF Emperor William him
wi, is now recognized as probably
only the beginning Of determined
Effort 10 take the fortress, and its de-
v,lopment is awaited with the greatest
srIie,y. Not since the great Allied
drive las, September, or even the with
trEsl from the Dardsnelles, have bull
.iirs been awaited so tensely.
Something Of its importance TO Eng
hnd was emphasized by Major Cen
sal Sir Francis Lloyd, commanding
b. London district, in speech deliv-
cred to-day at Wimbledon.
"0nce our slly's line is pierced
nid General Lloyd, "the way will be
open to the French capital, and if that
aptsl is reached a new complexion
VII be put upon the whole face OF the
var. A German success on the French
hcnt would not merely mean the loss
Paris, but would endanger London
n we'll"
In Paris it is Assumed that the bat
y. may continue a fortnight. ne
calm on the front last night, 1t Is be
As'ed was due only 10 the terrihc
aecuton the French artillery and ma
nine guns have wrought IN the at
aesing columns. Whole divisions are
noEn 10 have been destroyed, and
Asse the flower OF the German army.
100000 Germans in Assault.
More than 100000 troops are believed
nave been massed for the assault,
zach was 20 be by storm. These IN
ouaed, II has been learned from pris-
Sasrs, the famous Third Corps of Bran
sshourg, supposedly equal IN valor TO
.e Prussian Guard. and the Fifteenth
Mhy Corps, commanded by General
.0n Deimling, reputed by the French
- one Of the most brilliant of German
reparations for the battle were OBJ
sNed early in December, when the
ny troops assigned 10 the operation
sie brought up. Eight divisions
,aeh returned from Serbia were sent
oeigium for a rest and then trans
ssl~o 70 the region Of Nerdun in jan
,"'i' Five army corps in all are known
nave been brought Up 90 reinforce
NY. o corps which previously held that
@ OF the line between Etain and
mere was corresponding concen-
ION ~ OF artillery. Hundreds OF To-
wa ana lf-inch Austrian mortars have
~,,nn brought up from Serbia. together
Pm many formerly employed on the
ba"Isn front Paris says that the
0Sfoment was the most intense ever
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