The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-31
IN FIERCE NIGHT
DRIVE GERMANS
SEIzEFORTRESS
MaIancOurt Falls; 32S French
Taken Prisoners.
New Offensive Cost TeutOns
10000, London Reports.
BATTALI0NS WIPED OUT
Village Reduced to Ruins Be-
fore Infantry Charge.
Next Verdun Strike Will Be to
Regain AvOc0urt Wood.
BATTALIONS WIPED OUT
Village Reduced to Ruins Be-
fore Infantry Charge.
Next Verdun Strike Will Be to
Regain AvOcOurt Wood.

Paris, March 31.-The Germans
delivered a fierce night attack on
three sides of the village of NAL
ancourt, says the French official
statement issued this morning,
and the French retired from the
village proper, which was in
ruins. but continue to lid the
outskirts.
Fierce infantry fighting lasted the
entire night before the French with
drew from the untenable position in
the village of Malancourt, the official
statement adds.
The Germans again tried to carry
by assault the position which the
French had won back in the --vo-
court wood, but they were repulsed
East of the Meuse the night was calm.
Berlin, March 31.-Capture of the
village of Malancourt, in the Verdun
region west of the Meuse, was an
nounced by the war office today. The
Germans took 32S prisoners.
Heavy German Losses.
London, March 31.-The Germans
have lost 10000 men in a renewal of
the Verdun offensive on both banks OF
the Meuse, French military experts es-
timated today.
Several battalions were wiped out in
the capture of Malancourt. French
guns on Hill 304 cut such great gaps
in the charging lines of Germans that
the attack was halted after the Ger
mans had secured a foothold in the
village. through lack of men to follow
up the drive.
The German losses in the renewal of
the attack around Douaumont yester-
day were extremely heavy. consider
ing the number of men engaged, Paris
dispatches claimed.
For rs hours the Germans had been
hurting shells on the eastern section
of Malancourt and on the French front
south of the village. French batteries
in Bois Bourrus and on Hill 3O4 ave
been active in reply
Before another As hours have
passed. it is believed certain the crown
prince will pour fresh regiments into
a heavy assault at Malancourt, stril<
ing at the same time in the Avocourt
wood. Yesterdays fighting around
Douaumont is believed to have been
a diversion while the Germans pre-
pared to renew the struggle northwest
of Verdun-
AeropIanes Raid Swiss Town
Berne. March 31.-Two aeroplanes
of unknown nationality dropped five
large bombs at dawn this morning on
the small Swiss village of Porentruy,
near the French frontier. Some dam
age to property vas caused
Confident of Victory.
Paris. March 31-"We are neglect
ing no means of overcoming the diff
ficulties which lie in our way and we
shall overcome them, because we have
the infledble will to do so" said Alex
andre Ribot, minister of finance.
speaking in the senate yesterday in
favor of the votes of credit for the
second quarter of 1916 already ap-
''At the conference of the allies
which has just been held here" the
minister continued, "the fullest con-
fidence was expressed by all that vic
tory is certain We shall arrive at a
peace which will restore right and
justice and will deliver the world
from a nightmare which too long has
burdened it"
The credits were passed by an
unanimous vote of the senate.