The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-06-01
.HUNDREDTH DAY
OF GREAT BATTLE
CROWN PRINCE RUSHING INTO
ACTION AT VERDUN.
GREAT EFFORT TO BLAST LINES
Kaiser Reported To Be Returning To
the Front-Francis Joseph 1t Is
Learned, Asks That Austrians
May Participate.
GREAT EFFORT TO BLAST LINES

Paris, May 31.-The hundredth day
of the worlds greatest battle at Yer
dun, the crown prince rushed into &C
ton against the French division amid
the roar of hundreds of guns west of
the Mouse.
The new German offensive, initial
ed Sunday, is making a last great eff
fort to blast the French lines, French
critics agree.
Volume and violent artillery fire to-
gether with the frequency and intens-
ity Of infantry attacks beyond any
thing seen on any battle field in the
Wold's history, the Germans are hurl-
ing into action against Verdun all
men the Kaiser has to spare,
The kaiser is reported returning
to Verdun front to witness the final
assault.
During the past " hours, military
trains have been unloading fresh di-
visions from the Russian front before
Verdun. One of the new divisions
was hurled into action northwest of
Verdun in Mondays fighting.
There are widespread rumors that
large Austrian force is enroute to
the western front either to take over
positions OF the Germans or to partici-
pate directly in the fighting at Yer
Gun.
From Swiss sources it was said the
aged Francis Joseph asked that Aus
trian troops be allowed to share in
the grand assault on the French for
tress. In some quarters the Aus
trian offensive against the Italians
was declared to conceal the shifting
of large Austrian force to the west
ern front.
Before the end of the week it is be-
lieved here the crown prince will be
hammering the. French line with
force numbering nearly million
men.
French In Retreat.
Paris. May 31.-French troops were
compelled to evacuate first line
trench south of Crettes woods and to
retreat south Of Cumieres village in
the direction of Chattancourt station,
the war Office announced today.
French Troops Cleared ou!
Berlin, May 31.-French troops have
been cleared out of the fort south of
=,
Oners, it was announced today.
NOn the west front enemy torpedo
boats which approached the coast
were driven off by artillery fire. Be
tween Labasse canal and Arras, live
ly fight is going on.
German patrols continue successful
enterprises near Neuva Chapelle and
northeastward capturing SO British
prisoners.
West of the Meuse, bushes and
hedges south of the village of Cum
ieres have all been cleared of the enc
my. Three officers and SO men were
captured during an attack.
'In Caurettes woods Monday we
+ captured IS machine guns, one naval
gun and a quantity of mine throwers.
Germans Sweep Ahead.
Berlin, May 81 (via London) The
capture Of French positions along the
| entire front between the southern
ridge of Dead Mans hill and the vii
! lage of Cumieres, south of the Cor
beaux wood and Cumieres wood, was
announced by the war office. Thirty
five officers, including several staff Of
| ticers and 1913 unwounded men, were
captured by the Germans. Two coun,
ter-attacks against Cumieres village by
the French were repulsed.
Paris, May 31.-A strong attack was
made at night with a fresh division OF
German troops on the Verdun front
west of the Mouse, between Dead
Mans hill and Cumieres. The war of
flee statement says there was a slight
French retirement on the Bethincourt
Cumieres road. All attempts of the
Germans to gain ground on the re,
mainder of the positions under attack
were repulsed. The Germans main
tanned heavy artillery fire west of Fort
Douaumont.