Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-02-26
Kaiser's Armies Maintain Average Gain on Fifth
 Day of Battle.
PARIS MUST FALL
 IF FRENCH FAIL
Realized That London Would Be Men. aced Should VemtOnS Break Thru at Verdnn and Capture the
 French Capital.

London, Feb. S.-The fifth day of the tremendous battle north of Verdnr, which, it is maintained by some cx- perts, is likely to decide the fate of France, was marked by further German advance toward the great French stronghold
 The advance was equal to the aver age the Germans have maintained throughout the drive, about a mile day
 The main German force is now only two miles from the outer defensive works. Heavy German and Austrian guns of 15 and IT inch caliber have been brought up, and a shattering bombardment of the French works has been begun.
 Fort de Bellevlle, Fort de Douan- mont and Fort de Marre are under l the fire of the big guns, which are pounding away from their positions on an eight-mile front between Cor. solney and Ornes. More than 400 guns are massed behind the German front, and the cannOnade of the French redoubts and forts is describ- ed as the most sublime spectacle of destruction and thunder since the world begun.
 The French officers who saw the French bombardment of the German positions in Artois last spring. and l the French cannonade of the German positions in Champagne last autumn, describe them as mere displays Of, fireworks compared with the tornado of shells which the German batteries are now launching. The roar is heard at Bar de Luc, nearly 30 miles from the scene of the battle.
 JOifre Goes to Front.
 General Joffre has gone to the front, to take command personally, accord. ing, to report from Paris, ana the great master minds of the war, the kaiser in the north, and Joffre in the south, are now pitted against each other, in what promises to be the greatest struggle of the war. The opinion is growing in Paris and Lnn- don that if the Germans succeed in breaking through at Verdun, the French capital must fall, and in thar case London itself will be seriously menaced. syt.st eal.sf,s ,g e,.ss.,s I The French have been compelled to evacuate Beaumont. about i've miles north of Verdun, and have talk en up a position on the heights, east of Champeuville and south, of Ornes. They report terrific attack in strong force at La Cote du Poivre, four and half miles north of Verdun. but de- clare it was repulsed.
 10000 FRENCH PRISONERS. Berlin reports the capture of 4all l the French positions as far south as the rise of Loudemont. just below Bel mont. The number of prisoners taken has been increased to 10000. Losses on both sides have been appalling . A semi-officiial French estimate tonight places the German loss at more than 150,00O in four days. The Germans said their losses are ''n0ryi mai" and about what was to be ex- pected. It is estimated by the Paris Matin that the army of the crown prince has been reinforced to the strength of 35O,O00 men, who are, be- ing hurled against the French lines with systematic and utter disregard for human life. The curtain of fire sustained b ythe French batteries an initiated whole regiments, and the ridge north of the Verdun fortresses and the rolling hills along the Meuss are piled high with dead. S,