The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-17
NOW IT'S THE SIEGE OF vERDUN

Nearly four weeks of the continu-
Gus battle for Verdun has passed,
ard the general opinion of military
critics reflects a stronger confidence
in the French ability to hold the es-
sential parts Of the position than
was entertained at the beginning.
There have been German gains,
but these were inevitable when 30
tremendous an effort was launched;
advanced lines Of the French had
been established with the pA.t.culA;
intent and expectation tina; they
would be lost, but would first serve
to inflict losses on the enemy, to de-
lay his advance, to complicate the
military situation for him.
1t has for many months ban nc
ognized that either side, on tho long
western front, could pierce the
others line at almost any selecae
point, by pouring in enough Of ma
terial, animate and inanimatc. and
meking the necessary sacrifices that
would represent the price.
But Verdun seems to prove ar
other Calais. The struggle for tno
seaport nearest to British soil was
carried on with desperation, -ecE-
lessness of consequences or costs
such as has not been parall ,!cl, il
is believed, even in the Ve-dun at
tacks. Calais is still In ppsscssion
of the allies. 1t is unlikely to be
the objective Of another Great effort,
simply because the utmost tat could
be brought against it has once fqiie
to drive out its defenders. t. Ve:-
dun shall, at the end Of the presen.
assault, have likewise sustained Il.
self, there will be rea son - believg
that the German efforts must 'Hece
more be directed to new field 81
activity.
Where will that field be? Verdur
has now practically degenerated In.
to siege; siege, it is true. of tho
modern sort, such as military scien.t
did not know until it learned ron
the experience of the prescn; war
Roth sides have sustained fright.
losses, the Germans undou otedly 81,
greater. 1t is not math ematical,S
possible to go OIL sacrificing soldiers
in such exaggerated prop ,-t:on fo'
an indefinite time. 1t is not hunanl,
possible to keep men at the pitch 81
zeal which will forever ca :fy thea
forward in waves, to be mown down..
If it may be suspected, then, thu
Verdun is not to be taken, wha
rext? The French hold rather IT,,
advantage in the Champa rue region
the outlook there is not favorabl,
for a German assault. On the otEe
hand the extreme eastern end OF IT,,
line presents Beltort, for many year
regarded as the most powerful fort
ress in France; possibly, under mod
ern conditions, therefore, the mos
tngerous trap for it's defenders. A
any rate there has been pcrsister
suggestion that the Germans mich
make their next effort in that direc
ton, and if they should do co
might result in new set of insena
tional complications.
Belfort would provide a pretex5 TO
Precipitating trouble with Swi.ze-
land, if that sort of trouble should b
Regarded as desirable. During tn
old Franco German war Belfort wa
surrounded and isolated. but neve
was captured; peace was made be
fore the operation there reached
climax. In one phase of the opera
tions on this section of the line
during that war large French lore
wa driven across the line into Swi=
territory, and there was promptl
taken in charge and disarmed anil in
termed by the Swiss. 1t is possIbl
that they would repeat that opera
tion in the present war; but it is nc
al all certain. The possibility q
German intrigue having gainel in
portant assurances from the Sw1s
. Military authorities is to be regarde
seriously.
; The Swiss nation is divided
sympathies, and the army heads al
, regarded as decidedly pro-German