The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-05-26

general demand tnat italy declare
war on Germany. 1t is understood
that Russian troops are to land and
assist in the defense against the ital-
ians, and declaration Of war against
Germany is necessary, it is said, to
avoid undesirable complications.
Paris, France, May 24.-All of TO-
900 men are estimated to have gone
down in the past twenty-four hours
in the terrific struggle between the
Germans and French over the de-
lenses of Verdun. Terrific fighting
went on late yesterday and last night
all the way from Dead Mans hill to
Fort Douamont. No fighting since the
war began has exceeded this for fero-
city.
The Germans last night launched
10000 men against the French posi-
ton on Dead Mans hill. From Thia-
mount to Douamount there was
steady gun fire. Whole columns of
Germans went down at short inter-
French machine guns.
The Germans seemed determined to
regain what the French captured yes
terday at Fort Douamont. So close
became the struggle that rifles were
discarded and the men fought with
knives.
German attackers came in steady
streams from the Caillette woods.
However, up to the last dispatches
the situation is about as it was TWEEN
ty-four hours ago, as far as posses
sion OF ground is concerned, the
French retaining all that they won
from the Germans on Monday.
Powerful Offensive.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.J
Paris, May PA powerful Often
sive was undertaken by the Germans
last night east of Dead Mans Hill on
the Verdun front. The attempt in
general was unsuccessful, the war
office report this afternoon says, but
after fierce hand to hand struggle
the attacking forces made their
way into portion of the village of
Cumieres.
Russia and France Exchange.
UNITED Press Dispatch1
London, Eng, May 24.-Albert
Thomas, under secretary Of state,
war and munitions of the French
cabinet, is quoted as authority for the
statement that an arrangement has
been made between France and the
Russian government, whereby France
will ship to Russia vast quantities of
ammunition, clothing and other mill
tary supplies, of which there is now
a superabundance in France, but
which are sorely needed in Russia.
Russia, on the other hand, will con-
tinue to send men to France. It is
said that this arrangement was made
during recent visit of Albert Thomas
and Rene Viviani, the French minis
ter of justice, at Petrograd.
1t is further reported that for this
traffic the famous Hudson Bay COM
pany will furnish 100 vessels, of 5000
to 1000 tons each. The same COM
pany will keep France well supplied
with foods and raw materials, that
are produced in Canada and the
United States.
italians Get Out of Boao.
UNITED Press Dispatch.
Vienna, Austria, May 24.-To avoid
capture, a considerable force of Itai-
ians today evacuated the village Of
Bogo. The Austrians were pressing
forward and would soon have cut
the Italian line of communications.
Village Taken From French.
Berlin, Germany, May 24.-The vii
lage of Cuminiers, nine miles north
west of Verdun, was taken today from
the French by the Germans and 3O8
prisoners were captured. The Ger
mans also made gains on the French
in the vicinity Of Douamont, taking
500 prisoners.
At Givenchy some of the British
soldiers succeeded in penetrating the
German trenches, and were instantly
slaughtered.
President to Attend Wedding.