New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-12
Shields Meet Flaming Liquid.

Flaming liquids with which the Ger
mans have been expe rimenting in
smaller local attacks, last night were
used with typical Teuton prodigality.
At lie Mort Homme, and again between
Dousumont and Vaux. they were tried
on an extensive scale.
But for this exigency, as others,
General petain had prepared. To the
regiments holding the advance lines
under the withering German fire
heavy clay shields had been supplied
These were for fire attacks. as the cloth
masks had been for gas. Against them,
as on an asbestos curtain, the liquids,
shooting frequently from a distance of
thirty feet, played harmleBly.
Working from the cover OF the Bois
des Corbeaux, the Germans were able
10 force their way up the SCARED and
shattered slopes of lie Mort Homme. I'm
der the green glare of illuminating
rockets, hanging poised like miniature
balloons over the battlefield, the ad-
vancing ranks took on a phosphores-
cent CLEAN, as though IL were a ghost
ly charge. The French curtain Of fire
failed 70 check their progress and they
gained a footing in trenches on the
east side Of the hill.
French Counter Attacks Fail.
To-day attempts wore made to extend
this gain, so as 70 reach the crest o.
Lc Mort Homme, but Paris reports their
complete repulse. The Germans did sue
ceed, however. in penetrating the
trenches between Douaumont and Vaux,
which they had sought to capture last
night. But they were promptly driven
out in a counter attack.
From Berlin come reports Of the re-
pulse OF several French counter attacks
yesterday which Paris did not mention.
Thus, in the efforts 20 recapture the
positions south Of the Forges Brook,
between Haucourt and Bethincourt, the
Germans claim the capture of thirty
six officers and l,231 men. together with
several cannon. Counter attacks near
Chattancourt and at the Cote du Poivre,
east Of the Meuse, also failed, Berlin
says.
That Germany is seeking to conceal
the yastness Of her losses at Verdun
By smplfying past victories Is the sig
nificance seen here in a Berlin report
issued to-day. By claiming the capt
ure of 10000 French since the begin
ming Of the attack. together with TWEEN
ty-fve square kilometres of ground
west OF the Meusc. it is believed the
General STAFF hopes 10 divert attention
from the slaughter Of German thou
sands.
Puts Total Loss at 100000.
In one quarter in Paris to-day II vas
a asserted that German losses since reo-
rusrv 2l numbered 100000 men. French
oaicials figure that half Of the Crown
Princes electives have been put our
Of action.
The oft-repeated German claims that
here as little more than ridiculous. Due
credit il given for the unusual caution
with which the Germans, after the nrst
have directed the attack 'ut
for human hesh and blood, in numbers
however slight, 20 stand against the
Of guns that General Pe1in
had msssed on mis- narrow 'front.'
pronounced impossible. 80.
Had the German artillery been aoie
70 silence the French guns, wnicn
would have been necessary for troops
20 advance without loss. the frenen
nos;,ions could easily have been capt
i,re5 il is pointed out But the lighting
Yesterday and to-day shows how DIS
tant the Germans have been from any
such result.
Confidence continues 70 &c expressed
in Paris as 10 the eVentuai ou1come-