The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-03-05

ALREADY cut 10 pieces were puBneu
ahead by other bodies Of troops surg
ing on the field OF battle until the
ground was Btrewn with bodies. Eye
witnesses assert that nothing ut Char
leroi, on the Marne, along the User or
in the Champagne equalled the sacrl-
fees which the troops OF the German
crown prince already have made, for
the village Of DouaumOnt alone in tho
battle OF Verdun. The attack is no
longer tho subject OF speculation
whether II Is intended for rectiflca-
tIon OF the German front or perhaps
as a demonstration for tho sake OF the
moral effect upon the people OF Ger
many and neutrals.
It is the opinion in all quarters that
the crown prince has determined TO
pay any price necessary to capture Yer
dun. II possible, drive the French from
the right bank Of the Mouse and cS-
tnbIish front along that river II he
is unable to pierce the lines and open
up the way to ChalOns and Paris.
All information thus far received
Indicates that the Germans alrendy
have paid very heavy price and that
Verdun itself has not yet been shaken.
The ultimate cost Of the drive Ia prob
Iematical. Paris remains confident
that the Germans will find 1t lmpos-
sIblc 10 achieve eventual success. This
feeling has hccn made still more pro-
nnunCcd by the rccitals Of tho wound
cd and Of German soldiers.
French infantry Is dsDuting every
inch Of the ground with persistent
courage and last night once more
compelled their advcrsarIes TO sus-
pend efforts. leaving artillery alone to
keep up the pressure on tho fortress.
Whenever the German assault on the
French line reached the danger point.
the blue clad troops leaped forward
with fixed bnyonets to the strain OF
the national battle hymn. Accounts
OF this fighting from French sources
say that on each occasion the soldiers
OF tho republic got tho better Of their
opponents. pushing bnCk Germans who
did not fall under the cold steel.
Rain is falling over the battle field
today, turning iTtO snow. as was the
case on the fourth day Of the battle.
The determination OF the German at
lacks on the village Of DOuaumont arc
explained by the strategic advantage
Of the height to the south held by the
French barring the way to the bastion
and fort.
The village itself. composed OF about
fifty houses. now Is only smoking
ruins. II is dominated. together with
the ravinCs at the foot of the advanced
bastions Of The fort by the French
batteries massed on the plateau and
heights in the rear, so that the instant
the Germans come 10 the clcarings
from the wood and ravines they are
Immediately exposed TO CALLING fro.
There is no OFFICIAL news this after
noon regarding tho issue ofZthe
struggle for the village, but there are
indications that tho French have it
under control. It Is explained that
after the furious onslaught Of two
days. the attacks of the German in
fantry were suspended during the
night, tho possession of the village it
self being Of no advantage without oc-
cupation Of the heights TO the south,
which command 1t and make it unten-
able for hostile forces.
Possession Of the plateau Of Dou-
aumont Is essential to the Germans in
Wow of operations seemingly pro-
Jected in the region OF Yaux but It is
pointed out that even with tho line
from Pepper Hill CCotc Du Polvre)
to Douaumont in their hands, the Ger
mans would again find the French
boldly fortified from Froide Teterre
to souville and Vaux, where sacrifices
equal to those made in the assaults
upon Douaumont would be necessary
to gain the slightest advantage.
All reports reaching Paris repre-
sent the French troops as in the high
est spirits, with ample achievements
in reserve for all eventualities. The
defense lines around Verdun thus far
have been assured by the troops OF
the Verdun sector without the inter-
yention OF strong reserves. available
in case OF need.
The apprehension caused in Paris
by the ground given up TO the Germans
in the first battle has disappeared UNI
der analysis. the public being remind
ed that field strategy requires that
forces retire In order to advance as In
the case Of the battle of the Marine.
The military critics hold that with a
heavy loss of men the original French
line might have been maintained. and
economy in the strength of the de-
Tending force, through sagacious re-
coil has counted heavily in the check
OF the Germans after their twenty-slx