Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-05

spirits. with ample reinforcements In
reserve for all eyentualties. The de-
fense lines around Verdun thus far
have been assured by the troops of the
Nerdun sector without the Intervention
of strong reserves, available in case
Of need.
Apprehension Disappears.
The apprehension caused in Paris by
the ground given up to the Germans in
the first battle has disappeared under
analysis. the public being reminded
that field strategy sometimes 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 main
tanned. and economy in the strength OF
the defending force, through sagacious
recoiI, has counted heavily in the check
of the Germans after their twentysix
infantry attacks. Forces SO important
as those launched against Verdun, it is
urged. must have lost spirit when
stopped after SO many courageous as
saults.
The French public. looking at the
situation in this way. attributes to that
fact the early interruption of the sec
ond battle and shows remarkable conf
dence in the eventual outcome.
Decisive Phase of Campaign.
"Verdun.'' says the Temps. marks
the beginning of a new and decisive
phase of the campaign. 1t will be
formal and incontestable demonstra-
tion that the entente allies front in
France and Belgium cannot be broken,
and that the imperial armies are inca
pable of operating effectively by the
lightninglike methods that succeeded
with them in Belgium and France be-
fore the battle. of the Marine. and in
Russia in 1915. 1t is from that point of
view that the battle of Verdun presents
so considerable an interest. 1t fur
nishes US with precise elements for q
sincere appreciation of the wastage of
the German forces 1t will teach US at
just what point is the strength OF the
enemy, and what effort. energetically
sustained. we must still make. finally.
to vanquish him.
IF, after all the fluctuations INSOFAR
able from struggle like that in the
region Of Verdun, it should finally end
in a check that would be impossible for
the Germans to CONCEAL, the moral and
political consequences in Germany
would be profound
Rain on Battlefield.
Rain is falling over the battlefield
today. turning into snow. as was the
case on the fourth day of the battle.
Firmness of French bonds on the
bourse yesterday and today reflects the
confidence which is felt here in the
outcome of the great struggle.
French Communication.
The French official communication is
sued by the war Office tonight reads as
follows:
In Artois attack by the enemy,
with the object of driving US from the
crater, which we occupy. near the road
from Nashville. to La Folie, was re-
pulsed.
In the Argonne we cannonaded In
the region to the southeast of Van
uuois the German organizations and
demolished several shelters.
"In the region of Verdun a very vio-
lent bombardment has been in prog:
ress all day on the left bank of tho
Meuse at Hill 304 and Cote De L'Ofe On
tense bombardment, directed on the
Halidromont wood. east of Cote du
Peivre. launched against our positions
an attack which WAS stopped by our
machine gun and infantry fire.
In the morning the GsrmJ suc-