, 1916-03-04

by an ofnc6f OF The German OeueIni Oidh
al rs, 900.
London, March 2nd.~-German artillery
has opened a new bombardment Of the
French positions in the Verdun and Cham
payne districts, according to Paris despatch
rs TODAY. The cannonude, Paris reported,
may be the signal for the resumption Tor the
Verdun offensive, or may have been ordered
to shield troops movements to other sectors.
French guns are replying to a vigorous al
tack near FreSnes. southeast OF Nerdun.
Both in Paris and Berlin the impression
prevails that the thirty-si hours, lull III the
Verdun fighting is only preliminary to a
grand assault Oh the Verdun forts.
Paris, Murch 2nd.-The War Office an
nouuced this Afternoon that there had
been intermittent bombul dments along the
Verdun and Woevre fronts during he night,
but that here we're no Developments OF I'M
portance.
Lisbon, March 2nd.-Sixty leading mem
bers of the German colony left hurrlediy
for Spain to- day on receipt of reports that
Germany is about to declare war on POrtu-
gal. The minority of The German business
houses have closed. The Foreign Office ie
reported to have despatched on answer last
night to the German Note demanding he
release of interned German warships seized
by official decree. 1t is rumoured that the
Portuguese answer is very brief, but con-
tnins a fiat refusal to comply with the Ger
nun demands.
Amsterdam, March 2nd-Captain Fersius,
Naval Expert Of the "Berliner Tugeblatt,"
discussing in to-day's issue OF that neWsp"-
per the new German campaign against mere
chant shipping, makes the assertion that 1t
will be carried out, not so much through the
medium Of submarines whose activities are
hampered by diplomatic difficulties, as
through disguised raiders like the
"Moewe," which already has sunk u number
of vessels and which sent the "Appam" to
Newport with a prize crew.
London, March 2ud-An Amsterdam de-
spatch to the Central News says that Fort
VNux, five miles to the northeast Of Verdun,
has been destroyed by heavy mortars, ac-
cordiDg to uucontiImed German reports, hut
that the Germans cannot approach the lot rs
the French have brought heavy artillery to
bear on the approaches. 1t is added that u
German battery has been destroyed by
French shells and that the Germans have
concentrated 80 900 men at Bruszy, who are
to resume the offensive with reiufol cements
from the ArgoDne. Bruszy is about sixteen
miles to the east of Verdup.
Athens, March 2nd-It is stated that the
Turks and Bulgnriaus are asking for an I'M
derstanding with the Entente The only
thing they request is that they be permitted
to retain their position and integrity. The
Turks, perceiving the danger to Asia Minor
from the Russian advance, do not consider
their existence safe, nor do they expect any
decisive help from Germany. The highest
Bulgarian military circles are greatly III fear
of their extension of the existing frontier,
and do not hide the tact that although they
may be at Monastir and in Albania, their
capital runs the risk Of falling into the enc
mics hands.
London, March 2nd-The Chronicles mil
itary correspondent remarks; The situation
along the British front is normal and unex-
citing. The truth is, however, that we are
waiting aud watching for any sign that the
enemy intends TO take the offensive else
where than at Verdun when all attention Is
directed on that poiLt. Meanwhile we
are holding greut German forces in lines
which cannot be thinued because of our
strength. BY this means we are help
ing our Allies very effectively.
Paris, March 2nd.-The question IS raised
ms TO whether the next German attack will
be at Veldun or along the trout from the
Somme to the Aisue, as it is known that the
Germans have been making preparations
,loou tho Infer lines the southern limit of