New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-02
French Prepare to
Meet Offensive Near
a-MOuSSOn.
CANNON ACTIVE
ON WHOLE FRONT
Numerous Aeriai COmbatS
Berlin Claims Capt
ure of Three Planes.
rR- CO. % rhe Trihun, I

nOunCcmCnt tllat the hdlSel ieS iNi'
the Nerdun front and returned home
comes TIE news that the Germans
have ceased their attacks on the
great French stronghold.
Their big offensive, so far as IN
fantrv attacks are concerned. has
ended. although artillery activity
still continues. Guns are active west
cf the Meuse. in the region between
Nalancourt and FORCES, across the
river eastward about Naux and
Damloup. and against French
trenches in the Woevre region, south
east Of Nerdun.
Whether the assaults will begin
again or whether the Germans Will
rest content with the points of van
age they have gained is not indi-
Gated in the official reports of either
Berlin or Paris.
Big Guns Changing Bases.
Unofficial advices from Berlin have
stated that the German plan Of cam
raign has been primarily based on
the bombardment Of sectors they de
sire TO attain, a. it is possible that
trev may now be drawing up their
big guns to captured positions with
the object Of shelling points nearer
their objectiye-Nerdun.
60 complete haa become the calm
about Verdun that the Berlin Official
sta.ement tonight does not mention
he fortress. and confines itself to the
rrovjnc power Of the French lombard
mon, in the Yser region. in the Cham
racne and between the Meuse and Mo-
ole. Paris also records the absence
&C. infantry encounters. and says;
"ln the region of Nerdun there was
10 infantry action during the course
NJ the day. The enemy bombardment
co-,irued 20 the west Of the Meuse, in
.bo zone between Malancourt and
Forces Tc the east OF the Meuse, es-
rec;sUv in the region Of Nau% ana
Danloun. and IN the Woevrc. on our
trenches at Fresnes.'
"Tho Tines" military correspond-
cnt. analyzing the situation aroun !
vo-dvn. declares his belief that the
lo7c.expected big German offensive ha<
begun. although he doubts whether
Vcrdur is 20 be the real point of the
great attack.
lie further declares emphaticaiiy y
nat 10 front IS impenetrable IN the
raco of = modern artillery attack, but
bc believes that the Allies cue is ITO
tcep cool. 20 be avaricious in depicting
-ho main reserves and 20 keep increas-
.n. those reserves for action when the
Germans have exhausted themselves
The writer's belief that the Ger-'ans
are preparing 20 launch their main at
taek q. some point other than |erdun
IS supported Is follows;
ANY great success by the Germans
further 20 the northwest than Cham
Dagnc may under the present condi-
.ions bring about an enforced retire
gocnt from the Meusc. What the Ger
mans hope for is 70 attack the DUN
or the Allies reserves east OF the
wegec. making an immense olstter
.t,,. md the next German blow from
the northwes, probably awaits the fui-
. oimen, of this desire. The French ap-
near 20 have met the Nerdun attack
18th reserves Just sufficient 20 main
..tn INC conflict. T iere IS no sign that
cGrcral Jofre has yet drawn upon OF
cyco moved his main forces
Scs Offensive Expected.
rbs. the French anticipate ne"
c,~,,sn offensive, possibly near foht.
vo,,ogop. and are seeking 10 breaK J,
..,.b ARTILLERY FIRE, was also ihoi
,.,.d Ly the French statement. "hich
ao,r artillery displayed great activ-
.. =. a., entire front Of the enemy
r. .lc .eest of MOusson our
.,.es ..,rs shattered the German or,
,,.,iz..'o,s in lie Pretre wood ana
a., beavy artillery bombarded me en-,
en- .e.tablishmcnts in the region o.
ThiaucoUrt. f.s,od
Htr kIa4fc there H'f' '"t'' ~
scfio,s b. our batterirs IN inc F"''''
81 .te Fect and The Doller.
~Jn BelgiuIn our artiiiery' ~ eoncer,
18th tbc British artillery. ehec'ively
,beiled the enemy trenches 20 the
,ontheas, of Boesinghe. 10 the ear. .
- pbcf,os a detachment comprising
90 c.ropanies which attempted 70
each our line rc'res,ed hastily under
,,r Grc. lc,Unc some dead on me
ground
trent Artillery Vents Spite.
f,,, II fhc1c bombardmrnis, beHln
e..+'uere merely % assuage ihe french
atrflv.,y 81 the artillery yesttfoaay
uas sery sfga' 0D fsriopa ppaits OF w.
front aud iafticliailJ y" N"N '"'"''
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