The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-05
THINKS GERMANS WILL BE UNABLE
 TO PIERCE FRENCH
 LINES AT VERDUN
Continued from Page One,

by the Germans in 1870, when after a gallant defense of three weeks. she sur rendered, and in October of 1914
 She then was more menaced than at. tackled. It was the crown prince and General Von Strantz with seven army corps who threatened her. General Sar- rail, now commanding the allied forces in Salokini, with three army corps and reinforced by part of an army corps from Toul directed the defense. The at- tack was made upon Fort Troyon, about 20 miles south of Verdun The fort was destroyed, but the Germans were re- pulsed.
 THE REAL ATTACK
 Four days later. September 24, the real attack was made 15 miles south of Troyon ject of Von Strantz was to break through the Verdun-Toul line, to en- close Sarrail from the south and at Re- vigny link arms with the Crown Prince. They then would nave had the army of Sarrail surrounded.
 For several days it looked as though Won Strantz would succeed, but, though outnumbered, SarraiTs line held, and he forced Von Strantz to "dig in'' at St. Mihiel. The salient of St. Mihiel still exists It is like a dagger that failed to reach the heart, but remains stuck in the flesh. On either side the French surround it. In January, from the first line of trenches to the north, I could look across the salient held by the Ger mans and see on the other side of them. 500 yards away and facing us, the French trenches to the southwest
 ANOTHER EFFORT
 The attack of Von Strantz having failed a week later, on October 3, the crown prince attacked through the forest of the Argonne between varennes and Yer dun. But this assault also was repulsed by Sarrail, who captured varennes and with his left Joined up with the fourth army of General Langle. The line as then formed by that victory remained much as it is today. The present attack is di- rected neither to the north or south of Verdun, but straight at the forts of the city.
 These forts form but @ part of the de- lenses For 20 miles in front of Yer dun have been spread trenches and barb wire In turn. these are covered by ar tillery positions in the woods and on every height. Even were fort de- stroyed, to occupy it, the enemy must pass over terrain every foot of which is under fire. AS the defense of Yer dun has been arranged. each of the forts is but a rallying point a base. The &C., tual fighting. the combat that will de- eide the struggle, will take place m the open.
 Last month I was invited to one oi the Verdun forts. It now lies in the very path of the drive. and to describe it would be improper. But the approaches to the fort are now what every German knows. They were more impressive even than the fort. The "glacis'' of the fort stretched for mile and as we walked in the direction of the German trenches there was not a moment when from ev- cry side French guns could not have blown us into fragments. They were mounted on the spurs of the hills, sunk in pits, ambushed in the thick pine woods.
 Every step forward was made cautious ly between trenches or through mazes of barb wire and iron hurdles with bay onet-like spikes. Even walking leisure ly you had to watch your step. Pits opened suddenly at your feet and strands of barbed wire caught at your clothing. whichever way you looked trenches flanked you. They were dug at every angle and were not farther than 50 yards apart.
 LOCAL CHAIRMAN
 On one side half mile distant was hill heavily wooded. At regular in. tervals the trees had been cut down and uprooted. and like wood road, a cleared place showed. These were the nests of the '75's." They could sweep the ap- breaches to the fort as fire hose flushes a gutter. That a human being should be ordered to advance against such pit falls and Instructions. and under the fire from the trenches and batteries seemed lives could survive.
 The German papers tell that befor, this great drive upon Verdun wa: launched the German Emperor repro duced the attack in miniature. Int whereabouts and approaches to the DO. sitions they were to take were explained to the men. Their officers were rehearsec in the part each was to play But no re- hearsal would teach a man to avoid the pitfalls that surround Verdun. The oper places are as treacherous as quicksands the forests that seem to offer him shel ter are a succession of traps. And if he captures one fort he but brings him. self under the fire of two others.
 From what I saw of the defenses ot verdun from "a certain place" three miles outside the. city to "a certain place. 15 miles farther south, from what the general commanding the Verdun sec tor told me and from what I know oi the French, I believe this second attempt of the crown prince upon Verdun, the