A LULL IN THE FIGHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 53, 2 March 1916, Page 5

A LULL IN THE FIGHTING.

INTERMITTENT. BOMBARDMENT NORTH OF VERDUN. GERMAN ATTACKS IN WOEVRE AND CHAMPAGNE. INTENDED TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM FAILDRE AT VERDTJN. (By Cable.—Pre_» Association—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a-m.) PARIS, March L The French daily review of the fighting reports that there has been a lull at Verdun, and the artillery bombardment on either side is now intermittent. "The "Matin" says that the enemy aims at taking Verdun and the heights of tbe Jleuse, and will not recoil before any sacrifice to attain his object. Other French newspapers state that the Germans seem to have modified their tactics in view of their formidable and impotent attacks north of Verduji. The activity in the Woevre and the Champagne is designed to- divert the efforts of the French and also the attention of the German public The multiplication of the offensives and the fresh theatres shows that the enemy has not renounced his plan of forcing the French lines, but France may repose confidence in "her leaders. The "Journal" says that even if ever the enemy succeeded in breaking our front the fight would be in the open country, where the factor of the valour of the men would regain its importance, and Germany would again meet the victors of the Marne. M. Pichon, ex-Foreign Minister, writing in t_e"Petit Journal," says that the news is encouraging. The enemy's fury has failed before the French wail of steeL The Brandenburgers. who were imprudent enough to trust themselves to the interior of Douaumont, seemed doomed never to emerge. M. Gustav Herve, the noted Socialist, writes in "La Victoire: —"No army has many regiments like the Brandenburgers, and when an army thus sacrifices its corps d'elite without securing victory at the first attempt, it is not far from faflure."