THE GROUND WON.

Evening Star, Issue 16049, 28 February 1916, Page 3

THE GROUND WON.

• GERMAN OUTPOSTS SEVEN MILES FROM VEODUX ON NORTH-EASTERN SIDE. ENEMY'S' HEAVY OUXS. KAISER SPURS TROOPS. ~ LONDON, February 26. Experts are discussing whether the Verdun move is only, a local or u " win or lose " effort to break through. The 'Spectator' believes that it is the opening scene of the final act in the great drama, and adds: "If Verdun, which is the hinge of. the defensive door, continues to hold out, the Allies cannot be beaten." Various estimates of the Grown Prince's forces range fro.pi 250,000 men to 750,000. The most northern salient fell on Monday night, and since then village after village has been stormed and captured at tho cost of ghastly slaughter. The French were wtfhclrawn to line the field works on the lugh altitudes just outside the perma- • nent forts. The German outposts are within seven miles of Verdun, but the . German attack covers not more than onefifth of the perimeter, the rest of the dofences being only subjected to artillery fire. It is only recently-constructed earthworks that have been captured. consider that even if the battle •rtoes not break the French lino it will break the French offensive in the CShamaagoa.

Friday night's snows held up the attack, but the storms were only of a temporary nature. Tho fact that the French ■ artillery is Tiring over measured ground accounts for the enormous German losses, . but the weight of the' Gentian artillery obliterated the field fortifications. The German claim of 10,000 prisoners is remarkably small for live days' fighting on an advance of four miles and the capture of several small towns and villages. French are in high spirits. They are confident of Holding their own, and are bringing up many reinforcements. The attack on Verdun forestalled a Franco-British offensive in Flanders. The Kaiser's presence is reported from many sources. He pitched his tent on the mi clement slopes of Cotes Dernouse, where he liberally harangued bis troops. London 'Times' and Sydney 'Sun' Services. LONDON, Fehruary 25. 'l* Matin' states that the Germans have brought against Verdun all the available 42 and 30-eentimetre heavy artillery used against- Serbia. The 'Petit Parisian' says that the Kaiser arrived at the front on Saturday and assured himself that everybody" was prepared. He then ordered a general rehearsal, and the reserves manoeuvred as if in the presence of thi enemy. The Kaiser personally ordered the attack on Sunday. •L'Action Francais' declares that if the Germans wish to impress neutrals by .launching an attack .after sounding ail parts of the French line for three weeks past they will not persevere long by continuing an offensive against tho lines of tha entrenched line camp of Verdun. They will suffer equal losses if they attempt to break the Yser front. Another comment says that the German army dashes froward like a. bull with lowered head into its battle- of brute force. "We did the Crown Prince too much honor in failing to consider tho possibility ot His Imperial Highness utilising such a primitive instinct." The 'Daily News's' correspondent at Copenhagen says that well-informed somces state that the Germans suffered unparalleled losses during their recent attacks <ui the west front. A Belgian town va? cleared for the severely wounded, and is now an overcrowded hospital, sending patients out uninterruptedly into Germany. German officers informed neutral correspondents that the new offensive is a, desperate effort to break the line of the French forces and open the xoad to Paris. The General Staff have been directed not to snare life.