In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 76, 6 March 1916, Page 5

In the West.

A MERE BRAWL. PRODIGALITY OF SACRIFICE. WOUNDED FRENCHMAN'S STORY Umteu Peess ASSOCIATION. (Received 8.4 a.m.) London, March 5. Marcel Jaures, relative of Joan oiaures, the noted French politician, who was assassinated in IUI4, was wounded at Verdun, and he relates the following:—"1 fougnt at Ypres a year ago. It was a mere brawl compared wita Verdun. Only a fiend or tho Kaiser could have sacriheed German lives wita such prodigality. The assault was crushed under an enormous weignt of metal; half the force was wiped out, and the remainder fled to the shelter of the wood, but sallied out strongly reinforced, and kept steadily on, tiiough rapidly thinning. When se\iu hundred yards away, our machine guns and lilies started the carnage. It was frightful. Remnants struggled on a few yards and tied i" a wild panic to the wood, pursued by screaming shells. Our artillery concentrated on the wood, which was soon abi.ize from end to end." JAURES CONTINUES HIS IMPRESSIONS, ALLEGED GERMAN DRUNKENNESS. FEARFUL SLAUGHTER. NO QUARTER ON EITHER SIDE ENEMY IN FULL FLIGHT. (Received D. 25 a.m.) Paris, -March 5. Jaures, continuing, said: "Our infantry advanced to harass the enemy as they quitted the wood. We were exposed to a. murderous fire, and sheltered in the shell holes for hall an hour, but readied our objective. Despite heavy lessen, the Germans attacked us singing and cheering My impression is that they were drunk.

Our machine guns mowed lanes in their ranks. Ihe survivors lay down behind breastworks of fallen comrades, and fired until their ammunition was exhausted; then they charged with

the bayonet. We volleyed at point blank range, and all fell 'or lied except a handful, who were bayoun'.t'-d or

'taken prisoners, some refusing quarter. Tile second attack was prepared in :i snow storm. They canu' on to I fight with terrific onslaught. We were almost swept off our feet. No quar ter was given or taken, and the battle swayed to and fro. On the slushy ground, hundreds found it most difficult to keep a foothold, and many slipped and paid the pen alt v with their lives. Our slender line seemed .to be snapping, but a miracle happened;'; We held on, as we felt the enemy w'ffs} weakening, and by midnigit he was in full flight." THE STRUGGLE FOR DOUAUMONT SATURDAY'S FIGHTING. SECOND EFFORT FAILS. HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. (Received 8.40 a.m.) Palis, -March 5. A review of the recent fighting at Verdun states that the battle was continued on Saturday with undiminished intensity, but the day closed unchanged. The enemy's greatest efforts were again directed on the village of Donaumont, where both sides were fighting desperately, and neither were able to occupy it definitely. The German attacks were of the most furious, every devilish expedient being used to endeavor to break the French resistance, but nothing could overcome the stubborn endurance of the French troops. The number of French wounded was small, while the enemy's losses were very great. The French supply system was equal to all demands, as all the services, including railway, motor, and transport, had been strongly reinforced. Thus, the situation in the second phase of the German offensive, which was totally different from a week ago, has not made the slightest advance. A further difference is the impossibility of surprise; also, the ground was so torn up by bombardment that it, cannot bo scientifically organised. The men taking part in the first attacks were worn out. and the fresh troops were demoralised a tthe'sight of.&ho mounds of German corpses. It is estimated that fifty thousand are still cumbering the ground before the French lines. For these reasons the issue of. the battle.is still awaited in Paris without anxiety. Other reports from Eastern France estimate that the German losses in killed and wounded were 200.000. GERMAN ACTIVITY IN THE VOSCES. , / London, March 3. Berne reports that there is intense activity at Bel fort, whore the enemy are concentrating numerous troops and -enormous quantities of war j material and heavy artillery, presaging an offensive on Paris.