THE FRENCH SUPREMELY CONFIDENT AT VERDUN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 58, 8 March 1916, Page 5

THE FRENCH SUPREMELY CONFIDENT AT VERDUN.

LORD NORTHCLIFFE ONLY PRAISE FOR THE FRENCH SUFFERINGS OF WOUNDED UNDISTURBS THE KRONPRINCE. WONDERFUL FRENCH EFFICIENCY AND THOROUGHNESS. THE BRANDENBURGERS STILL IN DOUAUMONT. LONDON, March 7. Lord Northcliffe, writing in reference to the battle at Verdun, says ; is doubtful what secret motives arß underlying the German attempt to reak the French lines—whether financial in view of the coming war loan, ynastic, or to influence doubting neutrals. That ithe suffering of the rounded lying between the trenches through the long nights in the icy rinds would be intense does not disturb the Crown Prince. It is a grueome fact that the French found many German wounded frozen to death. conversed with numerous prisoners. Horror and misery were plainly epicted on their countenances. At a distance of 25 miles I counted two undred different cannon voices. As I drew nearer I was astonished at the ountless proofs of French efficiency and thoroughness. The abundance f reserve stores is remarkable. I saw Douaumont fort. The Germans’ laim about it is on a par with the sinking of the Tiger or 'a Zeppelin bomlardment of Liverpool. It was a newspaper victory. A few Brandeniurgers climbed into the gunless fort and are still there, supplied vieari■usly with food at night time. The Germans’ announcement evinces the kaiser’s*great 'anxiety to magnify everything about Verdun Into a great ivent. Personal contact with the miserable creatures forming the bulk of he German prisoners was needed to convince me that such specimens of uimanity really belonged to the German army, especially the corps d’elite. Jne- ill-favoured youth was barely sft. 4in., narrow chested, and better uited for an office stool. He had been sent to Flanders after six weeks’ raining, and at the beginning of February sent to Verdun. He said he .nd his companions were heartily glad to escape the frightful English. ?he only good things about the prisoners was their footwear. Stcujt ilucher boots evidenced the necessity of tightening the blockade. It is mpossible to estimate the direction of the battle. It is not enough to say hat the French are confident of holding their own. They feel they have he measure of the enemy, both in men and material. Nothing justifies he belief that the German spirit anft stamina are equal to the task of islodging the French from their present formidable positions.

THE BATTLE MAY LAST FOR MANY DAYS. THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND GERMANS ON NARROW SECTOR. AS WAVES ROLL UP THEY ARE ANNIHILATED. *1 ; ; . MORE ROLL INTO THEIR PLACES. TWO-FIFTHS HAVE ALREADY BEEN KILLED. PARIS, March 6. Newspapers predict that the German offensive may last some days. [*hey accumulated 300,000 on a narrow sector. As the waves roll up ,nd are annihilated more roll up, reinforcing the depleted ranks. It is istimatA that fcvo-fifths of the battalions massed against us have already >een pure out eviction.