g'"' .. ^ FrenchConfident: Battle of Verdun s Bloodiest of War Paris. Feb. 28.—“Serious, but not dis quieting,” is the common phrase which was used today in official and parlia mentary circles regarding the pro gram of the Germans in their attack against Verdun. Unaffected by the snow, the Germans hammered away all day Friday at the French line, which although unbroken at the end of the sixth day of battle, was, how ever. again rectified as a measure of prudence, the left wing being drawn into Champneuvllle and the right being brought back a little south of Ornes. The new front, barely three miles in length, extends along the heights, of fering every advantage for defense and forming one of the most formidable obstacles before the entrenched camp of Verdun. It is in this narrow space that the crown prince is hurling his masses. Military observers here express the belief that the counter offensive will be launched from this line at a precise and decisive moment and that it will drive hack across the ground already covered with the bodies of their com rades. the battalions which are being hurled forward in the most bloody assault which this war has yet seen. “The work up there is hot, indeed,” said an officer who has just arrived in Paris from the Verdun battlefield. “They are gnawing at our lines a lit tle faster, but with no positive ad vantage for themselves. Previous at tacks made by the Germans in that section are nothing to what they are now delivering. I cannot, of course, v give details, but I can -say that we are r“holding well against their formidable attacks. The artillery exchanges are intense. Our batteries, admirably handled, have changed ground in mas terly style and the losses to the enemy are really fabulous. Ours are slight, a feeble percentage of theirs.” SAY FEINT ATTACK FAILED. Paris. Feb. 28.—The Petit Parisien sms that the battle now raging before f\mat he fired upon her as the ship i^- inged her course, and he believed sue was about to ram him and that the Petrolite's captain voluntarily fur nished provisions to the submarine. * NORRIS MAKES ATTACK ION WATER POWER BILL | Washington, I). C., Feb. 26.—A scath ing attack in a vigorous speech was made today by Senator Norris against the Shields water power hill. This is the bill pending in the Senate which a powerful group of reactionary demo crats and reactionary republicans art; trying to drive through and which thus far the administration is not opposing. Senator Norris described the magni tude of the grab planned by the power trust under this measure. He pleaded with senators not to give away without ‘/'mpensation to the water power trust I " wonderful resources of the coun --- More than 500 women are serving m the Russian army. terial extent the downward plunge of the market. At the extreme lowest figures reached, May wheat was down 5%e at $1.13%. The market closed excited at 5%@5%c net decline, with May at $1.13% and July at $1.10%. Minneapolis, Minn., Feb. 26.—Wheat prices broke more than 6 cents a bushel today, following receipts of a :eport that Verdun had been captured by the Germans. May wheat w'hich closed at $1.17% yesterday, closed on a range to day of $1.10% fi)l.ll%, and July which closed at $1.16% yesterday, closed to day at $1.10. T Prepared For Eventualities, Says Premier—Proposes to Let Existing Treaty Lapse. Lisbon. Feb. 26. (via Paris, Feb. 28.) —The Portuguese premier stated in ths chamber of deputies today that at tempts have been made to damage seven of the Teutonic ships requisi tioned by the government, and that an explosive had been found on the steam ship Buelow, of the North German Lloyd company. The premier added that he considered -it in the best in terests of Portugal that the existing treaty with Germany be allowed to lapse, and said that the Portuguese government was prepared for all eventualities that might arise from the exercise by Portugal of her rights. Dr. Alfonso Costa, the premier, in answer to a question by Deputy Ca macho regarding the employment to which the requisitioned German and Austrian vessels would be put, said the government’s action in requisitioning them had been prompted by the neces sities ot the nation’s economic situa tion. The requisition, he said, had been carried out simultaneously in order to forestall as far as was possible at tempts at willful damage of the ships which there was reason to believe could and in fact had been on seven of them An explosive apparatus had been found in the boilers of the steam er Buelow, which would have caused an explosion when the vessel moved. An explosion was prevented, but the machinery was damaged. Dr. Costa further said that he con sidered it was in the best interests of the country that the existing treaty with Germany should be denounced and allowed to lapse on June 5, 1917. In conclusion, he said: “We are prepared for all eventuali ties that may arise from our exercising our rights.” The North German Lloyd steamship BUelow is of 8,965 gross tons. 162 feet long, and 57 feet beam. REV. GEORGE J. KELLEY IS HARBORING DELUSION -_ Des Moines, la.. Feb. 26.—“Rev. Geo. .1 Kelley, now at Sutton, Neb., had no connection whatever with the brutal ax murders in Villisca, in June, 1912," | declared Henry Sampsen, assistant at ! torney general, toda). "Shortly after the crime I went over [the whole ground at Villisca with i Kelley, who was preaching in a small town near there at the time. Evident 1 ly he has brooded over the gruesome ; details of the murder until his mind is temporarily unbalanced.'-’ Villisca authorities are investigating alleged statements attributed to Kelley by Dr. L. K. Strate, a Sutton, Neb., physician in a letter received yester ! day by Chief of Detectives MacDonald. FORT DOUAUMONT FALLS BEFORE FURIOUS ONSLAUGHT OF GERMAN ARMY; FRENCH LINES BADLY BENT EPIDEMIC OF CHOLERA IS RAGING IN CROATIA Victims, Chiefly Women and Children, Said to Number Thousands. London, Feb. 28.—The Exchange ' Telegraph company's Rome corre spondent says that advices have been received in that city from Zurich to the effect that an epidemic of cholera is raging in Croatia and that its vic tims are numbered in the thousands and are chiefly women and children. AUSTRIAN FORCES Italians Evacuate Great Port on Albanian Coast—Mas tery of Adriatic Is Assured. Rome, (via Paris). Feb. 28.—The re port that Durazzo, an Albanian port on the Adriatic sea, had been evacuated by the Italian troops stationed there, is confirmed. Berlin. Fob. 28, (via London).—Re ports from Austrian press headquarters predict the early fall of the Albanian city of Durazzo, as a result of the de feat on Wednesday of the Italians and the Albanian forces under Essad Pasha, the provisional president. A strong line of outer defenses for the city have been constructed and the indications were that spirited resistance would be of fered. The Austrians and Germans attacked at daybreak, yesterday. The defenders Were soon ejected from their positions at Barzarsjak. Shortly afterward, the Italians on the southern bank of the lower Arzen were forced to abandon their positions. The Austrians crossed the river and proceeded southward. At noon a decisive action east of Barzarsjak forced the Italians from strong positions. The same fate was suffered by the defenders of Sazobian co. six miles east of Durazzo. By eve ning the entire outer girdle of de fenses was taken. The attackers, ad vancing to their inner line positions, established the fact that the Italians were embarking their troops hurriedly. BAY STATE MOOSERS MILITANT AS EVER Bird Serves Notice Party Split Is “Inevitable” If T. R. Delegates Fail. Boston, Feb. 28.—A prediction that another split in the republican party would be "inevitable" if the Roose velt candidates for delegates at large from this state to the national con vention were defeated in the primaries was contained in a letter addressed by one of these candidates. Charles Sum ner Bird, to Lewis Parkhurst, chair man of the republican club of Massa chusetts. last night. Tho communica tion was in answer to a letter sent by Parkhurst to each of the eight an- ! nounced delegate candidates suggest ing that they try to agree and avoid a contest in the primaries. ‘Tf we lose," said Mr. Bird, “the republican conven tion will be controlled by the old guard and a split wVl be inevitable and President Wilson’s re-election as sured.” SELF ACCUSED BURGLARS CONVICTED OF MURDER Danville, 111., Feb. 26.—“Big John” Murphy and Milton Armstrong, ne groes, were found guilty of murder by a jury here today and sentenced to the penitentiary for 99 years each, for murdering two Greek track workers. Murpliy and Armstrong set up an alibi, claiming they were robbing a store in Champaign at the time of the murder. ARMED ITALIAN SHIP IN PORT OF NEW YORK New York, Feb. 26.—The Napoli, the third Italian steamer to arrive here within the last few days with guns mounted, arrived today. The Napoli carried two three-inch guns mounted on the poop deck. Bhe is a freighter and carries no passengers. YEAR IN FEDERAL PRISON PENALTY FOR ELOPEMENT Council Bluffs, la., Feb. 26.—Ralph Myers, who pleaded guilty iri federal court yesterday afternoon to white slavery, was sentenced to a year and a day at Leavenworth prison by Judge Wade this morning. Ho ran away from Centerville, la., with Mrs. Myrtle Gott, wife of a Salvation army captain, go ing to Berwyn, Neb. BLUFFS DOCTOR INJURED WHEN AUTO TURNS OVER Council Bluffs, la., Feb. 26.—A Ford car driven by Dr. Harry Kelley skidded on a bridge early this morn ing, when he turned sharply to avoid crashing into an obstruction, and turned turtle, pinning the doctor be neath it. He lay 15 minutes before railroad men found him and lifted off the ear. His condition is saiil to be serious, but not dangerous. Uruguayan banks have gold reserves ugregating $20,646,667. INSURRECTO MEETING OF IOWA DEMOCRATS « - Opponents of Present Organiz ation Plan to Contest on State Nominations. Des Moines, la., Feb. 28.—The full democratic state tickets may be placed before Iowa voters at the June 5 pri mary this year, as the result of a de cision early today by leaders of so called progressive democrats to enter a slate of their own. After an all night session the con ference unanimously selected Senator John T. Clarkson, of AJbia, leader of the “dry" forces In the 36th general as sembly, to head the new ticket as can didate for governor in opposition to the regular democratic ticket. Edward C. Dunn, of Mason City, who was a candidate for governor in 1912 was selected as a candidate for dem ocratic national committeeman against Wilbur W. Marsh, of Waterloo. Sena tor Clarkson refused to say whether he would be a candidate. Should Senator Clarkson be a candi date for governor, it was said, he will represent the conference as delegate at large. Homer W. Johnston, of Sioux City, was the conference's second choice for delegate at large. Four cardinal propositions will oc cupy the attention of progressive dem ocrats from now on according to the insurgents. They are to open headquarters in Des Moines and campaign to elect progres sive democrats as delegates to the na tional convention at St. Rouls; to over throw State Chairman J. W. Reynolds and other committeemen and elect a progressive democrat in their places; to defeat W. W. Marsh as national committeeman and place E. C. Dunn, of Mason City in that place; to bring out a progressive democrat as candi date for governor. TURKS DISPATCH _ Distance From Railroad Re quires Months’ March—Be lieved Relief Troops Will Be Too Late. Paris, Feb. 28.—Turkey Is making great efforts to dispatch troops to the Russian front in an endeavor to re capture Erzerum, says the Bucharest correspondent of the Times. All or dinary traffic on the railway from the , Bosphorus to Angora has been stop ped, according to the correspondent and trains conveying troops and sup plies are running incessantly but as the distance from Angora to Erzerum will consume at least p. month's march there is liklihood of the success of the movement. RUSSIANS WIN BATTLE TEN MILES FROM BITLIS London, Feb. 28.—The Amsterdam correspondent of the Central News learns that heavy fighting lias taken place 10 miles from Bitits between Rus sian and Turkish troops, the former coming from the direction of Musha and that the Turks fought bravely, but were obliged to retire before superior forces. —f RUSSIANS TAKE PERSIAN CITY IN GIGANTIC SWEEP London. Feb. 28.—A Reuter dispatch from Petrograd states the Russians have taken by storm Kermanshah, the important Persian city in the neighbor hood of which serious fighting has re cently taken place. The capture of Kermanshah brings the Russians to within 150 miles of Kut-el-Amara where a British force of 10,000 has been beleaguered nearly two months, following the failure to capture Bagdad. RETAIL LUMBERMEN FAVOR PREPAREDNESS Portland, Ore., Feb. 26.—The Western Retail Lumbermen’s association adopt ed resolutions here today calling upon members of congress to support Presi dent Wilson’s program for national pre paredness and pledging the undivided support of the organization for ade quate measures of defense. ITALIAN CONVICTED OF KILLING AN AMERICAN Rome, (via Paris), Feb 26.—Pietro Rossi was found guilty today at Arezzo on the charge of murderous assault against Mrs. Mary Flavelle. of Chicago, in a railroad train between Florence and Arezzo on May 21, 1914, for the purpose of robbery. He was sentenced to eight years and four months im prisonment. Mrs. Flavelle returned to the United States following the attack and died in Chicago on December 11, 1914. GABRIELE D’ANNUNZIO IS REPORTED INJURED Paris, Feb. 26.—Gabriele D’Annunzio has been injured in the right eye in an aeroplane accident and taken to a hospital in Venice, says the Rome cor respondent. of the Petit Parisien. There is a possibility that the sight of the in jured eye may be preserved. The Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio took a prominent part in the popular agitation which preceded the declara tion of war by Italy on Austria in May, 1915. He volunteered for service and was appointed lieutenant in the army. NINE DIE IN WRECK. Cortona, Italy, (via Paris),, Feb. 26.— A military train was derailed here to day and the locomotive, baggage car and four coaches were wrecked. Nine persons were killed and more than 50 Injured. Great 15-Inch and 17-Inch Cannon of Crown Prince’s Army Slowly Beating Back Opposition and One ef Strongest «f Great Chain of Steel Forts Is Captured By Crack Brand enburg Troops—No Army In History So Well Prepared For Assault as That Which Is Hammering at Gateway to Paris. BOTH SIDES HAVE SUFFERED ENORMOUS LOSSES Paris Declares Teutons Sustained Loss of 150,090 Men In First Four Days—Both Sides Are Rushing Up All Avail able Reserves For Final Stage of What Has Developed Into Bloodiest Fray of Present War — Kaiser Apparently Determined to Break Joffre’s Lines No Matter What the Cost. The tremendous German offensive aimed at Verdnn is gaining foi cc hourly, and new and serious breaches have boon made in the French linos, Berlin announces today. The fortress is new menaced from the east and southeast as well as from the north and the northeast. Not only has fort Douaumont, one of the outlying defensor, of the stronghold been taken, hut French resistance on the plain of tho Woevro to the east has been broken according to the German bulletin which reports that the Germans are pursuing their beaten fee along the Woevre front. Although the substantial successes noted are officially dawned by the Germans, Paris lias not conceded them. Regarding ©onamnont, the outlying fort whose capture is announced by Berhn, the French statement only declares that in this region the battle is still raging and has assumed a most sanguinary character. The presence of Emperor William with his troops, on the German front is confirmed by Berlin’s today official statement. All along tho Verdun front the Germans are hurling their men against the French lines without regard to sacrifices, Paris declares, the fighting being particularly desperate in the region ©f Beaumont, almost directly north of Verdun. The rain of shell fire in the September offensive of the allies was at the time without precedent, but corrspondents near the front de clare that it was feeble in comparison with the deluge ©f projectiles which at present is being poured upon the French trenches and fortifi cations from the massed batteries of the Germans. vserun, reD. zs, tvia jL,onuon>.—11 is officially announced that Fort Douau mont, one of the fortifications of Ver dun, was taken by storm, yesterday aft ernoon, and is now firmly held by the Germans. The official announcement is as fol lows: “The armored fort Douaumont, the northeastern corner pillar of the per manent line fortifications of the stronghold of Verdun was stormed yes terday afternoon by the Twenty-fourth regiment of Brandenburg Infantry and Is now firmly In German hands." Fort Douaumont lies four miles northeast of Verdun. It is one of near ly a score of forts protecting Verdun and is situated Just north of tho rail road running east from the city to Metz. Douaumont Is one of a cluster of seven forts protecting Verdun from the east. Forts De Sauville, Do Tav annes and St. Michel lie directly be tween tho position conquered by tho Germans and tho city of Verdun. The capture of Douaumont is the most Important achievement slnco the Inauguration of the German drive at Verdun—an onslaught which, for fury and for weight of men and guns, has few precedents in the war. Verdun is the strongest fortress of France and Is of particular importance from the fact that it offers direct communication with Paris, which Is 150 miles to the west. Verdun marks the northerly point of the great French defenses against direct attacks from Berman territory, the most southerly being Bel fort and, between these paints, lies the stretch of frontier on which Germany touches France. Today’s German statement indicates a development of the attack along a wide front south and east of the region north of Verdun along which press are hitherto has been exerted. The high road from Paris to Meta referred to runs through Verdun, passing slightly to the southeast. It Is crossed at a point about 15 miles east sf Verdun by the German line, bending southward in the salient to St. Mlbiel. Verdun is thus being assaulted sim-nManeopsly from the north, northeast, east and southeast. Apparently the Germans are devel oping an attack similar to that em ployed frequently, with martaed suc cess, against the Russian fortified posi tions in the campaign of last summer. Their tactics were to bend back the Russian lines on both sides of the se lected point of attack and compel evacuation of the fortress Itself. The town referred to in the German statement as marking the southern end of the portion of tho French front which has oeen broken is probably MnrcheviUe-en-Woevre. 11118 town Is just south of the Paris-Met* highway, 13 miles east of Verdun. German Gun Fire at Verdun Is Most Terrific of All History Ijondon. Feb. 2S.—While the con fidence of the military court has not been shaken by it, the seriousness of the German thrust toward Verdun is recognized. The Times’ Paris correspondent re ports the feeling of French people of equal anxiety, though he says, there is less aprehension than prevailed during the great Marne struggle. The cor respondent adds that all accounts from the front agree that the tremendous artillery fighting in the Champaigne offensive was as the mere firing of squibs when compared with the pitless bombardment which lias been going throughout the Meuse heights during the past week, lnrgely owing to the 12-inch and a 17-Inch suns bought from the Russian and Serbian fronts to swell the chaos. "Never before,” snyu the correspond ent. "has a battle been so minutely prepared nor any army been so abund antly provided with material means for victory. Nothing has been neglected that Is likely to lead to suocesB. The Germans doubtless noting the slow but sure efforts of the allies toward a re organization of their tremendous in dustrial resources and the prospect of a flood of new troops from Great Brit ain. have realized that unless they get the knockout blow in soon, they are bound to be beaten, not on points, but by sheer exhaustion." Germans Taking No Account of Losses In Terrific Onslaught Paris. Feb. 28.—The Germans are continuing their violent attacks north of Verdun without regard to their sac rifices, the war office announced this afternoon. The German attacks in the region of Beaumont, east of the Meuse have failed, the war office said, notwith standing reposted attacks and tre mendous slaughter. The text of the statement follows: ‘ The lighting is still carried on bit terly in the region of North Verdun, where the enemy continues his efforts on the front east of the Meuse. After the last engagement our troops re tained their positions in spite of the re peated assaults of the enemy, who no longer counts his sacrifices.” •'Nothing of importance has occurred NO REPLY FROM LONDON CONCERNING SEIZURES I - I-ondon, Feb. 26.—Pursuant to in structons from Washington, Ambassa dor Page made inquiries concerning the removal by men from the British converted cruiser, Laurentic, of 38 Ger mans, Austrians and Turks from the American steamship China, off Shang hai. The subject Is still under consid eration by the British authorities and there arc no indications what reply will be given. Although the circumstances of this particular case cannot be ascertained here at present, it Is understood the action taken was in accordance with the policy of the British government, adopted «urly in the war. on the remainder of the front." Berlin, (via London), Feb. 26.—An official statement Issued today says that considerable advances have been made east of the Meuse in the region north of Verdun in the presence of Emperor William. The war office also announced the capture of the hills southwest of the village of Louvemont and the fortitied positions to the east thereof. The official statement says: "Resistence of the French broke down on the Woevre plain along the entire front to Mnrppoville south of the high road from Paris to Metz. "We are pursuing the retreating enemy.” STEELE BILL PROPOSES EXTENSIVE INSTRUCTION Washirgton. D. C., Feb. 26.—The government may maintain a skilled veterinarian in every county in Iowa end other great swine raising states to give instructions in use of hog cholera scrum. This is one feature of the bill deal ing with federal Inspection of serum which Representative Steele and a subcommittee of the House committee on agriculture have outlined. Mt. Steele today said he has hoped the bill will be soon perfected, and that it would he added to the agricultural appropriation bill as un amendment if possible.