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GENERAL NEWS NOTES OF THE DAY. The French war office report says: French troops repulsed with bayonets and grenades an attack delivered by the Germans early this morning west of tlie Vanx pond, northeast of Verdun. On the west bank of the Meuse only artillery activity occurred during last night, the war office reported today, the Germans failing to return the attack. French artillery throughout last night displayed unusual activity in the Champagne region, concentrating its fire on German positions southeast of Tahure. About 110 yards of German trenches were destroyed. Four French war planes tKimbunled the railway stations at Damviller and Etuin last night, setting fire to a railway depot. Though German artillery continues active on the west bank of tlie Meuse, evidently in preparation for renewed attacks, the impression is again growing in the French capital that the Germans are preparing to abandon the attack on Verdun. In this connection the statement spread broadcast by the German semi-official news agency yesterday with reference to the number of troops involved was cited. French officers ridiculed -the statement that 800.000 French troops were engaged at Verdun. They said the German government undoubtedly caused such a statement to be published , to prove to the German people that the crown prince was confronted with tremendous obstncles at Verdun, thus explaining the failure of his attempt to take the fortress. The First Cavalry, Illinois National Guard, probably will be called to the Mexican border within a few days to do patrol work along the. Rio Grande. Major General Frederick Funston, commanding the southern department of the United States army, announced in El Paso, Texas, yesterday that he was considering calling these troops, according to dispatches. Colonel Milton J. Foreman, commander of the First Cavalry, left for Washington just before the press association brought news of General Funstons plans. But his regiment, from Lieutenant Colonel Wallace H. Whigam, who is in command during Colonel Foremans absence, down to the newest rookie who has enlisted at the North Clark street armory, answered, "Ready, sir!" Sharp fighting has taken place north of Avlona, which is apparently a signal that the Austrians have commenced their long threatened offensive against the Italians and Serbians in Albania. Brisk artillery firing all along the Anglo-French front in northern Greece was reported in dispatches received at Athens yesterday. The Bulgarians are bringing up fresh forces south of Monastir and throwing up strong defensive positions. The Bulgarian commanders evidently expect an attack from allied forces concentrated near Fiorina.
