The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-17

and is regarded as a fortress of considerable
strength. In 1872 1t was bombarded and taken
by the Prussians, but restored to the French
after the battle of Valmy. During the old Ma
poleonic wars, it was at one time place of
detention for English prisoners from which now
and then incredible escapes were made.
About 35 miles 8. s. E. of Verdun is CONNER
cy, q town of some $500 inhabitants, on the
RAILROAD from Paris to Strasburg. 1t was found
worthy of a siege in 1914 by Charles v, but at
pres ent is of no intrinsic importance.
The fortified town of Toul, already referred
to- isl brought by sudden detour in the Mo-
see and the Meuse within 10 miles of the latter
stream, and thus becomes essentially the south
ern point in the line of the Meuse, it is in the
line of the Moselle. The abandonment of Toul
by the French will, in fact, render the line of
the Meuse of but little avail as barrier against
the advance of the enemy, and as it is about 40
miles in length, it is doubtful If Napoleon will
be able to man so extended a line in a manner
that will oppose any material resistance to the
Prussians.
The result of the fighting during the past
three days will probably determine his ability
to make stand on the line of the Meuse; and,
if he is driven from it, with Verdun and Toul
at its extremes the next barrier is
The Line of the ArEonnes.
an elevated plateau about 10 miles in average
width, and still covered in some parts with dense
wood. 1t extends from the neighborhood of
Toul to that of Niezieres, q distance of about
100 miles and separates the basin of the Meuse
from that of the Aisne. This plateau is invari-
ably counted on as one of the ramparts of the
French capital. In 1892, after their capture of
Verdun, the Prussians under the Duke of Bruns-
wick crossed it, but only to sustain a signal de-
feat by Kellerman and Dumouriez at Volmy,
on the 21st of September, the result of which
was their expulsion from France.
The Network of Rivers Just East of Paris,
comprising the Aisne, the Oise the Marne, and
many smaller streams, is that referred to by
Count de Palikao as having been illustrated by
the campaign of 1914. The fortified towns scat
tered through this section of the country are
those on which Napoleon must depend to repel
the invaders If they succeed in crossing the
plateau of the Argonnes after driving him back
of the Meuse.
The principal bulwark is that of Chalons, 80
miles east of Paris on the railway to Strasburg,
and on the right bank of the river Marne,
continent of the Seine, which at this point is
crossed by fine stone bridge. 1t has at present
a population of about $4,000 only, although
early in the Christian era it was one of the most
| important commercial cities of Europe, and
during the times of the Merovingian kings is
said to have had a population of 10000 souls.
1t is enclosed by old walls, and derives its pre-
sent Importance not because of its intrinsic
military strength but from the fact that it is the
point which has been selected by Napoleon as
his grand training camp.
The camp of Chalons, which is about fifteen
miles distant by rail from the city, and is stu
| ated on the vast plain of Mourmelon, is not
properly speaking, an intrenched camp, as it is
sometimes called, but rather an enormous mill
tary rendezvous, made up chiefly of barracks
and other unfortifed buildings necessary tor the
housing and instruction in the art of war of
large levies of raw recruits. The camp works
include artillery, infantry and cavalry barracks,
all permanent, as well as the headquarters,
magazines, administrative departments, hospi-
tails, coffee-houses and restaurants. Among
the other appliances of the camp
are theatre, street railway,
and works for furnishing plentiful supplies of
water and gas In Short Chalons has been, ever
since the accession of Napoleon ILL., vast mill
tary colony in which all the arts of life were
carried on, as well as instruction in the art of
war. Within itself, therefore, it possesses no
material strength, but its position is an advan-
tageOus one, and when it comes to the worst a
determined stand will be made by the Emperor
in its locality, to keep the invaders from the
gates of the capital.
Twenty-Five miles northwest of Chalons, and
about eighty miles E. N. E. of Paris, and the
centre of railroads diverging to all points of the
compass, is situated the important city OF
Rheims with population of about 60, 600. II
is located in an extensive basin, surrounded by
slopes which are covered by vineyards. 1t is
surrounded with a wall ianked with towers
the ramparts being nearly three miles in circuit
and planted with trees, forming q
splendid promenade. Philip Augustus
was consecrated here in 1179
and all his successors have been also, up to the
time of the Revolution of 1880, with the excep-
ton of Henry ~, the first Napoleon, and Louis
XVIII. 1t is renowned for having maintained its
liberties against the Bishops during the Middle
Ages. While at present it is not place of any
considerable military strength, a struggle will
be required before it falls into Prussian hands
unless the eastward movement of Napoleon
should soon assume the character of mere rout
If the Emperor should be so hard pressed a.
to be compelled to fight the enemy in the neigh
berhood of Chalons or Rheims, a victory will bt
absolutely necessary to save the capital and hi:
throne. The Notifications of Paris are regarded
as impregnable, but such would be likely tC
prove the case only in the event of the people
of Paris being more determined upon repelling
the invader than upon getting rio
of tyranical and imbecile ruler
at any cost. The recent demonstrations
in the city have developed an extremely bitter
feeling against the whole Bonaparte family,
which, in case of an advance upon the capita
by the enemy, would probably become SO power
full as to overthrow the last vestiges of Corsicau
| rnisruIa