The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-10

between the Marne and the Seine, together with
this avenue OF approach, covering the rear Of the
position of Montreuil and keeping up the communi-
cation with the next group of i've forts which cover
the southern approaches of Paris occupying the
great highways that radiste from the city through
this extended line.
The west side Of the city, twice covered by the
Seine judged sufficiently protected by the Fort
of Mont valerian, occupying the centre OF all this
line from Fort d'Isly around to st, Denis. An enemy
would not venture an advance into the bends OF the
river. This is also the side opposite to the line of
probable invasion, circumstance Of much import
ance in connection with place OF such immense
Developments CThs remark indicates that the
American officers when they examined these forts
in 1855 clearly thought that any besieging force
likely to be brought against Paris would undoubt-
edly come from Germany Two more forts have
been contemplated to occupy points In this line
between Mont Yaerian and St. Denis, and opposite
St Cloud and SevTes.
On an average these forts 2150 yards from the
continuous enceinte, and about the same distance
apart They are all connected by military road
afording speedy communication between each. An
army surrounding Paris within cannon range OF the
detached forts would not occupy less than twenty
five miles. IT is not, observes Major Deladeld,
hazardirg much 10 sag that IN eoent Of truly national
sody enbOdyng all the resources and interest Of the
nation these ort6cGtions of Paris looWId render it
inpregnable against any alliance that could be formed
dgainst her, and in that tight ufs all the conditions
the engineer offer in defense Of the capital and in
this case of the heart Of the Empire.
! Since the report from which we have quoted was
written, the defenses of Paris have been materially
strengthened, and probably in better condition
to defend the city than when the American officers
viewed them.
Cost Of the FoFtIIcations,
The fronts OF the enceintes of Paris without any
exterior works, and with an earthen counterscarp
cost each 800 000 about $3.50 0O0 600 in ALL
The cost Of the exterior fers exclusive OF the pur
chase of the site, was:-Fort Mont Vaeran, $685.
600; Fort Charenton, s7S9 800; the of the
quadraDgular forts, OF which there were fourteen
when the report written, 800 000 or So S00
600 for the whole fourteen, which foos up the entire
bill for the fOrtfcaons of Paris, as they existed in
1855, to the imposing figure of S26654, 800.
The Construction of the Defeuses.
1t was Vauban who during the reign of Louis XIV.
conceived the idea of surrounding Paris with O
double enceinte, but the King refused the money
and it was not until 1888 that system of permanent
forti6catons was commenced. Previous to that
date, the only barrier against an invading army was
| the old octroi customs wall, demolished five or
six years ago. which followed the line
of the present Outer Boulevards at a distance of
! about mile and half from the new encente. In
1914, when the allies approached the city, there
great deal of buster about defending 1t to the last
extremity as at present, but there was mere show
| of resistance only, and the 31st OF March it
capitulatcd the two corps of regular troops which
| III
that the enemy entered, "commendng the capital
| to the generosity Of the allied powers"
In 1888 Marshal Soult demanded from the Cham
| ber of Deputies a loan of 35,000,oO0 francs about
100000, for the purpose OF placing the city in
| position to resist an invading army. After much
| wranglng, the money was voted, and seventeen
pentagonal forts were constructed eleven upon the
right bank Of the Seine, and six on the left bank.
All these were the ordinary detached casemate forts
! of no avail whatever against the perfected ma
chinery of of the present day, and as early as
1910 they cast aside for the present elaborate
system OF defense
In 1886 commission was appointed to examine
| the reports on the defense of the city which had
been presented In 1921 and 1925. The abors OF the
commission resulted in the project OF law which
received the approval of the Government, and was
presented to the Chambers for their action. In this
project of law was embraced grant OF 100000 OOO
francs, about $2s 000 for the construction of
double line OF Defense NJ. Theirs, at that time was
at the head of Louis Phippes Government, and he
pressed the matter with all his energy
There was present prospect OF an attack
upon the city by any hostile force, but
the attitude Of the Republicans and Bonapartsts
threatening that the security of the dynasty
rendered it necessary for Paris to be fortified against
ITSELF With the prime object, therefore, of enabling
the Government to hold the city against the mob OF
the Faubourgs M. Thiers earnestly pressed the new
scheme OF defense, and on June 25 1S41 1t received
the approval Of the Chambers. Then the present
system OF fortncations already described, was com
menced, and by additional appropriations down tt
the present time, for the purpose OF keeping the
defenses In the highest state Of perfection 1t is esti
mated that their total cost has been sweed abou
sl00, 1000.
The vulnerable Point.
''Here, sire," said Vauban, as he handed the key
of Verdun TO the King Of France, 'here is a fortres
which all my art would not su1ice to take" Ye
Vauban himself lived to Verdun three times IL
the hands Of an enemy, and it was he who first con
ceived the idea OF rendering Paris impregnable BY
the double line OF defense which was at las
adopted
on the ST. Denis side A Prussian staff officer o
high rank has sketched the following plan OF attacl
upon this exposed quarter
'"The points of attack are naturally on the nortl
and northeast. They are the weak sides; th'
eastern fronts partly covered by the Marne th
, south and west are strong and their attack nigh
compromise the besiegers line of retreat. On tn
north the Paris and Strasburg Railway would sery
for transport from the Rhine. Admitting that tn
Prussian army must be stronger than the Frencl
army, and that the French in the field, being kept
| distance, cannot annoy the bestegtng force, 81
Denis should be the first point OF attack. We migh
then advance on Montmartre without the risk of
r hanking fire from the forts We should attac
simultaneously the three forts OF ST. Denis aud tina
= | of Auberviers and then make fetnt on the east
: | The siege would resemble that of SebastopoL 81
Denis is on the right bank OF the Seine, whic
besieging force The besegers will then observ
f, the citadel OF Mont Valerian they will cut railway
on the left bank of the Seine, and throw a bridg
across to communicate with the troops on the rlgt
e bank"
To carry out this plan of attack according TO tn
same authorities, force OF 1900 men only woul
be required and the Crown Prince has at least tha
8 many troops under his command at present. {
these 900 would be set against the three forts
4 ST. Denis and on the tongue of land between S
4 Denis and Mont Valerian, 900 placed north of s.