The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-08-03
3ttsqellnneous.
PrussIa's FOrtresses.

Prussia, anticipating u war, mas IOf
some time paid the greatest attention to
the fortifcations of the cities on the
Rhine and on the Baltic Sea. She has
on the latter the fortified ports of Will
helmshafen, Kiel, DantZic, SundeVitt and
Alsen. The last named IS, perhaps, next
to Ehrenbreitstein, the strongest position
which Prussia has. The forts and batter
les Of H9rup Haaf, at Alsen, are predig-
ious. There works comprise three star
shaped forts, with double tiers of guns,
and fine coast batteries commanding the
passage of the Little Belt. All these are
faced with chilled iron, from the Krupp
Iron Works of Essen, and armed with the
heaviest ordnance. They command the
Straits, and also protect the canal of Al
sensund and its Communication with the
fortified camp of Sonderberg on the same
island Doppel, the scene of the conflict
with the Danes in 1868, is close to Sender
berg, and both are garrisoned by the Ninth
Corps d'Armee.
Stettin IS garrisoned by troops from the
Second Corps, and is governed by Lieu
tenant General Freyhold.
Dantzic is garrisoned from the First
Corps, and is commanded by General Won
Brooke.
Stalsund and Swinnemunde are both
small cities, of more historical than real
importance.
Kiel, which is on the mainland of the
province of Schleswlg, Is most strongly
fortified, is heavily garrisoned with troops
from the Ninth Corps, and is commanded
by General Won Platz, an artillery officer
of great skill and experience.
Memel has only small garrison.
Konigsberg is a very important city,
and has a large garrison. 1t is under the
command of General Won Herwarth of
the First Corps.
Of the fortresses on the Rhine and its
vicinity the most important are Mayence,
Basladt, Ehrenbreitstein, and Cologne.
MAYENCE
Was formerly a city of the German Con-
federation, the old Zollverein, and was
garrisoned by Austrian and Prussian
troops. Its peculiarly dangerous position,
being on the left bank of the Rhine and
greatly coveted by the French, led to Its
Qualifications being of the strongest char,
acter. 1t was originally garrisoned by g..
| 900 men, but after the decisive defeat oi
| Austria N the late contest, it was agreed
| by the treaty of Prague that its tortifica.
tions should be dismantled and its garrison
withdrawn. This stipulation was insisted
on by Austria, but the Prussians have new
er carried out the conditions, and Mayenct
| is at this moment one of the stronges
cities in the world. The four lines o
works are greatly strengthened by out
works and detached forts and by For
Weiseman, which is on the upper bank o
the Main. The city of Mayence is oppo
site to the mouth Of this river, which her,
falls into the Rhine about twenty mile
| e E-o,,1-eo,.t 10 rrvbioh fay
by a railway A bridge some 800 fee
long connects it with the fortified suburb
of Castel. 1t has now a very large garri
son, and is commanded by Prince Waldo
mar, of Schleswig Holstein.
RAsTADT
Is on the right bank of the Rhine, and
very strongly fortified. 1t is in the terri
tory of Baden-Baden, and formerly held
garrison for the German Confederation
: but since Sadowa its garrison has bee
Prussian. 1t is situated some fourteel
miles south of Carlsruhe, and some eight
from Strasbourg, and will unquestionabl
> be "a point of capital importance during tn
coming struggle. Its fortifcations are o,
the Vauban system, and declared to be th
perfection of engineering, but experienc
has proved that earthworks are stronge
than stone walls. There are three larg
forts on the little river which runs pas
Rastadt, which have many bastions, we
bitches, curtains, glacis and lunettes, bu
the chief strength will probable be in til
fortified camp which the Prussians al
about to form there, Should it be neces
sary to withdraw its garrison, it coul
easily be replaced by Baden soldiers. til
Grand Duke having shown the most III
mistakable sympathy for the Prussia
cause.
EHRENBREIsTEIN
Is the fortress par excellence of Prussi
and is regarded as the Gibraltar OF IL
Rhine 1t is on the right bank of IL
:. Rhine, opposite to Coblentz. 1t Is come
ted with this town by bridge of boat
Part of the Notifications lie at the foot
the hill, 46S feet in height, and almo
perpendicular, but since It was taken b
the French in 1896, and again in 1899. /
e fortifcations have been trebled and qua
rupled in strength, and the entire hifl h
been turned into fortress. 1t has bee
thought unnecessary to scarp the stet
}, sides, though it is on record that Britt!
J, tourist made the ascent to the intense a
to nishment of sentry. The garrisC
amounts to IA 900 men, and has be,
hitherto under the command of Govern