The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-27

German forces Is matter which must be decided
upon the advance Of Marshal McMahon's army
across the Rhine.
AIryeuce,
or Menu, or Manz, as the place Is variousy known,
Is next to Coblenz the strongest fortified position
the Rhine on the left bank OF which river Ii IL situated
nearly opposite the mouth OF the river Main. It
belongs to the Grand Duchy OF uesse Darnstadt and
has population Of some 49, O00 exclusive OF the reg
ular garrison IN times OF peace II Is one OF
the oldest places in Germany. Thlrty-eight
years before the birth Of Christ Marcus AgrIppa,
one OF the generals Of Augustus Caesar, formed
q camp here, and constructed a fortress which no
named MOguntiacum. Drusas, his successor,
strengthened the position, aud in the year 70 A. D.
the twenty.second legion, which Ind conlered Judea
and destroyed Jerusalem, sent by order OF Titus
to garrison the place. Tradition invests Mayence
with certain marvellous stories In relation with the
early Christians, which are scarcely worth
repeating here. The town gradually became
populated, and for long time served as
a bulwark against the encroachments Of the Ger
mans. On the retirement OF the Romans 1t was
almost entirely destroyed, but Charemagne restored
1t and IL subsequently became the chief ecclesiastical
city of the German empire. During the wars Of tho
French Revolution the place was repeatedly be-
seged. by the treaty Of 1901 1t was coded
to France aud became the capital OF the de-
partinent Of the Mont Tonnerre In lsl4 tho
allies took It from France and gave 1t to
Hesse-Darmstadt OF which 1t has since formed
part. As is well known, Gutenberg. the Inventor
OF movable type and the discovercr OF the art OF
modern printing was born here. Arnold Won Wal.
boten, another native Of Mayence was the first per-
who suggested the plan afterwards adoptcd), OF
freeing commerce from the exactions OF those pre-
cious scoundrcs the feudal aristocracy.
Tho Notifications MayenCe are very strong
They consist OF q wall, which surrounds the city,
1anked with bastions citadel Of immense
strength, several forts ana comprehensive system
OF outworks From the position OF the city, how.
over, 1t is not impregDable TO modern, long
range artillery Numerous points OF The surrounding
country In easy range, overlook 1t and afford
ample ground for the planting Of hostile batteries.
Nevertheless, 1t is to!eraby certain that the place
canno. be taken by direct assault without 1gnrul
sacrince OF Ilfe-too great a sacriice In fact to
make 1t probable that any attempt to storm Its
works will be made. siege, with gradual ap-
proaches 10 the Notifications is about the only man.
ner In which 1t can be taken, and that would of
course. consume much time.
1t Is as sragetic point that Mayence is most i'm
portant; situated in the middle Of great bend OF
the Rhine, midway between Coblenz and Mannheim
1t makes nne base Of operations for either Western
or Southern Germany, aud Is formidable PROTECTOR
to Northern Germany. II is twenty miles westsouth
west OF Frankfort about forty five miles by railway.
north OF Mannheim lao miles east northeast OF Metz
sixty miles southeast Of CoblenZ, and some seventy
nve miles eastnortheast Of Trercro Mayence ia con-
nected by railway with Metz, Mannheim Ueblcnz,
Frankfort and Nurcmburg and by means Of these
roads with the other parts Of North and South Ger
many.
Frankfort ols-thc-NInin,
which is now reported to be the headquarters OF
the Prussan army, Is so well known that q brief
description will sufce. The city Is situated on tho
right bank Of the river Man twenty miles northeast
Of Mayence, and is connected by railroad with all
parts OF North and South Germany. Originally an
Insignificant Roman station, II was raised 10
importance by Cnarlemagne, who built palace
AID held a council here In 1913. In the middle OF tho
twelfth century 1t became free city and suoso-
aucnt.Y had great privileges conferred npon It by
the Emperors OF Germany. In 1900 IL was maze tho
capital Of the Grand Duchy OF Frankfort formed pJ
Napoleon and conferred upon the Elector OF hentz.
Upon the downfall Of the French Emperor the city
regained Its freedom and maintained IL unsAl
1868, when 1t was forciby absorbed BY Prussia The
srraqet,c importance of Frankfort Is to be found In
the fact OF its virtually covering the flank or Nay
across the Rhine towards the MAin with view to ,
crossing that river and pushing on towards Ham
over could be easier met from this point than nom
any other Frankfort L. strongly fortified, but does
not rank high as defensive position. lthqs how.
ever, been the scene Of severe nghunr and - l!sa
In which the assalants suffered terrible loSas