The sun., 1870-07-28
The Theatre OF the War.

Good maps OF Europe can be found in
every household-evcry school atlas con
lains thcm-anl all who wish to follow the
developments of the war with intelligence
will do well to gather from the map clear
idea of the general features of tho country in
which the fighting is to take place. In
studying the map the first object TO be exam
ined is the boundary line between Franco and
Germany and its most obvious popularity
Is that near Lautorburg it forms almost a
right angle. One side of tho angle is mark
ed by the Rhine ; the other is conventional
hne from east to west. The aggregate
length of these two sides is less than 800
miles. Luxcmburg aud Belgium on tho
northwest, and Switzerland on the southeast
are neutral territories, aud DO not come into
consideration at present, MS their neutrality
WIN doubtless be respected, at least during
The earlier stages Of the conflict.
The Rhine risss among the glaciers of the
central Alps, flows north 20 the deep lake of
Constance. and thence pursucs westerly
course as far as Basel, the capital city % the
Swiss canton OF the same name. From Basel
II flows north by cast 20 the great German
fortress of Mentz, or Maycnce, in Hessc.
This part OF lis valley is fertile, low plain,
about thirty miles wide, which is bounded
on both sides by mountains and elevated
plateaus, on the east by the Black AMI 0 len
Forests, and on the We. by the Vosges AMI
Haardt mountains
A 3 IL, e NJ A.
Rhnc changes is course to the northwest,
raversing docply-cut gorge of the Rhenish
plateau. II is this part Of its valley which
Is 30 famous for its picturesque beauty, anl
whose vine clad hills, turratcl castles aud
hoary ruins attract many tourists from all
parts ofthc world,
From Basel 10 the little river Ilautcr tho
Rhine flows between France anl tho grand
duchy Of Baden. For tho noxt $50 miles it
COWS through German territory, having tho
Bavaran Palaiinate, small part of Hcsso,
and large part of the Pruss. an Rhine Prov
ncc upon its western bank,
The aflucnts of tho Rhine, whose banks
will soon rcsound with tho din of battle, aro
the Moselle and tho Nahe. The Mosclle rises
on the western fanks of the Vosges noun.
lains flows through the hlly region of
northeastern France, then separates LuIem-
burg from Prussia, and at last travcrscs a very
lortuOus and deeply cut valley. 1t receives
tho Sarre, or Saar, which, rising in France,
Hows through southwestern Prussia. The
Naho rises in Prussia, and flows into tho
Rhine at Bingon. Its tributary, the CLAN,
flows through a valley which op,ns into the
valley Of the Saar.
We may safely assume that the first battle
Of tho war will be fought near the north
eastern boundary of France, somewhere be
tween the valley of the Rhine and the valley
OF Che Mosclle. The Prussian forces arc
mHssed on the north, the French on the
south OF this line. Each army has In it's
rear series of strongly fortified places, with
which several lines OF railway maintain an
easy and rapid communication
The country between the Rhine and the
Moselle consists Of two belts Of hilly plateaus.
which arc separated by tho valley Of the
upper Saar tho Clan, and the lower Nahe
mentioned above, The eastern belt includ a
tho IIaardt and the northern continuation OF
tbs Vosgcs mountains. II IL covered will
dense forcs,s and intersectcd in an irregula