Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-25

strongholds which have thus far
answered all expectations and have
never been captured, though one OF
Observation-Disclosures been violently
assailed. IL is possible that Russia's
confidence in her ability TO trans
form Port Arthur into an unconquer-
able fortress was inspired by her
pride in Cronstadt. This redoubtable
fortifcation is built on the island of
Kotlin, in the Gulf of Finland. 1t is
only thirty-one miles from st. Peters
burg and would be of good service in
the event of a Finnish insurrection
as check to any sudden move on
the capital. 1t was founded by Peter
the Great in 1710 and still contains
the little cabin in which that sturdy
despot lived. 1t has three harbors.
accommodating 1000 vessels. 1t
fairly bristles with earthworks, forts
and batteries.
The strategic worth of Gibralter
was known to the ancients. 1t was
were crowned by the Phoenician mar
iners with silver columns to mark
what they believed to be the limits of
navigation. In the year I'll an Arab
chief built fortress on the rock
The Castilians and the Moors
were tenants for variable periods
In 1910 Charles V. bUilt extensive de-
fences on the promotory. In 1704 the
rock was captred by the Dutch and
English feet which was in the service
of Archduke Charles of Austria. But
the archduke did not get it; it was
seized by the English something
after the fashion of the Russian occu-
patton of Port Arthur. The British
proceeded to erect the famous strong
hold as it now appears, and It has
never been taken, although it has
had some stirring experiences. One
siege lasted three years, seven
and twelve days.
Mafeking and Ladysmith, although
little more in a strictly military sense
than fortified camps, may be cited as
examples of long and heroic endur-
ance. Neither of these famous places
was neither reduced or stormed, both
holding out heroically until relieved.
The position of Ladysmith was not an
ideal spot for an encampment. On
three sides of it, at a distance of /
three or four miles, were numerous
hills. On the SUBMITS of these the
Beers had mounted their guns. The
own was the railway terminus
from Durham, and there seemed to be .
no especial reason why it should be
held. In the old days of the first
Transvaal war it was a garrison
town, and afterward the troops were
In 1897 it was again
made camp, and earthworks were
built 1t was jokingly remarked at
the time that the new activity was
due to the necessity of providing
some distraction for the soldiers. who
were on the point of succumbing
from ennui. There were always
about 1000 men in the camp, and
they lived under canvas.
1t would be absurd to suppose that
Ladysmith was impregnable. 1t has
been likened to hamlet built in a
teacup. To show how stubbornly it
was held it is sufficient to state that
the Beers bgan the siege on Nov. 2.
1899, and it was defended by Gen.
White and his gallant troops until
he following May, when a relief
force under Lord Dundonald rescued
t from what was speedily becoming a
perilous situation.
AS for Mafeking, it was still less en-
titled to be dignified with the name of
fortress. 1t was a small border camp
Of the character common to South
Africa. 1t Is on the northern border
Of Cape Colony and Just at the dn-
trance to Bechuanaland. At the
time of the siege it was garrisoned
by force of about 500 men under
Col. Baden-Powell. The camp had +
and the energetic British command 4
ant proceeded to strengthen it. A
greatly superior under the redoubt-
able Gen. Cronje besieged it for sever /
al weeks and did not succeed in cap
turing it. Although it was built on a
perfectly level plain. the British had
surrounded it with a system of mines
and earthworks which the Beers
could not penetrate.