The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-10-11

AMIENS-IAAON-RE coun-
try between Amiens and Reims, within
earshot Of the greater portion Of the
fighting armies in France today. Is
populous and contains many OF the
most prosperous of the medium-sized
towns of France. Ten miles east OF
Amiens is villers-Brettoneau, an in
dustrial town with about 5000 inhabi-
tants, which was the scene OF one OF
the main engagements In the battle
LOT Amfens, in which the French north
ern army was routed by the Germans
in 1870. The route now takes one
through the fertile district OF San
terre. Ham with, a population OF APP
Iproximately $500, stands In q marshy
district SO miles from Amiens. It's
castle, now used as barrack, has ire
quently been used as state prison,
and has held many Of the most noted
people OF France. The list OF those
|incarcerated there includes Joan OF
Arc, Louis OF Bourbon and Louis Ma
poleon The latter, after having been
a prisoner for six years, escaped IN
the disguise OF workman, La Fere,
I16 miles further on, captured by the
Germans in 1870, has one Of the old
est schools OF artillery in the world.
III was founded In 1179. Laon, 10
miles beyond La Fere, situated on an
isolated ridge some $50 feet above the
surrounding plain, forms with La
Fere and Reims triangle OF import
ant fortresses. Napoleon tried in vain
to dislodge Butcher from the town in
1914. Between Laon and Reims the
Aisne and the Suippe are crossed.
Observation-Disclosures
vILLE-The route from Paris to
Charleville. by way OF SCISSORS and
Reims, takes one through a territory
rich In historical and present-day In
terest. Six miles out from Paris Is
found LIE Bourget, where the Germans
repulsed the French in the sanguinary
struggles Of 1870. Twenty miles fur
Their on. In the park Of the chauteau
of Ermenonville, is the original tomb
OF Jean Jacques Rosseau. whose re,
mains were removed to the pantheon
at Paris in 1894. Crepy-en-valois. the
ancient capital Of district which
belonged from the 14th century to q
younger branch OF the royal family
of France and with a present-day
population Of about 1000, lies 16 miles
to the north. villers-Cotterets, with
about 5000 inhabitants, s IL miles
away, was the birthplace Of Alexandra
Dumas, the elder. A little further on
is Longpont, which has ruined abby
dating from the 18th century Sixty.
five miles from Paris. Scissors, an
ancient town formerly fortified, with
| a population of about $4,000. is
reached. Here Is the Abbaye Notre
Dame, now used as barrack. founded
Originally in $50. In S5S 1t contained
mo fewer than ZIG nuns, who possess
/ ed q valuable collection Of sacred rel
lies, including a shoe and girdle o.
the Madonna. The route from Scissor.
Ito Reims takes one up the valley o
1.-THE Aisne and its tributary, the Veiles
Reims is one of the most interesting
cities OF France. Christianity wal
! preached here In the 18th century
About 20 miles out of Reims, hal
way to Charleville. is Rethel, an in
dustrial town with about 1900 1nhab
4 ftants, situated on hill to the RICH
of the Aisne Three miles furthe
ION is Amagne, railway junction will
a large sugar factory as its principa
industry. A few miles on, the roat
enters the wooded and mountainou'
district OF the Ardennes. and the seen
cry increases in beauty. To the RICH
lis Boulzicourt, with its large powde
factory, and at Mohon, another vi
,lfage, are large work shops. Tw'
miles further on is Charleville. an un
interesting town, with about 5000
inhabitants and Matchmaking, type
rounding and hardware goods factc
, Iries
I ARGONNE-A rocky forest-cla
plateau, extending along the border
iof Lorraine, Germany and Cham