Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-27
History of Towns
In War Territory

eium a few miles southeast or Mons
II has figured in the fighting In the
present war, and is famous as the
scene of the battle at which the French
revolutionary army defeated the Aus
trian army in 1892 1t is about ten
miles north of Malplaquet, France.
which also has had considerable
military history.
Bruges-The capital of West Elan
ders, Belgium, situated IL miles east
of Ostend, and nine miles south OF
the North sea. 1t has a population OF
about $4,000. The manufacture OF lace
gives employment to some 1000 peo-
pie and horticulture is carried on ex-
tensively in the suburbs. new ship
canal from the North sea to Bruges,
affording direct steamship service from
Hull, England, has served to promote
the growth of Bruges in recent years.
Renaix-In middle western Bel
GUM, east of Schelde river. 1t has ex-
tensive dye works, large bleaching
grounds, and important textile estab-
lishments. It's population is about
$4,000.
Mezieres-A French frontier town
on the Mouse river, II miles northwest
of the Sedan, where Napoleon III, sur
rendered to the Prussians. 1t is in a
small peninsula made by large bend
in the Mouse river, which flows on
both sides of the town. Across to the
north of the river is the city or Charlie
vile. Mezieres has a population of
o
built under Vauban, the renowned
French engineer, but were dismantled
in 1SS5-1SS6. making the place today
an open city. The town dates from |
the ninth century, and was defended
against the imperialists by the Cheval- |
Ter Bayard. The anniversary of its |
deliverance is still celebrated on Sept |
81. In 1915 the Germans were kept at
bay for six weeks, and in 1871 the town |
capitulated only after long lombard |
ment, during which the greater part |
of it was destroyed.
Anzin-A suburb of VaIenciennes, !
France, with population of about 16,
900. 1t is in the center of the import
ant coal mine district of the Valencien-
mes basin and has many industrial es-
Establishments, among them iron and
copper foundries, steam engine shops,
machine shops, glass works, and brew
cries.
Toureoing-A French town on the
Belgian frontier. eight miles northeast
of Lille, on the railroad to Client. 1t is
practically one city with Roubaix, be-
ing united with it by tramway and a
branch of the Roubaix canal. The two
cities together constitute one of the
chief textile centers of France. 1t has
some so wooden textile factories of
one kind and another, giving employ
ment to some 10000 wage earners. 1t
also has numerous cotton and silk tex
tile establishments and carpet factor
les. The French republican army gain
ed a decisive victory over the Aus
TRANS here in 1894. The French revo-
luton reduced it's population from 49,
300 to 10000.
Hirson-A town on the Belgian from
.ier of France, located 80 miles south ,
east of the city of VaIenciennes. 1t is
an important strategic position, roads
crossing here from Valenciennes to
he Meuse river, and from Namur to-
Paris. For its defense there are a
permanent fort and two batteries near
he railway junction. The town, which |
las a population of about 5000, car
les on the manufacture of glass bot
les, tiles, iron and tin goods, yarn and
peer.
Lublin-The third most important {
Of Doll .
outheast of Warsaw Its population 5
S close to $4,000. The city was in ex- {
stence in the tenth century, and 7
uins surrounding it show that the city I
ormerly covered a much larger area
han now. In 1881 Lublin was taken
- the Russians. 1t was frequently I
destroyed by a Turkish race known
hen as the Tartars, and by the Cos
acks il the thirteenth and fifteenth
enturies, respectively. 1t is one of
he chief centers of Russian Poland in
he manufacture of thread yarn, linen
empen goods, and wooden stuffs.
The war has shut off a vast number
articles upon which the United
tates has come TO depend, probably
lore in the way of articles used in
than in finished products.
Iany industries had been importing
arts or attachments to embody in
leir output, and these are not now
They may be available aft
: a while. in few months or a year.
ut meanwhile the processes of
merican industry are halted by in,
0ility to secure these indispensable
nports.