The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-12-30
.L|TTLE PARIS
OF BALKANS
IS BELGRADE:
Says Bulletin of National Geo.
graphic Society Which De-
scribeS Servian Capital.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 30.-
The National Geographic Society has
| just issued the following bulletin tell
ing Of the geography and history of
Belgrade, the capital from whence
beginning, and a city that has prob
ably borne more shocks-at-arms than
any other in Europe:
Belgrade, The Little Paris of the
Balkans and perhaps the most bonn
barded city OF the present war, mas
probably seen more battles fought
under its walls, and experienced the
surge, shock and eddies of war more
often than any other city in Europe.
Its whole story is one OF conflicts OF
races, religions and governments.
Seventy Generations.
Belgrade has more than 1000
years of history, and has had some
seventy generations of seldom-idle
warriors. An important key 10 the
Balkan lands on the north; point
dominating the traffic between the up
per and lower Danube; at one time
an outpost OF Roman power; at an
other time considered the key to
Hungary; for five luclsless centuries
situated on the border land between
Moslems and Christians; and now a
Slayonian outpost, Belgrade never
since its foundation has been able to
feel any certainty about the morrow's
peace.
THE Servian capital was founded
in the third century before Christ up
on triangular. rocky promontory at
the confluence of the Save and Danube
rivers. 1t lies opposite the Slayonian
town of Semlin, in Hungary. Upon
one side, the Danube. here about g.
800 feet wide, divides it from Hun
gary, while the Save, 1900 feet wide,
bounds another foot of the triangle.
The, ground of the city is an unsym-
metrical razorback. sloping abruptly
to the west and more gently to the
east. At the apex OF this triangle is
chalky cliff 200 feet high, which
overlooks and guards both rivers.
The Celts built the first fortifica-
tons on this stragetic rock. They
called 1t Singidunum. The Romans
were the next possessors, and they
added to the city's strength. The
Roman empire fell to pieces, and Bel
grade became battlefield for many
races, conyerging from every quarter
iof the compass. Huns, Samatians.
Goths. and Gepids were. in turn, Its
masters, from the 4th to the 9Th cen
tury. The Emperor Justinian
brought il again under Roman rule.
fortified and improved 1t. 1t was
captured by Charlemagne' Frankish
adventures. overrun by Bulgars, re-
conquered for Byzantium, wrested
from the Greeks by the Hungarians,
( and then. battledored with rapid
changing fortunes of war. among
Greeks. Bulgars, Hungarians and
Germans.
Captured by Turks.
| I'm the 14th century the city was
! in the hands of Serrian kings first,
and later was held by the Hnngarians.
Then came the Turks They waged
i a number Of unsuccessful campaigns
against the city. but finally 1t fell in
to their hands in 521, d prize for the
Sultan Suleiman. 1t practically re-
manned In the power of these masters
until 1857, bearing the brunt of
every attack upon the Ottoman from
the north and west. Internal dis
Isensions kept things lively, even
when Turkey was at peace with her
neighbors. The Turks called the
city the home OF wars for faith.
Between the 18th and the 10Th
centuries the Servian capital was
conquered a number OF times. and
besieged often. 1t. however. always
found its way back to Turkey. and
Independent in the early part OF the
18th century. the Turkish garrison
at Belgrade was not withdrawn I'M
I til 1867.
Belgrade is the governmental
and religious center, tho center ,of
TART and culture. the financial. COM