Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-05
History of Towns
in the War Zone

has prepared the following facts con
corning places that are figuring prom
inently in the news of the military op
erations in the European war:
FRESNES-A small town in the
northern part of France, five miles
north of Valenciennes and four miles
| from the Belgian border, with popu
lation of about 5000. The first vein
of coal in that part of France was dis
covered in Fresnes, and coal-mining
has ever since been the principal in
dustry. Glass works and beet sugar
factories also contribute their share
to the activities of the place.
PAGNY-The little town on the rail
road between Pont a Mousson and
Metz, where before the present war
the customs line into France was
passed by passengers going from Metz
and other German points. The hills
to the left of the Moselle are noted
for the fine quality of the wine pro-
duced there. The extensive ruins of
the feudal fortress, the Chateau de
Preny, the finest in all Lorraine, are
located to the southwest of the town.
The chateau was built by the dukes
of Lorraine and was dismantled in
the 18th century. Roman antiquities
may be found in abundance through
out this region.
FREL1NGHIEN-On of the north
ernmost towns of France, in the de-
partment of Nord, two miles north
east of Armentieres and seven miles
northwest of Lille, on the Lys river
which separates it from Belgium. The
town has a population of about 10000,
and its inhabitants are employed in
distilleries and oil works.
VERMELLES-A village of north
ern France, five miles southwest of
Bethune and IS miles north of Arras,
on a small hill overlooking a branch
of the canal running from La Bassee
to Aire. The towns entire activities
are centered in oil works. Its popu-
lation is about 1000.
Cambrin-This hamlet of northern
France is located in the center of a
large grassy plain, II miles southwest
of Lille and five miles east of Be
thune, on small affluent of the Lys
The raising of cattle and the sale of
the agricultural products of the neigh
boring country are the principal ac-
tivities. The population is about 500.
CERNAY-A busy industrial town,
a sort of miniature Pittsburgh, in
Southern Alsace, located on the left
bank of the Thur. nine miles north
west of Mulhausen and Is miles north
east of Belfort. Besides being in a
coal and iron mining region, Cernay
has an important textile industry and
numerous machine shops. The popu-
lation approximates 5000.
SAALES-An Alsatian town, just
across the French border. eight miles
north of east of St. Die and 80 miles
southwest of Strassburg, near the
source of the Bruche. Since 1870
there has been considerable emigra-
ton to France. The present popula-
ton is about 10000. Lace. hosiery
and cotton and wooden goods are man
and various kinds of stone
are quarried nearby. Several aban-
doned iron mines are in the neighbor-
hood. The region around Saales is no.
ted for its beautiful and diversified
scenery.
ARNHEM-This town, on the Old !
Rhine, has been described as the |
gEyest in the Netherlands" 1t is |
bounded by hills, and is situated "a |
miles east of Utrecht and IL miles |
from the German border. 1t was orig !
lnally a residence of the dukes of
and was once extensively |
fortified Its ramparts. however, have |
been converted into charming public |
Cabinet ware, mirrors,
carriages mathematical instruments,
potteries, soap and oil are
are among its products. Paper mills
are located in the vicinity, and the
.own is a market for corn, cattle and
fish. Anthem has a population of
about $4,000.
Minsk-One of the most ancient
owns of Russia and the capital of the
government of the same name. on the
svislotch, $50 miles east of Grodno. 1t
belonged to the Krivitches, an early
Siavonic tribe. and was captured by
Ryngold, prince of Lithuania, in 1896.
Russia annexed IL in 1855, and IL was
by French troops in 1912. 1t
las been part of the cars realm I'M
since November of that
ear. Its streets are narrow and ir-
ocular. and until recent years its
Houses were built mostly of wood. The