Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-29
THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society

06IQTd06y u6 11IlI0 O1 L1lC
 Balkans. and perhaps the most bonn
 barded city of the present war, has
 probably seen more battles fought
 under it's walls, and experienced the
 surge, shock and eddies of war more
 often than any other city in Europe.
 It's whole story is one of conflicts of
 races, religions and governments.
 Belgrade has more than 1000 years of history, and has had some seventy
 generations of seldom-idle warriors.
 An important key to the Balkan lands
 on the north; point dominating the traffic between the upper and lower
 Danube; at one time an output Of
 Roman power; at another time consid- cred the key to Hungary; for five luck less centuries situated on the border
 land between Moslems and Christians, and now a Slovenian outpost, Belgrade never since it's foundation has been
 able to feel any certainty about the morrow's peace.
 The Servian capital was founded in the 3rd century before Christ upon a triangular. rocky promontory at the confluence of the Save and Danube
 rivers. It lies opposite the Slovenian town of Semlin. in Hungary. Upon
 one side, the Danube, here about 2,300
 wide, divides it from Hungary, while 1 the Save, 1,250 feet wide bounds an- other foot of the triangle. The ground
 of the city is an unsymmetrical razor l back, abruptly to the west and more gently to the east. At the apex of this
 riangle is a chalky cliff 200 feet high,
 which overloolzs and guards both rivers.
 The Celts built the first fortifca- | tons on this strategic rock. They called 1t Singidunum. The Romans were the next possessors, and they added to the city'S strength. The Roman Empire feIl to pieces and Bel grade became a battlefield for many races. converging from every quarter of the cor mass. Huns. Samatians, Goths, and Gepida were, in turn, it's masters from the 4th to the 9th cen turZ. The Emperor Justinian brought It again under Roman rule, fortified and improved it. It was captured by Charlenagnes Frankish adventurers, | oVerrun by BuIgars, reconquered for ! by the Hungarians, and then battle dored with rapid-ci1anging fortunes of war, among Greeks, Bulgars. Hungar- | ians and Germans.
 Tn the 14th century thecity was in the hands of Servian kings first and later was held by the Hungarians. 1 Then came the Turks. They waged a
 number of unsuccessful campaigns against the city, but finally it fell into their hands in 1521. a prize for the 1 Sultan Suleiman. It practically re- mained in the rower of these masters
 until 1867, bearing the brunt of every attack upon the Ottoman from the north and west. Internal dissensions
 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 18th cen I turies the Servian capital was con quered Q number of times, and be- seiged often. It, however, always found it's way back to Turkey. and al- FfhOl1ph SoTxyia r1ro Iao,. .1o pendent in the early part of the 18th century, the Turkish garrison at Bel grade was not withdrawn until 1867. Belgrade is the governmental and religious center, the center of art and culture. the financial, commercial and foreign trade center of the Seryian kingdom, and it is the kernel of the Serbs national consciousness Since the withdrawal of the Turkish garri- son, it has blossomed out into a modern city. with wide streets. electric lights. street cars, and parks and other gay places of recreation. It has earned its designation of little Paris of the Bal kans'. for there is deal of ffnery. Of Paris initiated tone, in Belgrade; much of this however. due to poverty, is tawdry.
 The capitals houses are long stretches of white, with more of garden and tree plantngs around them than 1 is usually found in a western city The ! pOpulaIlOn mas SrOWn rapidly since 1867, from 26.0 GOO in 1884, to 9O.0O0 in 1910, and is 8 typical Balkan city mix | ture. composed of Servians. Bulgars, Greeks. Turks, AIacedonians, Czechs. Jews Hungarians and Germans. The city has a number of handsome public buildings, many large, well-appearing business structures, numerous hotels a | university, and national library with 60,000 volumes.
 The beginnings of prosperity were evident before the first Balkan war. The exports of the Servian people passed mainly through Belgrade. and were taken by Austrian Hungary These exports consisted almost entire I ly of raw materials. for Servia has 1 never enjoyed a sufficient period of peace and good management to save a capital for industrial development. Belgrade had some industr.es leather working. bEick-niaIing, alcohol distiI-
 lafi1n, printing and brewing. Most of l it's maauzactu-e6 goods, however, were ] imported.
 Belgrade ia latter years has been one of the most patriotic capitals un der the sun. Tt has aeethed, and bt1f-
 hled and boiled with pride and hope for | it's country. The Serbs have under taken every effoTt aiming toward mak- 1 ing their capital known, respected and l even admired abroad.