The chronicle=news., 1914-08-11

Belgian city before which the first
great battle in force of the impend-
ing war has been fought. are numer-
Gus. Principally 1t Is the most
strongly fortified obstacle to the sup
posed plan of the Germans to cut
across the lower half OF Belgium into
French territory. but in addition to
this the city is OF itself prize in
many ways.
In its surroundings 1t Is the Pitts
burgh of Belgium. For miles to the
southwest of the city along the banks
Of the river Meuse there are scores
of blast furnaces. pudding furnaces,
rolling mills and forges. 1t is the
site of the famous Cockerill works
said to be the largest manufactory OF
machinery in the world.
Liesc proper with n population of
l6S,00O, lies ut the juncture OF the
Meusc and Ourthe, in basin mar
gined by hills. Many handsome
buildings and gardens strive to keep
themselves handsome against the tre-
around the city is wealth of coal
and iron ore. The mines extend ev-
en- under the city and river. These
natural riches in connection with the
favorable situation of the city at the
juncture of two n.vigable rt"ers,
have given rise to the extensive
manufacturing industry in the city
itGelf.
MANUFACTURERS FIREARMS
The products are varied, but the
principal one. and that which makes
Liege valuable prize OF war. is that
of firearms.
More than 10000 persons in and
around the city are employed in the
manufacture of guns, ranging from
a small arms factory to the largest
of modern weapons. There is n roy
al cannon factory and small arms
factory also in the suburb of st
Leonard.
In the wars of the last century
Liegc has played only n small part
but in late years the city found itsel
defended with modern Notifications.
Its strength. 1t is said. was far great
cr than had generally been appre-
ciatcd by military strategists. In
1883 the Belgian authorities decided
to adequately fortify both Licge and
Namur. the two important points OIL
the Meuse. At each place. a number
of detached forts were constructed
along n perimeter drawn distance
varying from within four to sly
miles of the city. AT Liege twelve Of
these forts were constructed, six or
the right bank and six on the left
side of the river.
All of these forts have been kept
fairly well up to date. The heavy
guns, in their concrete easements.
are raised and lowered automatical
ly. The names of the forts on the
right bank of the river are Barchon
Evgnee, Fleron, Chaudfontainc, En-,
bourg and Boncenelles. The aver.
age distance between the forts is -four
miles but Fleron and Chaudfontaine
are separated by a little over a mile
in direct line. as they defend the
main line of the railway from Ger
many.
The six forts on the left bank, al
so commencing at the north around n
western clurve,a re Pontisse, Liers,
I.antin, Loncin, Hollogne and Fle-
MALE.
1t has been estimated by military
authorities that $4,000 men would be
necessary for an adequate defense of
these Qualifications today.
IMMORTALIZED BY SCOTT
Liegc was made to figure largely
in Sir Walter Scott's novel "Quen-
tin Durwood," in which Scott made n
blunder by speaking of the people of
Lfege as talking Flemish. The city
is, in fact. the center of the WALTON
lied in much truer sense than their
Flemish neighbors and speak the
French language.
FAMOUS IN HISTORY
The city first appears in history in
the sixth century, at which time a
town grew up around the original
chapel founded there by st. Mo-
nulph. bishop of Tongres. In the
tenth century the EDiscopals of Not
Sle, W llltH ntu sutceeueO IN tne carly
line, were marked by large territor-
ial acquisitions, and the See became
recognized as an independent 3rin-
cfpality of the French empire. There
were many popular risings for free
dom from the eXactions of the Epis-
copal sovereigns who were adso occu-
pied in preserving neutrality in the
various wars, and preserving their
territory from being raided by in
vading armies
They were only in part successful.
Liege was taken by Marlborou-h in
1902 and the fortress was garrison
cd by the Dutch until 171S. The
French revolutionary armies overran
the principality in 1892 and from
1894 to the fall Of Napoleon it was
annexed to France. and was known
as the department of Ourthe. The