Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-31
THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society


 Metz-The fortress of Metz @ron, Roman days has never been carrfed py storm Throughout history down to 1870 it successfully defied all be- slegeFs and the French in 1870 sTIr- rendered to famine and disease rather than to pressing enemy. This all Impregnable fortress has changed hands now and again and these changes have been effected by treaty and treachery and famine, but never by force of arms. The Romans knew Metz. Divodurum, as ''the stronghold of the gods
 Metz is the capital of German Tor ratne. and it is considered to possess one of the most powerful fortifcations in Europe. It IS the pivot point in the broken frontier dividing the Franks. Ce1ts and Gauls of the west and south from the Germans of the east and north The centuries long contest between Latin and German has surged back and forth over this city, broken in eddieS around it. and the contestants have continually re- grouped with Metz as the central point in the plans of their opposing strateS1eS; for Metz is the most ira- portant key in the barrier between Latin and Germanic civilizations. Metz and Strasburg are the two western gates to Germany
 The Romans used Metz as their northern base against the Germanic barbarians, and they connected it by military roads with Foul. Verdun. and other camps in Roman hinterfand From Metz, the Roman legions made their incursions into the impenetrable Black Forest, to the east, and into the forest and swamp lands of the north and west. By the Treaty of Mersen in S70-Metz came into the possession Of East Franconia, now Germany It rapidly gained importance as an in- dustrial and outpost city, and. in the 18th century was made free imperial city. The Reformation, another ele- ment. Of the Latin-German struggle, ragged around Metz as a center. Dur ing these times of religious unrest Metz fell into the power of France. and the French were confirmed in their possession by the Peace of Westphalia (164S). It remained under French rule until the German conquest of 1870.
 The country all about Metz is straf- egic, and consequently. forbidden ground. Tourists. with pronounced camera tendencies have never been encouraged around the fortress. The city lies in a fertile, pleasant valley. which widens out among the hills to the north and which narrows toward teh mountainous French frontier. It is upon the heights the craggy hills. the passes, the goFge-broken, fr-coF- eyed, razor back spur hills that the
 
 the city of Metz and its valley run ming between France and Germany are planted. These works have been con structed around the city by the score. and they stretch in a. wide. concealed fan, more than six miles before the outskirts of Metz.
 The city itself is situated on the confluence Of the Seiile ard Moselle about Il miles east of the French frontier. It is built between the two rivers and upon the islands of the Moselle Muc hof the city is com posed of narrow. irregular sreets, lined with ancient, picturesque buildings There are some new and imposing structures in the town, however, and some straight streets. Even in times of peace, Metz makes plain that it's calling is war. Though it has about 75. 900 civil population, the peace gar rison of 25.o00 men monepolizes the attention on every thoroughfaFe and promenade. Around the city and with in it are the huge barracks of the sol diery.
 The country around Metz, a rise and fall of evergreen woodlands. is beautiful. The heights and hills are not only heavily forested, but are also unusually broken and irregular. com posing ground about as unfavorable as possible for attacking military oper- ations. The forts of Metz were begun on a large scale by the French. and they have been strength thened through 2" +hai-- years of possession by the | EeTnans.