Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-21
and the obile army, under tt
dir ection Of Ducrot.
Forts Form Ring Around City.

These forts formed a ring around
Paris. much closer to the city than
the outer ring Of modern forts which
are the principal defense today. but
still requiring the Germans to hold
an enciente of fifty miles. At the
outset the besiegers had only about
10000 men available for the purpose
and their situation was one OF great
difficulty. considering the length Of
their communications. their iack OF
adequate numbers and, ABOVE al, the
guerrilla tactics with which they were
harassed on every side. II there mad
been any we'll trained French armies
in the provinces capable OF taxing
vigorous offensive, matters might nave
gone Ill with the Germans.
Their difficulties explain the letsurely
methods with which the siege was con-
Quoted during the first six weeks, When
the population of Paris was scarcely
was no well trained field army on
which to rely. Frenchmen responded
CALAMITY enough to the fiery Appeals
of Gambetta and De F"Hycin"t, i
discipline and their bravery was un-
availing. Fiereck in the west. D'Au-
relies de Paladines and Chanzy In the
Loire country, Faidherbo In the north
Swiss frontier did their best, but each
in turn was effectually disposed Of
and the hopes to which their activities
gave rise in Paris died away. The gar
by cheering rumors of victory outside
which never materialized and by conf
dent promises of success in the next
sortie, which when it took place in
variably ended. like Its predecessors. in
repulse.
Every direction was tried in turn.
There was the sortie Of Chatillon, on
the heights of which the Prussians
had established their most formidable
batteries There was the big sortie
Of Champigny on the eastern side.
across the Marine. November 20. but
the only result of three days of fight
ing was that Gen. Ducrot lost some
5000 men and was thrown back to his
own lines.
LIE Bourget Has No Better Fate.
The sortie Of LIE Bourget, December
final sortie of Bugenval, a month later,
was the flash in the pan. By that
time even the most optimistic Parisians
had ceased to believe in the mysterious
plan by which Gen. Trochn was to
outside world.
1t is often forgotten that the Prus-
SLAMS did not begin their serious bonn
bardment of the forts of Paris until
December 81, three months after the
investment was complete. and that they
did not throw shells into the city of
Paris until January 5. Bismarck had
spoken contemptuously of the French
forts. I'VE can take two or three
with ease" he said, whenever we like
The forts of Paris, notably those which
faced the Prusstan batteries at Men
don. Clamart and Chatillon, held out
manfully to the very end. and though
the most exposed forts at D1ssy.
Vanves and Montrouge were greatly
knocked about they remained in action
down to the capitulation.
The first shells to fall within the
walls among the civilian population
came on the 10th day of the siege.
PERMISSION, the aim being chiefly di-
rected at the Luxembourg, the In
valides and the ambulance of the Val
de Grace. A number Of women and
killed, but the Parisians soon got used
to the shells and to the cry of Care
Pobus" 1t Is computed that 5000 shells
were thrown into Paris in the twelve
days and that the deaths due to them
were 296.
Losses by Epidemics.
The chief suffering. however, in
Paris, was caused by famine and
pestilence. Every one has heard Of the
privations of hunger which were en-
dured by the populace with great
courage as long as any hope of succor
remained. The mortality was fearful.
In the last week of the siege $500 in
fants died. Smallpox during those
terrible months claimed $4,000 VIC
Tins. Moreover. it was winter. fuel
was scarce and the season inclement.
Such was the siege Of 1901, and
the condition Of Paris was aggravated
by the political dissensions which a
little later eliminated in the horrors
Of the commune. If Paris should have