Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-31
History of Towns
In War Territory

washington, Aug. 31.-Primer OF
| today's war geography:
ST. Quentin-A city of north France,
12O miles from Liege and 80 miles
from Paris. 1t has population OF
about $4,000 and stands on the right
back of the Somme river at its juno
ton with the canal which connects
that river with the Schedlt and the
Disc. The city is built on slope with
a southern exposure and is the center
of an industrial district which manu-
| features cotton and wooden fabrice,
principally pique and window curtains.
1t also carries on spinning and pre-
liminary processes, bleaching and
finishing. Machine and handmade
embroidery are produced in large
quantities and there are extensive es-
Establishments producing iron goods and
machinery. st. Quentin dates back to
ancient times and in the early history
of Europe was the crossroads OF five
military roads. 1t has had long war
history. During the Franco-Prussian
war it repulsed the German attack at
one time and at another was the CEN
ter of a great battle between the Ger
man forces under General Won Goeben
and the French under General Faib-
herbe, the French being defeated.
Gu;se- A town 15 miles northeast Of
st. Quentin, with a population of
5000. It's chief industry is the manu-
facture of iron stoves and heating ap-
paratus, carried on through coopera-
tive system of works founded by J. B.
A. Godin. Guise is so miles northeast
of Paris.
Boulogne-A fortified seaport of
northern France, 20 miles from Folke- |
stone, England. 1t is situated on the |
shore of the English channel and has a |
population of about $4,000. The har-
Dor of Boulogne is formed by the |
mouth of the Lame river. It has ex-
tensive docks and a large inner port.
The annual value of exports from
Boulogne approximates S60,000,000,
and of the imports S40,000,0O0. Its fish
cries annually produce 100000 worth
of fish. Boulogne has had a large
military history. 1t is believed to have
been the place where Julius Caesar as |
sembled his fleet. Henry VIII. took the |
lONh ny SlCSS Al 4oF1p OuI IL was
stored to France in 1850.
Rocroi-A town of northern France, |
in the department of Ardennes, % |
miles northwest of Charleville by rail |
and within two miles of the Belgian |
frontier, with a population of about |
1000. Its Notifications, commanding |
the plateau between the Valley of the
Disc, form a paragon and entirely sur
round the town. The place was forti-
fed in the sixteenth century, besieged |
by the imperialists in 1866, invested |
by the Spaniards in 1643 and captured
by them in 1858. Its restoration to
France took place a year later. In
1915 it was besieged by the allies for
a Llonth.
Avesnes A town in France % miles,
southeast of Valenciennes and 10 miles
{. ON the Pelgian border. Its popula-
ton is about 5000. The chief indus
try is wool spinning. In 1477 Avesnes
vas destroyed by Louis XI. BY the
treaty of the Pyrenees in 1859, it came
into the possession of the French and
was fortified. 1t was captured by the
Prussians in 1915.
MalnlaGuet-A village of northern
France, close to the Belgian frontier
md about ten miles south by east of
Mons. 1t is famous as the scene of an
important battle in September, 1909,
between the allies under the Duke of
and Prince Eugene and
he French, commanded by Marshal
Eillars, in which the former were vic
orious. The allies lost 10000 men,
learly a quarter of the whole force
md the French $4,000.
st. Mihiel-A town of northeastern
france, on the right bank of the Meuse
md the Canal de FEST, % miles south
~ east of Verdun by rail and % miles
rom the Lorraine border. Its popula-
ion is close to 1000 ST. Mihiel for I
nerly possessed Notifications and two |
astles which were destroyed in 1885 {
" the royal troops in the course of a
quarrel between Louis XIII. and
'harlcS ", Duke of Lorraine
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