Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-29
TAKING OF PARIS
BY GERMANS TO
Be MIGHTY TASK
Invading Army Will Be Obliged
to Smash Fortified Chain
of Steel and Concrete.
WALL BUILT BY PHILIPPE
Sustained 5ismarek's Siege in Seven
ties and Have Since Been Great
Iy Strengthened.

Washington. d. C., Aug. 29.-The
fortihcations OF Paris and their ability
N resist a siege are receiving the close
attention OF military observers. now
that Paris IS the announced objective
pofnt Of the German forces, and the
French ministry OF war has adopted
urgent means OF Strengthening the
c.ty's defenses to the utmost.
These fortifcations consist OF three
distinct circles sweeping around the
ci,y-frst. the solid wall OF masonry
IS feet high. extending for % miles
around the old sections OF Paris; sec
ond. the system OF Il detached forts,
arranged at intervals, two miles be
void the wall and making a circuit of
the city 81 miles long; and third, an
outer girdle of forts 75 miles long on
The heights commanding the valley OF
tie Seine
Sustained Siege Of 1907.
The wall around Paris and the II
detached forts two miles beyond the
wall were built by Louis Philippe.
They sustained the German siege of
1s7O-71, and the outer forts have since
keen greatly strengthened. The third
line of forts. on the hills of St. Ger
mario, Cormeilles, and Villiers, are of
modern construction, with the latest
types of batteries and heavy guns.
TIL inner wall about Paris sur
ROUNDS the best known and most i'm
portant sections OF the city, including
the business sections along the Grand
boulevard. the residence sections on
the north and west OF the city. and the
Latin quarter and other sections on
tho left hank OF the Seine
On the outside OF the wall a circle
Of suburbs extends for many miles.
including NeuilIy. Argenteuil Versail-
les. Vfncennes, and many others. The
forts OF the second and third line of
defenses are dotted among these sub
urbs. protecting them and the ap-
proaches TO the capital
The outer circle OF forts, which are
OF the most modern type. have from
"a TO 60 heavy guns and 900 to 1.2O0
men each. In all the three lines OF de-
lenses require 10000 men TO operate
them. not counting troops assembled
within the city. According to military
experts. II would require a force of
100000 men to invest these defenses. !
India Armies 70 Aid Allies.
London, Aug. 29.-Lord Kitchener. |
secretary OF state for war. announced !
in the house of lords yesterday that I
the British army in France should be
further increased.
The troops to increase the forces /
were now on the way. he said. He
added that all the gaps in the army in /
France were being filled up.
That the employment OF native In 4
dian troops was meant by Lord Kitch-
ouis OF Crewe secretary OF state for
India
The Marquis OF Crewe said:
1T has been deeply impressed on
the government that the wonderful /
wave OF enthusiasm and loyalty at the 1
present time passing over India Is 4
largely due 10 the desire Of the Indian 1
people that Indian soldiers should !
stand side by side with their com
rades in the British army.
India IS aware OF the employment
OF African troops TO assist the French
army and 81 would hive been disap-
pointment to India il they had been
debarred from taking part in the war
in Europe.
"Our army Will thus be reinforced
by soldiers-high souled .men-of first
rate training. and ! an certain thar
they will give the best possible &C
count Of themselves.
All Provinces Ready.
81 venture 20 think that this keen
desire OF our Indian fellow subjects
so 10 cooperate with US IS no less
gratifying than the same desire shown
IN the self-governing dOminions, some
OF whose soldiers in due course will,
no doubt. also be found fighting side
by side with British troops and Indian
troops in the war
The marquis added that in spite of
these heavy drafts on the Indian army
the Indian frontiers viii be fully and
secured. He voiced great
doubt that there would be any agrees
siye movement by the foe outside of
Europe