The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-29
FORMIDABLE DEFENsEs
PROTECT CITY OF PARIS
Military Experts Recognize Fortifi-
cations as Among Strongest
in World.
IN THREE DISTINCT CIRCLES
In AL, About 10000 Men Are Re-
quired in Operating Defenses, and
Force OF 100000 Would BE Needed
TO Infest Them.

WASHINGTON. August 2S.-The
Notifications OF Paris and their ability
TO resist siege is receiving the close
that Paris is the announced objective
OF the German forces, and the French
ministry of war is Strengthening the
city's defcnses
The general character of the city's
detailed defenses are well known to
military experts. who recognize them
rs among the strongest fortihcatlons
in the world.
The fortitications consist of three dis
tinct circles sweeping around the city
first the solid wall OF masonry. eish-
teen feet nigh extending for twenty
two miles around the old sections of
Paris: second, the system of seventeen
detached forts arranged at Intervals,
two miles beyond the wall and maxi
ing 4 circuit OF the city thirty four
miles long. and third. an outer girdle
Of forts sevcnty-tlve long.
Each of these circles of masonry
and steel is a complete defense in it.
self The wall around Paris and the
seventeen detached forts. two miles be-
yond the wall. were built by Louis
PHILIPPE. They sustained the German
seise of lS10-1l, and the. outer forts
since have been greatly strengthened
The third line OF forts are Of modern
batteries and heavy guns
The inner wall about Paris surrounds
the best known and most important
sections Of the city. Outside of the
wall. circle of suburbs extends for
many miles. among which are dotted
the forts OF the second and third line
of dcfenses, protecting thcri and the
approaches TO the capital The wall.
contains ninety-thrce bastions and six
ty-seven gates.
FORCE OF 100000
TO INVEST DEFENSES
The second line of forts includes the
famous fortress Of Mont Valeri,u
which was the centre OF attack in the
German siege of 1870. South of ,h..
city is the row Of forts at Ivry Bictle,
Mont Rouge, Nanves and lssy. North
and east Of the city are three great
forts around 81. Denis, and two others
at Fort Aubervillcrs and Fort Charen-
Ton. commanded the approaches Of the
great wood OF Bondy The outer circle
Of forts of tho most modern type have
from twenty-four TO sixty heavy guns,
and 66 To l.:0o men each In all, the
three lines Of dcfcnses require 10000
men to operate them, not counting
troops assembled within tho city Ac-
cording 10 military experts. II would
require q force OF 100000 men to invest
these dcfenses
the German forces AT the time OF the
/ siege of lS1c-1I. states in report on
that siege that the French artillery
armament consisted OF more than .
621 pieces. including 200 OF the larges,
calibrc OF naval ordnance.
There were 500 rounds for each gun
and a reserve OF 100000 Kilograms or
powder. Won Moltkc points out that
( the hombardmcnt Of 4 fortified place In
the heart Of an cncmy's country Is dirl-
cult it not Impossible. unless the in
vadcr is master of the railways or
waterways by which heavy Siege artil-
! lcry can be brought up. lie explains
the failure to lombard Paris. at the
outset Of the former siege. by saving
1t would have required 900 heavy guns
with 500 rounds for each eur. The
movement forward OF these heavN guns
would have required 1900 four- heel.
ed wagons. and 10000 horses. which
were not available.
~ later stage the Germans bror9ht
up their big siege guns attacking the
Continued on Third rage.)