The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-10-01

able batteries. There was the big
sortie of Champigny on the eastern
side, across the Marne on November
20, but the only result of three days
fighting was that Gen. Duceot lost
some 1000 men and was thrown
back to his own lines.
The sortie of LIE Rourget, on De-
cember 21, met with no better fate
and the final sortie Of Buzenval a
month later was the last flash in the
pan. By that time even the most
optimistic Parisians had ceased to be-
lieve in the mysterious plan by which
Gen Trochn was to cleave a way
for the garrison to the outside world.
1t is often forgotten that the Prus-
SLAMS did not begin their serious bom-
bardment of the forts of Paris until
December 81, three months after the
investment was complete and that
they did not throw a shell into Paris
herself 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 to try" But that was an idle
boast. The forts Of Paris, notably
those which faced the Prussian bat
teries at Mendol, Clamart and Chat
illon, held out manfully to the very
end and though the most exposed
forts at D'Issy Vanves and Montrouge
were greatly knocked about they re-
NAMED in action down to the capt.
ulation.
The first shells to fall within the
walls among the civilized population
came on the 10th day Of the siege.
Thenceforth they rained in without
much intermission, the aim being
chiefly directed at the Luxembourg
and Invalides and the ambulance OF
the Val de Grace. A number or wo-
men and children and inoffenslve CIT
izens were killed. 1t is computed
that 5000 shells were thrown into
Paris in the. II days and that the
deaths due to them were 296. Ihen'
as now, the Germans did not care
whether they killed non-combatants
or not; then, as now, the King OF
Prussia cheerfully invoked the bless
ing of God upon the success OF MS
.sunners in slaughtering women and
children.
Their system Of warfare, wrote
Mr. Gibson Bowles, 'is based
throughout on terrorism exe1 "sed
upon those who cannot defend them
selves, in order to awe those VINO
can. precisely the same system IN
fact that is pursued by brigands OF
all countries. They fight indeed
when they cannot help it, but when
they can they prefer to take hostage
and levy requsitions upon civilians,
and now that they have met in Paris
a force capable Of resistance they do
not scruple to take their revenge
upon women and children
Prussian chivalry and German cul-
ture we're the same in 1871 as they
are seen to be in 1914.
Losses by Epidemics.
The chief suffering, however, IN
Paris, was caused by famine and pes
thence. Everyone has heard OF the
privations of hunger which were en-
dured by the populace with great
courage as long as any hope OF sue
cor remained. The mortality was
fearful. In the last week OF the
siege $500 infants died. Smallpox
during those terrible months claim
ed $4,000 victims. Moreover, it was
winter. fuel was scarce and the sea-
son inclement.
Such was the siege of 1901,
and the condition of Paris was ag-
gravated by the political dlssenslons
which little later eliminated in the
horrors of the Commune. If Paris
should have to endure siege no"
she would not have to fear the worst
of the evils which have just been
enumerated. There will be unDrok-
en- armies in the field to give her
succor when the favorable moment
strikes; there will be no grave IN
ternal dissensions, there will be no
scarcity of food. Above all, time
will be on her side and her gallant
defenders will fight hopefully, ana
not despairingly as they did "A years