The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-07
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF PLACES
MENTIONED IN THE WAR NEWS
One Of tho Days i

The National Geographic Society
has prepared the following facts oon-
corning places that are figuring promi-
nently in tho news Of tho military op-
erations in the European war:
! Fresnes-A small town in the
northern part Of France. hve miles
north Of Valenciennes and four miles
from the Belgian border. with a popu-
lation OF about 5000. The first vein OF
coal In that part OF France was dis
covered at Fresnes. and coal-minlng
has ever since been tho principal In
dustry. Glassworks and beet sugar
factories also contribute their share
to tho activities of the place.
PaEny-The little town on tho rail-
road between Pont Mousson and Metz,
where, before the present war, the Gus
toms line Into France was passed by
passengers going from Metz and other
German points Tho hills to the left
! of tho Moselle arc noted for the fine
quality of the wine produced there. Tho
extensive ruins of the feudal fortress.
the Chateau dc Preny. the finest In all
Lorraine, are located to the south west
OF the town. The chateau was built by
the Dukes OF Lorraine and was dis
mantled in the Seventeenth Century.
Roman antiquities may be found in
abundance throughout this region.
Frelinshien.-One Of tho northern
most towns of France. In tho Depart
ment OF Nord, two miles northeast of
Armentieres and seven miles north
west Of Lille, on the Lys River, which
separates II from Belgium. The town
has a population OF about 1900 and Its
Inhabitants arc employed in distilleries
and oil works.
yermelIes.-A village of Northern
France, five miles southwest of Be-
thune and thirteen miles north of Ar
| ras. on q small hill overlooking a
branch OF tho canal running from La
baasee to Aire. The towns entire &C.
tivitIes are centered in oil works. It's
population is about 1900.
Cambrin-This hamlet of Northern
France Is located In the centric of a
large, grassy plain, seventeen miles
southwest of Lilo and fve miles east
of Bethune, on small affluent of the
Lys. The raising OF cattle and the sale
of the agricultural products of the
neighboring country are the principal
activities. The population Is about 500.
Cernay,-A busy industrial town,
sort Of miniature Pittsburgh. In South
ern Alsace, located on the left bank of
| > he Ut %
| hansen, and eighteen miles northeast OF
Belfort. Besides being in coal and
iron mining region, Cernay has an i'm
portant textile industry and numerous
machine shops. The population approx
imates 5000.
| saales.-An Alsatian town. Just across
the French border. eight miles north
of east of st. Die. and thirty-t three
miles southwest of Strassburg. near tho
source OF the Bruche. Since 1870 there
has been considerable emigration to
France. The present populations is
about 10000. Lace, hosiery and cot
| ton and wooden goods are manufac-
tured, and various kinds of stone are
quarried nearby. Several abandoned
iron mines are in the neighborhood.
| its beautiful and diversified scenery.
Arnhem.-This town. on the Old
Rhine. has been described as ''the
gayest In the Netherlands" It is
bounded by hills. and is situated thirty
four miles east OF Utrecht and twelve
miles from the German border. 1t was
originally residence Of the Dukes of
|Gueldreland, and was once extensive
| ly fortified. It's ramparts, however.
have been converted into charming
public promenades. Cabinetware, mir
rors, carriages, math ematical instru-
ments, cotton. potteries, soap and oil
are among Its products. Paper mills
town Is n market for corn, cattle and
fish. Arnham has a population of
about $1,000.
MinAk.--One OF the most ancient
towns OF Russia, and the capital OF
the Svitlotch, 100 miles east of Grodno.
1t belonged to the Krivitches, an early
| Slavonic tribe, and was captured by
Ryngold. Prince Of Lithuania, In 1896.
Russia annexed 1t in 1865, and 1t was
occupied by French troops In 1912. It
has been part Of the Cars realm un-,
linterruptedly since November of that
year. Its streets are narrow and ir-
regular, and until recent, years its
houses were built mostly OF esd. Tho
manufacture Of soap, wax, tobacco, pot
! linen and wooden goods, spirits and
beer, and iron founding and iron min
| Ing, are Its chief idustries, Its popu-,
Iation In 1910 was $4,000, about half
OF whom are Jews.
sniatyn--A two In extreme Eastern
Galioia, twenty-five miles east of Ko-
y - "a ~ ~.