Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-09-29

80 HE Jren, or pass is one of the
ID Oldest and most historic high
ways in the world. II is the
great gateway through the
Eastern Alps, connecting Cen
trail Europe with Italy. For over two
thousand years the tide OF conquest
and commerce has surged through
here. Through the Bremen the CHM
bri came. in the great onslaught on the
Roman republic, and it was the Bren-
ner that re-echoed TO the tramp Of
Attila and his Huns when they poured
down upon the Roman empire.
Throughout the middle ages the Bren-
ner saw innumerable armies passing
TO the conquest of the South; and II
saw many Of them return with their
banners dropping and torn. So writes
DR.. James Murphy in Country Life.
A little over a hundred years ago
the soldiers of Napoleon came up from
Italy through the Bremen; but the
Tyrolese met them az Sterling and
the pass was drenehed in blood. The
memories of that fight are still living
in Tyrol. but they must soon give
way before the grim reality of the
struggle which is being waged there
today For once again the Bremen
is called upon either to guard Italy or
give it over to Teutonic sway
The first uses OF the Bremen are
lost in the twilight OF history 1t is
certain that it was a highway for the
Romans as early as 800 3. c., but it
did not come into great prominence
in Roman history until the end of
the second century before Christ. The
story Of the part ii played in the great
fight between the Cimbri and the
Romans gives the key to the whole
meaning that lies behind the Italian
campaign today.
Where cimbri Whipped Romans.
From their dark German forests the
Cimbri came down upon Italy through
the Bremen. The Roman troops net
them at the mouth Of the pass and a
fierce battle took place a little north
of the modern Ala. Down the slopes,
tobogganing on the huge shields, came
the big, brawny, skin-clad savages.
Rome had never before met such war
riors or such strange weapons. The
mountains seemed to pour them forth
in interminable streams, and the le-
gions OF the republic broke before
them On to the conquest OF Venice
the Northern hordes swept; but they
were met by Roman re-enforceInents
on the upper bank OF the Pc and
driven back to their mountain fast
nesses. That was in b. C. 101.
The empire krew that these hordes
were every day gathering stronger
in the Alps, and 1t lived in daily fear
Of them for over generation. Then
Augustus decided to force the invad-
ers back into the Danube valley and
establish the military barriers OF
Rome as far as the heights of the
Eastern Alps. Augustus planned the
campaign and it was carried out by
his sons, Tiberius and Drusus.
Great Commercial Highway.
The soldiers of the empire won the
day. In comnlvmoration of the victory
the Pons Drusus was built across the
Adige at the mouth of the Bremen
gorge. The town of Bozen stands on
the spot today. Once conquered, the
mountain tribes settled down and be-
came good citizens of Rome. The
Emperor Claudius, son Of Drusus. built
the Via Claudia through the pass, and
in the main the modern Bremen road
foIJa..-o 4ho Tfpa If 4ha old Dou,af h{yh
way. From the moment it was opened !
the Bremen became the fayorite COM |
mercial highway between Italy and |
Central Europe. Through it the wines
and fruits OF the south were carried |
into Germany, while the hides and |
ohaasa aDd hnttar and wood of the /