Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-16
THE CITY OF ARRAs
Center Of Recent Fighting an Old and
Prosperous Place.

Center Of Recent Fighting an Old and
Prosperous Place.
Over the hundreds Of miles Of body
strewn battlefields in Europe, no more
deadly spot could be found during re-
cent fighting than just to the north OF
Arras, where for more than a month
and a half the French have driven
home innumerable fearless. determin-
ed assaults against almost .mpregnable
field works. More lives have been
lost to the square yard Of fighting area
here, according to dispatches, than up
on any other part Of the endless bat
tie line. Arras, the point from which
the French have been strongly forcing
the fighting, Is described in q state
ment recently issued by the National
Geographic society.
"Arras, the capital Of the French de-
partment Of Pas-de- Calais, Is one OF
the oldest and most important towns
in northern France. and is situated on
the right and southern bank Of the
river Scarpe, TT its junction with the
Crinchon, partly on heights and partly
in fertile pain. A low line OF heights
extend to the north Of the town, where
the present German line runs almost
due north to Ypres, in Belgium. Ar
ras is one Of the principal stations on
the French Northern railway, being
about 1877 miles distant from Paris by
rail. Brussels lies 81 miles to the
northeast Of this advance German out
post, while the important city OF
Amiens is 38 miles to the north south
east.
"One Of the leading grain markets
of France was held in this busy city
before the war. 1t lies we'll in the CEN
ter Of a rich agricultural, grazing and
industrial district, and has always been
important for it's trade and manufac-
lures. Chief among the factory pro-
ducts of Arras, were beet-sugar. agri-
cultural implements. hosiery, lace, pot
terry and leather. AS early as the 4th
century, this little town was famous
for its wooden manufactures, a fame
that 1t has lost to the great woolen
centers Of Britannia across the water.
It later became famous wherever lux
uary held footing for the manufacture
of tapestries. Some Of the most beau
tiful worked hangings were produced
here up to the 18th century, and 80 su-
perior were the tapestries Of the place,
that they were commonly known as
arras. The commerce Of the city Is
important in grain, -four oil, wine and
brandy products.
"The lower town was compactly
built, its generous-appearing homes
being constructed Of hewn stone. Most
of the streets were laid out broad and
straight, and Arras made an impress
sion of prosperity and progressiveness
upon the visitor. There were a num-
ber Of fine squares, bordered by beau
tiful public buildings. 1t had a popu-
lation Of $4,000 at the outbreak OF the
war, a population to which bitter ne
cessity was unknown.
Many an important action In north
ern France has been fought In and
around Arras, a site where the Latin,
Celtic and German elements have
struggled since the foundation Of the
Roman empire. The city belonged to
the Spanish branch Of the house OF
Hapsburg until 1640, when Louis KILL
of France, captured it after a long,
severe siege. 1t was ceded to France
by the Treaty o. the Pyrenees. The
French Revolution and the invasion OF
the Germans in 1901 caused much
suffering among its people. Arras was
the birthplace Of Maximilien Robes
pierre, the inspired leader Of the Ter
ror' in Paris, and also Of Joseph Le-
bon, originally of the military. who
led the celebrations Of the horrible
rites Of the revolution in his native
city"