The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1915-10-21

Oldest and most historic high
ways in the world. 1t is the
great gateway through the
Eastern Alps, connecting Gem
trail Europe with Italy. For over two
thousand years the tide of conquest
and commerce has surged through
here. Through the Bremen the Cim-
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 1t
saw many Of them return with their
banners dropping and torn. So writes
Dr. James Murphy in Country Life.
A little over hundred years ago
the soldiers of Napoleon came up from
Italy through the Bremen; but the
Tyrolese met them at STERLING and
the pass was drenched in blood. The
memories of that fight are still living
in Tyroi, 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 1t over to Teutonic sway
The first uses of the Bremen are
lost in the twilight of history 1t Is
certain that 1t was highway for the
Romans as early as 300 B. c.. but 1t
did not come into great prominence
in Roman history until the end of
the second century before Christ. The
story of the part It 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 met
them at the mouth of the pass and a
fierce battle took place 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-enforcements
on the upper bank Of the Pc and
driven back to their mountain fast.
nesses. That was In B. c. 101.
The empire knew that these hordes
were every day gathering stronger
in the Alps, and It lived in daily fear
OF them for over a 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 commemoration of the victory
the Pons Drusus was built across the
Adige at the mouth of the Bremen
gorge. The town of Bozen stands or
the spot today. Once conquered, the
| mountain tribes settled down and be
| came good citizens of Rome. The
| Emperor Claudius. son of Drusus, bull
| the Via Claudia through the pass, ant
in the main the modern Bremen rcat
follows the line OF the old Roman high
way. From the moment II was opened
the Bremen became the favorite com
mercial highway between Italy anC
Central Europe. Through It the wines
and fruits Of the south were carried
into Germany, while the hides anC
cheese and butter and wood OF tn,
Danubian plain were welcomed on the
other side OF the Alps. But salt was
the main article of trade brought
south. It came from the great mines
at Hall. which are still in operation
and are said to contain sufficient sa
II line rock to keep up the normal output
Il for another thousand years.
ii AS the traveller leaves the saddle OF
the pass and trudges on southwards
the whole character OF thg surround.
ings begins to change. He is coming
into Latin territory and moving among
Latin folk The language changes,
y first to a dialect of the old Roman
7 tongue and then to the lingua liquida