The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-12-21
MARSEHLE IS
MA VAL BASE NOW
FOR THE ALLIES
With the Shifting Of the Stress
OF the World War toward
the East.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 20.-''Mar-
seille. the unwearied contestant for
Mediterranean trade during twenty
six centuries. and the city wherein
the earliest naval traditions of
France were formed. whence fleets
were sent before Rome's day OF pow
er to challenge the great Mediterran-
can perfectly. Carthage. is today the
principal naval base for the Allies
upon the middle ocean: and, with the
shifting OF the stress OF the world
war toward the East, TO the Balkans,
10 Turkey-in-Europe. TO Syria and
Mesopotamia. II is become n place OF
iirst strategic consequence. while,
from this harbor. steady stream OF
the 'sinews OF warfare Is pouring
into the vital fields bordering the
eastern seacoast." begins the primer
on war geography issued today by the
National Geographic Society.
"Marseille has been an important
city through all OF Europe's historic
ages. II has been in competition for
the commerce of Its inland sea from
earliest times; has seen its compet-
itors, one by one. reach their zenith
and decline. while II still remains n
foremost Mediterranean port. Its
rivals. today, are OF the younger set
OF cities. Genoa, comparatively youth
full. and Triest. a newcomer into the
fold of contending world ports.
Genoa. though of about equal age
with Marseilles rs harbor. first
came into commercial fame during
the early middle ages. Sidon. Tyre,
Athens, Corinth. Carthage. Raguss,
Pisa. Venice and host OF other cit
les have. at one time and another,
fought a bitter rivaly with Marseille,
and. Of some Of these even the his
tory OF their efforts is forgotten,
while their one-time rival has passed
through several declines toward an
ever greater future.
Fortunes Fluct,Iate.
Tracing It's descent from early
Phoenician times. the fortunes OF
Marseille have fluctuated with tie
fortunes Of civilization upon the
Mediterranean coasts. The Pho
ceans. Greek people whose trading
instincts carried them beyond the
confines OF the known world OF their
day. came after the Phoenicians.
took Marseille from them, and made
II the New York of the ancient world
Due to their enterprise, Marseille
became the first of trading cities. and
during the Punic wars, It's aid saved
Rome.
Situated in the center of things
Mediterranean on the Gulf OF Lyon.
enjoying the advantages Of an excel
lent harbor. well equipped, together
with rich and productive hinter-
land, Marseille has again become the
hrst port on the inland sea, the first
port OF France, the second city of tho
Republic, and one of the wealthiest
communities In Europe. It lies 534
miles south-southeast of Paris. with
which 1t is connected by the Paris
Lyon-Mediterranean railway, The
manufacturing city reaches the Med
iterranean sea twenty-five miles west
of Marseille.
Thoroughly Modern.
While Marsellle possesses few ar
chitectural extravagances, 1t is well
and solidly built and thoroughly
modern. 1t has preserved NO inter
esting remains from ancient times:
Tor the modern spirit, which has
characterized its long life. has left
It little APPETITE for "Reminiscences. and
the wars that have swept over 1t have
destroyed much OF Its heritage. The
pubic works OF the city and It's con-
veniences. however. are on par with
those of the best administered munic-
Qualities of today.
1T has a considerable industry.
One-half Of the quantity Of SOAP pro-
duced In the whole of France ia
manufactured here, amounting tn
more than 100000. 900 pounds an
nualiy. The Marseille soap is an en-
elusive. luxury product, which has
made Its way in all of the principal
countries Of the world. There are
here. also. sugar refineries, with an
annual production OF 100000 tons:
OH factories. flour mills, tanneries.
lead, tin and copper plants. petro-
ieum refneries and factories for the
production Of candles, macaroni.
tiles and brick.
The port does a vast export and
import in peace times; buying cat
tie. coree. raw cotton and silk, hides
and grain; and selling cotton and
WOODEN goods. ribbons, soap. SILK.
sugar. grain. fruits. wine, oil. and
perfumes. Its shipping business ia
carried on along twelve miles Of
model quays. where $500 vessels
can be accommodated Mt one time -