The Washburn leader., 1916-12-29
FAMOUS OLD PORT
nARsE,LLEs A POINT OF lMPoR
TANcE FOR cENrURIEs.
French City, Older Than the Country
Itself, Is Now the Naval Base OF
the Forces Of the Entente
ALLIES.

tant for Mediterranean traOe uuEAuo
28 centuries and the city wherein the
earliest naval traditions of France
were formed, whence fleets were sent
before Rome's day Of power to chai'
lenge the great Mediterranean port
city, Carthage, is today the principal
naval base for the allies upon the Mid.
die ocean; and, with the shifting OF
the stress Of the world-war toward
the east, to the Balkans, to Turkey-in'
Europe, to Syria and Mesopotamia, 1t
is become place Of first strategic con-
sequence, while, from its harbor,
steady stream Of the 'sinews of war
fare is pouring into the vital fields
bordering the Eastern seacOast," be-
gins the primer on war geography ID
sued today by the National Geographic
society.
"Marseilles has been an important
city through all Of Europe's historic
ages. It has been in competition for
the commerce of its inland sea from
earliest times; has seen its comped'
tors, one by one, reach their zenith
and decline, while it still remains q
foremost Mediterranean port. Its n.
vals today are Of the younger set OF
cities, Genoa, comparatively youthful,
and Triest, a newcomer into the fold
of contending world-ports.
"Genoa, though of about equal age
with Marseilles as a harbor, first came
into commercial fame during the early
middle ages. Sidon, Tyre, Athens, Co
rinth, Carthage, Ragusa, Pisa. Venice
and host of other cities have at one
time and another fought bitter rival.
ry with Marseilles, and Of some OF
these even the history Of their efforts
is forgotten, while their one-time rival
has passed through several declines to
ward an even greater future.
"Tracing its descent from early
Phenician times, the fortunes of Mar.
seilles have fluctuated with the for.
tunes of civilization upon the Mediter
ranean coasts. The PhOceans, q Greek
people whose trading instincts carried
them beyond the confines Of the known
world Of their day, came after the
Phenicians, took Marseilles from
them and made 1t the New York OF
the ancient world. Due to their en-
terprise Marseilles became the first Of
trading cities, and, during the Punie
wars, its aid saved Rome.
"Situated in the center Of things
Mediterranean on the Gulf of the Lion,
enjoying the advantages Of an excel.
lent harbor, well equipped, together
with a rich and productive hinterland,
Marseilles has again become the first
port on the inland sea, the first port
of France, the second city Of the re.
public and one of the wealthiest COM
munities in Europe. It lies 534 miles
south-southeast Of Paris, with which
it is connected by the Paris-LyOn-Medi-
terranee railway. The manufacturing
city Of Lyons lies 219 miles to the north
upon the River Rhone, whose princi-
pal channel reaches the Mediterranean
sea. 25 miles west of Marseilles.
"While Marseilles possesses few ar
chitectural extravagances, it is well
and solidly built and thoroughly mod
ern. It has preserved no interesting
remains from ancient tlmeSs IOr the
modern spirit, which has characterized
its long life, has left it little appetite
for reminiscence. and the wars that
have swept over it have destroyed
much Of its heritage. The public
works Of the city and its conveniences,
however, are on q par with those Of
the best-administered municipalities
Of today.
"The port does a vast export and
Import in peace times; buying cattle.
coffee, raw cotton and silk, hides and
grain. and selling cotton and woOlen
goods, ribbons, soap, silk, sugar, grain,
fruits. wine, oil and perfumes. Its
shipping business is carried on along
IL miles Of model quays where $500
vessels can be accommodated at one