Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-03
Metz the German Pjvot

The city of Metz, within sight OF which Gen
eral Pershng's army has taken up its stand has
been considered by the German general staff to
be the principal pivot against France ever since
it came into possession OF the Germans in 1870,
They have surrounded the city by system of
powerful defenses said to be the most extensive
to be found anywhere in the world and even i'll
time OF peace they have maintained there gar
rison of $4,000 or more men.
Metz is one of the most historic cities on the
Lorraine frontier. 1t was known to the Romans
under the name OF Divodurum and in the fifth
century is was called Mettis. Early in the 10th
century it became free imperial city, famous
for its commerce, its brilliant society and its
love OF letters and art
The river Moselle is joined at Metz by the
Selle, both flowing through the city and they
are crossed by IA bridges. The esplanade in the
center OF the city is beautiful promenade.
Metz has been fortified since 1880 Nauban
put up heavy fertilization in 1914 Under
Napoleon II the works OF Nauban were some
what remodeled and circle OF detached forts
begun, Some OF which were not finished when
the war OF 1870 Brought the Germans to Metz
After the surrender the defenses OF Vauban and
Napoleons engineers were modified bv the new
owners of Metz, THOUGH Fort Manteuffel (called
by the French St julian and Fort Goeben
(called by the French Que'eu) were not altered
in the general lines the French engineers laid
these were reinforced by other batteries either
to defend the intervals or to dominate the i'm
portant lines of approach, such as the valley of
the Mosee. Then followed armored batteries
infantry positions, great systems of trenches
hundreds of shelters, and magazines to supply
the lines and ways of safe communication.
From 1890 to the opening of the present war
the Germans kept on building forts, this time at
distance of about six miles from the city.
re he t1rpe
concrete and steel and mounted with krupp's
most powerful fortress guns designed to take
part in distant artillery duel. Thionville, fire.
quently mentioned of late in news of the move
ments OF the American troops was turned into
powerful fortress. Between the forts OH ST.
Quentin, Masten Frederic Charles and Fort AL
vensleben covered communication exists.
Metz itself is on low-lying ground on the
banks of the Moselle and Seille but only for
very short distance. On the right bank quar-
ter of mile from Fort Steinmetz, the country
presents steep hills and narrow valleys. The
hills, which are very compact, are of all heights
from 100 to $50 feet, the highest point on the
right bank of the river on which Fort Manteuf-
fel stands On the left bank the ascent is even
more abrupt and attans higher elevation, St.
Quentin being more than 1000 feet above Metz
The high ridges form a strong natural wall
against invaders from the west, as the defenders
are in vastly superior and much higher positions.
ne siege or Metz IN 1917 was begun by the
Germans on August 10. Marshal Bazaine, the
French commander, attempted several sortes
which failed and on October u he capitulated
with two other marshals, SC generals, 5000 Of
hcers and an army of 10000 men,
For the surrender of the city Marshal Ba-
zaine was tried by court-martial and unani-
mously condemned to death. President Mac
Mahon committed his sentence to 20 years Sc
Clusion. He was sent to the Island Of St. Mar
pIerite but eScaDed AUGUST 1874 He 10
years were passed in Madrid, where he died in
1888