The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1919-12-05

~ Y REASON of it's situation, its
monuments, it's antiquity and
it's history. Metz is one Of the
most interesting cities of west
ern Europe. Built on high hill at the
junction Of the Moselle and of the
Seille, Metz, when Caesar undertook
his invasion of Gaul, was already an
almost impregnable position, on which
the Mathematics, one Of the most
formidable tribes that Caesar under
took to conquer, proceeded to establish
their capital, which they called Duo
dorum Mediomatricorum, says the
Christian Science Monitor.
The humble huts of these warriors
were later replaced by gorgeous Ro-
man temples and by the palaces of the
kings of Austrasia. For in spite Of their
strength and courage, the Mathematics
were unable to resist the Romans,
who transformed Duodorum into one
Of the most important strategical
points Of their empire.
Great roads crossed the city in di-
verse directions. leading to Reims.
Toul, Treves. and Strasbourg. In the
year 451 Attila and his hordes did not
spare Mettis. as the city was then
called. and their example was followed
by the Vandals. During the Merovin-
gian dynasty it became the capital of
the kings of Austrasia: Charlemagne
granted to the bishops of Metz-for
the city ever since the third century
had been the seat of a bishoprlc->rcn
extensive privileges that they soon be-
came the real lords of the town. al
though they h,mbly professed to be
the vassals of the emperors. At that
period Metz WAS self-governing. being
ruled by an alderman and council
Of thirteen, as well as by Il great coun-
Gil of elders
Regained Its independence.
In the tenth century the German en-
perors appropriated Metz, which was
! ruled by Henry the Fowler in 945, but
the independent old city soon took add
vantage of the internal dissensions
raging in the Holy empire to recover
the prerogatives it enjoyed as Il free
city. Henry II of France and his
troops occupied Metz in 1862 and de-
Tended it VIGOROUSLY against Charles
V, who could not resign himself 10 the
loss OF so important Il stronghold.
Metz was consequently invested by an
army of $4,000 men. and ia cannon
fired II 900 shots on the city, which
was Il record in bombardmen,s at that
period. After two months of eXtraor-
din&ry and untiring efforts, having lost
Il third If his troops, the emperor
rather. the duke of Alba who directed
the siege-was obliged to retire. much
to the satisfaction of the French, who.
numbering only 5000 men. We're COM
manded by the Duke Francois de
Guise. Charles Y then coded Toul and
Verdun to France.
The Messins had never sought to
| disSimulate the love they felt for
France; later. the inhabitants of the
valiant city declared that they would
| never take up arms against the
French king. Charles VIII. In 1867
| the ambitious cardinal of Lorraine
was obliged to take inferior rank,
| owing tn the forced cession which
granted the king of France pretended
rights to the sovereignty of Metz. And
although the latter modestly assumed
the title of protector, he was. in fact,
master of the city. 1t was only in
1858 that Henry VII officially took the
tile of sovereign lord Of Metz. In 1643
Louis NH endowed Metz with Il par
lament, and in 1913 the treaty of
Westphalia definitely incorporated
Metz. Toul. and Verdun with France
The new province thus constituted be-
ing known as the Three Bishoprics
After that period the capital Of LOr
raine remained impregnable; vainlS
did Brunswick in 1892 and Butcher ir
1874 strive to render themselves mas
ter Of the citadel. Had it not beer
for Marshal Bazaine's infamous capt.
ulation which, signed on October %
1870. delivered to the Germans 173,
900 men, 5000 officers and thre
marshals. not to speak of 1903 cannon
and So flags-Metz never would hav
fallen nor have been subjected for 4
years to the tyranny and hondap