The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-06-19


its 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 Mediomatrics, 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 DuodOrun into one
Of the most important strategical
points of their empire.
Great roads crossed the city In d.
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 II 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 bishOpric-such
extensive privileges that they soon be-
came the real Rrds Of the town, al
though they humbly professed to be
the vassals of the emperors. At that
period Metz was self-governing, being
ruled by an alderman and a council
OF thirteen, as well as by a great coun-
Gil of elders.
Reoained 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 ad-
vantage Of the internal dissensions
raging In the Holy empire to recover
the prerogatives il enjoyed as a free
troops occupied Metz in 1852 and de-
Tended IL VIGOROUSLY against Charles
V, who could not resign himself TO the
loss of so important stronghold.
Metz was consequently invested by an
army OF 1900 men, and ia cannon
fired 1900 shots on the city, which
was record In bombardments at that
period. After two months of extraor-
binary and untiring efforts, having lost
a third OF his troops. the emperor
the siege-was obliged TO retire, much
TO the satisfaction OF the French. who.
numbering only 5000 men, were com
handed by the Duke Francois de
Guise. Charles V then ceded Toul and
Verdun 10 France.
The Messins had never sought 10
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 1857
the ambitious cardinal of Lorraine
was obliged TO take inferior rank.
owing TO the forced cession which
granted the king OF France pretended
rights 10 the sovereignty Of Metz. And
although the latter modestly assumed
the title Of protector, he was, In fact,
master of the city. II was only In
1853 that Henry VII officially took the
tile Of sovereign lord of Metz. In 1913
Louis XIII endowed Metz with a par
and in 1913 the treaty Of
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; vainly
did Brunswick In 1892 and Blucher In
1914 strive 10 render themselves mas
ter OF the citadel. Had II not been
Tor Marshal Bazalne's Infamous capt.
llation which, signed on October %,
1870. delivered 10 the Germans 49,
100 men. 5000 officers and three
not TO speak Of 1.663 cannon
md SO fiags-Metz never would have
allen nor have been subjected for as
years TO the tyranny and bondage
rom which the allies have AZ last