Evening star., 1928-05-06
.SOMMEONCE MORE
IS RIVER Of PEACE
Second Battle Along Stream
Was Fought 10 Years
Ago This Spring.

The tenth anniversary of the second
battle of the Somme. fought in the
Spring of 1918. once more has brought
into prominence that little river of high
strategic Importance to Northern France.
Though one of the worlds smaller
waterways the Somme has a military
history dating back to Roman times,
the National Geographic Society recalls.
To the north of the Somme is wide
natural depression between the highland
regions of Artois and Ardennes.
Through this saddle stretches an un-
broken, comparatively level region from
Belgium to Paris. The only natural
barrier capable of defense which crosses
this level stretch is the River Somme
1t forms an east-to-weSt interruption
to the old south-north roadway from
Paris TO Flanders. This gave the river a
military Importance which has caused
1t to serve as a line of defense from
the days of the Roman legions in Gaul
to the World War in 1914.
Where William Set Sail.
In ordinary times. however, the
Somne. winding through rich agricultu-
raj regions of Picardy. gives a most
above st. Quentin to its mouth, near St.
Valery, there is small suggestion of
anything besides prosperous farming
and rather small scale manufacturing.
1t meanders through green meadows,
past rich gardens and broad fields the
main artery of an industrious peasant
civilization. Along its banks. like jewels
on string. lie small cities. exceedingly
quaint and with histories running back
10 medieval France.
Near the point where the Somme
flows into the English Channel lies the
glorious little village of St Valery-sur-
SOmme. Some of the ancient fortifica-
ticns still remain. and their interest is
not lessened by the fact that 1t was
from ST. Valery that William the Con-
queror set sail for England in the early
Autumn of 1866. The little town has a
splendid beach and Is now a quiet sort
of seaside resort. vhe~e historic pic
turesoueness combines with scenic
beauty TO give a charming Old World
atmosphere
Farther up the river clustered close
around the old Gothic church of St.
Vulfran, lies the ancient city of Able
vile, Abbeville. too. Is celebrated in
history. Here Henry Wits willful sister.
Mary Tudor. was married to Louis XII
Of France. The story Is we'll known to
American readers of When Knighthood
Was in Flower
AmienS Objective Of Drive.
THE queen of Somme Valley, how
ever. is Amiens. capital of the old prov
ince of Picardy. and now a railway CEN
ter OF prime Importance Amiens was
the objective of the great German drive
ia tNA Nrtw 1E A.
trail powers hoped, by the capture of
this key city. 10 drive a wedge between
the British TO the north and the French
around Paris. The enemy we're almost
al her walls and many houses were in
ruins. but Amiens never gave way
"Amiens Cathedral. situated on hill
top which can be seen for miles around.
Is one Of the largest churches In Europe.
being surpassed in size only by ST
Peters at Rome and the great cathe-
dral al Cologne. in Germany It's COM
manding position and huge size made it
splendid target for long range shell
fire during the World War.
Above Arniens, after series of me-
anderings through marshy meadows, the
Somne makes huge bow. inclosing the
famous battlefield of the Somme Here
lie Peronne, Ham and St Quentin. cities
whose very names bring up grim pic
lures of dismal ruin and fierce hand-to-
hand flghting To-day however. all has
been softened by the kindly hand of
time
Once more cattle Craze III pastures
bordered by pollard willows and rows OF
poplarS. Again harges glide along the
old canals which 10 years ago literally
ran red with blood The holes in mud
and plaster barns have been filed up
and their sides fairly bulge with the
rich crops OF Picardy. In village squares
old women are gossiping at the wells
and geese. ducks and children are pad
ding about the ponds The Somme. in
Nnn 0alnrs q nleasant cnlirnfrMsidn 80