FRANCO-GERMAN FRONTIER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 88, 4 August 1914, Page 4

FRANCO-GERMAN FRONTIER.

The practical outbreak of war between France and Germany will mean that military operations will occur in the vicinity of towns which already have numerous military associations. Metz, thirty miles north Nancy, where the Germans have crossed the French frontier, was, prior to the Franco-Prussian war, a French town. It is strongly fortified and in 1870 was considered France's best defence against Prussia. It was occupied in that war by 180,000 French troops, and there were immense quantities of war equipment, all having to be surrendered to the enemy. The town lis built on both sides of the Kiver Moselle, and on the right bank the land rises steeply and the town is defended by numerous military works. Further north is Sedan, where in the Franco-Prussian war Napoleon 111. surrendered with 90,000 men. Still further north is Lille, claimed to be one of the most strongly fortified towns in the world. It originated in a castle built by the Romans. It was taken, by France from the Spaniards, in 1667, it surrendered to the Duke of Marlborough and was restored, to France by the Treaty of Utrecht. In the early days of the French Revolution it was stubbornly defended against the Austrians. In the vicinity of Sedan also is the small village of Valmy, whore the Duke of Brunswick's invasion of France, early in the Revolution, was turned back. It would appear that Nancy is on the beaten track into France, for it was by this route, between the Rivers Marne and Seine, that Napoleon I. retired on Paris before the Allies after the defeat at Liepsic in 1814.