Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 180, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1911 — To Raize Old Paris Fortress [ARTICLE]

To Raize Old Paris Fortress

Fortifications Now Useless—Undesirable Persone Rent B pace From Government and Attack Pedestrians.

There is talk, as there has been talk for years, of leveling the fortifications of Paris, which are perfectly useless now In the Improved conditions of modem warfare, and of building houses on the large tract of ground which would be set free right round Paris. At present the fortifications are not only useless as a protection to the city In time of war, but they* are absolutely dangerous to the cJtisens in time of peace. According to the law a large space around the fortifications is kept free of all stone buildings. This military .zone, as it is called, has no houses upon it, but little one-story huts are allows# to be built there and are rented at tiny rentals by the military authorities. Their cheapness and discomfort attract undesirable tenants, and the Paris apache has for years made a hunting ground of the fortifications. Only a few days ago a rich Hus-

sian, M. Ivanoff, had gone for a drive tn a taxicab. Hie motor broke down near the fortifications, and while it was being put right M. Ivanoff went for a stroll. He wss not more (hm a couple of hundred yards away from his cab when two men and two women attacked him, stabbed hips in seven places, robbed him of all his money and his watch and chain and a valuable scarfpln, and left him for dead. The two women have been arrested, but tbelr companions are still at large. The Incident is being used as another argument for the leveling of the fortifications. Another argument still is, of course, the great value of the land for building purposes. > f