IN THE COCKPIT OF EUROPE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 50, 27 August 1914, Page 7

IN THE COCKPIT OF EUROPE.

The great battle is being fought in the heart of one- of the world's " hives of industry," Charleroi and ita environs being the centre of the Belgian iron industry, and very closely 1 populated. Charleroi (16,000 inhabitants), the main point in the battle, is on the north bank of the Sambre, which here flows from west to east, and is about thirty miles south of Brussels. It is surrounded by a group of small towns, which form suburbs and dependencies, and many of these are named in connection with the battl© now going on. Marchienne, known as " Marchienno of the Bridge" (12,000 inhabitants), is on the south side ?<twV°- nv . er ' ut two milos west of Charleroi, Dampremy (7500 inhabitants) being between them. Chatdet (9000 inhabitants) is a suburb about three miles east of Charleroi, on both banks of the river, and about a mile south of Chatelet is the village of Bouffioulx. Chatelineau is a little offshoot of Chatelet, just north ot it. Between Charleroi and Chatelet several towns occupy the river banks. Marcinelle (8500 inhabitants) is just south of the town, and near it, about two miles from Charlevoi, i» Couillet (6500 inhabitants), on the south bank, and traversed by the railway which runs also through Chatelet. Landelies is about five miles south-west of Charleroi, on the left bank of ' the Sarnbrc, and about the same distance further along is Thuin, while Mettet is southward of the lattor. Walcourb is about ten mites southward of Charleroi, on the railway. Chimay is about twenty-five miles south, and a little west, of Charleroi. The forts round Namur are nine in number, and are placed on elevated points from three to five miles from the town. Beginning south of the town on the left bank of tho Mouse, and counting clockwise, they are— (l) St. Henbert, (2) Malonne, (3) Suarlee, (4) Emineo, (5) Cognelee, (6) Gelbressee, (7) Maizevet, (8) Andov, and (9) Dave. " Tfliircc-ing is an important town eight miles north-east of Lille, and within two miles of the fronttor. Roubaix i 3 two or three miles south of it, and is an important centre of tho woollen industry. Bouchftin is a village forty miles due south of Lille, and Carabrai is about tgn milos south-east of Boucliaia,