In the Franco-German War of 1870-1871, Lille remained outside the battle area, and the only local souvenir connected with that struggle was a visit from _M. Antonin Dubost_ (now Président of the French Senate) in October, 1870. Leaving Paris, which was besieged, in a balloon named "The Universal Republic," he landed between Rocroi and Mézières, going thence on foot to Belgium, and from there to Lille. He was received by the Commissary of the Government for National Defence (Mr. Testelin) _(p. 50)_ and General Bourbaki, who had escaped from Metz, and harangued the people from the steps of the Grand' Garde _(Place de la Bourse, p. 29)_. In 1914, the victorious Germans were at its gates, and the Capital of Flanders was destined to suffer a four years' occupation. [Illustration: THE NORTHERN FRONTIER] LILLE AND THE GREAT WAR Importance and Military Situation of Lille in 1914 Lying between the rivers Lys, Escaut and Scarpe, in the plain before the hills of Artois, Lille forms an isolated advance-post between _Maubeuge_ (which guards the Pass of the Oise), and _Dunkirk_ (which commands the region of the Dunes). _Vauban_ had fortified the place, but the treaties of 1815 and 1871 deprived France of her essential points of support, and rendered these defences valueless. In 1873, _General Séré de Rivières_, Director of the Engineering Section at the Ministry of War, commenced a comprehensive scheme which aimed at the reorganization of the entire northern frontier, whereof Lille was one of the pivots. Situated in the centre of France's richest coalfields and allied industries, Lille has justly been called "the Key to France's Treasure-House" (see _"Le secret de la frontière,"_ by M. Fernand Engerand, 1918). To enable it to withstand a surprise attack and hold out against a long siege, the city's intermediate defences were increased to such a degree that Lille became the point of support of the French frontier between the rivers Sambre and Lys. By thus protecting the Arsenal of Douai, it became possible to assemble a reserve army within the entrenched camp of Lille, 31 miles in length. The total cost of these works was 126,000,000 frs. But, as in Vauban's days, a reactionary movement set in against defensive works, and it was demonstrated by their opponents that besieged towns must fall, and that in future the destinies of nations would be decided in the open battlefield. In 1880, the works of Séré de Rivières were abandoned. [Illustration: NAPOLÉON BRIDGE DESTROYED BY THE RETREATING GERMANS _(see p. 52)_] In the meantime, the great cities of the north, with Lille at their head, had become industrial centres of primary importance, thanks to their wealth of raw materials (coal, iron and steel). To protect them from the horrors of war, it was considered only necessary to make open towns of them. The fortifications of Lille were among the first to be condemned, as being of no real value, and a Bill to this effect was passed by Parliament.