use two armies following each
other would not have found subsistence in the same country. They had to
march in parallel lines; those nearest to Italy moving first; and thus
forming a vast echellon, whose advanced left rested on, and was protected
by, the Alps.

But you must remember (and this is important) that all these western
attacks along the Rhine and Rhone were mistakes, in as far as they were
aimed at Rome. The Teutons were not aware, I suppose, that the Alps
turned to the South between Gaul and Italy, and ran right down to the
Mediterranean. There they found themselves still cut off from Rome by
them. Hannibal's pass over the Mont Cenis they seem not to have known.
They had to range down to the Mediterranean; turn eastward along the
Genoese coast at Nice; and then, far away from their base of operations,
were cut off again and again, just as the Cimbri and Teutons were cut off
by Marius. All attempts to take Rome from the Piedmontese entrance into
Italy failed. But these western attacks had immense effects. They cut
the Roman position in two.

And then came out the real weakness of that great ill-gotten Empire,
conquered for conquering's sake. To the north-west, the Romans had
extended their line far beyond what they could defend. The whole of
North Gaul was taken by the Franks. Britain was then isolated, and had
to be given up to its fate. South Gaul, being nearer to Italy their
base, they could defend, and did, like splendid soldiers as they were;
but that defence only injured them. It thrust the foremost columns of
the enemy on into Spain. Spain was too far from their base of operation
to be defended, and was lost likewise, and seized by Vandals and Suevi.
The true point of attack was at the other salient angle of our position,
on the Roman right centre.

You know that the Danube as you ascend it lies east and west from the
Black Sea to Belgrade; but above the point where the Save enters it, it
turns north almost at right angles. This is the second salient point;
the real key of the whole Roman Empire. For from this point the Germans
could menace--equally, Constantinople and Turkey on the right (I speak
always as standing at Rome and looking north), and Italy and Rome on the
left. The Danube once crossed, between them and Constantinople was
nothing but the rich rolling land of Turkey; between them and Rome
nothing but the easy passes of the Carnic Alps, Laybach to Trieste.
Trieste was the k