ZABERN. or SAVIRNE (arse. Tres Taber-war). Alsace, a town in lower Alsace, on the Rhine-Marnc Canal. at the foot of a pass over the Vosges Mountains. 24 miles northwest of Strassburg, and on the railway to Avricourt. There is an episcopal palace, rebuilt in 1779, and under German rule used as a barracks; a church dating from the 15th century, and many ruined castles. The town was of importance In the time of the Romans, was destroyed by the Alcmanui in 357, and was rebuilt by the Emperor Julian. It suffered greatly in the Thirty Years War. It c.une prominently into public notice in 1913 through the ''.1.aLern In cident.' The 99th Infantry was farrisoned there and it was said that the soldiers were encouraged by their uthects in maltreating the Alsatians. Afratrs t:anw: 10 a CIIII14X shell a ) (Xing I10/14.111all tai the Getman arm). Lieu tenant son Furstni r, offered 10 marks to any 'icker who would bayonet an Alsatian, than further compromised himself by striking with his sword a lame shoemaker. The incident
aroused a furore of indignation, not only in the French press, but in Germany. In the Reichstag it reached such importance that a vote of no confidence was passed against the government, 293 to 54. This, however, had no result except as an expression of disapproval, the chancellor annertmcing that be held his office through im perial appointment and subject to no other con trol. von Fortner was upheld by his superior officers, and although subjected to the form of a court-martial was acquitted. The emperor's decision regarding the matter was that the honor of the army must be upheld with neither compromise nor apology. Pop. 8,643.