New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-08
BKSNARCK on ALSACE AND LORRAINE.

BISMARCK on ALS1CE AND LORR4INE
The annexation of Alsace and Lorraine has
placed before the German Government the
most serious political problem left unsettled
by the war. To take possession of acquired
territory at the end of a successful conflict, to
draw around it the boundary line of the Ger
man Empire, and to make its conquest an es-
tablished fact in the eyes of the world and OF
history-these were politically simple matters
after the triumph of the German arms had
once insured their success. But to lncorpo-
rate by more than mere terms of treaty two
hostile provinces into the political system of
an Empire whose own hardly gained unity
is itself just assured; to make OF them
fresh soil for the growth OF all that
promotes the national strength, rather than
hotbeds of rebellion and renewed war; to
make their population part and parcel of
the great German people-this was difficult
task The problem cannot be speedily solved,
and so much Prince Bismarck had admitted
in the German Diet, in what we cannot but
consider one of the best and strongest of all
his later speeches. His words were called
forth by opposition to the provisions he had
favored in the bill; they were stern in their
Diet and the debate shows the panic caused
in the Chamber by the threat of his resigna-
ton, which Bismarck held above their heads
with grim dexterity, only letting this bolt
glimmer from the cloud whence came the NUT
terngs of the great Premers dreaded wrath
But the speech seems, in a few clear sentences,
to lay down those rules OF action toward the
conquered provinces which will best solve the
problem of their political future and their po-
stion in the Empire.
The intense and bitter opposition of the in
habitants of Alsace and Lorraine to German
rule is not generally realized outside the Ger
man Empire itself. Speaking both French and
Geman-Germans once in race and nation,
when the old boundary had not been forced back
to that point when it excluded them politically
living in a neutral ground of language and
thought-they were still drawn with such
power into the centralized Government of
France, that to them, as to the populace of all
the departments, Paris seemed the center
of the world The hate of the Parisians
toward their conquerOrs is fiery-that of the
Asatians sullen and logged, and into it enters
that very German character they are so eager
to disown.
The speech of Prince Bismarck is pacific and
liberal throughout, yet it recognizes the need
of vigorous and energetic government of the
conquered territory. Without discussing here
the question of the original justice or policy
of the annexation, we cannot but affirm, in
looking from the inevitable German point of
view, the truth of Bismarck's cautious words.
In giving to the Alsatians the right OF electing
their own municipal authorities Prince Bis
marck said he had not the least hesitation.
"HOw far we are able to go in leaving the
province to govern itself, | will not here de-
"cide. Under every circumstance we will go
"as far as is consistent with the security of the
Country" The carrying out of these liberal
promises can be but an experiment, at best
but they seem to us as full concessions as
Germany can make with safety; and to COM
pensate for even these, Prince Bismarck advo
Gated the continuance of the temporary dlcta-
tOrship for longer term than the eighteen
months at first proposed "In one and half
"years much may be solved, but not much re-
"organized.n In this reorganization, in the in
corporation of hostile element into the Ger
man Empire, task lies before the Prussian
statesman as great as any in the history
of the interior politics of his country
since he has stood at the head of
it's Ministry. He goes to the work we sim
cerely believe, with pacific and liberal
spirit. We shall not wonder if lac finds HIM
seG compeled ~ take barsher measures but