The New York herald., 1871-02-28
THE CEDED TERRITORY.

ALE CEO .LO 1GIShLlO
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Except that Metz has been ceded we are still igno-
rant OF how large part OF Lorraine has been
wrested from the French. But II Is certain that all
Of Alsace, with the exception OF Belfort, and we
suppose, narrow strip of territory has been ceded.
Alsace is at present divided into two departments
Bas Rhin and Haut Rim. Both are thickly
populated. Bas Rhin, by the last census,
contained 6ss,97o inhabitants, and Haut Rhin.
53O 2S5. Along the Rhine the people speak the Ger
man language. IN the cities and towns French Is
generally spoken, and in the mountains the patOis
of Lorraine is usually employed. Haut Rhin has
more the appearance OF German territory than Bas
Rhn. The people have retained the characteristics
of their forcfathers to greater EXTENT their habits
and customs are German although politically all the
people are intensely French.
BY the cession Of these two departments France
loses valuable territory strategicaly the loss is
immense. 1t places the vosges Mountain and all its
passes into the hands Of the Germans, and deprlves
France of natural line OF defence, which was none
the valuable because failed to aid her IN the
present war. Commercially the loss is also great.
Alsace is full of manufacturing towns, whose pros
perity was principally due to the fostering
care OF the French government. In 1900
the total population OF Bas Rhin was only
1888, 1872; In seventy years it increased 400
per cent Strasbourg, with Its 1000 Inhabitants Is
full Of enormous foundnes ana extensive manu-
factories. But above all, Strgsbourn must be con-
sidered as grand strategic point. 1t was next to
Metz, the greatest fortress IN France. While uhe
French held 1t the German lines OF communication
were unsafe. In German possession it will be Of
greater military value than ever. IL can q
base Of operations for an army Invading France at
any time, and it is absolutely safe from hostile
attacks until the passes OF the vOs5es are captured;
for no hostile army leaving Belfort would venture
to march down the valley between the yosges and
the Black Forest unless IT had first obtained pos
session OF the first named mountain.
There are several important manufacturing towns
In Bas Rhin. Bschwiller, cheJ-biea de CARTON has
10000 Inhabitants Saverne 5000; Schestadt,
10000; Haguenau, 1900; Obemal, 6,o0o; Wissem-
bourg 6,ooo, and fifteen or twenty others Of smaller
numbers. All these populations are engaged in
manufactures, such as of metals. paper, tobacco
wine, &c.
Haut Rhin Is more a manufacturing than an ag-
ricultural department It's principal lowns are Col
mar, with $4,000 inhabitants, Saintc. Mare-aux-
Mines, $4,000; Muhouse, 60oC0; Ribeauvile, 5000,
&C. Both Colmar and Mulhouse are noted for their
manufactures Of cotton and iron. Here is, rather
was, in measure the Birmingham and Manchester
of France The various kinds OF cloths made in Haut
Rhin are familiar to all Americans they yearly
imported In immense quantities into the United
States.
1t Will thus be that III every respect the loss
of Alsace nlicts severe blow upon France. Orig
inay inhabited by the Gaus, the province was con-
| quered by the Aliemands who settled in and ruled
1t, until they were almost annhated by the Huns.
In 496 after tho victory of Tolliae. the Franks
tended their territory 10 the left bank Of the Rhine,
sweeping III all OF Alsace. After the death OF
| CLOVIS the two Alsaces were united into one
| duchy and were included in the kingdom
! of Austra;ia until the death of Childehet,
! in e43 when the treaty OF Verdun detached the
duchy from the Frankish monarchy and joined 1t to
Lorraine under the heirs Of LOUIS lc Dehonnaire;
| but subsequent to his death, IN s70 the territory
| was attached to the empire OF Germany. II ought
10 be born In mind that until this time the inilai
tants Of Alsace were Franks and had been such foi
| over four hundred years The claim, then, that
| Alsace was always German, is palpahle error. II
| was originally Gallo. then German then Frankish
and again German, until recovered by the descend
| ants OF the Gauis and Franas--the French.
Under the Germanic empire the territory was gov.
| erned by the Dukes OF Suabla and Alsace, WHO
| were dependents OF the Emperor. In 126S the
province was divided into TWO landgrayatas, one Of
which was called Haute Alsace which now forms the
|, Department OF Haut Rhin, and the other Basse
| Asace now Bas.Rhin. The recovery of both by
| France can be told in q few words Haute-Alsace
| passed by succession into the House Of EapsbuTg
and In 1913 was, BY the Treaty of Munster ceded to
France with all the rights OF the Emperor over the
two landgravates All the franchises Of electors OF
| the imperial cities however, were guaranteed.
Louis XIV violated this latter clause in the treaty
but Germany was not able 10 resist lie
Grandc Monarque, hence he had things
pretty much his own way. Ia 1921 the
| KING took Strasbourg by surprise, although
the Treaty of Wcstphaia mad left the city ndepen-
dent, In 1897 the violence and had faith Of Louis
. was legalized by the formal recognition OF his
sovereignty over the entire territory by the Treaty OF
| Riswick.
| Asace embraced the cause OF The first French Re-
volution with great ardor and enthusiasm Her
people had by that time become 30 thoroughly French
that they were regarded the most loyal and patriotic
of all the French people. And TO this day their de-
yotlon TO France has been the same That their alien
aton will be bitterly regretted is undeniaDle. IL VIII
rcouire generations make them loyal 10 Germany.
The principles OF liberty, equality and fraternty'
! are deeply engraven in their hearts, and from the
| Hohenzoern Emperor they can expect no recogni-
ton OF them. Standing on the very borders of the
loved France they will hear the "Marscllaise Hymn
| clanted and weep at the thought that the grand
| children OF the Asaian Frencnman whose inspired
genius produced that sublime lyric are the subject:
OF q German Emperor.