New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-07
ANNEXATION OF ALSACE AND LORRAINE.
SPEECH OF PRINCE BISMARCK.


SPEECH OF PRINCE BISMARCK.
I'm the German Diet on the 25th of May,
the bill respecting the annexation Of Alsace and Lor
rane TO the German Empire came up for discussion
when Pole, Won Taczanowsh, made bitter attack
against the measure The Imperial Chancellor Prince
Bismarck, then rose and said:
Have no fear gentlemen, that shall answer the pre-
vious speaker. You WILL with me, partake the feeling
that his speech requires no answer Very trueD III L
refer to portion of his distorted statements 1t is only
defend absent who mas voice in these deb-
eratons This is rather these are the French Minis
tiers with whom have concluded the peace can give
the that secret provisions exist the treaty
has been concluded as it has been published Resides
feel the necessity OF saying few words TO you as was
not allowed participate in the discussions upon the first
and second readings OF the bill or particularly in the
deliberations of the commission where might have ex-
pressed myself unreservedly. was glad TO perceive,
from the result of the discussions that have resisted
the temptation TO determine the fate OF Asace ana Lor
rane in the present state OF affairs, further than
necessary TO reconnoiler the country What we
now have TO give the AiSatlans Is the rght
of German citizenship, the privilege OF free intercourse
in Germany in commercial and social relations We must
come TO conclusion respecting the form IN which we
question whether Aace shall be annexed to one OF the
existing states Of the Union, or whether 1t shall be
domestcated in the family 1t has only earnestly come
in question whether Alsace shall he gwen to PRUSSIA OF
whether it shall be Imperial province. have ex-
pressed myself Internationally for the latter alternative,
friendly to the name of " German than to that of
" Prussan 1t is our task to strengthen PariculaIism
taus, the more they will be inclined to give up the
feel the necessity OF asceraining the disposition of
the Asaans when this act goes into operations and as
far as feel myself called upon TO ADVISE hs Me ~
the Emperor the first decree Will be TO carry OUT le
municipal elections and the second 10 eject General
give information respecting the necessities OF
the situation than officials could. have not the
OF municipal authorities 1t is not to be avoided that an
official who comes stranger to the country occasions
With the int Intentions Of tie Government. Hear
Heart There would he mutual denuncations
i
municipal authorities, when elected 10y the parishes,
than our officials. Applauel If / should be de
ceived in this hope it is an advantage of energetic
Government that promptly repair trihing errors
ern itself will not here decide Under every circum-
will 60 so far is consistent with the security
of the country. This is task which is new TO my pre-
viOus sphere OF action and IL is so difficult that do not
for myself ON assuming charge OF the Prusslan Ministry
10 the German Empire in some FORM has been
FatheraHd in certain degree az finished and if l. at
my age terrified at the task is because Of my in
tcres in the welfare OF the inhabitants OF Asace regard
myself as their advocate. [Applausel In executing
this task need the confidence OF those countries, but
Diet This expression Of confidence do not recognize
in provisions which you had added TO the hill one
and half years much may he solved, but not much
recognized. know the circumstances very accurately
onao e bitbr Is n ,rSer tbe nfIne1ce of
Capitalization. fear that the term of ana half
years Is too short even until 1874 WOmd DC 100
short period Iwoud request you not to give place 10
the suspicion that allied governments and In me
there is an effort maintain this difficult responsibility
hour longer than is necessary feel no necessity OF
ruling. There is ground for fear that we VIII eXer
else this authority longer than IS absolutely necessary
Next have the task of obtaining trustworthy body
Of officials, who things go according TO my WISHES,
make false steps Tor nobody infable. The officials
enjoy an tine privileges OF German ohcals, ana We
must give them the same guarantees for the pernahency
of their positions with would therefore most
earnestly urge you TO give up these Tears OF oloen n
of which can truly say 81 know not wat they mcan
second subject in which I, in my absence had the
hub baya vote of
ton respecting the debt. do not know whether YOU
conceive of the peculiar impression mace upon e
when returned from the peace negotiations and learned
that my person had been declared without credit a
bnt can apply to myself the credit the fact that
Alsace is perfectly free from debts upon tne heSol
tions had it in view make very considerable INSTALL
ment the French contribution 20 become payaDe
at an earlier day than provided for IA the articles OF
Willing that part should be paid in French bank notes
on condition that the payment should Immediately DC
seGuentlv week from to-day will receive the first
francs i'll Mhlhausen stTasbourg or Metz lhe
also agreed that OF the second rate, winch becoes uG
at the end OF this year. sum OF i@oUVog eo S dr
after the capture OF Paris think that thereby am en-
titled TO the gratitude OF the country; However, you
have declared 10 the Asatans, we send you TINS Chan
cellOr but give him no money, we doht stahu oeilu
him. LaughteFl 1t has never occurred 10 me 10 con
tract debts the country if the country itself does not
desreit would regret in the highest degree II youshoud
adhere to your resolution. In that case would IN INC
the personal cooperation of the Chancellor would be eX
cluded The Emperor can appoint another oiclai, Inc
before the country and say come with the fun cont
deuce of the German Imperial Diet and quite ready
10 do YOU every service that the country can expect but
give me the possibility Of doing this with pleasure lap
plause.l
In the discussion that ensued Herr Laker expressed
regret tnat the Chancellor had misunderstood him. In
the vote on the debts there not the least expression
Of want of confidence it not the intention in any
way by law TO regulate the future condition OF Asace
and German Lorraine. Prince Bismarck in reply said:
The public acknowledgment is far beyond my merits.
have only said my efforts favor of Alsace nave not
been reeogI ized for could have come 10 another ar
rangement with the French cannot recede from my
pOsitiOn-yOu TO feter with respect 10 the Al
satians. As to the results that would ensue the law
should not enacted will express no opinion j the
article remains viii not take the responsibility
will have take e will request the Emperor TO strike
the article the law d TO appoint Governor ior
AlsaCe and Lorraine.