The New York herald., 1873-11-15
ELSASS-LOTHRlNGEN.
A Visit to the Conquered Prov
inces Of France.
STRAsBOURG AND METZ.
Behavior of the Populace Under the
New Order Of things.
RULE OF THE IRON HAND.

Peasant women, dressed in red, white and blue
working In the fields; gardens planted with the
red and white rose and the blue nower OF the
'Belle de nuit In close proximity, showed that we
were passing tho limits OF the new German
frontier which once was France. On crossing
from Switzerland into Prussia, also, the signs OF
strong military government were Immediately ap-
parent. There were soldiers everywhere, smart,
trim uniforms in abundance, and, it should be
added, much civility, commodity now growing
rare In other parts OF Europe.
The first cold salute OF winter met US at Stras-
bourg, and the FIRST thing saw was Compagnie
Francaise des Omnibus, which went long way to
prove that the German conquerors OF Alsace had
at all events, not interfered with vested interests
The Strasbourg people are
DISCONTINUED
with their German masters, or, at least, they say
30 There is no doubt Of that, and 1t is not diff
cult to imagine that the Prussians sit upon them
rs uncomfortably as hair shirt upon the human
body. Nevertheless times 90, 1t Is as wen to be
, Prussian as . Frenchman. There is not, after
All, much more glory in being governed by Marshal
AacMahon, q beaten general, than BY Prince Bis
marck o successful statesman. But the fact Is,
the French authorities are always good fellows,
and allow the governed to shrek at will whereas
the Prussians will not suffer them to be vocal, and
therefore, they say that they are oppressed, and
possibly, though not probably, think so. But that
new Poland Is stuck like pin IN
the neck OF Prussia l do not think.
am not SO sure that there will
be q Prussian or German Emperor
nity years hence, perhaps twenty, for time never
respects what 1t did not create very slowly ana
bring patiently to perfection; whereas this brand
aew German Empire is of a growth more sudden
than the dominion OF Attila or Charlemagne or
"
over with its own bigness.
France has shown for the last three years that
even the old European nations can get on with
very little governing The king and emperor fable is
exploding, here and there with loud noise, here
and there with no more sound than bladder with
an unsuspected crack In 1t, which gradually but
surely colapses till 1T falls nat. No, the Alsatans
did not ike their position; and asked myself and
some other people why they were or pretended to
be dsquieted. They are q heavy, stolid people,
having far more affinity with the Germans than
with the French. However, there is a gen.
eral impression that they are out OF temper
Thus at the Taverne Alsacienne, where the
men of Strasbourg do mostly congregate to soothe
their minds with beer, l observed that Prussan
soldiers du not venture to appear alone, but came
together In companies OF five or six, who sat to-
gether and were ready to take part with each
other in case OF ruInpus.
A change not less surprising than delightful has
come over Strasbourg since | last was there. IL
used to be OF the rudest cities in Europe, srl
Its commonalty were not only impudent but ag-
gressive. Now it is mighty polite place. The
railway station, for instance, is admirably man
aged. Courteous porters answer questions
promptly, and carry luggage with a
DoCILITY ALMOST PATHETIC,
considering their antecedents as free and inde-
pendent voters before the war;
great many people had left Strasbourg; that
was the next fact which arrested my attention. l
saw furnished room. in good situation, adver-
tised to let for fifteen francs month-a rent never
heard OF in imperial France-and that spoke vol
umes; but l saw few ruined houses and it was
evident that decent veil had been drawn as lar
as possible over the ravages OF the war.
There were military attendants at all the public
places; no rushing about headlong, no screaming
and no commanding. The silent presence OF the
soldiers was enough to keep order. Perhaps au-
thority can never be loved but by the very wise,
and then hardly; but 1t may make itself feared If
known to be strong-handed, and when it has once
done that 1t can safely be mild and Kind "Woiain?
whittier so swiftly, Madame ~ said Authority in the
shape OF railway guard; and speaking very softly,
with complimentary salute, to distraught females
with multiplicity OF bundles, running wild about
the terminus OF the iron road and Authority, when
It had learned their errand, led them whitherso-
ever they wanted to CO. or pointed out secure ways
to their destination.
Over all things and everywhere was the simple
blue and red uniform, which Is at present the only
emblem OF power outstanding in Europe. The dis
contented Alsatians have extreme and well
founded respect for 1t, but they were not cowed
brow-beaten. They seemed rather like children
who had promised to be good after salutary cor
rection.
There were no dispute, no catcalls, no singing OF
improper songs about Badinguet or anybody else
rs the Elsass-Lothringen train moved soberly out
Of the Strasbourg station. A good natured
HERR BAHNHoF INSPECTOR,
with fair beard and smiling eyes, said in all cases
Of dispute, very quietly, "This must be so sou
Impossible to start q paradox under the nose OF
the Herr Inspector and cry "Cest logtQue," which
must be thing altogether marvellous to the
French mind, accustomed to logic from its youth
upwards.
On the other hand '.Die Biete n,dchte ich oittenu
says the guard, very civiy, even to third class
travellers, which. being translated, signifies, 'May
dress from that now usual in France. For Prussia is
the only country in Europe where money is not set
up as god and where Ills is generally admitted as
that respectable persons may not be rlcn.
The railway fares on the sass-Lotnringen line
and the railway cars are better. found, more
over that provisions and iood, being lightly taxed,
were cheap in the conquered Provinces Beer OF
the best Kind was to be had at the best taverns
three sous glass, about half the price charged In
France.
No attempts at extortion were evidently per-
mitted or advisable among this Prussan people.
The pay of Prussian officers Is small. and they be
ing uppermost just now are resolved upon an oc-
casIons to have fair value for it, Surely these
Germans are q great people, though not always
pleasant people, or, as yet tasteful people; lot
n n
Prussians have not long been rich--they were
never IDLE. so habits OF parsimony cling 10 them,
and when they break out into expense they are
grotesque rather than splendid IN their employ
ment OF supernuous moneys. Their hveries for
servants are extremely ridiculous and are ire
quenty kept in stock at noblemens houses OF one
large size Tor all varieties OF men. These veries,
moreover, appear TO have been designed Tor the
purpose OF combining every color OF the rainbow
In the sharpest and most inharmonious contrast.
The quiet dark dresses In use for domestics In
London are never seen In Germany, save among
ROYAL FAMII.IES