The New York herald., 1874-12-02
Alsace and Lorraine.


man Rechstag on Monday on bill concern
ing the government of Alsace and Lorraine
contains some Of the most important declara-
tions that Minister has made since the close Of
the war. 1t has been the policy of Germany
to endeavor to coax the inhabitants of Alsace
and Lorraine to accept with cheerfulness the
German rule. A university has been re-estab-
lished in Strasbourg and largely endowed
People who were injured by the bombardment
have been reimbursed for the losses Money
has been applied for the repair of the beauti-
ful and unique Strasbourg Cathedral Every
effort-like gentle administration, appeals to
local pride, "reminiscences of ancient German
glories- been made by Prince Bismarck in
the hope that the conquered provinces would
become contepted members Of the German
Empire.
Our reports from these provinces, as well
as the correspondence published in the Lon
don newspapers, have shown, from time to
time, that every effort to bind the new prov
inces to Germany has only deepened the
affection for France. This conclusion Prince
Bismarck publicly states in speech marked
with his usual frankness and with more than
his accustomed severity. He did not propose,
he said in SO many words, to legislate for
Alsace and Lorraine. II he established a
university in Strasbourg it was not in the
interests of Alsace, but in those of Germany.
German soldiers had shed their blood for
Germany, not for the provinces. They had
conquered those provinces and meant to keep
them, and their action, as government, would
be controlled by other interests than to desire
togratify people ''whose past leads to Paris and
whose present leads to Rome" He admitted
he had cherished ''sanguine hopes" as to the
amalgamation of these provinces to Germany.
These hopes, however, had been disappointed,
and it would be necessary to take more rigor-
GUS steps in dealing with the people, especially
in the matter of education. 'tMy action" he
said, in his proudest, most scornful way, 'is
guided by imperial interest shall not be
frightened from my course by reproaches
threats or persuasions.
In other words, because the inhabitants of
Alsace and Lorraine, who for centuries have
been French, just as the people of New Eng
land have for one century been American, and
who have given France some of the most illus
trious names in her history, and who in the
time of the Revolution were extreme and al
most pitiless in their devotion to liberty, be-
cause they do not Immediately change their
convictions their hopes, their PASSIONS af-
fections, instincts, their very nature, as
it were, and accept the rule of the for
eigner instead Of remembering their patriotic
devotion for France are to be treated as Russia
treats the Poles or as England in former times
treated Ireland. Children will be compelled
to talk German, and not French, in their
schools. The severest measure of Prussian
discipline win be visited upon the people. 1t
remains to be seen what success the Prussians
will achieve in this new policy. Prussia has
shown in the past-mainly in the annexation
of Silesia, during the reign of Frederick the
Great and in the more recent requirement
of duchies like Nassau, kingdoms like Han
over and cities like Frankfort, Hamburg and
Lubeck-that she has the faculty of max
ing community once inimical to
her rule acquiescent and loyal But
Silesia, Hanover and the other annexed
provinces were German. 1t was not change
of nationality, only o change of princes.
The difference between the rule of the King of
Hanover and that of the King of Prussia was
little more than the difference between the
government of New York and that of Penn
sylvania would be to an American. But
Prussia has not succeeded so we'll with
her Polish provinces. For q hundred years
Ito ~.
obedience to her rule. Posen is now the hot
bed of ultramontane rebellion against the
German crown. In other words, the inhab-
itants of the annexed fragment of Poland
adopt the ultramontane party as a means OF
annoying Bismarck. The same may be said
of Alsace and Lorraine. These people are
French to every intent and purpose, just as
the people of Posen are Polish. The mistake
which Bismarck has made is to attempt to
overcome the law Of nationality-a law aa
strongly grounded as that of nature. So long
as he added German provinces to Germany
he had united kingdom. When he at
tempted to "annex" Poles and Frenchmen he
found disturbing elements and it is now
necessary to deal with these elements in the
harsh, absolute and cruel manner with which
Russia governs her Turcomans and Circas-
SLAMS and wild tribes Of Asia. But how long
will Germans submit to Russian policy in
Germany?
BAzAINE-"An Alphonsist writes a letter
to the London Globe in reference to the journey
OF Marshal Bazaine to Madrid He writes that