Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-01
The Possession of Alsace.
Firm the London Telegraph.


Firm the London Telegraph.
1t is painful to have to look forward
to war between France and Germany
for the possession of Alsace, for that
Will be the prize, whatever may be the
provocation. The only hope is that
through emmigration, and the content
ment of despair, the province may
gradually become Germanized both in
feeling and in fact. We see little signs
Of it now. It is evident from many
reported incidents that the detestation
OF the annexed people for their masters
is as lively as ever, but this was to be
expected. The rule of the German
officials is harsh, cold, and unfeeling,
though it is not provocative, and is even
goOd-natured in it's contempt for small
protests. No social intercourse be-
tween the two races is possible in the
larger towns. The use OF execrably bad
French is favorite vent to the native
feelings. While Alsace was French an
Alsatian spoke the language as a kind
of proof that she or be aspired to be
Partisan and refined. Now it is ut
tered with patriotic and pathetic love;
it breathes the accents of the lost.
In vain is German forced down the
throats of little scholars; at home
French is cultivated all the more. Thus
the language has fingered long after
the expelled officials: and it is possible
that as regards literature and converse
ton Alsace is more Gallo now than it
was ten years ago. The Germans, how
ever, by no mean discouraged, pursue
their own stoiid way. They have
actually brigaded together all the AL
satan regiments; so that the sons of
those who fought them at Gravelotte
have now the hated spiked helmet on
their head. There is something bold
and resolute in this calm disregard OF
possible mutiny or desertion in time OF
war, and this proud reliance on the
military esprit de crops which has often
trampled down national feelings
Austrian soldiers of Italian birth stooo
faithfully by German comrades, ano
faced their own compatriots; but
whether, in case of a new war, the
Emperor would put his A.lsatian troops
to such cruel test remains to be seen
Europe impartial between the " in
censed and mighty opposites," woulc
desire one of two things, either res
toration Of the annexed territory or ;
:. reconciliation of the aliened people t.
their new lot. AS the first cours
seems impossible without wal
one can only venture to hop
for the alternative. There
another kind of remedy. II
Russia there have been large transfer
of population, and one would almos
think that these Alsatians who detes
: Germany would find it their best All
pleasantest policy to become Frenc]
: again by not difficult migration. ]
might seem worth while for the Ger
man authorities themselves to encoul
; age and even substitute such changes
1t is always well to build q bridge
even of gold-behind an enemy III
.. clined to retreat, and there would b
no difficulty in filling the vacan
places. The hordes sent out by Ger
many each year to the United State
), would find nearer homes in Alsace, an
the more restless Alsatisns would b
restored individually, though not e
,, nnosse, to the nation they love. Som
such solution may seem impossibl
now; but we have witnessed In th1
! generation the complete dying down c
the hatred of England which fired tn
French heart for about thirty yeal
from 1915 to 1916. Golden harvest
grow above the most terrible battl
: fields, and good feelings rise to lif'
I though not SO quickly, over rancou
buried and patriotic anguish" subduet