Arizona citizen., 1876-11-18
The Possession Os Assace.
From the London Telegraph.I


 It is painful to have to look forward | to a war between France and Germany
 for the possession of Alsace, for that
 will be the prize, whatever may be the provocation. The only hope .s that
 through emmigration, immigration
 and the cOntentment of despair, the province may gradually become Ger
 maniZed both in feeling and Tn fact.
 We see little signs of it now. It is ev-
 ident 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-na;ured
 in is contempt for small protests. No social intercourse between the two races is possible in the larger towns
 The use of eXecIably bad French !S a favOrite vent to the native While Al sace was French an AlSatian spoke the language as kind of proof that he or she aspired to be a Parsian and retin- ed. Now it is uttered with patriotic and pathetic love; il braatheS the ac- cents of the lost. In vain k German fore ed down the jhrOats of little scholars at home French is cultivated all the more. Thus the language has finger ed long atler the expelled French of ficials; and it is possible that as re- gards literature and conversation Al sace is more Gallic now lhan 1t was ten years ago. The Germans, however, by no means discouraged, pursue their own stolid way They have actually brigaded together all the Alsatian regi- ments; SD that the sons of those who fought them at GrKelotte have now the hated spiked hemlet on their head. There is something bold and reSOlute in this calm disregarl of possible mu- tiny or desertion in time of war, and this proud reliance Dn the military eS- prit de corps which has trampled down national feelings. Austrian sol !, diers of Italian birth stood faithfully by German comrades, and faced their own compatriots; but whether, in case of new war, the Emperor would put ! his Alsatian t;OOps co such a cruel . test remains to be seen. Europe, i'm . partial between the IncenSed and . mighty OppOsities," would desire one ! of two things, eithe' a restoration of the annexed territory or a reconcilia- . tion of the alienated people to their . new lot. As the first course seems im- | possible without a wlr. one can only !. venture to hope for the alternative There is another kind of remedy. In Russia there have been large transfers of population. and one would almost think that these AlSaiitnS who deiest Germany would find i their best and plcaSantest policy to become French again by not difficult migration. IL might seem worth while for the Ger man authorities themselves 10 encour- age and even subsidiZt such changes. IL Is always we'll to build a bridge even of gold-behind an enemy in 4 clined tO retreat, and theTe would be no difficulty in filling the vacant places. The hOrdcS sent out by Ger many each year t0 the United States would find near homes il Alsace. and the more re.tlesS Alsati.ns would be restored individually. thiugh not en ma~Sc, to the nation thcylove. Some such solution may seen impossible ; now, but we have witn,sSed in this generation the complete ying down of the hatred of England witch fired the French heart for about thirty years from 1915 tO 1Slj. Golden harveSfs grow above the most trrible battle : fields, and good feelings rise tO life. though not so quickly. over rancors buried and patriotic aiguish sub dued