The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-17
Alsace.Lorraine and the Conquer-

AlsaCe.Lorr1ine and the Conquer.
0rs.
Nineteenth Centuryl
The coneuerors had fixed date by
which every inhabitant of Alsace-Lor-
raine was to determine whether he would
be Frenchman or German. To adopt
either resolution meant to lift up heavy
burden. To be a Frenchman, q man
must leave his home; he must 60, that
is, from Alsace-Lorraine, from the new
Reichstag, across the borders into France.
To be a German. he must not only ac-
cept the new rulers and the new order
of things, the German language and
German Justice; he must do far more
than this-he. must serve as a German
soldier, and he must serve soon.
By September 3Oth the choice must be
made. By October 9th the drum would
sound, and the new recruits must present
themselves before the new colors. 1t was
necessary, perhaps, but it was cruel
law. Did not every one think in those
days that new war between Germany
and France might break out before the
grass had grown thick over the graves Of
those who had fallen at Sedan? Was
Alsace not still French in her sympathies?
Had her sons not snatched up the sword
as the Marseillaise had sounded in 1870?
Nay, were there not still in the army of
the new Republic hundreds Of men
whose homes and kindred were in Alsace-
Lorraine?
And how were men to forego the ties
of memory and blood, and to swear
fealty to a banner which, probably
enough, might soon again faunt defiance
to their own? 1t was horrible decision
to have to make. There is story-well
authenticated and no doubt typical of a
hundred others-of man who protested
in agony against two of his sons becom-
ing German soldiers. IT have two sons"
he said, Gin the French army; are my
children to fight with one anotherf'
And thus, at all sacrifices, men deter
mined to leave their birthplace, to go
forth from the metamorphosed Alsace to
soil that was France, though twas strange.
Never did the feeling of nationality show
itself more curiously than in that won
derful exodus Of 1872. Fifty thousand
persons, taking the very lowest figures,
crossed the boundaries with such of their
goods as they could carry with them.
Charity came to their aid from all parts
of Europe, from Mexico and elsewhere in
America, subscriptions poured in; New
York alone sent 10000 francs; but the
misery was horrible, nevertheless.
Every train was crowded, the high
ways were blocked with wagons, carts,
horses and wayfarers; there were men In
every condition of life; for many had
hesitated until the fatal September 30th
came, and the rigorous Prassian Execu-
tive allowed them 10 hesitate no longer.
No matter, then, if a man were old or
young, sick or we'll, if he stopped in
Alsace he paid for his delay by bis loss
of nationality; and 80 they went forth
together, old and young, strong and weak
One man fell down on the French
boundary, just reaching French soil to
die upon it. There had been some am
biguity as to the clause which dealt
with the nationality Of minors.
To interpret the ambiguity rested, Of
course, with the conquerors, and as was,
Indeed, to be expected, they interpreted
it to imply the severest conditions. Mi
nors were to be Germans, and liable to
military service, unless their parents had
crossed the borders of France.