Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-13
Ger1nnnizing Trench Territory

European correspondence of the New
York Sun gives this glowing picture of
affairs in the former French provinces of
Alsace and Lorraine:
The decentralization of Alsace and
Lorraine goes on at Il rapid pace. The
German authorities leave no stone un-
turned in the work Of destroying every
thing French. Even the sermons in the
churches at Metz are now delivered in
German. and the French population has
not made the slightest protest. The fact
is that the French Of Alsace and Lorraine
are thoroughly humiliated, They bow be-
fore their cOnquerors like slaves. The
wealthy prOprietOrs, who can afford To
leave. have gone 10 Paris or elsewhere,
often even neglecting 10 let or sell their
houses or lands. The peasantry are
perfectly eallOus. Their spirit seems
10 have disappeared altogether, and,
rs LOrrainer remarked 10 the
correspOndent of an English news
usuer. they don't care; so long as
they can get a good price for their crops
it is all the same TO them whether the
money is in francs or marks. Meantime,
near the frontier. the young people are
sant TO Nancy and other French towns to
school. and few return 70 their birth
places. The French Government Itself IS
Indirectly aiding the work IL has pro
France with Alsaee and Lorraine attached
marked with a black tint, The language
frontier. which was once far 10 the east
nf Metz. has moved rapidly westward.
in Metz French is still much spoken but
German is the official language, and the
names Of the streets, for instance, where
they remain pOsted UP in French are dirty
and dingy. while where they have been
translated into German they are bright
and clear i'm white and blue enamel.
Metz is q most dismal town, although
there are no less than $1,000 troops quar-
tered there. At first these soldiers had
double pay, and the 'shopkeepers prOhted
thereby; but this increased pay has been
discontinued, and the Germans have their
own messes and casinos supplied IRON
Germany. In the fortress itself every
precautiOn is taken that the misfortune
which befel BaZaine shall not oyertake the
yictOrs. The supplies Of provisions are
calculated for a siege of several months
duration. and the more perishable articles
are constantly renewed. Near the from
tier the state Of armed neutrality which
really exists between the two nations is
everywhere apparent. At all the railway
stations and bridges. in addition TO the
custom house official, there are strong
military detachments. The French are
- nO1neans behindhand, and it is said
mat tie millions OF francs, the loss OF
Which could not be eUc0unted for, were
really speRt upon fortidcations not speei-
hed IN the plans Of the Minister Of War.
DEATH OF A HERO.-William II. Baker,
VINO was buried at Wexford, r, J., last
Wednesday, was first mate on the Metis
Wnen 1t was wrecked nine years ago. The
shock Which his system then received he
never rallied from. To save a lady from
browning he pulled her into his boat, and
AAEI. EUnV-lHur fhaf the hnaf aQrr1d N
hoat with so many In it, he gallantly
Jumped overheard. He succeeded in get
Nns upon a bale Of cotton, and from the
ssSlly 81 morning Of the wreck until the next
rsesLnoon ne clung to that until he finally
'eached the shore.