Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-28

The CO0Qu0fO4 City.
METZ AT TEE PRESENT fIMK-n0w THE FRENCH AND
GKRMANs GET ALONG TOGETHER.
had not been in Metz twenty -four hours, writes
q correspondent Of the s. james Gazette, when
was informed that the chief commissary Of the
police OF the third section wished to see me.
found this parsonage sitting In uniform before
desk in a little room. without being cordial he
given sunacient Information concerning myself in
the printed police form which had been requested
TO NIL up on the previous night. The police not
fession but the date OF my birth and my religion.
was also asked how long / intended to stop in
Metz, and how proposed TO spend my time here.
factory. for the inquisitorial expression had left
the commissary's face at the close OF the inter-
firm grip upon Metz In a civil sense as the
garrison does In q military one. The town is
divided into six police sections, the chief commits
saries OF which receive their Instructions from
and make their reports TO O central authority.
Any stranger who enters this place soon becomes
may or may not be disturbing, according to his
degree OF sensibility to such surveillance.
Ny first impression on coming hare was that
was by no means so strong as the French would
have US believe. Nothing could be calmer than
The old French or Messin Stock seemed to have
grown thoroughly accustomed to the presence OF
the Germans In their midst and 10 have become
me to very different conclusion. Metz has been
greatly Germanized by continuous Immigration
from beyond the Rhine; but the Messins are more
!ne Germans in the ordinary business o.
socially. There are many cafes where only French
is spoken and Others where one hears nothing but
German Even those Lorrainers Of the lower
classes, who habitually speak in German patois,
persist in calling themselves French whenever
they can do so with discretion. Young Messins
who were boys when this city belonged to France,
m
army return to their old associations as soon as
they are free; and they have the credit OF being
more hostile TO the Germans than the older gene
ration. Yet indirect taxation falls less heavily
upon the workman here than 1t does In France.
Bread and tObacco-only to name two aticles-are
much cheaper here than they are on the French
side OF the frontier. On the other hand,
trade is languishing and work Of all kinds
spent vast sums upon the CONSTRUCTION Of forts,
but they have been careful to employ only German
and Italian laborers The Lorrainers and Asa
ready for rebellion. All attempt at Cancellation
appears TO have been abandoned; and 1t looks as
II the province were 10 be Germanized by the
forced emigration OF those who are bound to
France by family ties as Well as by political SYM
pathies AS the Inhabitants leave their places are
a few years ago was almost exclusively In the
hands OF the native population, Is now TO large
extent In the hands OF the Germans
All who have capital invested here, whatever
their political differences on other points may be-
are deeply discontinued with the new passport
regulations ON account OF Ine INJURY 10 Craue A
movement for petitioning the government TO do
away with restrictions 50 injurious TO the inter-
ests OF It's own subjects is on foot. And the pass
port grievance has been succeeded by another
unimp0rtant BY comparison, but one which the
GallOphll part OF the population regard an
extra drop TO their Drumming cup OF evaporation.
Until the first instant French money was allowed
to pass currently here; then an order was issued
1orDidding ShopkeeperS to accept IT, The MesSlnS
have kept up the practice until the present day or
reckoning in all their commercial transactions by
francs and sous. They continue to do so In spite
or the official order. II you enter shOp to buy
anything you are told the price OF 1t in French
money, and are expected TO KNOW what the equiva-
lent Is IN marks and pIennigS.