The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-29
ALSACE-LORRAINE.

The latest number of the Westmin-
ster Review contains a most suggestive
article by a recent travele.. on twenty
years OF firm and resolute government
in Alsace-Lorrai1e. When, in 1870,
Germany entered upon one of the most
interesting political experiments of
modern times, she had much in her ia
vor. 1t was truo that Alsace had been
French for n hundred and e~ighty-nine
years and Lorraine for practically a
longer period, but in mind, culture and
descent the people were thoroughly
German and gloried in the fact. Their
political separation from Germany had
not been accomplished without a yio-
lent wrench, and %conauering Louis
XIV. had little reason to be pleased
with the reception accorded him by the
conquered provinces. And the German
spirit never died out, for even in 1870,
fiery patriots demonstrated with the
French government, and urged it to
sacrifice a generation if need be, and
make the provinces French"
With this material for hearty reunion,
1t is strange to read that very little has
been accomplished. German rule has
bowed necks. not won hearts. And vet
no remissness can be preferred against
it in respect Of the development of local
resources. 1t has constructed water
reservoirs on a large scale and at great
cost to the undoubted benefit of the
country. It has spent %5125,OOo,OOO on
railroads, and has constructed splendid
highways all over the country. Over
100000 are being expended in widen
ing and deepening canals. Popular ed
ucation receives generous official sup
port, and many other salutary measures
might be quoted.
But the Germans have failed to win
the popular heart. They began wrong.
They forced upon the provinces not only
a German army, but German principles
Of administration and German officials.
The Alsatians are allowed no interest in
their own country. Their representa-
ton in the imperial parliament is help
less to effect anything. They are sub
ject to the conecription without the
slightest chance OF distinction in the
service. Their children must not learn
French and their sons must not be
sent to school out of the country
lest they should learn that terrible Ian
guage. Passport regulations are most
stringent. "Optants" are in a sad case.
They are those who in 1870 voluntarily
threw in their lot with France. They
may not visit their properties depreciat-
ing in the absencs of the owner: sons
may not return to visit dying mothers;
helpless old men, longing to see the
graves OF their loved ones, are repulsed
from the frontier; even a poor old col
ored woman was sent some thousands
OF miles home to her colony, when she
came to visit the family in which she
had been a nurse.
Little wonder, if these charges are
true, that the inhabitants look back
with longing feelings ON kindlier French
rule, and hope for a revolution OF the
political wheel. Like the Germans, the
French found the local population de-
cidedly u~nfriendly. But they did not
on that account treat them as a subju-
gated people. They freely admitted the
Alsatians to equal political rights. AL
satians held high office in Alsace, and
the Place des Vosges in Paris testi-
fies to the devotion OF the province in
the stormy days of the revolution. I'm
one important respect" says Professor
Freeman, France has much less to an
swe for than other conquering states.
A province conquered by France
has always been really mcorpora-
ted into France; no French con-