New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-19
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Under the title Of "Alsace-Lorraine
and Peace" The Tribune publishes most
remarkable analysis of the present situation
Of the lost provinces"
Almost at the same time DR.. Won Bethmann-
Hollweg addressing the Reichstsg, declares 70
the world that Germany will never give up
Alsace-Lorraine," and the Reichstag 10 the
news agency reports, cheered wildly the In
perial Chancellor's statement
On the other hand, a few days before the
Reichstag session, NJ Albert Thomas, Under
Secretary of War in the French Cabinet, de-
clared in a public speech that "there will be
no peace until our Alsace-Lorraine is definite
ly reestablished as a part OF the French
unity" And there you srel
In other words, official Germany says, eve
will not give up Alsace-Lorraine," and official
France retorts, you must give It up II you
want peace" Between these two opposing
contentious slips in great American news
paper with the timid suggestion that Ger
many relinquish that part of Alsace-Lorraine
territory where the French language domi-
mates.
So that we have here three different opin-
ions, one expressed from an American view
point and the others by the two leading con-
testants. Each one is we'll worth analyzing, but
before doing that the impartial observer will
ask himself: "Why not consult Alsace-Lor-
raine, which Is the most interested party, the
breaking their necks7"
No one seems to think or to suggest that,
Alsace-Lorrane being inhabited by human
beings, these human beings should have a
chance or an opportunity to express their
preferences. We have seen so much buying,
selling and exchanging of little countries
since this war began that it seems almost
absurd to entertain the idea that such buy
ing and selling of little nations without their
consent is wrong and Infamous. That is
twentieth century civilization, twentieth cen
fury progress, twentieth century Kulturl
The German Contention.
Let US analyze the German contention.
When DR.. Bethmann-Hollweg stated in the
Reichstag that 81 per cent Of Alsatians spoke
German the statement was true, but does not
Germany. The Alsatians have always spoken
the German language, even when Alsace be-
longed to France; the reason for that Is very
simple; Strassburg, the capital OF Alsace, is
within a stones throw Of the Duchy Of Baden
Germany. One can walk or ride from
Strassburg to Kehl, the German border town
In less time than II takes one to walk or ride
from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. Such
close proximity has naturally brought close
commercial relationship.
When Louis XIV took Strassburg he did
not forbid the use Of the German language
and up to 1870 every official document, such
as mortgages and death and marriage certif-
Gates, were recorded in French and German.
In contrast with such tolerance IL may not be
amiss to state here that when the Germans
captured Alsace they at once and without
consideration Of the feelings Of the in
habitants forbade the use Of the French
language In any official commercial ca
pacity. II shopkeeper was imprudent
enough to advertise his wares in French, the
poor man was quickly arrested and fined.