The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-22
STIRS HATRED IN
ALSACE.LORRA|NE
German Misrule on Conquered
Provinces Fosters Pro-
French Spirit.
DRASTIC MEASURES ADOPTED
Newspapers Held to Most Severe Code
Of Laws-cartoonists Arouse Fury
Of Berlin OFFICIALS and Are
Thrown Into Prison.

hingtOn.-ObServerS are study
ing with Increased interest the politi-
cal history of Alsace-Lorraine. The
course of this Reichland's history Is
recognized as one of the most signifi-
cant In the story of the world. Through
a multitude of other causes of the hol-
ocaust In Europe, the case of Alsace-
Lorraine presents itself with a grow
ing significance. 1t Is here that Prus-
sia initiated her grand mistake and,
through the forcible cession of this
state, engineered the hatreds and
"Welt-Politik" for which she is pay
ing now with all that humankind hold
most dear and precious.
In 1872, when the German confeder-
considered as a prize of the confeder-
alton as q whole, with the regulative
powers vested In the king of Prussia.
The state was permitted to send dele
gates to the reichstag, but could not
be represented in the bundesrat, the
real power in governmental Germany.
With the usual asininity of German
officialdom, the assimilation of the peo-
pie was hurried, and hurried by
most unwise and impossible meas
ures. The idea seems TO have been
that an assimilation could take place
In one, or, at the most, two genera
tions, and that 1t could be affected
while the people paid Pruss taxes
and were not granted represene"t ton
In the laying of said taxes. $ a
necessary vent to human nature the
result was the failure of Prussiat po-
lice methods all during the first thirty
years of the occupation. What hap
pened after that in Metz, Colmer,
Strassbourg and Mulhouse we shall
see.
Prussian Misruie.
The year 1910 marks the new pc
riod of Prussian misrule. The use of
French was stringently forbidden on
tombstones, in courts of justice, in the
schools and in public gatherings. In
deed, severe punishment has been
meted out for the use Of the French
language In certain private and semi.
private gatherings.
German immigrants shipped into the
Reichsland bred children, only to have
them take sides with the indigenous
population in their clamor for annexa'
ton to Germany on an equal basis
with the other German states. This
latter point, contrary to general belief
was actually just what the Alsatians
agitated for. French culture ant
ideals began to have their effect wher
all opportunities and pleadings for G
relaxation of Prussian oppressive
methods and representation In tht
government failed.
Prussian rule remained inflexible
Guarantees and alterations were
promised and seemingly complied with
only to have the people discover, wher
the smoke of Prussian bland dupliclt,
cleared away, that they were bount
more helplessly than ever.
In the spring of 1912 the Prussian'
further showed their disapproval O
the agitation engendered by attempt
ing to ruin the Alsatian factories a
Grafenstaden, near Strassbourg, b.
withdrawing all orders for locomo
tives for the Prussian railways.
In the month Of May. in this sam'
year, the popular indignation, alread.
| infiamed, was famed to fever heat b.
the remarks Of the German emperO
to the mayor of Strassbourg, during al
imperial visit to the city. He Is re
ported to have said:
listen. Up to here you have onl.
known the good side Of me. Thing
cannot continue as they are. II thi
situation lasts, we will suppress you
constitution and annex you to Prus
sia."
Alsatian newspapers were held to
narrow course by most severe cod
Of laws, but suspensions were takin
place every day. To be profitable,
Journal could do naught else but sur
port the Berlin policies. A school o
cartoonists came to the fore, and, b
series Of caustic and meaning cal
toons, indicted Berlin till the official
In their fury, began placing priso
sentences indiscriminately among cal
toonists and journalists.
And so, France, who had represent
ed to the heroes of 1893 the beau-ides
Of democracy, came gradually to tn
fore as the influence In Alsace-Lol
raine. Her culture. her ideals and he
citizenship became valued dreams G
loyal Alsatians. But far off dream
they seemed; and the Alsatians, |
their growing love for the republi
could not harbor the thought ths
France should suffer the throes of
war with remorseless Prussia for the
sake. But the war was coming, an
Il to Alsatiana 1t means a all observer