Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-14
PROVINCE OF LORRAINE
ALWAYS ANT|GERMAN
Notable Resident Tells Of Long Years
OF Unfaltcring and Uninter-
rupted Protest.
NEVER TRUSTED BY BERLIN
Although There Were Different De-
grecs and Stages, There Was Never
ANY Dimunition OF Resistance Of
People TO Their Enforced Lot.

Correspondence Of Associated Press. ]
PARIS, April SOL lived through
forty-three years OF unfal,ering and
uninterrupted protest against German
domination in Lorraine, anS ! can tell
YOU that Lorraine docs not want to
he Germans" said Canon Collin. of
Metz, to the Associated Press.
Canon Collin was one or the most
notable residents of the annexed Prov
incc OF Lorraine: his name was third
on the German imperial list OF suspects
to be shot when war broke ou: The
French countcrespionage informed hin,
OF the fact, and nc escaped into LuXem-
bourE before the war began.
They did me too much honor in
placing me SO high on the list" the
canon added Tor my sentiments we're
no more anti-Gcrman than these OF the
whole people of Lorraine.
The policy Of the population Of 80
provinces for forty-thrcc years may he
summed up in the word protest in
three degrees: first, official protest
against German occupation and in
favor OF remaining French: second.
protest against the interference of Ger
mans in our local affairs: third. de-
nrand fer the autonomy OF 4 SAGE and
Lorraine: although there were differ
ent degrees and different stages there
was never any cessation or diminution
Of our resistance.
After fifteen years of this oEcial
protestation began the regime OF die
tatorship and passports. with the OBJ
ject OF annhilating that resistance, but
it was continued through the press and
at the polls at every election. Protest
survived the dictatorship. after which
it continued in the form OF what might;
be called particular ism or the idea OF
Lorraine for the natives OF Lorraine.
The Germans had so little confidence
in the population that they imposed
their own officials upon us. German
born people flockcd into Lorraine and
Alsace until they numbered nearly
100000 in both provinces. 1t was then
We demanded that the Germans get
out and leave the place to the natives
Of Alsace and Lorraine
FIRST HOPE ALWAYS
TO RETURN TO FRANCE
Our first hope, in spite Of all. was
10 return TO France, though at times
we had the painful sentiment that
w
lied the Souvenir Francois through
out Lorraine, and it did wonders 10 re-
rire French sentiment and reawakcn
French patriotism in Lorraine. The
Germans broke Up the Souvenir Fran
':ais: then we organized the Souvenir
Lorraine. which was the same thing
under new name
"A third of the population of Lor-
raine knows not word OF German.
About 100000 know both French and
German impcrfectly. while on the Ger
man frontier Il German patois is spoken.
The Alsatians have ocen we'll called
the Gascons of the North. because OF
their ready wit. The people OF Lor-
raine ae colder and more reserved
perhaps moe patient and persistent.
The Alsatians as soon as they re-
covered from the first stupor OF the
German invasion pokcd fun at the i'm
migrants. The people Of Lorraine drew
themselves UP in naughty disdain. They
opposed the force OF incrtia-passive
resistance 10 the asgressions OF the
invader and the German in Lorraine
mas never ceased 10 be regarded as an
invader.
There were more carpet baGEers in
| Lorraine than in Alsace While every
'''o''''S "ho wen 10 tnem 10 enrich
themselves AZ the expense Of the coun-
! try the natives were Officially treated
as citizens OF the second class.
We were considered good enough TO
be street cleaner. ana railroad hands;
occasionally native rose 10 the dis
tinction OF railroad conductor, hut that
"ss the limit There was opposition 10
everything that smclt OF Germany
The attitude OF the Germans to-
ward the population OF Lorraine dur
! ing the war is striking proof that the ,
do not believe what they say Of the
| loyalty OF Lorraine TO Germany ar
rests were made by hundreds. of priest.
and notable citizens. 4 great numb Der
OF women attached 10 the German 20
lice were brought TO Metz from Ter.
lin and distributed among the popula
ton 10 surprise conversations, prov ok c
indiscrotions and give prctcxt for ar
rest.
II am glad TO observe" said Canon
Collin in conclusion. that America
has realized that the menace of Ger
man hcsemony "as aimed indirectly
at her.