South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-12
ALSACE- LORRAINE
REMAINS FRENCH
Efforts of Germans to ASSimi-
late Population Prove
Futile.

WASHINGTON. oct 11.-Observ-
ers are studying with increased in
terest the political history Of Alsace-
Lorraine. The course Of this
Reichland's history is recognized as
one OF the most significant in the
history OF the world. Through
multitude OF other causes Of the
holocaust in Europe the case Of
Alsace-LOrraine presents itself with
growing significance. IL is here
shat Prussia initiated her grand mis-
take and. through the forcible ces-
sion OF this state. engineered the
hatreds and "Welt-Poliuk' for
which she is playing now with all
that humankind hold dear and
precious
I'm 1912, when the German CON
federation was formed. this booty
land was considered as prize Of
the confederation as a whole with
the regulative powers vested in the
king OF Prussia. The state was per-
United to send delegates TO the
Heichstag, but could not be repre-
scented I'm the Bundesrat, the real
power IN governmental Germany
When Bismarck and Won MOltke
annexed this territory their view
was. undoubtedly, TO bring back into
German hands a land formerly Ger
man. and. also. 20 protect the newly
formed empire from future French
invasion by an undisputed German
control OF the valley of the Rhine
and the crests of the Vosges.
The German thesis is not indie
fensibIe.
Germans i'm a Hurry.
However. with the usual asininity
Of German ofiicialdom, the assimi,a-
sion OF the people was hurried, and
hurried by most unwise and impos-
sible measures. The idea seems 10
have been that an assimilation could
take place in one. or, at the most,
TWO generations. and that it could
ne effected while the people paid
Prussian taxes and were not
granted representation i'm the laying
of said taxes. As "a necessary vent
go human nature. the result was the
failure of Prussian police methods
am during the first 30 years of the
that i'm Metz. Colmar. .Strassbourg
and Mulhouse we shall see.
The year 1910 marks the new pc
Iiod of Prussian misrule. The use of
French was stringently forbidden
on tom bstOnes. I'm courts of justice.
in the schools and i'm public gather
ings. Indeed. severe punishment has
been melted out for the use of the
French language i'm certain private
and semi private gatherings.
Immigration Fails.
German immigrants shipped into
this Reichsland bred children. only
90 have them take sides with the in
digenous population I'm their clamor
Tor annexation 20 Germany ON an
equal basis with the other German
states This latter point contrary
To general belief was actually just
what the Alsauans agitated for.
French culture and ideals began TO
have their effect when all importuni-
ties and pleadings for "a relaxation
of Prussian oppressive methods and
representation ina the government
failed
Prussian rule remained infleNible.
Guarantees and alterations were
PROMISED and seemingly complied
with. only Ca have the people dis
cover. when the smoke of Prussian
bland duplicity cleared away. that
they were bound more hopelessly
thau ever. This i'm the government.
while in every hamlet Frussian Off
GERS committed every ofeuse from
felony 90 murder and were re-
Varded with light sentences or ac-
tuaI announcement.
I'm the spring OF 1912 the Prus-
slams further showed their disap-
rroVaI of the agitation engendered
rv attempting 20 ruin the Alsatian
factories at Grafenstaden. near
~tTassbourg. 10y Withdrawing an
orders for locomotives for the Prus
siam railways
Indignation Great.
In the month of May. i'm this same
GEAR. the popular indignation. al
ready iufamed. was famed 10 fever
Iea+ los the remarks OF the German
emperor Co the mayor of Strass-
luurg. during an imperial visit 10
ire ciry. He is reported 20 have
said:
Listen. Up To- here Won have only
known the good side of me Things
cannot continue as they are II this
situation lasts. we Will suppress your
constitution and annex YOU 80
Prussia"
The socialists bitterly assaulted the