New-York tribune., 1917-07-10
AZsace-L
Whu II Must Be Returned to France

Germany ia beaten and she knows 1t. This
does not mean that the war is over Inc
terrible confagraton brought on by the Huns
of the twentieth century is to last one year,
two wears. three years; but the final outcome
is sure, and nobody knows it better than the
Kaiser and his associate bandits.
This is why all their efforts tend now tow
ard assuring themselves in advance OF the
best peace conditions, so as to enable them,
after certain lapse of time and after hav-
ing prepared themselves still better than they
did previous to 1914, TO start again war
against civilization and democracy, and this
time with the certainty to be the victor and
to destroy once and for all, the liberty OF
the world.
To attain this object they have installed
in this country a secret combine when Is
assisted by the COMMUNICATIONS, the
enemy aliens in this country, the greatest
part of the German and pro- German press,
etc. All means are good to this end-open
news emanating from headquarters in Berlin
and cabled from Amsterdam, Stockholm,
Copenhagen and Berne, and of late also
from Petrograd. All this is done with the
evident purpose of misleading the American
pcople. and il is not 70 be doubted that this
false news, continually brought before people
who are ignorant of conditions in Europe,
little by little will instil the venom Of Ger
man lies into the brains of the people read
ing the newspapers of this country, and con-
sequently practically Of the whole people o.
the United States.
The German Venom
The most favorite item which is now
brought before US in this manner is the ques-
tion Of Asace- Lorraine. One day we receive
a cable stating that the Municipal Council OF
one or another Asatian town has sent q
resolution to the Kaiser affirming its deve-
ton to the German Empire. Another day we
are told that the Alsatan Chamber has de-
clared that it does not want to be separated
from Germany. The third day we are ap-
prised Of the fact that prominent Alsatan
politician has declared that Alsace was pros
porous under German rule, etc. ETC.
1t has been successfully proved and demon
strated that the natives of Alsace-Lorraine- -
that is to say those born of native stock and
not the ones who have crossed the Rnlne
since 1870 and have established themselves
in these two provinces-are Overwhelmingly
for France. An insignificant minority, mostly
of younger people who are still obscured by
the idea Of German superiority, due to the
fact that they have done military service in
Germany, proclaims itself to be neither
French nor German, but Alsatian and Lor-
rainer and asks for the autonomy Of Alsace-
Lorraine; and finally a few-and it is an
honor to the whole of the people of Alsace
Lorraine to add that they are a very few
only-have become renegades and traitors to
their own country by going, from interested
and in most cases pecuniary motives, over to
the oppressors of their country, to the ene
mics of civilization.
Consequntly whenever a name is men
toned in this German manufactured news
Turporting to come from prominent Alsa-
tians, who are stating that Alsace wants TO
remain German, you may rest assured that
these statements are either outright forgeries
or else emanating from these renegades and
traitors.
Lorraine? There are and have been traitors
in all countries, just as there are murderers
in all countries
Alsace Unified Under French
Before Asace became entirely French
through the Treaty of Westphalia, in 1913,
and through the city Of Stras bourg joining
voluntarily the French Kingdom. in 1851, AL
SAGE existed only in name. 1t was, in fact,
composed of a number Of small city repub
les, small earldoms and bishoprics, between
which there were strips of land and villages
belonging to this or that foreign potentate
or prince OF the Church. Unity came only
after the country became French. Previous
to 1881 all OF these little countries out of
which Alsace was composed were continually
at strife one with another, and often they were
attacked from without, the country ravaged
cities and villages burned down and plum
dered Justice did not exist, as every little
baron or every little oligarchic city council
judged according to its good pleasure and
not according TO justice.
Louis XIV, although a despot in France,
was intelligent enough to understand the
Alsatian character, and while in France in
tolerance was the rule and the Huguenots