New-York tribune., 1917-07-15
Alsatians Here Welcome Envoy
Who Urges Return Of Province
Daniel Blumenthal, Former
Alsace Member Of Reichs-
tag, Cheered at Dinner
Celebrating Bastile Day

New York yesterday attempted to re
pay Paris for the enthusiasm witt
which IL observed independence Da!
by celebrating the fall Of the Bastile
Chief among the celebrations was 4
luncheon and reception rendered tC
Daniel Blumenthal, former Deputy tc
the Reichstag from Alsace, who is here
on a special mission for the French
government.
Nearly thousand persons attended
the luncheon in the Hotel Biltmore anc
later the reception in Aeolian Hall, a.
both Of which Myron 7. Herrick, for
mer Ambassador to France, presided
Mr.. Herrick officially greeted NJ. Blu
menthal. who in return pledged the un'
diving devotion Of France for its sister
republic.
Cheers for Free Alsace
Natives Of his own state packed Aeo-
Ian Hall in the afternoon TO hear the
envoy, who was also Mayor OF Colmar,
and on whose head the German govern
ment has set price. Cheers and
tears were intermingled when NJ. Blu
nenthal spoke Of free Alsace-Lor-
raine Frances envoy told his coun-
trvmen that one of his main reasons
for coming to America was 70 tour the
country to explain the need Of free
Alsace.
AS We now near the successful end
Of this war" said Mr.. Herrick, IN N
PRODUCING NJ. Blumenthsl, "it is appar-
emf we know what is TO be the destiny
Of the world. Even if our guest were
in the Reichstsg now, venture 70 say
that he would hear the rumblings. ot
a people learning that II IS natural 70
love liberty.
eve in America may have seemed
slow. but at last we are awake. Ihis
war is your cause, it is our cause u
;s The cause Of all mankind. They are
nlacing fresh flowers daily on me
statu. TO Alsace-Lorraine in the Pace
Vrndomc in Paris, but they shall
n,ourn not much longer. And VIXEN
that time comes I should like TO be
in Paris
The guest OF honor responded;
"The bond Of sympathy which link'
Alsace-Lorraine 10 this great country
was not forged yesterday. The par
ticipation of America in the war, side
bv side withs the defenders OF rlsht
ard Justice, has filled every heart with
confidence, for the friends OF our dear
Alsace are convinced that America will
carry 70 a successful finish the NOME
task she assumed in a spirit OF ad-
nirable disinterestedne.s, and WIN
onlv one object in view-that OF saw
ing civilization jeopardlzed by me
aggression OF barbarians.
Alsace Never German
"To.dav is Frances national holiday.
7, "a the day of liberation OF all peo-
pl.s. and its celebration on every lftn
81 July has always given renewed
strength 10 our brothers OF Alsace and
Lorraine. IT.. .
"The victory OF the Allies, which the
nsrnifcent effort OF the United states
is Certainly going 70 hasten, Will once
mare place Alsace and Lorraine under
,he fae OF France. We have the rlgn'
IN rejoice over this, although we de-
nIore the catastrophe which Germany
b.s crininally brought about. Had we
~, asked whether we wished 10 be
SsIiv,y.d from the German yoke az the
nrice Of 8 world war, not one OF US
would have had the courage OF sssum-
ING the responsibility of so many trsg-
dies Rather would we have chosen
~ how our heads under yet greater SUI
f.ring. But now tina. Germany, by her
own act. has torn into shreds the treaty
~ Frankfort like any scrap OF paper
,hings are once more as they were De,
sor, the War OF 1870 France VIII
simply take back that which was
wrss,.d from her by brute force
AZ pt,-.n,h.i rousrd his audience 10