The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-10-25
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.


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 signih-
cant In the story Of the world. Through
u 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-
alton was formed. this booty land WAS
considered as prize Of the confeder-
alton as a 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
ofiicialdom. the assimilation Of the peO-
pie was, hurried. and hurried by
hOSt uhWibC anu AihPOSoiotC
ures. The Idea seems to have been
that an assimilation could take place
in one, or. Mt the most. two genera
tions. and that 1t could be effected
while the people paid Prussian taxes
and were not granted representation
in the laying of said taxes. As a
necessary vent to human nature, the
result was the failure of Prussian po-
lice methods all during the first thirty
yenrs of the occupation. What hnp-
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 and
ideals began to have their effect when
all opportunities and pleadings for
relaxation of Prussian oppressive
methods and representation in the
government failed.
Prussian rule remained inffexible.
Guarantees and alterations were
promised and seemingly complied with.
only to have the people discover. when
cleared away. that they were bound
more helplessly than ever.
In the spring of 1912 the PrussIans
further showed their disapproval of
the agitation engendered by attempt
Ing to ruin the Alsatian factories at
Grafenstaden. near Strassbourg, by
withdrawing all orders for locomo-
tives for the Prussian railways.
In the month Of May, In this same
year. the popular indignation. already
infamed. was famed to fever heat by
the remarks of the German emperor
to the mayor of Strassbourg, during an
Imperial visit to the city. He Is re-.
ported to have said:
"Listen. Up to here you have only
known the good side OF me. Things
cannot continue as they are. If this
situation lasts, we will suppress your
constitution and annex you to Prus-
sia." .f
Alsatian newspapers were held to, q
narrow course by most severe code
Of laws, but suspensions were taking
place every day. To be profitable,
iosunal could do naught else but sup