Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-20
PLEDGE THEIR SERVICE
IN AMERICAN DEFENSE
Natives of Alsace ind Lorraine 10 Enter
L. y. Army I'm Event Of War
with GcrmanY.


oi Alsacc and Lorraine. who arc living
IN this country are to be organized for
ScrNic" in the United states Army in
The event of war. according TO Charles
blumcuthai, Of New York. who is in
th.S city representing Il national or
ganization known as tho Friends of
AlSacc Lorraine
TO assist in the national defense in
ease OF war is the hig object Of the
organization. according to Mr.. Blum
ehthhi lie adds il is also ito protect
those who. while they have not be
come American citizens. do not desire
|" be considered Germans
AS soon as Congress authorizes a
cal Tor volunteers. if such Il cali should
hc necessary" AIR. Blmenthal' said
Yesterday afternoon I'VE vii, form
regiments of natives OF AlSace- Lorraine
|" serve the United States in war.
ON" big problem We will have will
DC to avoid Germans who falsely claim
'hcE ar" Aisatians. and with this OBJ
i"ct IN view the Friends OF Alsacc-
Lorraine have formed committees i'm
a't INC leading cities OF the Union.
"hcr" natives Of Als;,cc and Lorraine
may register and prove their claims"
inc German empire has not tho SYM
patty Of the people of Alsaco and Ior
rbinc In the present struggle Mr. Blu
ih"hth"i declared. adding in this con-
nection:
Germany should not even hope to
'he example Of the German in the two
provinces following the war of 1871"
CUR children have been taught TINT
INC German Solliery of that war werc
heroes and their own fathers towards
Germans have done the teaching and
from time to tim" have introduced tho
reporting system III the schools. and
as result .Alsatians and Iorr.oions
nave been punished in large numbers
lot "'Si"Sai'N. IF an Alsatian or Ior-
r".ian reports German boy he is
punished for tho reporting"
ILLUSTRATES GERMAN
METHODS OF" GOVI,ItNNINT
me way IN which Germany has gov
Hrncd Alsacc and Lorraine is illustrated
IN one instance. Mr.. Blumcnthal saws
"hen some years ago 81: propositio,
came from German sources to erect -
statue in Strasburg to the memory of
emperor Wilhelm l. OF Germany i
luhd or $4,000 marks was asked for.
ana when all reports were I'm about
10000 had been raised
NAT did the German do" He took
"oo,oop marks from the Alsatian treas
urE, Mr.. Blum"nthal SAYS. ..and orc,,
Cd the statue. He ddn', have any
peoples money
Another instance fthe way tho Ger
man looks at things III the lost rroy-
ihccs, according to Mr. Rlumcn,hal
/. Illustrated in the famous message
IN" governor of the provinces sent to
'erlin on August |. 19li-thc ,!ay war
was declared:
Another instance OF the way tho Cor
many. He forgot 10 add. according to
MT Biumcnthal: II closed up ali tho
"isatiah newspaper offices yesterday"
blu MiiNTIIAL ISDORSES
WHITNEY WARREN'S VIEW
what is regarded as splendid en-
p"sition OF the Alsatians and I.orraincs.
Mr.. Blumcnthal points out is that made
by Whitney Warren. member of the
institute Of France. in an address do
Ilvered in Acolian Hall. New York. last
Wednesday. i'll which he tells AT length
OF the united effort of the people of
the two provinces to prove they are at
an times French and that they will
never become citizens of Germany.
First. Mr.. Warren points out tho an.
peal OF the people OF the provinces in
1871. when Europe was asked ia see
that they were not separated from
their beloved France
Guardians of the laws OF Justice
and OF the rights of peoples" runs the
appeal rs read by Mr.. Warren. the
civilized nations cannot remain any
Logger inscnsblc 10 the lot Of their
neiGhbors without the fear OF in their
turn becoming the victims Of the
abuses which they have tolerated.
MOucrn Europe cannot allow pcoDlc
TO be disposed ri common herd Of
cattle: For the sake OF her own safety
she cannot remain deaf to the repeated
protestations Of the populations which
are threatened. She must oppose hcr-
self TO such an Ubiquitous abuse OF
force.
Moreover. she knows that tile unity
OF France is to-day, as II has been in
the past. a guarantee Of the balance
OF power OF the world. u safeguard
against the spirit of conquest and in
raSion.
Peace made at the price of the ces-
sion of territory can only at best be
q ruinous truce and not a lasting peace.
such :: peace will he for all a cause
Of perpetual agitation. a legitimate
AND permanent provocation for war"
Continuing. Mr.. Warren said: But
Europe. TO whom these deputies OF AL
SAGE and Lorraine addressed them
selves, remained inscnsibie To their aD-
peal She sees to-day her terrible
blunder, II is the duty of the citizens
of the United states who without be-
ing beiligcrents are still most pro-
foundly interested in the war, and may
one day be called into the court OF
arbitration. 10 study seriously prob
lem which has always been more or
less vague because OF so many errors.
OF so many prejudices and OF the in
mans have continually surrounded and
befogGed it,"