The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-09-11
A WEIGHTY QUESTION

IA w 1ASAA - u ~ LIN - = StN
The declaration OF Premier Ribot of
France Thursday that his country
would never consent to diplomatic
discussion OF the restoration OF Alsace-
Lorraine, coupled with the uncompro-
missing attitude which the French at
large maintain on this point, puts for
ward the Alsatian question as one ov-
er which the most violent diplomatic
battles will be waged
Indications are that, unless the Ger
man empire is whipped to its last
breath, there will be greater diplo-
matte deadlock over this particular
question when peace negotiations are
begun than has ever been known in
the fighting on any OF the fronts
In its comment on the recent note
of Pope Benedict, the Frankfurter Ga
zette, among other things, said: at
is pleasing to us that Benedict XIV. has
recognized that the question OF Alsace-
Lorraine Is question purely German
which could not even be discussed in
the course OF peace negotiations. AL
sace-LOrraine is German and has al
ways been SUCH"
The Strassburger Post said 1T is
logical that our colonies SHOULD be re-
stored, but we are OF the opinion that
the question OF Alsace-Lorraine should
be excluded from peace discussions as
the lot of Alsace-Lorraine was definite
ly sealed by the Treaty of Frankfort
in 1871"
Les Dernieres Nouvelles of Leipzig,
an organ Of the crown prince, remark
ed: THE pope should know, as quick
ly as possible, that for the German
people there does not exist the ques-
tion of Alsace-Lorraine."
As an indication of how irreconcil-
French nations is upon the Alsatian
question, 1t Is only necessary TO turn
to historical discussion thereof I'm a
recent issue OF Paris "Le Matin" by
j. Sansboeuf, president OF the FEEDER.
alton OF Alsace.Lorraine Societies In
France and the Colonies. AS II in
answer to the German declaration that
this particular territory has always
been German. Monsieur Sansboeuf re-
views the entire history Of the prov.
ince
In 81 b C., Ariovistus, he says, cast
his armies on the land east OF Gaul.
This was protected from German con
quest by julius Caesar who decided it
would be more interesting for him to
conquer the land himself at is, in
fact" says the writer, "the peculiar
destiny OF this bounteous and rich
country which was Gaul and which Is
France, to be conquered, Occupied and
despoiled by neighboring nations"
When Rome fell Gaul recovered it's
independence, from the Atlantic to the
Rhine. 1t is unnecessary to enumer-
ate. decides the writer, the various
| phases through which Alsace-Lorraine
passed during the middle and modern
e ages. What cannot be forgotten" he
l continues. "is that Alsace, after having
passed successfully under the Austri
an and German yokes, was definitely
ceded to France on October "a, l6aS
by tho Treaty OF Westphalia.
, The heart OF discourse is reache,
by Monsieur Sansbocuf In his declara
tion that, during period OF l.57
years, the Germans held Alsace onl
l 1872 years, while the French held II 76
: years.
In reply to the statement OF Wi
; liam H. that "This land is German
= and will remain so eternally," NJ. Sans
= boeuf remarks simply. "rhe retur
to France of It's ancient provinces vii
be one OF the essential clauses of
: future peace treaty"
Historically, racially and sympathet
ically, Alsace Is French, Only in nam
! ia II German, Germany must yield t.
! this point OF view and turn back L
= the French their rightful heritage er
? the battle ceases and peace is restored
The French are as determined on thi
, point as President Wilson Is deter
mined that militarism in German
must cease to exist II is not conques
which impels the French-it is the dc
sire OF mother to have returned {
her a lost child-and the United State
should add the weight of her word an
:, her potential force In securing to tn
French republic that which is obv
ously hers and always will remain S
, in spirit, II nothing else.