Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-11-11
WEALTHY ALSACE

ton of Alsace--Lorraine, hIr. bfu-
menthal cast additional light on the
statement issued by Andre Tardieuf
n presentation of facts that startled
the financial world.
NJ Tardieu. secretary of Franco
American War Affairs, summarized
his nations post-bellum needs. He
said that France would require, ia
Dor, credit, raw materials and ships"
American analysists of financial
problems expressed the opinion that
startling as were the statements of NJ.
Tarlieu, America was ready to shoul-
der the wheel resolutely on a basis
of sentiment and love for France
Ample Basis of Credit
Yesterday, however, NJ. Blumen-
thai described the importance of the
restoration of Alsace-Lorraine 'tto
France and told how the wealth. and
resources of 5,604 square miles of
Alsation territory would offset many
economic handicaps and provide am
pie basis of credit. He said: 10
N"The patriotism of France knows
no such thing as being measured by
the dollar. And the love of America
and other allied nations for France
probably would ask no basis for any
amount of credit. But it is singular
ly fortunate, aside from the senti-
mental viewpoint. that France in this
hour has Alsace-Lorraine, with its
vast resources, it's farmlands, its in
dustries and its mines.
Undoubtedly France will appeal
for credit on a large scale.
Frances Plea TO BE Met
Money, labor and materials will
be necessities And France in pre-
senting her needs at the doors of
the nations which have helped her
bear arms will not knock in vain.
Even If France were utterly wreck
ed and ruined by war, her plea for
credit would be met by her beloved
associates.
raine's coal and iron production is
But the fact that Alsace-Lor-
to be taken from the Germans and
give France that her very fertile
lands and cattle industry is to help
France, that her great wine output
and attendant revenues are to be
devoted to the Golfers of the French
government, and that all taxes that
are levied will be given France.
these things are an indication that
Frances credit will be enhanced in
a very material way, even though
the spirit of to-day is for free MAJ
tions to help the French regardless
of commercial arguments.
Potash Fields a Factor
Potash from the important AL
sace-Lorraine fields will be import
ant in restoring fertility TO all
France. The potash of this temitoEv
was one of the main reasonsf WAY
Germany disliked giving up AISaGe-
Lorraine. The iron and coal, almost
beyond estimate, that used to 20 10
German industries, notably to the
Essen munition centers, will now go
to France, and many of the mines
being under governmental operation
viii represent a revenue of huge
proportion.
Bled BY the Germans
There was constant abuse of Al.
satan business. For instance the
German government required Al
sace-Lorraine to bear the expense or
custom service on goods exported
from France to Germany. The profits
of such taxes were divided among
German empire units and when the
reckoning came. Alsace- Lorraine all
ways had a deficit on account OF
providing the machinery for collec-
ton"
According to experts on economic
conditions in Alsace-Lorraine, Ger
many collected taxes of $4,000. 900
per annum as a minimum before the
war. The population in 1906 was
about 100000. 1t is thought that
in view of decimation of population
due to the war; the present popula-
ton is not in excess of 1906 figureS