The daily morning oasis., 1919-10-16
'ALSBCE JOYFUL .
AT DEL,lvEnANCE
!: FROM GERMANY
People Glad to Be Once More
Joined to France.
CELEBRATIONS EVERY week

the AIsatian Spirit--New Order Of
Things Creates Most Difficult Prob.
lens in History Of Alsace-Eeeno.
mic Question and the German Popu.
Iatien Are Most lmportant Subjects
for Consideration.
-ses-s -. .--.-~ss4ts'siS
A tour Of this charming little prov.
ince of Alsace leaves no doubt in ones
mind about its utter joy over being
once more In the arms of the mother
country. Whatever doubt one may
have had, visit to the cities, villages
and country districts Of Alsace re-
moves this uncertainty, and everywhere
the native Alsatian has demonstrated
his enthusiasm and ardQr for the
French republic, writes Carlisle Mac
Donald In the New York Herald.
Since the armistice many worldwise
persons have gone to Alsace to seek
proof of their skepticism. only to re.
main and sing the "Marseillaise" and
join in the more or less continuous
celebration which has been going on
throughout Alsace since the German
domination was removed. There Is no
question about 1.-THE nepple are gen.
timely glad to be once more Joined to
France. -
Makes Tour az Frances Guest.
I have just completed comprehen.
sive survey of Alsace in company with
large party of allied correspondents,
during which we were the guests of
the French government and the chief
officials of Alsace. Leaving Paris by
special train. we went direct to Strass-s
bourg, where the whole city was be-
tagged and en- fete. A luncheon was
rendered by the municipality and later
we visited the delightful old Venetian
quarter of the city, the cathedral with
its famous clock, and the tomb Of Mar.
shal SAKE.
In the evening we were the guests
of the French high commissioner, Mr..
Maringer. at a large banquet. While
the plate still bore the German eagle,
the hearts Of those present and senti-
ments expressed by the speakers were
Enthusiastically French. Native Alsa.
tians. who had lived through the en-
tire German occupation, rejoiced that
the German menace had been removed
and expressed the firm hope that never
again would Boche soldiers cross the
Rhine. The most prominent men OF
StrasbOurg were present at the ban.
quet and the whole spirit Of the event,
was French.
We were pleasantly surprised to, be
introduced to large group of pretty
Alsatian girls, members of the best
families, who came to the French gov
ernment building following the ban
quet. The charm and vivaciousness of
the girls, who were attired In the ma.
tive costume Of Alsace, soon made us
forget there was such thing as q
peace conference. or council OF ten.
Later the assembled company Joined
hands and danced the native farandole
revel, the jazz being forgotten In the
enthusiasm for the old dance. -'-@.
TorchIight Parade for Visitors.
Another interesting event of the eve
ming in our honor was torchlight pa
rade formed by thousands OF Stras-
bourgers and several bands. The pro-
cession passed the French building In
review and went winding through the
quaint old streets of StrasbOurg, the
marchers singing and shouting. This
was no new affair. as learned later,
for ever since the armistice hardly a
week has passed that there has not
been several Of these demonstrations.
All classes join in them. and they are
truly representative Of the spirit of the
Alsatians. hst
After the dance the festivities were
continued at a kermesse, or large fair,
at, ended by several thousand, persons.
A tableau, symbolic of the return OF
AIsace to France brought forth pro-,
longed applause and cheers. N-a .
After this we paid a short visit to
Germany, just across the Rhine from
Strasbourg There we saw the Ger
man at home, and I must say that
there were few, who did not seem per-
fectly well fed and contented under
French occupation. When questioned
they all ask for "fett." Returning. we
inspected the docks at Strasbourg,
which the Alsatians hope to develop.
Leaving Strasbourg we. visited Colmar
and Mulhouse, and at both places were
enthusiastically welcomed by the sciti-
zens. @s;
Considerable ground was covered In
an automobile ride through beautiful
agricultural districts and picturesque
little villages. During the entire trip
we were able to meet and talk with
many Alsatians in all walks of life. SO
that the Impressions we received were
the result Of a rather wide range OF
thought.
Fear Serious Economic Condition.
While all this happiness over the. re.
turn to France is real and sincere, Al-