White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-15

developed. AT present many NJ the
mills n factories of Alsace are idle.
largely for the same reason that the
mills and factories of other European
countries are idle-lack of raw mate
rails and an unsettled state of affairs
generally. Alsatians are wondering
nov this economical reconstruction is
TO be brought about and where their
new markets are to be.
The German. with all his oppression.
has developed in the two provinces
many useful Industrial organizations.
and these have invaded every phase of
commercial life. Electricity, for ex-
ample, has nearly reached perfection.
For a time the lack of the commercial
aid Which Germany gave, however
selfshly. will be felt by Alsace.
But only for a time. for the true Al
satians are united In their desire tn re-
move everything German from their
lives n once more breathe and act
freely and have the liberty of action
which has not been theirs for more
than - years. While the German had
a kind Of efficiency, II was the oppres-
sive sort which the Alsatian did not
ike. II was like the lifting of \ pail
Tor the Afsatians to rid themselves of
the German. who ruled them with a
stiffness and harshness which did
much to keep burning the French
spirit The AlsatiaDs. | believe. will
be glad to u some of the ma
tcrfai improvements brought to them by
the Germans in payment for being re-
turned to the French fold. They hope
that h allies, and among them they
OF course include the United States.
VIII assist them in their serious re-
construction problems. Observing the
fine courage and enthusiasm of the
Alsatian people. one is sure that a few
years will see this little province more
prosperous and certainly more content
ed than ever before in its history.
German Element a Problem.
Next in importance to the economi-
cal question is the problem of dealing
with the large German population In
Alsace. The population Of Alsace-Lor-
ralne today Is not more than 100000
persons. of whom between 300, 1000 and
10000 are of the German element as
distinguished from the native. When
Germany took the two provinces. she
Immediately began to exploit them.
Her first step was to urge the Ger
mans to settle In Alsace and Lorraine
and with that peculiar obedience to all
things coming FROM the government.
the Germans Immediately began 10 COL
onise In both the provinces.
These Germans came In. settled
down, established business firms. and
became part of the life OF the eomr
munity. Many Of them have been there
40 years and their children. although
German, know no other home but Al
SAGE. Their only language Is that of
Germany and they have retained all
the characteristics OF the Teutonic
race.
la this connection the language situ-
alton In Alsace is interesting. In
~Strasbourg. for example, the largest
city, German Is largely spoken. al
though there Is nothing markedly Ger
man about the city. But as IL has been
frequently said, S%trasbourg is neither
German nor French, but Alsatian. To
appreciate this one must see the city
and talk with the people. They have
certain German characteristics, such
as stability. but their manner and
ways are decidedly French. The com
bination of the two has produced a
charming personality. the Teutonic
giving a SORT of restraint which the
French character oftentlmes lacks.
Throughout the province German Is
the prevailing tongue. The better edu-
Gated people I'm Alsace, o especial
ly In Strasbourg. speak French fluent
ly, but the average Alsatian uses Ger
man, not through choice. but beeause
II was forced on him years ago n he
has become accustomed TO II.
School and Religious Problems.
Two other vexatious problems are
those of the schools and religion. Al
SAGE Is devoutly religious and has built
up a system of religious schools when
II likes and which meets the general
approval of the people. Should France
attempt to Introduce her nonreligious
school system a delicate situation would
certainly arise which might easily
shake to the foundation the firm faith
and love which Alsatians now have for
the mother country. Just what form
OF government Will be adopted for Al
sace-Lorralne has not been decided
upon, but 1t Is probable that the prov
Inces will be administered as separate
provinces rather than integral depart,
ments Of the French republic. shonio
this system be adopted II wonld oner q
graceful solution of the religious prob
lem by giving Alsace a free hand 10
this matter.
But France has a way OF absorbing
other peoples which Is remarkao,e
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