The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-05-27

lations and new trade fields must be
developed. AT present many of the
mills and 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
how 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
selfishly, will be felt by Alsace.
But only for a time, for the true Al
satians are united in their desire to re-
move everything German from their
lives and once more breathe and act
freely and have the liberty of action
which has not been theirs for more
than 48 years. While the German had
a kind of efficiency, 1t was the oppres-
siye sort which the Alsatian did not
like. 1t was like the lifting Of q pail
for the Alsatians to rid themselves of
the German, who ruled them with a
stiffness and harshness which did
much to keep burning the French
spirit. The Alsatians, I believe. will
be glad to renounce some Of the ma
terial improvements brought to them by
the Germans in payment for being re-
turned to the French fold. They hope
that the allies, and among them they
of course include the United States,
will 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-
raine today is not more than 100000
persons, of whom between 100000 and
100000 are of the German element as
distinguished from the native. When
Immediately began to exploit them.
Her first step was to urge the Ger
nam to settle in Alsace and Lorraine
and with that peculiar obedience to all
things coming from the government,
the Germans Immediately began to coll
onize in both the provinces.
These Germans came in, settled
down, established business firms, and
became part of the life of the com
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.
In this connection the language stu
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 1t has been
frequently said, Strasbourg 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 q
charming personality, the Teutonic
giving a sort of restraint which the
French character oftentimes lacks.
Throughout the province German Is
the prevailing tongue. The better edu-
Gated people in Alsace, more especial
ly in Strasbourg, speak French fluent
ly, but the average Alsatian uses Ger
man, not through choice, but because
1t was forced on him years ago and ne
has become accustomed to 1t.
School and Religious Problems.
Two other vexatious problems are
those of the schools and religion Al
SAGE is devoutly religious and has bull
up a system of religious schools which
it likes and which meets the genera
approval of the people. Should France
attempt to introduce her nonreligious
school system a delicate situation woult
certainly arise which might easil!
shake to the foundation the firm faiti
and love which Alsatians now have fol
the mother country. Just what form
of government will be adopted for Al
sace-Lorraine 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. Shoul'
this system be adorted il would offer