Evening star., 1919-03-09

peridiiSt venture OF france, but a So
luton, adopted by the entire league
of nations, of the problem presented
by the French need for security
growing out of the injuries of the
last war.
Question of Saar Valley.
The question of the Saar valley has
been discussed in this correspondence
many times. The territory affected is
an area rather less than thousand
square miles on either side of the
Saar river, north of the point where
TINS stream crosses the old frontier
OF Alsace-Lorraine--as fixed in 1915.
Practically all the territory affected
was once portion of the old province
or Lorraine, which came to France not
by corquest. but by peaceable agree
ment in the eighteenth century. 1t
was for many centuries before per-
meated by French culture and, in fact,
although mot by law, part of France
In one hundred years following its
annexation to Prussia and the Baya-
rian palatinate, this region has be-
come totally German. Three hundred
Thousand Inhabitants would unques-
tionably choose German rather than
French nationality at this time, but
the question of self-determination in
this specific case Is affected by other
considerations.
When Germany invaded northern
France she came with the express
purpose OF annexing all the industrial
and mineral regions north .of the
Somme. When she found such annexa-
ton would be impossible, since there
was no possibility that she could win
the war so completely as to draw the
dertook systematic destruction of
French factories and French mines,
which resulted in depriving France
OF her coal supplies for period Of
between i've and ten years, and Of
making her dependent either upon
necessary to her industries. Unless
this condition were modified In the
French favor. German would to his
extent win the war.
In weighing arguments on the Saar
valley. the claim OF France. based upon
ancient possession prior to German
spoiiation Of 1914 and 1915. has only
a restricted influence upon the Ameri-
can mind. 1t Is clearly recognized that
II claims as old as those which no longer
find support among inhabitants Of the
region were to form the basis ofaa new
Europe, endless future trouble would be
assured. BY contrast. the American
mind has been deeply impressed by the
fact that Germany has not fought this
war as civilized nation. that her depre-
cations in northern France were design
ed to produce paralysis of French in
dustry to the profit of Germany, and
that as a resule of destruction in the
Lens coal area France will be at the
mercy of her neighbors In the matter
OF coal for long years to come, unless
she receive the Saar coal region.
American Attitude.
Clearly, American sympathy and in
fiuence in Paris lean toward accepting
the following solution:
First, annexation without reservation
OF the whole Saar coal area, amounting
to some thousand square miles and con-
tanning some 800. 900 inhabitants. Sec
ond, valuation OF this region in terms
of money and subtraction OF this sum
from the total damage claim which is
to be brought by France against Ger
many. In word. the Saar coal region
is to be regarded purely and simply as
payment by Germany for destruction
wanton and indefensible destruction. in
northern France, and France is to ac-
! cept this payment as partial discharge
OF German obligations. Unless all signs
fan, this is to be the western solution.
Pending the discharge Of her obliga-
tons, Germany will have to consent to
the occupation of her Rhine territory,
comparable to her occupation of the
eastern departments OF France after
1871, until France had paid the in
demnity imposed upon her by Bismarck
During the period of occupation the
, Rhine territories are to be separated
from Germany and to be permitted to
have their own political organizations,
their own political life, but not as a
part of Germany. Instead. they are to
unite in an Independent state of their
own, in which order will be assured by
allied armies OF occupation, and they
VIII be equally guaranteed against the
dangers OF German revolution and
against the possibilities of annexation by
France or Belgium. In word, they
become for that indefinite period of
allied occupation, which may last for a
decade. the joint mandatory of all the
nations who subscribed to the league,
and during this whole time Germany
will end at the Rhine and France. while
she is recovering from the wound of
the last war, will have nothing to fear
from new German attack and French
and Belgian restoration can proceed
without any hesitation resulting from
German anxieties.
Improvement In Atmosphere.
This will. think, prove to be fhs
settlement which will be agreed upon
by all the allied nations within the
next two weeks. The realization that
! the American commissioners here are
sympathetic with such a settlement
which. from the French point Of view
is mater OF NE and death, has re-
| suited in very great modification OF
| feeling on the part of the French
/ who in recent weeks have had a fear
| that Americans too little appreciated
the problems which were vital tc
France; and no one could fail to
have remarked the very great inn
| provement in the atmosphere Of Paris
| within the last ten days. From the
beginning to the end all France, rad
| ical and conservative. royaIist and
socialist. has been equally concerned
with obtaining for his country secur-