South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-09

stacle peace the annexation of AsaceLOr
ra me constituted after 1871
Bv contrast there is belief that separated from
Prllssian inuence-which. in the Paatinate has
prevailed on the western bank Rhine a
dred vears-inha bitahts Of the region who nat
uralIy unsympathetic with the Russian idea and were
permeaed with the spirit OF the French revolu-
ton will achieve degree Of independence from the
evil influence Prussian idea and that they will
in tine arrive sympathetic relations with the Latin
countries of the But IL is recognized that L
would impossible and inequtable permanently ID
deprive their peope the right of self determination
a result, il is agreed that the Rhehish rePuoiO
shall be created exist only until such time as Ger
many has paid financial debts to France and Bel
sium and discharged all obligations which VIII be
fixed by the treaty Of Versailles When this mas
been ACCOMPLISHED the armies occupation which;
viii up TO that time stand guard the Rhine VIII be
withdrawn and II will be for the people Rhen-
republic decide Of their free will whether
they reoin Germany continue an Independent
state. OF hope the French side Is that
the period OF separation from Germany and the extent
the part of the Rhensh districts 10 continue
Independent existence.
If this shall happen then there future
exist considerable state separating Germany from
and Belgium and abolishng the immediate peril
OF a German invasion.
WOULD SEPARATE FRANCE AND
BELGIUM FROM INVASION.
A simple fashion in which to make clear the real
meaning Belgium the creation
this Rhenish republic is take map of west
Europe and outline in black the regions between
Belgium, Luxembourg, Lorraine ana the Rhine.
BY doing this is made perfectly clear that long
this stands France and Belgium have between
themselves a
tory containing between four and five millions of peo
pie. a which. like Switzerland, separates
effectively rival nationalities and removes immediate
danger collision the frontier incident If this
SHALL when the hour of self determination arrives
separate existence, it will become
OF small nations whose existence will be
guaranteed by the League of Nations IT, the other
hand il chooses 10 return Germany, will unques
tionaby after its years Of separation from Prussan
Influence contribute materially the reinforcement
of the liberal element in Germany, and thus to the
modification of the peril IF the west
frrp rfo1f and Tril arlCp
presence of the allied armies of occupation viii
insure the Of this district from revolution
boshevik consequences, which threatens Ger
the burden or CONSUMPTION and acquire habit Of
peace be clear that such a republic will have
friendly treatment from France
because the whole object Of French policy must be TO
sympathy this buffer state: but should
be said again that there is the slightest French
to seek TO this territory, either or
hereafter. In the Rhcnish republic is be
dis used imperiast venture of France, but solu
ton adopted by entire Nations, of the
problem presented by the French need for security
growing of the injuries of the last
SAA.S COAL AREA ONCE
PORTION OF LORRAINE.
The question OF the valley has been discussed
in this correspondence many times The territory af-
fected is rather less thar thousand square
miles either side of the Saar river. north of the
point where this stream crosses the old frontier of
Asace- Lorraine-as fixed in 1915 Practically all the
territory affected portion o prov
Lorraine, which France not by conquest
bgt by peaceabe agreement in the 18Th century. il
for many centuries before permeated by French
culture and, m fact, although not by law, part OF
France. In TOO years following its annexation TO Prus
sa and he Bavarian paatnate this region has become
totally German Three hundred thousand inhabitants
nationality this time hut the question of self
determination in this specific is affected by other
considerations.
When Germany invaded northern France she came