New-York tribune., 1920-02-03
The Pebiscites
By Franz II. Simonds
New York Tribune Incl

Danzig. This viii represent loss of
territory considerably greater in area
than Alsace-Lorrainc. and + Poland
wins the plebiscites Germany will have
to give up much more territory. And
t is worth recalling that it is these
losses in the east which are most
humiliating to German pride.
In addition the popu1arion Of two
areas in Slesvig will vote on the
question Of remaining German or be-
coming Danish. This territory was all
taken from Denmark in 1864, when the
two provinces of Slesvig- Holstein
were the prize of successful agrees
sion by Austria and Prussia against
Denmark. Prussia then promised that
lhe Danish population in the northern
districts would be allowed to decide
their nationality, but the opportunity
never came
The Danish PleLiscife
1t is generally expected that the
northernmost area, in which the popu-
lation is exclusively Danish, Will vote
to return to Denmark, while the other
Will retain German allegiance. But it
is interesting to noto that the Danes Of
the old kingdom are excessively anx-
ious lest the transaction shall earn them
lasting German resentment and lead
to new German aggression. when
Germany regains her strength. So
strongly is this fear held that Danish
influence, at least in the southern area.
IS said to have been eXerted in favor
of Germany.
1here are two other areas which will
have later to decide their allegiance
the districts of Eupen and Malmedy. on
the Belgian frontier. which were oc-
cupled by Prussia after the Napoleonic
coliapse and IN part nave Walloon.
that is, French, population. These
districts are now occupied by the Bel
gians, and the vote will not come for
another year, by which time Belgian
possession will probably have become
hXed IN the minds of the people.
The other district is the Sarre Ras;r
But 1T wlll be fifteen years before a
pleolsclte will come here, and in the
meantime the territory Will be in part
administered by the league of nations
but under French laws and as mart
or the French customs union. More
than this, all the mines now pass into
French ownership permanently.
A Staggering Bloc
III Will be seen that these several
transactions not only insure the im,ne-
dlate loss Of much valuable terrjtorv
10 germany, but may lead TO p stac-
gerlng blow if, in addition to the vast
iron deposits of Alsace-Lorraine. now
completely lost, the Germans lose ne
coa' basins OF the sarN and OF Uooer
Slicsla, to France and to Poland ro
spectively. An area twice as larco
'hae OF Belgium and population Of
between seven and eight millions arc
involved, more than half of which viii
De lost, IN any event, even if Ger
many wins all the plebiscites. which -
unlikely
Moreover, if the plebiscites turn
against the Germans, the position of
the present government may be very
gfavely compromised, for the diminu-
tlon Of German territory and the crip-
ping OF German industries will arouse
all classes Of the population Even
France and Belgium, which depend
upon German economic recovery for
the payment of the indemnities neces-
sary for their own prosperity. will oh-
serve the elections with divided emo
tions.
Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune 1ncl
Ending Our Troubles
fFrOr, The Dsfro;<