Evening star., 1921-04-09
SUGGESTSFREEDoM
FOR PALAT|NATE
French Officer Would Have
German Area Become In
dependent State.
by WILLIAM e. NASH.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright, 1921.

oA WILLIAM Z. NASH.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News
Copyright. 1921.
SPEYER, Germany. April s.-Gen.
Demetz, delegate to the Rhineland
and high commissioner in the region
of Speyer. believes that the palati-
nate ought to break away from Ger,
many and form itself into an inde-
pendent state, thus cutting France of
from direct contact with Prussia and
cause her to lose much of her fear Of
a future war.
Rest assured that France does not
want to annex this territory" said the
general to the writer. 'She realizes
too we'll the danger of another AL
sace-Lorraine. On the other hand. she
could view with nothing but satis-
faction and pleasure any effort on the
part Of the inhabitants to free them
selves from the yoke of the Prussian-
lied reich. Although substantial na-
tive tendency may not yet exist in IA
vor Of independence, l am sure that
with our encouragement-wh l am
bound to give-it will appear in time,
Such Movements Take Time.
Such movements are not born in
a day, but scarcely a week passes in
the course of which palatine leaders
do not come to me to emphasize their
determination never to take part in
new war between France and Ger
many. which, of course. would take
place on their territory. They realize
however, after talking with me. that
desire alone is worth nothing and that
If they are sincere in their pacifsm
they must find legal formula to
back up their cause. The peace treaty
forbids the allies to tamper in any
way with the political status Of the
Rhineland, so, personally, 1t Is out OF
the question for me to proclaim free
republic of the palatinate.'
'On the other hand, the inhabitants
themselves have a perfect right to do
this if they wish. After we have been
here fifteen years or so we shall
have a better opportunity to find out
what their real desires are"
Always Banded About.
"The palatinate has been banded
back and forth so many times be-
tween foreign masters that little room
has been left for patriotism" added
a French political expert in close
touch with the situation. Before
1900 it belonged to no less than nifty
petty princelings. France herself
owned a large slice to the north Of
Alsace. Napoleon l gave the province
to Bavaria, under the rule of which
it has remained for about 100 years,
but the connection is artificial and
devoid Of any real sentiment.
ION account of the lack of land
connection. in fact. the peasants seem
to hate the Bavarians nearly as much
as the Prussians. The great ma
jority of the more rich and conserva-
that gives them order and security.
Many are Catholic, particularly in the
region once owned by France. Some
of the families remember the services
performed by their ancestors for Ma
poleon l. and still treasure the medals
earned at that time. think IT is no
exaggeration to say that we French
men have formed more friendships
here than in any other part OF the
Rhineland."
Demetx Hated BY Germans.
In justice to Germany It is only fair
to explain that Gen. Demetz is hated
and feared on the other side Of the
political plots inconsistent with his
character as n military commander.
He is attacked for trying to foster a
government which. the Prussians say,
has no real foundation among the
people. In support of the Prussian
point Of view il Is triumphantly
pointed out that the attempt to pro-
claim the independence Of the palati-
nate in the fall Of 1919 proved even
more of failure than a similar fasco
further north. led by DR.. Dorten.