Smyrna times., 1932-10-26
URGE SAAR MADE
SEPARATE STATE
Region on the German-Lo-
raine Border Is About
Size of Rhode Island
HAS MINERAL DEPOSITS

Washington.-What will happen
to the Saar?
AS 1888, the enc of the fifteen
year period for which the coal
mines of the Saar basin were
turned over to France, approaches,
that query is bidding for an impor-
tant place in European politics.
"Saar, which straddles the Lor-
raine-German border, almost next
door to Luxemburg, is a region
about two-thirds as large as Rhode
Island and is famous for its min
eral deposits" says a bulletin from
the Washington Cd. c. headquar-
tiers of the National Geographic So
ciety.
Famous Coal Region.
Before the World war when Lor-
raine was German territory, the
combination of Lorraine iron depos-
it's and Saar coal deposits made
this region one of the outstanding
steel production regions of Europe
"Saar coal, perhaps, would still
belong to Germany. if it were not
for the efficiency of German troops
who, while retreating in north
France. DESTROYED coal mines that
once yielded 2S,O0O,O0O tons annu-
ally. Because of this act, when the
peace treaty was framed. diplomats
attempted to compensate France by
turning over Saar coal digging
rights to France for a period of fif-
teen years-1920 to 1885. The Ger
man government also was called
upon to compensate private mine
owners in the Saar fields for their
losses, but these losses were not
difficult to meet as most of the
mines were the state property of
Prussia and Bavaria.
1.-THE transfer of coal mining
rights to France. however. was not
made without political and eco
nomic obstacles. The region could
not remain under German control
for the property rights of the
French would not be assured pro-
lection, and the great German pop
ulation and German property could
not be placed under French control.
The League of Nations. therefore,
set up a governing commission com
posed of one Frenchman, one citi-
zen of the local region, and three
non-French and non-German men,
bers. The commission is directly
responsible to the League council.
"Saar took its name from the
Saar river, a winding stream which
flows through the western part of
the region. While coal is the dis
trict's most famous product, the
river banks are covered with vast
fruit orchards and vineyards There
are also farms. but agriculture is
not a major Saar industry. On the
picturesque hills. here and there
dominated by ancient castles of
Roman days, are thick forests
which form the basis of another i'm
portant industry.
Prussian After Waterloo.
1.-The coal mines now being
worked lie about ten miles to the
northeast of Saarbrucken. city of
some 125.OGO inhabitants who are
employed in many industries. Saar-
brucken's skyline is studded with
the smokestacks of blast furnaces,
metallurgical establishments OF
many kinds. machine shops, chemi-
cal works and ceramic kilns. The
city is an important railroad cen
ter.
"Saarbrucken went TO France ten
years before our Declaration of In
dependence was signed. After the
battle of Waterloo the allies took
It and turned it over TO Prussia. AT
that time the coal deposits were
hardly known. Its present prestige
may be credited TO the development
of the steel industry which thrust
II to the front among the important
European mineral regions owing TO
its location near the Lorraine IRON
deposits.
'Recent reports indicate that
there is growing movement IN
some parts of Europe TO urge the
creation of an Independent Saar
state under the protection OF the
League of Nations. If no change Is
made from the original provisions
of the treaty, however, in 1882 the
people of the region will decide Dv
popular vote whether TO live under
the French or the German flag.
Laurel for Franklin
the UTSl