Year: 1871


HAS Speech Upon the Annexation of AIsace


and Lorraine.


In the German Diet, on the 25th of May, the
bill respecting the annexation of Alsace and
Lorraine to the German empire came up for
discussion, when q Pole, Won TaczanoWski,
made a bitter attack against the measure The
Imperial Chancellor, Prince Bismarck, then rose
and said-


Have no fear, gentlemen, that shall answer the
previous speaker NY on WILL with me- partake OF the
feeling that his speech requires no answer. Very
trueD II refer to portion OF his distorted state
ments, 1t is only to defend an absent one who has
no voice in these deliberations. This is, or rather
these are, the French Ministers with whom 1 have
concluded the peace. can give the assurance that
no secret provisions exist the treaty has been con-
cluded as 1t has been published. Besides, feel the
necessy OF SAYING eW WORDS 10 you, as was not
and second readings of the bill, or particularly in
the deliberations Of the commission where might
have expressed myself unreservedly. was glad to
perceive from the result of the discussions that you
have resisted the temptation to determine the fate
of Alsace and Lorraine, in the present state of
affairs, further than at present absolutely necessary
lt is first necessary to reconnoitre the country.
OF German citizenship, the privilege Of free inter-
course In Germany in commercial and social rela-
tons. We must come to conclusion respecting
this citizenship. Thereby it can only beJ a
question whether Alsace should be annexed to one
Of the existing States OF the Union, or whether it
shall be a direct province Of the Empire until it
shall have become domestcated in the family 1t
has only recently come in question whether Asace
shall be given to Prussia or whether it shall be an
Imperial province. have expressed myself un-
gegsrd Il as moSe S easy for Se o as
friendly to the name OF German" than to that OF
.Prussan;" 1t is our task to strengthen particu-
larism in Alsace. The more they regard themselves
as Alsatans the more they will be inclined TO give
up the French.


the luck to have vote Of want OF confidence is the
question respecting the debt. 1 do not know whe-
made upon me, when returned from the peace ne
Rotiatons and learned that my person mad been de-
clared without credit am entitled to little credit
myeef the credit for the fact that Asace is perfectly
free from debts. Upon the negotiations had 1t In
view to make very considerable lnstalment OF the
French war contribution to become payable at an
earlier day than provided for in the articles Of
peace. This was made possible by mydeclaring myself
willing that a part should be paid in French bank
notes on condition that the payment should imme.
hlsace, and consequently a week from to-day we
will receive the first 49, 600 900 francs In Muhlhausen,
Strasbourg or Metz have also agreed that, Of the
second rate which becomes due at the end OF this
year, sum OF 125,OOe,OOO shall be paid, already in
the course OF the summer 60 days after the capture
to the gratitude of the country. However,
you have declared to the Alsatians, We send
SHey; ' we '' don't stand r behind md hm. Il tLaug6-
ter.) IL has never occurred to me to Con-
not desps is w Would regret in @ the highest degree
If you should adhere to your resolution. In that
case would in the Federal Council give to the bill
new character by which the personal cooperation
OF the Chancellor would be excluded. The Emperor
can appoint another ofncia. The power must be so
conferred upon me that / can appear before the
country and say:-I come with the full confidence
of the German Imperial Diet and am quite ready
to do you every service that the country can expect
but give me the possibility OF doing this with plea
sure. (Applause)


In the discussion that ensued Herr Larker ex-
pressed regret that the Chancellor had mis-
understood him. In the vote on the debt there
was not the least expression of want of conf
dence; it was not the intention In any way by
law to regulate the future condition of Alsace
and German Lorraine. Prince Bismarck In reply
said:-


The public Acknowledgements is far beyond my
merits. have only said my efforts IN favor OF Al
SAGE have not been recognized, for could have
come 10 another arrangement with the French.
cannot recede from my position-you want to fettel
with respect to the Alsatians. AS to the results
that would ensue II the law should not be enacted
will express no opinion II the article remains will
not take the esposibility-another will have to take
it. viii request the Emperor to strike the article
and Lorraine.