EXPULSION OF GERMANS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 91, 14 October 1922, Page 12

EXPULSION OF GERMANS

DEPORTED FROM ALSACE-LOR-RAINE.

The expUlsion from Alsace-LoiTaine of 1500 Germans, including the wives and children of the married men,- began on 12th August, states a. niessage to the "New York Times," in.compliance with the order issued by the CommissaryGeneral. The married men were each allowed to takei. sixty-five pounds of bag.gage and 10,000 marks, and single men were allowed one-half of this sum.

The list of 500- Germans, who -were served with expulsion notices comprises persons "known to have been : outspoken in their anti-French attitude,- agitators, and other "Undesirables." They have been permitted to dispose of their property or transfer it to other persons. Simultaneously, the sequestration of the accounts of Germans in Alsace-Lorraine banks went into effect. ■

A Parisian message to the same journal states that a note from the German Government protesting against the expulsion of Germans from Alsace-Lorraine has been delivered to the French Government. '

The note also protests against the French attitude with regard to compensation payments, saying it is contrary to the spirit and letter of the Versailles Treaty and the subsequent agreements. The note said that the wholesale expulsion of hundreds of persons, suddenly, arid "without warning, and with no provisions or future means of support, is contrary to international law and all natural, human considerations, and concludes:—"The German Government protests with the utmost energy against the measures already taken and those which the French Government intends to take."

The measure, the German. Note asserts, is all the more unjust owing to the French Government's previous authorisation for the Germans to remain in Alsace-Lorraine for four years, arousing them to hope they might live there indefinitely. It declares that the sums of money which the expelled persons are permitted to carry are totally inadequate.

Concerning the measures taken by the French Government to enforce payments of compensation on account' of private debts, the Note regrets that the French did not postpone execution of these measures until conclusion of the discussions on the subject between the Allied and interested Powers.

The measures taken by the French Government are regarded as unjustified, either according to the Versailles Treaty or subsequent supplementary agreements. The Note adds that the measures cannot be made .valid under international law, and says: ■,-.-■

"The German Government . protests against, the measures taken and urges' theiri suppression in order to refer the question to' an International Court' of Arbitration to rule upon their legality."

-The Frenchi Government is. accused by the Note of being impatient and is told it should await the maturity of Germany's obligations. ■' The Note was delivered at the Quai d'Orsay by the German/ Ambassador himself. It was referred to by officials of the Foreign Office as the plainest; most outspoken document ever received by the French Foreign Office. In these circles it was said that the Note is shorn 'of, all diplomatic language.

No terms are strong enough to express German feelings -over the expulsion of 500 Germans from Alsace-Lor? raine as a French retaliation measure, sftys a Berlin message to the "New York Times." Brutal, barbarous, vicious, are some of the milder terms used. Even the Francophile Democratic Vossische Zeitutig has the headline "Victims of a Policy of Violence," and says: "The French Government's action must arouse the indignation of the whole civilised world ■as a relapse into barbarous practices. What France does today pa a group of inhabitants of German origin may be repeated to-morrow in any .other part bi the world. Therefore our protest must be supported by all who see in international co-operation the sole way to the world's recovery." •

Elaborate Government and local measures have been concerted to meet the expelled 500 at the German border, billet them temporarily, and help them to get a new start in life in Germany.