ALSACE LORRAINE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8146, 18 April 1887, Page 3

ALSACE LORRAINE.

There is great friction in Alsace-Lorraine between the Germans and those of the inhabitants who are still, in heart, loyal to the French cause. Bound about Metz there were temporary monuments erected at the termination of the Franco-German war over the graves of some 10,000 Frenclt soldiers who fell in the battles around Metz, and the ladies of Alsace and Lorraine are now raising a fund to purchase the grounds and to erect thereon a fitting monument to the memory of the men who fell in defence of their country. The German authorities are averse to this project, as it will perpetuate a feeling of rancour among the inhabitants, who already shew an unmistakeable dislike of being Germanised. Another incident in this direction occurred at Metz. The Director of Posts and Telegraphs recently gave an audience to three members of the Municipal Council, whodesired to present for his approval a scheme for the establishment of a telephone system in Metz and its vicinity. The Councillors used the French language in stating their objects. The Director replied that they must speak in German. The Councillors protested against this, on the ground that they could not speak the language fluently, and proposed that the services of an interpreter be secured. This proposition was refused by the Director, who intimated that German was the only language allowed in official communications.