ALSACE-LORRAINE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8810, 13 August 1914, Page 6

ALSACE-LORRAINE

Alsace-Lorraine formed the territorial prize which Germany gained, in addition , to the-colossal war indemnity of over £200,000,000. after the Franoo- , Prussian war of 1870-71. It is corn* posed of the old French province of Alsace, with its capital, Strashnrg, and German Lorraine, of which the capital town and fortress is Metz. From a very early period Alsace was a debated territory; it was the scene of feuds and contentions even in the days of the Roman Empire. Its name, in fact, became a for debatable ground, and In the seventeenth century the district of Whitefriars in London, between the Thames and Fleet street, much used as a sanctuary by debtors and criminals, was commonly known as Alsatia. But its importance in. modern European politics datep now from the time it was handed over to Germany. It suffered much during the war. It was the scene of many of the earlier battles; Strashnrg, and other towns were besieged and taken, and its people were very hardly dealt with by the conquerors. As soon as they gained possession of the districts, the Germans imposed upon them their rule, restaffing the railways, introducing German stamps, and garrisoning the towns with their •reserves. Goods were requisitioned and paid for with cheques left open to be paid by the conquered after the war. Though the people were largely German in blood, they bitterly resented the German invasion. and fought most stubbornly. But the cession of the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany was one of the first conditions of peace, and it was granted in spite of protests from the people most concerned. Germany endeavoured, with much success, to conciliate the new citizens of the Empire, hut there were many who still stood out against the change. By September 30th, 1872, the people were required to declare their minds; and on that day 45,000 Alsatians took the final step to retain their French nationality, and trooped over the new frontier into France. A large part of the population still cherishes an active distaste for the German sovereignty forced upon them. Alsace is chiefly a farming country, much of it highly fertile. Lorraine is less rich agriculturally, hut possesses considerable mineral wealth, iron, coal,' and salt being mined The total population of Alsace-Lorraine in 1905 was 1,814,626,