DISTURBANCES IN ALSACE

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 55

DISTURBANCES IN ALSACE

THE BARRACKS PRISONERS. KAISER S ATTITUDE. BERLIN, December 1. The prisoners detained over-night in the barracks were in the morning, under a guard of soldiers with fixed bayonets, marched to the civil tribunal, which discharged them. The municipality afterwards approved a. resolution protesting against Von Router’s open contempt for the law and his provocative proceedings. A copy of the resolution has been forwarded to the Imperial Chancellor, the members of the Ministry, the Statthalter of Reichsland, and the President of the Reichstag. In his reply the Imperial Chancellor promised a strict investigation, with redress if the law had been broken. The Minister of War advised that all necessary instructions would bo forwarded to the responsible military authorities. Three thousand Socialists at Mnlhansen, including two members of the Reichstag, approved a resolution protesting against the military’s conduct at Zabern, and threatening a general strike if the military dictatorship in Alsace is not terminated shortly. , December 2. It is reported that the Kaiser is inquiring into the Zabern affair. The protesters threaten a universal suspension of work in Alsace-Lorraine. Count Wcdel, a Staatholder, admits that the military were wrong in taking action, although a state of siege was not proclaimed, tlie Kaiser’s express consent being required. Some workmen at Zabern shouted an insult at Lieutenant Von Foerstner, who sent a patrol to arrest them. The men escaped, except one named Lane, a shoemaker, whom Von Foerstner struck on the forehead with his sword, inflicting a dangc-aus wound. Von Foerstner declares that the shoemaker was the aggressor. DeceVnber 3Herr von Bethman Hollwcg, replying to questions in the Reichstag, said that Lieutenant von Foerstner would he punished for using the word “wackes, which was regarded as an insult by the French Foreign Legion. 'The army had been forbidden to use it as a nickname for Alsatians, but the latter must not be over sensitive. After describing the insults to which officers were daily subjected by hooting crowds, and the efforts to reconcile the civil and military authorities at Zabern, the Imperial Chancellor declared, amid stormy interruptions, that respect for the forces of the State must be maintained equally with respect for the law. December 4. The Government's reply to the various interrogations aroused much indignation, and there were continual interruptions Herr von Bethmaun Hollwcg said it was the duty of the army to guard the honour of their uniform, and it was solely the consciousness of this duty that had led the military at Zabern to intervene. The Minister of War said that -had the authorities yielded with regard to Lieutenant von Foerstner, peace might have been restored, but it would have been a treacheruos peace. Continuing, amid a tumultous protest, he said it was necessary to maintain the regard of the army for honour, as that was the only thing that in the moment of danger enabled the soldier to choose between death and disgrace. Young officers must be protected, even if their youthful exuberance went too far. Herr Feherenbach, the spokesman of the Centre party, said the explanations of the Government aroused a feeling of shame and hitter pain. Indignation regarding the Zabern occurrences was universal through out Germany. The Minister of War, intervening, sa;d it was better that an officer should have escorted the soldiers to arrest his molesters than that he should have plunged a sworJ into his insnlter’s body. The Socialist party proposed a vote of censure, and the Government is engaged in debating it to-day. The sitting was one of the most tempestuous in the history of the Reichstag. The Government’s declarations are regarded as a proof that the Kaiser has identified himself with the military instead of the civilian view. The Chancellor, on resuming the debate,

spoke in a tone of protest and anger suck as has not been heard from him since tho Morocco debate. Fully one-half of the Reichstag was seething with indignation against the Government. The Chancellor, who was frequently compelled to pause until the Presidential bell had quieted the interrupters, passionately appealed to the people of Alsace to co-operate in restoring good feeling. He said the Kaiser desired the civil and military authorities to co-operate in full respect of the law. The moment was serious, not because of the censure motion, which would possibly be carried, but because, owing to the general condition of excitement, a dangerous cleft was forming between the army and people. The Daily Mirror’s representative was arrested at Zabern for attempting to photograph an officer, but he was released within a quarter of an hour. The Imperial Chancellor, with the Statthalter of Alsace and the commander of the Alsace troops, has been summoned to Donaueechingen to confer with the Kaiser on the situation, and also on the developments in the Reichstag. Herr von Bethmann Hollweg further declared that the Kaiser vigorously disapproved of the military authorities’ excesses at Zabern. and has rigidly ordered the officers not to sow dissension between tho army and the people. The Chancellor said he fully recognised the sac-redness of tho civil law, and those who had exceeded it would be made to suffer. The Reichstag, by 293 votes to 54, carried the Radical motion expressing dissatisfaction with the Imperial Chancellor’s statement. December 5. The efforts to assimilate Alsace-Lor-raine have oscillated between severity and kindness, and latterly under Count Wedel kindness predominated. Count Wedel co-operated with Herr von Bethmann-Hol.'weg in framing a Constitution. Tho crisis commenced by Lieutenant von Foerstner on the parade ground, in the presence of Alsatian recruits, describing the Alsatians as “ wackes ” and offering 10s for every Alsatian vagabond who waa killed. When the public demanded the unnishmont of Lieutenant von Focrstner the military authorities merely arrested 30 recruits for divulging what had happened. The recruits are now awaiting trial by court-martial. The general commanding in Alsace ia Von Deluding, who aroused an uproar in the Hetchstng a few years ago by declaring as an officer that be did not care what member.) thought or dia. The present Reichstag is irritated because Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg never quoted Count Wedel’s reports, but always Von Ueimling’s. The Kaiser has now summoned Count Wedel and General von Deimling. The size of the hostile majority has made a deep impression on the public. It is reported that Herr vou Betlimann-Holl-weg's resignation depends upon whether tho Kaiser decides in favour of Count Wedel. If tho Stattluilter resigns FI err von Beth-maim-Hollweg will go also, but if the Kaiser decides that both the civil and military authorities are equally at fault he will remain. The House is less excited than it was on Wednesday, recognising Herr von Bethinann-Hollweg’s desire tc remove the inifvression created by bis Wai Miiiiuter’s maladroit speeches. The Chancellor indignantly denied that lie was capitulating to the Emperor’s military Cabinet, which did not exist. He was constantly interrupted, and finished amid hisses. The Social Democrats, Radicals, Catholics, and National Liberals supported the vote of censure, and" only the Prussian Conservatives voted for the Government. The Kaiser, after a consultation with Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, Count Wedel, General Uiemling, and the Statthalter, has decided that the Zabern garrison shall go on manoeuvres until further orders and until the court martial is completed. December 6. The troops at Zabern have been sent to tho dreary Hagenan barracks. r ! he Zabern people demand the punishment of Colonel Reuter and Lieutenant von Foerstner —a demand in which theRadicals and Socialists join. It is believed that the Chancellor bai offered his resignation, which the Kaiser has declined to accept. December 7. The authorities at Zabern have been satisfied with the punishment of tho offending officers' The removal of the regiment would seriously affect the town s economic position unless another regiment took its place.