Rich Provinces.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 35, 8 May 1917, Page 2

Rich Provinces.

Quite apart from strong sentimental reasons, French people want to get their lost provinces of Alsace-Lor-raine back because of their actual value. In the provinces are some of the greatest potash mines in the world. These mines alone yield £4,000,000 worth of potash every year. Naturally, while the Germans have owned them they have made many millions out of them, supplying the world with potash, and with fertilizers from the rock salt which is mixed up with the potash beds. Another fact about Lorraine which will surprise most people is that It has half the world’s supply of iron ore, as, well as huge untapped coal deposits. For the coal alone France would like Lorraine, for she is short ol coal, and has to import 10,000,090 tons a year. Altogether, the return of AlsaceLorraine will increase France’s annual income by some £10,000,000, so there is a business side as well as a sentimental one to the recapture of the lost provinces.