ALSACE-LORRAINE.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14651, 4 March 1918, Page 6

ALSACE-LORRAINE.

FRENCH NATIONAL CELEBRA-

TION.

EXPOSURE OF GERMAN MEN-

DACITY,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received March o } 5.5 p.m.)

Paris, March 2

At the national Alsace-Lorraine celebration at the Sorbonne there was an imposing ceremony. M. Pichon, on behalf of the Government, said that Hertling was pretending that the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine was carried out in order to reoccupy German territory which France had usurped. The esSmpress Eugenic, however, had just given to the national archives a letter from William 1., dated October 26th, 1870, saying that "Germany insists upon territorial concessions for no other reason except to make sure that the next war will find her better prepared to meet aggression, which is certain to come directly France has regained her [strength and secured allios."

M. Pichon also read a telegram dated July 31st, 1914, from Bethmann Hollweg to Yon Choen, German Ambassador at Paris. This stated, If the French Government remain neutral Yon Choen must inform them that as a guarantee of such neutrality Germany would insist upon France handing over the fortresses of Toul and Verdun, which she would occupy and restore after the war. Germany must have a reply before 4 [o'clock on Saturday afternoon.