FRANCE AND GERMANY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1546, 30 April 1887, Page 2

FRANCE AND GERMANY

In an apparently inspired letter published by the " North Germin Gazette," concurrence is expressed with the view that it was through fear of Fcenoh soldiers being billeted upon them, and of the imposition of war contributions, and other burdens m the event of an early French occupation, that the inhabitants of Alsace-Lorraine decided to ingratiate themselves with their compatriots by voting for members of the Protest party at the recent elections to the Reichstag. "Frenchmen," continues the writer, "regard the result of the elections m Alsace-Lorraine aa affording convincing proof thsjb French sympathy is paramount there, ana* farther that the Inhabitants are longing for re-nnlon with France, and are d*t^rnziued to employ all the means m their power for the attainment of that object as soon as the Fronch Army shall have oroesad tie Vosges. These considerations have strengthened the war party m Paris. Should war break out the responsibility for it would rest to a certain extent with the population of AlsaceLorraine. Germin is, therefore, not only justified m taking this faot into account, butjls bound to do so. In 1871 the Germaa Empire compensated Alsace* Lorraine for all damage Buffered by those provinces during the war. In the event of Germany being again involved m a war with Franoe. such liberality would be out of place, and would be regarded as a Bign of weakness.