SCHLESWIG.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1920, Page 10

SCHLESWIG.

A VISIT TO DENMARK. PLEBISCITE MATTERS, PROSPECTS OF THE VOTE. No visitor to Denmark can fail to be struck by the variety of opinions which are held on the subject of the plebiscite in Schleswig. In Copenhagen, it may be said with some truth, the question is treated with languid interest, and not a little apprehension, but it is different in Jutland, where the fate of the Danes across the border is a matter of passionate concern. As regards the political parties, writes a correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, it is roughly true that the Conservative or National Party, now in opposition, would have the plebiscite extended to all territory which is historically Danish, down tp the famous Dannevirke line 011 the borders of Holstein, since nothing less will completely restore the annexation of 1884. The Radical-Socialist Coalition, which stands in considerable awe of Germany, profoundly dislikes any settlement of the frontier line which will not secure, Germany's permanent consent and approval According to the view which, is strong in Copenhagen and Zeeland, the return of the lost territories would, be a national disaster if it implied the incorporation in Denmark of any but Danish-minded Danes. Nothing is more dreaded than a Schleswig Irridenta on the Danish side of the border, and the possible appearance of a compact German bloc in the Reichstag, working to reopen the whole question with powerful backing from Germany. And this view must have weighed with the Peace Conference in adopting the settlement by plebiscite. It is well to recall how the Treaty deals with Schleswig- The new frontier between Denmark and Germany is to be drawn in accordance with the wishes of the population, for which purpose two zones have been marked off in the territories of the fdrmer German Empire. The first, corresponding roughly with North Schleswig, where the population is predominantly Danish by race and sympathy, is marked by a line leaving the Baltic just north of the important town of Flensbtirg, running south of Tondern to the North Sea, and including the Island of Rom. The second zone includes Flensbiir<j and an important part of Cc'itrfJ Schleswig, but has: a very irregular boundary beginning south of that town, running south-west and north-east, and including the North Sea islands of For, Amrun, and Sild. Within ten days of the Peace Treaty coming into force (i.e.. when ratified by three Allied Powers) both zones are to be evacuated by German troops and authorities, and placed under the control of an International Commission, with full powers of administration. Tlie Commission, which will be supported by Allied forces, shall conduct the plebiscite. The right of voting is given to all men and women oyer 20 years of n.rre who are either natives of the zone or domiciled there since a date before Ist January, WOO, or were expellee! by the Germans without having retained a domicile there. German immigrants of less than 10 years' standing are thus excluded from voting, but, on the other hand, natives of the zones, wherever now resident, e.g. in England, may return to their birthplace and vote. , The plebiscite is to be held in the first zone within five Weeks of ratification of the Treatv, and depends on a majority of individual votes cast. In the second zone, as the population is less homogeneous, the decision {roes by a majority of communes. "As a result of the vote, and taking into account the particular geographical and economic conditions of the local'ties in question." the Commission is directed to propose to the Allied Powers a frontier line which will afterwards be delimited.

As giving point to the Government's dread of political complications, it should be remembered that, all inhabitants or territory transferred to Denmark become Danish nationals, but Germans are entitled, within two years, to vote for German nationality on condition of removing from Denmark- They are also entitled to retain their real property in the territory transferred. It they do not opt they become Danish citizens, with political rights and the possibility of representation in Parliament. The plebiscite area, it will be observed, is only a small part of the territory lost to Denmark in ISC>4. It was not always so. Duri v g the early negotiations at Paris the Conference was induced by 'unofficial' influence, supported by deputations from the inhabitants, to provide for the evacuation and polling of a Third Zone clown to the Dannevirlce line. Presumably owing to the Government's dread of an influx of disguised Germans this provision disappeared at the last moment from the revised treaty of 28th June. But, by a curious error, the covering letter of 16th June in which the Allies summoned Germany to sign the revised version without delay, and summarised its terms, still mentions evacuation of the Third Zone, though the stipulation, for a plebiscite had been dropped.

is. confidently expected . that the. First Zone will vote Danish, but German "rnwanda has lately trained strength, through the dropping of the Third ■'one clauses and through an lmfortui"ite split that rece.ntlv occurred among .+><• directors of the' (Danish) North ■«eW_"swig Voters' Association. It is significant that the oftieial instructions that German electors should abstain from voting in this zone, where in May the result seemed a. foregone conclusion, have now been withdrawn.

In the Second Zone the result is still more doubtful. Hermans are numerous, and intimidation is said to he regularly used to prevent the Danish electors from meeting to discuss the question. Apart from this, it i= felt in Denmark that economic consideraf : ons will influence tha vote. There is close interdependence between the zones and the rest of Schles. wis;, and a natural dislike of partition. Moreover, the low rate of exchange between mark and kroner will entail heavy loss where territory is restored to Denmark, n. fact which mav outweish the desire of German electors to vote Danish in order to escape the burden of German tnxation.

Much, too. is being; said of tli e economic dependence, of both zones on their l natural centre. Flensbursr, which in fifty years of German rule lias crown to bo a flourishing place of 71000 inhabitants, mostly German It is the centre of German influence, because if is the economic and oe.oeranliic heart of the whole wovince. Either zone would suffer ' ll > l 'ry if separated from it. thnnsh less in f.Ws case of the First ?one. which could find .compensation in TCsbiero*. German propajrandais making use of this fact, and in addition to appeals? to the stomach nv scntlin? itiproncpd foort puwilie* to Schleswitf. is h01d;.,? nvt the bribe of making a nori at r*n?TniriT to compete wit'i Pon»nlm?e;.—•> promise that cannot be realised f-' v many years to rotn». -.as the port is at nrese«t Mlenu"wd with warehouses and harbor faculties: