The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. THE SCHLESWIG PLEBISCITE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. THE SCHLESWIG PLEBISCITE

The Danes have good reasons for rejoicing over the result of the recent plebiscite taken in North Schleswig to determine whether the inhabitants favored remaining under German rule or re-union with Denmark. The gratifying feature of the verdict, from a Danish point of view, is that twothirds of the total vote was in favor of reunion, a result that has naturally aroused furious and bitter bewailings on the part of the German Press. Denmark has the Allies to thank for the opportunity of exercising this principle of self-determination, which is one of the stipulations contained in the Peace Treaty, and all British people will regard the decision with much gratification by reason of the affection entertained for the mother of King George (Queen Alexandra), who was a Danish Princess. Schleswig occupies a very important geographical position between the North Sea and the Baltic, having numerous bays and fiords, the country being particularly adapted for cattle breeding and agriculture. For a long period, Schleswig was an object of contention between the Danes and the Germans. It became a possession of Denmark in the eleventh century, and later an independent State under Danish suzerainty, being united to Holstein towards the end of the fourteenth century. In 1864, Austria and Prussia wrested Schleswig from Denmark (the meanest of the Hohenzollern frauds) and, two years later, Prussia, after her victory over Austria, incorporated the two duchies of Schleswig and Holstein in her dominions. The gratitude expressed by King Christian at the result of the voting in the north zone can readily be understood, and the verdict in that zone should have the effect of securing a similar vote in the middle zone. Every precaution was taken by the International Commission to secure the perfect freedom of the voters, and the prevention of German intimidation. But for this there is little doubt the Germans would have seen to it that the voting was in Germany's favor. The verdict falls as a blow to German pride, and indicates clearly that the Prussian method of filching the territory of other nations does not destroy the patriotism of the people. Civilisation may well welcome this latest righting of a gross? wrong inflicted by Prussia, and the event proves that the principles for which the Allies fought and conquered are such as were worthy of the great sacrifices made. The return of Schleswig to Denmark is one of the fruits of the Allies' victory, and it will be for the League of Nations to safeguard Denmark from any attempt, on Germany's part in the future to endeavor to regain the territory that has now reverted to | Denmark.