12 MAY 1928, Page 2

The recent General Election in Prance proved, fun6Q other things,

that the people of Alsace were not altogether' comfortable and were phiYing with the thought of sonic kind of Home Rule. M. Pohicare had this fact in mind when he spoke on Monday on the problems of the restored Provinces. He laid it down quite plainly that the restoration of Alsace and Lorraine to France was a final act. If this act were in any way modified there would be a constant debating point between France and Ger- many; and all prospect of a lasting Franco-German friend- ship would vanish. " France," said M. Poincare, " will never let an inch of either Province 'be taken away from her, nor even allow an autonomous State to be formed, for its existence would necessarily be precarious." Ile then went on to promise respect for all the traditions and customs of the " three restored departments." France, however, had a right to demand something inn return. There was no objection whatever to Alsatian children talking German, but their must alai 'learn French. * * * *