UNREST IN EUROPE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—It is an error to assume that relations between Germany and France, as they are, were due to the fact that Germany wants Alsace-Lorraine back. Though the native population of this province as a whole, with few exceptions, represents a German tribe and speaks a German dialect (as other parts of the Empire do) though not literary German, the Germany of to-day does not aspire to regain Alsace-Lorraine. Only a not numerous group on the extreme right differ as to this renunciation.
The reason for this general German attitude is the innate particularism of the Alsace-Lorraine people, who do not wish to be tied to the other Germans, in fact to any community outside their own diminutive one, consequently not to France either.
Germany would readily consent to an Alsace-Lorraine gaining perfect independence. For the Empire this country has ceased to be a bone of contention. The causes of the trouble between France and Germany are Reparations, Disarmament and other one-sided obligations, now recognized in the world as obsolete.
As to whether Germany is to blame for the War or not is no question for sentiment, but as your correspondent rightly says, for inquiry—for impartial research. And I believe that since ample proof to the contrary is already to hand, still to proclaim in public : " Germany was entirely to blame for the War," seems ill-considered.—I am, Sir, &e.,
WALTUER SCIIIMANN.
Alton-Blankenese, Liitt Iserbrook 83.
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