THE MALAISE OF MADAME ALSACE [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] SIR,—With reference to the article by Sir Robert Donald appearing in a recent issue of your journal, I have referred to several personal friends in Alsace, each of whom is a man of standing, concerning various points, and I shall be glad if you will find space for correction in regard to two important
matters.
1. Sir Robert states definitely that "the family were not allowed to use the language of the family among themselvea, although it had been their speech for centuries and only a few of them knew any other." This affirmation can only mean that under the French regime since the Armistice the use of the German tongue has been forbidden. AS to this point, one of my correspondents writes : "This statement of Sir Robett Donald's is entirely false. The Alsatians are allowed to speak publicly and privately as they. like. There is complete liberty for all both in regard to the use and to the study of German. The question at issue to-day is this : Our present School Directory wishes to begin with the study of French in the public schools, the German language occupying the second place. The majority of the people agree with this ; but some pastors and teachers consider that it would be better for the children to begin with the study of German, with French taking second place." Another of my correspondents assures me that " the French authorities have never forbidden, in any way whatsoever, the use of the German language in Alsace, either in private or in public affairs, or in religious services. But it should be noted that the literary German (Hoch Deutsch) has never been spoken in Alsace."
2. A second statement of Sir Donald is this : "Alsace has been conquered and reconquered, but through all the changing centuries her characteristics have persisted. It is her deter- mination to preserve them that has made her start a Heimat- bund, to which members of her family regardless of their social station and their political colour are giving support." In truth, it is not in any way correct to say that " Alsace " has started a Heimatbund. In the first place, scarcely anyone of any standing has joined the Heimatbund, and secondly, every political party organization (save the Communists) has condemned the manifesto issued by that body some months ago. Correspondent No. I writes to me : "The language controversy is only a pretext for the members of the Heimat- bund to poison the political life of Alsace and Lorraine. The leaders of this movement—which represents a very small minority—had sold their soul to Germany and hoped firmly, during the War, that France would be crushed. The victory of the Entente was the great disappointment of their lives. They have been quite unable to adapt themselves to the new situation ; hence their bitterness, and their tendency to take advantage against France and for Germanyof some mistakes of the French Government. Secretly, although not openly, they are anti-French." Correspondent No. 2 says : "The Heimatbund is a group for the most part very little known, but of whom a few played small political parts before the War with the desire to make a name for themselves. Apart from the Communists—of whom there are but few and who have totally different aims—the Heimatbund is upheld by certain ultra-Catholic elements who hate the French secular laws and hope to retain the present religious regime in Alsace without any modification. The Catholic authorities and most of the Catholics have pronounced against the Heimat- bund."
3. Concerning the "disagreeable riots at Colmar" to which editorial reference was made ,in the same issue of the Spectator, I have received the following from a correspondent who lives a few miles from that town : "A few Communists and members of the Heimatbund who wanted to hold a meeting at Colmar were prevented by ex-Service men from
doing so. This resulted in a light, during hich blows were exchanged, although no serious injuries were reported. Be- yond approving this little lesson which the Communists and ultra-Catholics received, the people of Colmar took no notice of the affair. The alliance between these two is regarded is very extraordinary, and many people are disgusted by it."- Future.
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