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Show THE I'RCtiSIIMCATION OP ALSACE AL-SACE AND LORRAINE SPEECH OP PRINCE BISMARCK. Prince Bismarck made an important speech in the German Parliament, on May 2nd. Q'he business before the House was the bill for the incorporation incorpora-tion of Alsace and Lorraine with Germany, which was, after a short do-bate, do-bate, referred to a committee of twenty-eight twenty-eight members. Before the commencement com-mencement of tho debate the Federal Chancellor said : "Ten months ago no one in Germany desired war, but all were determined if war was forced upon us to carry it through, and to obtain guarantees against a recurrence of attacks by France. France, possessing Alsace, continually threatened Germany. On the 6th of August, 18(36, the French Ambassador handed me an ultimatum demanding the cession of Mayence to France, and telling us, in the alternative, alterna-tive, to expect an immediate declaration declara-tion of war. It was only tbe illness of tho Emperor Napoleon which then prevented the outbreak of war. During the late war neutral Powers made mediatory proposals. In the first instance we were asked to content ourselves with the costs of the war and the razing of a fortress. This did not satisly us. It was necessary that the bulwark from which France could sally forth for attack should be further pushed back. Another proposal was to neutralize Alsace aud Lorraine. But that neutral State would have possessed neither the power nor the will to preserve its neutrality in case of war. We were obliged to incorporate Alsace with the territory of Germany in order to secure the peace of Europe. It is true the aversion of the population popula-tion of Alsace and Lorraine is on obstacle to such a measure. Still, the population is thoroughly German, forming a sort of aristocracy in France by its noble and Tuetonic qualities. We shall strive to win back to us this population pop-ulation by means of Teutonic patience and love. We shall especially grant communal liberties. The Federal Council will carefully examine all amendments proposed by the Keieh-stag.- - Let us work together with mutual confidence." |