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1913] Alsatian Homecoming 



that "le retour a la France a He unaniment salute 

 comme juste, legitime, et en parfait accord avec les vxux 

 de la population." ^ 



In the return to the Motherland, however, certain 

 difficulties naturally arise, to be removed by time and 

 patience. The loss of a separate status is a matter of 

 some regret, and the over-centralized system which 

 prevails in France has irksome features. Submerged New 

 therein as three departments or judicial districts — ^'"*'"^'^''^^' 

 Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, and Moselle — the combined 

 province has lost somewhat of its cherished individual- 

 ity. As already stated,^ early in the last century the 

 French government obliterated the old provincial 

 lines, creating ninety "departments" devoid of polit- 

 ical significance. It is certain, however, that no 

 freedom-loving Alsatians look back with longing to 

 their connection with Germany, for under the 

 Prussian system discipline was always a matter of 

 caste control, painful in the highest degree to men 

 who have tasted freedom. 



' "The return to France has been unanimously welcomed as just, legitimate, 

 and perfectly in accord with the will of the people." 

 » See Chapter xxvn, page 66. 



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