provinces was forbidden. Military service in the German army was made
compulsory despite the protests of the inhabitants, who felt a horror of
some day being forced to fight against the French, whom they regarded as
brothers. All important offices were filled by Germans from beyond the
Rhine. The police constantly interfered with the freedom of the people.
French newspapers were suppressed on the slightest excuse. Attempts were
made to prevent Frenchmen from visiting Alsace and Alsatians from
visiting France. German army officers stationed in the provinces openly
ignored the rights of the population and were upheld in their conduct by
the German government. As time passed the inhabitants grew more and more
dissatisfied with the strict German rule.

In France also hostility to Germany was increased by the conditions in
Alsace-Lorraine. Frenchmen could not forget that they had been robbed of
these provinces. Hope was kept alive that some day they might be won
back. In the city of Paris, in the Place de la Concorde, there are eight
large marble statues each representing a great city of France. One of
these represents Strassburg, the chief city of Alsace. Every year, on
July 14, the national holiday of France, the people of Paris have placed
a wreath of mourning on this statue. This custom expresses the sorrow of
France for the loss of her eastern provinces, as well as her hope that
some day they may be restored.

ITALIA IRREDENTA.--_Italia Irreden´ta_ in the Italian language means
"unredeemed Italy." It refers to the territory adjoining Italy on the
north and northeast, occupied by Italians but not yet redeemed from
foreign rule.

[Illustration: Map of Italia Irredenta]