French Socialists Favor Disarmament.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 25, 1913:
Pass a Resolution Against "Revenge" Owing to the Loss of Alsace-Lorraine.
A DIVISION IS SUGGESTED
Alsace, Says Gustave Herve, Is German In Race and Civilization, While Lorraine Is French.
    BREST, March 24.— A resolution calling on France and Germany to agree to proportional disarmament was adopted today by the French National Congress of United Socialists. The resolution declared that the present rivalry of arms in the name of peace was provocative of war, which could be prevented by a treaty to reduce the armies of the powers simultaneously.
    Gustave Hervé, well known as an anti- military agitator, proposed that the Socialists should ask the French Government to open negotiations with Germany on the basis of the autonomy of Alsace-Lorraine. Alsace, he said, was German in race and civilization and had been an ancient possession of Germany, while Lorraine was French. One of the provinces naturally belonged to Germany and the other to France. Were Germany to consent to the autonomy of the two provinces, he continued, both nations could be satisfied, and their armaments could be reduced.
    "Suppose the Emperor William refuses?" interrupted one of the delegates.
    M. Hervé replied if France were willing and Germany were not, if France were ready to arbitrate and disarm and Germany were not, then Germany in the case of war would be the aggressor.
    Francis de Pressensé, ex-Socialist Deputy, declared that time had done its work. Alsace-Lorraine no longer wanted to return to French rule, and, he added, "Revenge is out of date."
    The congress adopted a resolution associating itself with the Socialists of Alsace-Lorraine, who have affirmed that they do not want "revenge," which would bring France and Germany to grips.
    The congress further decided to undertake energetic action in favor of a Franco-German understanding, international arbitration, and a national militia, and to oppose three years' army service.