Barrès, Maurice
French novelist, journalist, and far-right politician (1862-1923). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 8vo. 2 pp. on bifolium.
$ 388 / 350 €
(90489/BN60237)
Interesting letter to a female friend and political activist, informing her that she should not use the term "Alsace-Lorraine" on a map, as it was an obsolete German political and administrative term, suggesting instead that she be more specific, depending on which of the two regions she will discuss at an unspecified event, or that she mention both separately: "Il ne faut jamais dire 'Alsace-Lorraine'. C'est une expression politique et administrative inventée par les Allemands et qui ne répond plus à rien.
Elle n'a jamais eu un sens français. Pour les français, il y a l'Alsace et puis il y a la Lorraine, qui sont deux pays absolument différents. Si vous rectifiez vos cartes, ou bien si vous mettez une annonce dans les journaux ou à l'entrée de votre salle, mettez l'Alsace, mettez la Lorraine, ou bien mettez l'Alsace et la Lorraine. Mais de quoi allez vous parler ? Est-ce de l'Alsace, est-ce de la Lorraine, est-ce des deux ? [...]". - Furthermore, Barrès warns the recipient that the writer and activist Émile Hinzelin might be offended and avoid the event. - The demand for the return of Alsace and Lorraine was central to Maurice Barrès's politics during German occupation (1871-1918), and he published several books and countless articles on the topic. Barrès also wrote a preface to Émile Heugelin's 1914 publication "L'Alsace sous le joug", and both contributed to Émile Wetterlé's essay collection "Notre Alsace, notre Lorraine" in 1919, following the annexation of the regions to the French Republic. - On stationery of the Chambre des Députés..