. Within very few years after the annexation
there sprang up, within the Territorial Committee first of all, a
group of "autonomists," led by the secretary of state Baron Zorn von
Bulach, who insisted in season and out upon statehood for the
conquered territory, and within a decade the campaign gained momentum
until it enlisted the support of men of all political faiths and
became the principal rallying issue of Alsatian sentiment and
enthusiasm. Until within recent years the tension of the international
situation was alone sufficient to restrain the Imperial Government
from according the demand favorable consideration. With the passing of
time the danger of international conflict in which Alsace-Lorraine
should be involved was, however, perceptibly diminished, and the way
was to this extent cleared for a readjustment of the territory's
anomalous status on the merits of the purely administrative and
constitutional questions involved.

The programme of the autonomists, as it finally assumed shape, (p. 285)
embraced four fundamental points: (1) the elevation of Alsace-Lorraine
to membership in the German Empire, with all the rights and immunities
commonly possessed by existing members; (2) the vesting of the
executive authority in an independent head of the state, whether a
king of a newly established line, a regent appointed for life, or even
a president of a republic; (3) the establishment within the state of a
full-fledged legislative body, with powers equivalent to those
exercised by the Landtags of the existing states; and (4) the
elimination of Kaiser, Bundesrath, and Reichstag from all legislation
which concerns Alsace-Lorraine exclusively. Taking their stand on the
situation as it was, and accepting the union with Germany with such
grace as they could muster and assuming that it is to be permanent,
the exponents of autonomy proposed to make the best of a state of
things not of their choosing.

*309. The Government Bill of 1910.*--Under pressure of persistent public
demand, the Imperial Government prepared an elaborate measure upon the
subject, which, after having been approved by the Bundesrath, was
submitted to the Reichstag, December 17, 1910. Although Chancellor von
Bethmann-Hollweg had declared unreservedly for reform, the
Government's proposals fell far short of the demands of the autonomist
leaders. The cardinal features of the Imperial programme, were, in
brief: (1) Alsace-Lorraine should remain a dep