Alsace (1916)

Mr. Orbey, a wealthy manufacturer of Thann, has decided to remain in the newly-annexed country, after the war of 1871. He is the champion of the struggle between the Alsatians and their oppressors, which began with the first day of the annexation. Every occasion is taken advantage of to instill into the hearts of the Alsatians the love of their lost Fatherland, which they are sure will be restored to them some day. But how different is the attitude of the Teuton immigrants, both military officers and civilians, who remain isolated in the midst of an unflinching population. The festival of the patron Saint of Thann is the occasion for all the faithful Alsatians to gather for a rustic dance. Pleasure and joy reign supreme. Suddenly a group of intoxicated Germans comes to disturb the peaceful throng. Mme. Orbey was dancing with her husband when an officer, pushing aside the crowd, impudently comes to ask her to dance with him. She refuses, and he moves to snatch her away from the arms of her husband, who slaps him in the face. The struggle becomes general, blows fly all around, the opponents roll in the dust, and the feast ends in bloodshed. Mr. Orbey, wounded, returns home, where he is made the object of many sympathetic calls. Excited at the thought of the incidents of the day those present are filled with an overwhelming love for their lost Fatherland. Their hearts are filled with joy when Mme. Orbey starts playing the "Marseillaise." Outside the patrol hears the forbidden song. The soldiers come upstairs and arrest Mr. Orbey. He is sentenced to be expelled from Alsace, and he leaves with his wife in the midst of great popular excitement. Mr. and Mrs. Orbey have left in Thann their son, James, who, with his uncle, Mr. Honneck, takes charge of his father's manufacturing plant. Having been compelled to bow down to the law of the oppressor, James has had to do his military service in Germany, a very bitter sacrifice, because Rene, his cousin Susie's fiancée, has crossed the frontier to serve France. Having been admitted into the home of Mr. Schwartz, a wealthy manufacturer, and having been attracted by the charm of his daughter. Marguerite, James gradually falls in love with the girl. His father and mother are still exiles in France, and his uncle is the only relative who tries hard to make the young m man forget his unfortunate infatuation. But Mr. Honneck's efforts are futile and not knowing what more to do, he communicates his distress to Mme. Orbey, who finally secures permission to return to Alsace. His mother pleads with him to give up the girl, and he consents. But his sacrifice makes him desperately ill, and his mother finally has to get Marguerite. The young people are married. More than ever arises in the young family the irreconcilable race antagonism. The conflicts are continuous, and James' heart is torn between the love for his wife and his filial devotion. July, 1914: James' position has become intolerable when suddenly there comes the most dreaded news: Germany is mobilizing. The long awaited day has arrived and France is making ready to enter upon a campaign by which she hopes to tear out of the book of history the page written forty-four years ago. Young Rene has decided not to leave for the front without kissing his sweetheart once more, and braving all dangers, he succeeds in crossing the frontier, hiding under his chauffeur's coat the French uniform. He meets Susie at the Orbeys, but having been found out and denounced, he is about to be arrested as a spy when, thanks to James' devotion and presence of mind, he succeeds in escaping and in reaching his post. Events follow each other quickly. Mme. Orbey has made ready to leave for France, with her son, whose place is in the ranks of the defenders of freedom and justice. Time is pressing and as her son does not appear, Mme. Orbey rushes to his house, while James, dressed in civilian clothes, steals away to fulfill what he believes to be his "other duty." James passes through agitated groups of those who are responding to the order of German mobilization and suddenly stops. Someone has just cried "Death to the French." The generous blood which runs in his veins cannot lie, and facing the enemy, he cries "Long live France." He is immediately attacked, and badly wounded he crawls to his house to fall dead in the arms of his mother. The dawn of the "Great Day" has come. All over the great plain the villages captured by the French are still burning. The French enter Thann. Mme. Orbey, in mourning, staggers towards the tomb of her son, her beloved James, and cries, "Rejoice, Rejoice, my son, the French are here."