Government's Acts Beyond Reproach.
In the House of Commons the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs spoke
of France, amid the applause of the members, in lofty and impassioned
words, which have already elicited genuine response from all French
hearts.
In the name of the Government of the Republic I wish, from this rostrum,
to thank the British Government for the cordiality of its words, and the
French Parliament will join me in this.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs made this declaration
particularly:
That in case the German fleet entered the Channel or steamed northward
in the North Sea to go around the British Isles with the purpose of
attacking the French Coast or the French Navy, and to harass the French
merchant marine, the English fleet would interfere by giving the French
fleet its entire protection, in such manner that from that moment
England and Germany would be in a state of war.
Thus, from the present moment, the English fleet is guarding our
northern and western coast against German aggression.
Gentlemen, those are the facts. I think that, taken as a close-knit
whole, they are sufficient to justify the acts of the Government of the
Republic. Nevertheless, I wish to conclude by giving the true meaning of
this unprecedented aggression of which France is the victim.
The victors of 1870, as you know, have felt at various times the desire
of renewing the blows which they had dealt us. In 1875 the war for
finishing vanquished France was prevented only by the intervention of
the two powers destined to be united to us later by the ties of alliance
and friendship--by the intervention of Russia and Great Britain.
Since then the French Republic, by the restoration of its strength and
the making of diplomatic agreements, invariably lived up to, has
succeeded in freeing itself from the yoke which Bismarck had been able
to impose upon Europe even in days of peace.
It re-established the European balance of power, that guarantee of the
liberty and dignity of each nation.
Gentlemen, I do not know whether I am deceiving myself, but it seems to
me that it is this work of pacific reparation, liberation, and dignity,
definitely sealed in 1904 and 1907 with the support of King Edward VII.
of England and of the royal Government, which the German Empire desires
to destroy today by an audacious piece of violence.
Germany can reproach us with nothing.
We have made an unprecedented sacrifice to peace by bearing in silence
for half a century the wound inflicted by Germany.
We have acquiesced in other sacrifices in all the disputes which, since
1904, imperial diplomacy has systematically provoked either in Morocco
or elsewhere, in 1905 as well as in 1906, in 1908 as well as in 1911.
Italy's Attitude.
Russia also has given proof of great moderation, both in the events of
1908 and the present crisis. She acted with the same moderation--and the
Triple Entente with her--when, in the Eastern crisis of 1912, Austria
and Germany formulated against Servia and Greece demands amenable to
discussion, as the result proved.
Useless sacrifices, sterile compromises, futile efforts--today, while
actually engaged in efforts at conciliation, we and our allies are
suddenly attacked.
Nobody can believe in good faith that we are the aggressors; in vain the
sacred principles of law and liberty, which rule nations as well as
individuals, are assailed. Italy, with the clear conscience of Latin
genius, has informed us that she will remain neutral.
This decision has aroused the sincerest joy throughout France. I made
myself the spokesman of this to the Italian Chargé d'Affaires, telling
him how delighted I was that the two Latin sisters, who have the same
origin and ideals, and a glorious past in common, are not opposed to
each other.
What is being attacked, I repeat, gentlemen, is that independence,
dignity, and security which the Triple Entente has restored to the
balance of power in the service of peace.
What is being attacked are the liberties of Europe, whose defenders
France, her allies, and her friends are proud to be.
We shall defend these liberties, for it is they which are in jeopardy;
all else is merely a pretext.
France, unjustly provoked, did not desire war. She has done everything
to prevent it. But since it is forced upon her, she will defend herself
against Germany, and against every power which has not as yet announced
its position but which should later on take sides with Germany in the
war between the two.
A free and strong nation, strengthened by venerable ideals, firmly
united in defense of its existence, a democracy which has known how to
discipline its military acts, and which did not fear last year to impose
upon itself additional military burdens to offset those of neighboring
countries, an armed nation fighting for its own life and for the
independence of Europe--that is the spectacle which we are proud to show
the witnesses of this formidable struggle, which has been in preparation
for some days amid methodical quiet.
We are without reproach. We shall be without fear.
France has often proved, under less favorable conditions, that she is
the most formidable adversary when she fights, as she now does, for
liberty and right.
In placing our acts before you, gentlemen, who are our judges, we have
the comfort of a clear conscience and the certainty of having done our
duty to help us bear the weight of our heavy responsibility.
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