President Poincare of the French Republic to President Wilson, Sept.
11.
Mr. President: I am informed that the German Government is
attempting to abuse your Excellency's good faith by alleging that
dumdum bullets are manufactured in French State workshops, and are
used by our soldiers. The calumny is nothing but an audacious
attempt to reverse the rôles. Germany has since the beginning of
the war employed dumdum bullets, and has daily committed violations
of the laws of nations.
On Aug. 18 and on several occasions since then we have had to
report crimes to your Excellency as well as to the powers signatory
to the Convention of The Hague. Germany, which was aware of our
protests, is now trying to deceive and to make use of pretexts and
lies in order to indulge in further acts of barbarity in the name
of right. Outraged civilization sends your Excellency an indignant
protest.