Premier Clemenceau of France received a vote of confidence in the
Chamber of Deputies on June 6, 1918, by a vote of 377 to 110. An
attempt was made by the militant Socialists to embarrass the Government
by demanding information of military matters which it was deemed
inexpedient to reveal. In his victorious speech defying his critics he
said:
The collapse of Russia enabled the enemy to set free an army of
a million men to add to his forces on our front. Anybody can
understand that under such enormous weight our line must give
way at some points. Some of our men have fought one against five
without sleeping for three or four days. The losses of our allies,
the British, in the heroic struggle have been more than we could
have believed possible.
The situation has become dangerous for our armies, but in all
this I see nothing to diminish our confidence in our troops. As
to the Government, it will continue to make war stubbornly and
obstinately. We will never capitulate. If you are not satisfied
with our work, turn us out. It is for you to decide.
The only thing that matters is final success. Our effectives
are lessening in number, but so are those of Germany, while the
Americans are coming in larger and larger numbers to take part in
the final victory. * * *
Down there all that the heroes can do is to die, but you
by your firm and resolute attitude can give them what they
deserve--victory. You have before you a Government which told you
the very first day that it did not enter into power to negotiate
without victory. As long as we are here the fatherland will be
defended at all costs, and no force will be spared to obtain
success.
We have allies who represent the greatest nations in the world,
that have decided to go on until success is certain, success which
is near. The Americans are arriving for the final blow.