Chapter 77
Mr. President: German civil and military authorities have taken note of a certain number of acts of a hostile character committed on German territory by French military aviators. Several of the latter have clearly violated the neutrality of Belgium by flying over the territory of that nation. One tried to destroy buildings near Wesel, others were seen over the Eiffel region, another threw bombs on the railway line between Karlsruhe and Nuremberg.
I have been charged with informing your Excellency, and now have the honor of doing so, that in view of these acts of aggression the German Empire now considers itself in a state of war with France as a result of the acts of the latter power.
I have at the same time the honor of bringing to your Excellency's knowledge that the German authorities will detain French merchant vessels in German ports, but will release them if within forty-eight hours complete reciprocity is a.s.sured.
My diplomatic mission having terminated, all that remains for me to do is to request your Excellency to provide me with my pa.s.sports and take whatever measures your Excellency may deem necessary to effect my return to Germany with the personnel of the emba.s.sy and of the Bavarian Legation and the Consulate General of Germany at Paris.
With sentiments of my highest consideration.
SCHOEN.
Is it necessary, gentlemen, that I should call attention to the absurdity of the pretexts brought forward as grievances? Never at any time has any French aviator gone into Belgium; no French aviator has committed an act of hostility either in Bavaria or any other part of Germany. European public opinion has already done justice to these miserable inventions.
We immediately took all needed steps against this attack, which violates all laws of equity and rules of public law. The carrying out of these is progressing with thorough system and absolute calm.
The mobilization of the Russian Army is also being continued with remarkable energy and boundless enthusiasm.
The Belgian Army, mobilized up to 250,000 men, is preparing with magnificent spirit to defend the neutrality and independence of its country.
The English fleet is entirely mobilized, and the order has been given for the mobilization of the land forces.
Since 1912 there have been consultations between the English and French General Staffs. These had resulted in an exchange of letters between Sir Edward Grey and M. Paul Cambon. The Secretary of State made these known yesterday in the House of Commons, and, in accordance with the wishes of the British Government, I shall have the honor of reading these two doc.u.ments to this Parliament:
London, Foreign Office, Nov. 22, 1912.
My Dear Amba.s.sador:
From time to time in recent years the French and British naval and military experts have consulted together. It has always been understood that such consultation does not restrict the freedom of either Government to decide at any future time whether or not to a.s.sist the other by armed force. We have agreed that consultation between experts is not and ought not to be regarded as an engagement that commits either Government to action in a contingency that has not arisen and may never arise. The disposition, for instance, of the French and British fleets respectively at the present moment is not based upon an engagement to co-operate in war.
You have, however, pointed out that, if either Government had grave reason to expect an unprovoked attack by a third power, it might become essential to know whether it could in that event depend upon the armed a.s.sistance
I agree that, if either Government had grave reason to expect an unprovoked attack by a third power, or something that threatened the general peace, it should immediately discuss with the other whether both Governments should act together to prevent aggression and to preserve peace, and, if so, what measures they would be prepared to take in common. If these measures involved action, the plans of the General Staffs would at once be taken into consideration, and the Governments would then decide what effect should be given to them. Yours, &c.,
E. GREY.
M. PAUL CAMBON TO SIR EDWARD GREY.
London, Nov. 23, 1912.
Dear Sir Edward: You reminded me in your letter of yesterday, 22d November, that during the last few years the military and naval authorities of France and Great Britain had consulted with each other from time to time; that it had always been understood that these consultations should not restrict the liberty of either Government to decide in the future whether they should lend each other the support of their armed forces; that, on either side, these consultations between experts were not and should not be considered as engagements binding our Governments to take action in certain eventualities; that, however, I had remarked to you that, if one or other of the two Governments had grave reasons to fear an unprovoked attack on the part of a third power, it would become essential to know whether it could count on the armed support of the other.
Your letter answers that point, and I am authorized to state that, in the event of one of our two Governments having grave reasons to fear either an attack from a third power, or some event threatening the general peace, that Government would immediately examine with the other the question whether both Governments should act together in order to prevent aggression or preserve peace. If so, the two Governments would deliberate as to the measures which they would be prepared to take in common. If those measures involved action the two Governments would take into immediate consideration the plans of their General Staffs and would then decide as to the effect to be given to those plans.
Yours, &c.,
PAUL CAMBON.
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 impa.s.sioned 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 hara.s.s 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 finis.h.i.+ng 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 friends.h.i.+p--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 Att.i.tude.
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.
n.o.body 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 a.s.sailed. 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 Charge 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.