Wednesday, September 2
Thirty-first day of the war. Beautifully clear weather, cloudless sky, northeasterly wind. Temperature at five P.M. 25 degrees centigrade.
German prisoners declare that Emperor William has made it known to every soldier that his orders are to “take Paris or die.” A German cavalry division came into contact with British troops yesterday in the forest of Compiègne. The British captured ten field guns. But the right wing of the German army, which ever since the battles of Charleroi and Mons has enveloped and turned the allied left, continues its advance. The allied troops have retired partly to the south and partly to the southwest. A great battle must consequently take place within the range of the Paris forts. Work on the entrenched lines connecting the forts is actively carried out and is said to give every satisfaction. The positions, believed to be impregnable, are strengthened by ingenious arrangements of barbed wire. It is reported that some of this barbed entanglement contains live wires fed by the electric batteries of the defence.
In a stirring editorial in his newspaper L’Homme Libre, M. Georges Clemençeau frankly faces the situation now that “the Germans are close to Paris.” He adds: “We have left open the approach to Paris, while reserving to ourselves flank attacks on the enemy. If the forts do their duty, this move may be a happy one. From what we have seen of him, General Joffre belongs to the temporizing school. At this moment there are no better tactics. The supreme art will be to seize the instant when temporization must give way to a carefully prepared offensive movement. I have full confidence in General Joffre.”
Lord Kitchener made a rapid incognito visit to Paris yesterday, where he met Field-marshal Sir John French. As far as can be ascertained, Lord Kitchener went to the front and had a conference with General Joffre. There seems to be no doubt but what General Joffre’s plans have the heartiest approval and support of Lord Kitchener. French troops from the eastern theater of the war are being brought up rapidly, so as to attack the German lines of communications, possibly near Rethel. Reënforcements are coming in rapidly from England, and a large new army has formed, at Le Mans, and will soon be ready to take the field with great effect.
The usual six o’clock serenade of the German air-lieutenants this afternoon drew forth a few rifle shots from roofs of Paris houses, and even a quick-firing gun was discharged at one of these taubes. But the distance was too great, and the two German aeroplanes vanished shortly before seven in a northerly direction.
This evening President Poincaré and the French Government removed the seat of government from Paris to Bordeaux, and the following proclamation was issued:
Frenchmen,
For several weeks, during desperate fighting, our heroic troops have struggled with the enemy’s army. Our soldiers’ valiance has brought them marked advantages on several points. But to the north the advance of the German forces has compelled us to draw back.
This situation imposes on the President of the Republic and the Government a painful decision. To safeguard the national salvation, the public powers have as a duty momentarily to leave the city of Paris.
Under the command of an eminent leader, a French army, full of courage and zest, will defend the capital and its patriotic population against the invader. But the war must be pursued at the same time over the rest of the land.
Without peace or truce, without halt or faltering, the sacred struggle for the honor of the nation and the reparation of violated right will be continued.
None of our armies is cut into. If some of them have undergone losses—too great losses—the vacant places have been immediately filled by the dépôts, and the call of the recruits ensures for us for to-morrow further resources of men and energies.
Fight and stand firm—such must be the watchword of the allied armies, British, Russian, Belgian, and French.
Fight and stand firm; while on the sea the British help us to cut our enemy’s line of communications with the outside world.
Fight and stand firm; while the Russians continue to advance to strike the decisive blow in the heart of the German Empire.
It is the duty of the Government of the Republic to direct this stubborn resistance.
Frenchmen will rise on every side for the sake of independence. But in order that this formidable struggle shall be conducted as efficaciously and with as much spirit as possible, it is essential that the Government should be left free to act.
At the request of the military authorities, therefore, the Government will be temporarily transferred to a point in French territory where it can remain in constant relations with the whole of the country.
The Government requests members of Parliament not to remain too distant from it, in order that, in conjunction with them and with their colleagues, they may be able to form a solid core of national unity in the face of the enemy.
The Government leaves Paris only after having assured, by every means within its power, the defence of the city and the entrenched camp.
It knows that there is no necessity to recommend the admirable population of Paris to remain calm, resolute, and self-possessed. Every day the people show that it is equal to this highest duty.
Frenchmen,
Let us be worthy of these tragic circumstances. We shall win the victory finally.
We shall win it by untiring will, endurance, and tenacity.
A nation which is determined not to perish, and which recoils neither before suffering nor sacrifice, is sure to conquer.
This proclamation had a good effect on the population.
The wife of my concierge voiced the popular sentiment when she said this evening: “Ah! Monsieur! We may have some pretty bad quarts d’heures here, but we have such confidence that all must end well, that my husband’s old mother and our little children will remain in Paris with us.” This remark was made five minutes after a German air-lieutenant had flown over the roof of the houses in my street, Rue Théodule-Ribot, and had dropped near the Parc Monceau a bomb that made a terrific noise, but did no damage.