M. VIVIANI
(PREMIER OF THE FRENCH SENATE)
[Speech at the re-opening of the French Parliament in Paris on December 22, 1914. On the threatened investment of Paris the Government removed to Bordeaux, where the business of the State was conducted for four months.]
Gentlemen:—There is at present but one policy—a policy of merciless war until Europe has secured final liberation guaranteed by a completely victorious peace. That is the unanimous cry of Parliament, of the country, and of the army. In the face of the unexpected uprising of national sentiment, so unexpected by her, Germany was disturbed in the intoxication of her dream of victory. The French national unity surprised Germany. She had first denied right and spurned history; now she tried to find excuses, but they were so many lies. All the documents published by other nations have proved them so, and likewise the sensational statement of one of the most illustrious representatives of the noble Italian nation, and since France and the Allies have now been compelled into war, they and we will wage it to the bitter end. [The whole House rises and applauds.] France, faithful to the Treaty of September 4, in which she pledged her honour, that is, her life, will lay down arms only when outraged right has been avenged; when for ever the provinces torn from her have been rejoined to her; when heroic Belgium has been restored to her full material and political independence, when Prussian militarism has been broken, and regenerate Europe rebuilt according to justice. [The whole House rises and applauds for several minutes.]
These projects for peace and war are not suggested to us, gentlemen, by mere presumptuous hopes. We have the
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