FRANCE'S BUTCHERY IS REAL OBJECT OF GERMANS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14237, 3 March 1917, Page 7

FRANCE'S BUTCHERY IS REAL OBJECT OF GERMANS.

BELGIAN PEOPLE TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT. PARIS, January 20. President Poincare has received Edward Marshall, an American newspaper writer, at the Palace of the Elysee and talked with him m regard to President Wilson's Note and the reply of the Entente Allies. l_ie crux of the interview appears m these words of the President : "Wo are condemned to continue the war until we, our gallant Allies, and ourselves, can obtain the reparations and guarantees rendered indispensable by the aggressions of which, we liave been the victims, by the sacrifices to which we have subjected ourselves, and by the losses which we have suffered." "May I tell America that France is our friend, even though we are not fighting with her?" the American visitor askod. CLOSER RELATIONS. ""The United States of America and France are closely united by ineffaceable common recollections, by the same political traditions, by the same attachment to free institutions," saidi President Poin_ , care. "This war, which Germany unloosed upon Europe and which France did everything to avoid, could not alter the good relations between the United States and France. It has even made them closer and strengthened them. "The United States, M. Poincare continued thoughtfully, "have remained neutral, but the sympathies of individuals m every section have manifested themselves m favor of France and her allies. We have been deeply moved by innumerable demonstrations" of friendship. "There never has been a day since soon after the beginning of the war on which I have not personally received from America a voluminous mail contain, ing generous offerings for our invaded population, for our war widows and our war orphans. The letters which accompany these tributes emanate from all social classes, and often are expressed m very moving words. Other letters bring to me warm wishes for the victory of France. RIGHTS OF PEOPLES. 'Your (great ctountry surely understands that we, the Allies, are fighting not only for our own independence and ouv own national horior, but for a 'nueh wider cause, which goes further than the boundaries of our own interests. Wo are fighting for the rights of the individual and for the liberty of peoples. "The violation of Belgium brings out the symbolical significance of this whole war. Germany was not satisfied vith declaring war on us without provocation. She had willed to butcher us without warning, and, to attain that end, sle trampled under her feet m passing a little, innocent people. This is en-.-rph evidence by which to judge the ie!^oi;sibility of our enemies; it is enoagh to define the nature of the truggle m which we are engaged. The United States has made no mistake about t! . ?. M Are you willing to make Lome comment with regard to President Wilson'?? Note?" the correspondent .sked. "Knowing as we do the feelings of America, we have not failed to irnderstand the thought which inspired the recent initiative of President Wilson," M. Poincare replied. "We .re a. once convinced that m the mind of the illustrious President the suggestion made to the belligerents was m accord Avith the traditional friendship between our two nations! But being conscious that we are fighting for mankind we find ourselves without the right to lay down our weapons before we can sign a peace really humane and which would spare the world , from the repetition, of , _»uch- a, terrible catastrophe as this 1 war. NO DOUBT OF RESULT. "Unhappily it is certain that Germany, who now pretends to consider herself victorious, although she can hardly entertain any doubt as to the end, is not ripe as yet for such a neoessary peace. "The answer which the Allied nations collectively have just given to President Wilson is perfedtly clear m this respect. For our part, we have nothing to conceal. We were attacked. We are defending ourselves. But we are not willing to be obliged to defend ourselves pcr?ietually against fresh attacks. Thereore we are determined to have reparations for the past and guarantees for the future." "You feel that the President was justified m putting to the belligerent powers the questions which he asked? — "It will not be from our side," said , President Poincare. 'that will come any , repulse of the generous ideas of Presi- , dent Wilson regarding the international agreements to be concluded as soon as ; the peace ia signed m order to assure . respect for the pledges given, l "On the contrary, we very willingly shall assoaiate ourselves with his noble - intentions. But m order that such understandings later may produce their full i beneficent effect, We must begin by rei storing the rights violated, and by ,pro- , tooting Europe against a peace which i would • contain the germ of future out- ; rages." . The correspondent . asked . President Poincare whether France felt the return of her lost provinces, Alsace and Lor- . raine, as well as the restoration of Beli gium, essential to the conclusion of a • satisfactory peace. ■ "In our reply," said the President, > "We also have spoken of the restitution of provinces torn away m the past' by - main strength or separated from us > against the will of their inhabitants. ' Note this*, that during forty-four years > France has strangled the pain which her I old wounds have caused her. > "In 1871 Germany took -from her Alsaaks and Lorraine, against the unanii mous wish of the 'inhabitants. Whatever may have been the burning regret which ' she felt for this,- France never would have been willing to make a war of re^ venge. "Instead, we- waited, taking oare to » avoid all occasions for ' conflict. France 1 proved herself patient and resigned. She , endured provocations such ag Agadir and many others. ; But to-day, when war has been declared upon her without ju_*t motives — to-day, when her blood has been poured out through the fault of others, how , could she fail to claim vindication founded- upon right and' justice? President Wilson and the people of the UnitetStates certainly will understand the high moral import of the answer of the Allies." ". -• .*