Will Denmark, whom William
II has had the audacity to invite, go to Kiel? No, a thousand times
no! and neither should we go there ourselves, to applaud this taking
possession of Danish waters. Denmark, though invited, will not go to
Kiel; yet we know what are the ties which bind her Sovereigns to
Russia. It has been said, in order to reassure consciences that are
easily quieted, that our war-ships will go to Kiel sheltered by those
of Russia, and, so to speak, hidden beneath their shadow. Our dignity
is at stake, as much in the truth as in the falsehood of this news.
The French Government is not a monarchy. By declining this invitation
of our conquerors, it would have placed the whole question on its
proper footing, which should be that of the situation created by the
Treaty of Frankfort. We should have said to Germany, France desires
peace. Our Chauvinists will remain quiet, so long as the German
Government gives us no provocation. If we refrain from going to Kiel,
it is in order to maintain the peaceful condition of our relations.
Germany's chief interest is to lead Europe to believe that we have come
to accept the loss of Alsace-Lorraine, and to make the people of those
provinces believe that we have forgotten them.
The King of Prussia, German Emperor, just to keep his hand in,
stimulates the military virtues of his recruits, and for the hundredth
time presides over the taking of the oath of fidelity. He teaches the
recruits that the eagle is a noble bird, which soars aloft into the
skies and fears no danger; also, that it is the business of the said
recruits to imitate the eagle.
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