our valiant
covering troops, who are at their post and will provide the
screen behind which the mobilization of our national forces will
be methodically completed....

"In the war which is beginning France will have right on her
side, the eternal power of which cannot with impunity be
disregarded by nations any more than by individuals. (_Loud
applause._)

"She will be heroically defended by all her sons; nothing will
break their sacred union before the enemy; to-day they are joined
together as brothers in a common indignation against the
aggressor, and in a common patriotic faith. (_Loud and prolonged
applause and cries of 'Vive la France.'_)

"She is faithfully helped by Russia, her ally (_loud applause_);
she is supported by the loyal friendship of Great Britain. (_Loud
applause._)

"And already from every part of the civilized world sympathy and
good wishes are coming to her. For to-day once again she stands
before the universe for liberty, justice, and reason (_loud and
repeated applause_) 'Haut les coeurs et vive la France!'[4]
(_Prolonged applause._)"

[Footnote 4: Lift up your hearts, and long live France!]

M. Viviani, the Prime Minister, spoke before the Chamber of
Deputies. He recounted those actions of Germany in relation to the
Austro-Serbian crisis on which the light of subsequent events cast a
sinister interpretation. He gave the fabricated complaints against
France for violating German territory presented by Ambassador von
Schoen plainly to offset the true charges made by France of German
violation of French territory, and declared:

"At no time has any French aviator penetrated into Belgium, nor
has any French aviator committed either in Bavaria or any other
part of Germany any hostile act. The opinion of Europe has
already done justice to these wretched inventions. (_Loud
applause._)

"Against these attacks, which violate all the laws of justice and
all the principles of public law, we have now taken all the
necessary steps; they are being carried out strictly, regularly,
and with calmness.

"The mobilization of the Russian army also continues with
remarkable vigor and unrestrained enthusiasm. (_Prolonged
applause, all the deputies rising from their seats._) The Belgian
army, mobilized with 250,000 men, prepares with a spl