Proclamation Issued to the People of France by President Poincare,
Paris, Aug. 1.
For some days the condition of Europe has become considerably more
serious in spite of the efforts of diplomacy. The horizon has
become darkened.
At this hour most of the nations have mobilized their forces.
Some countries, even though protected by neutrality, have thought
it right to take this step as a precaution.
Some powers, whose constitutional and military laws do not resemble
our own, have without issuing a decree of mobilization begun and
continued preparations which are in reality equivalent to
mobilization and which are nothing more or less than an
anticipation of it _(qui n'en sont que l'execution anticipee_).
France, who has always declared her pacific intentions, and who has
at the darkest hours (_dans des heures tragiques_) given to Europe
counsels of moderation and a living example of prudence
(_sagesse_), who has multiplied her efforts for the maintenance of
the world's peace, has herself prepared for all eventualties and
has taken from this moment the first indispensable measures for the
safety of her territory.
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