‘We are neither governed nor defended. Very grave matters have been brought forward’

As the July crisis intensified, France’s apparent poor state of readiness for war continued to receive attention in European media.

– Chris Dooley

FRANCE UNPREPARED FOR WAR

HUMBERT’S REMARKABLE ADMISSIONS

FORTRESS NEGLECTED

The Senate on Monday discussed the bill authorising the Minister of War and the Minister of Marine to incur certain non-recurring expenditure for the national defence.

M Charles Humbert created a sensation by declaring that French manufacturers supplied the French army with armoured turrets which were inferior to those furnished to foreign countries. He said that the supply of ammunition for the guns was insufficient. They were also short of two million pairs of boots. If war broke out the soldiers were going to have to start for the front with no boots but those on their feet – a pair of boots made thirty years ago. At the present moment, moreover, they had only sufficient equipment to cross the Moselle and the Rhine. The fortifications of the forts from Toulon and Verdun had not been improved since 1875. M Humbert concluded by saying that the millions for which Parliament had been asked for national defence had been entirely wasted. Parliament would consent to any sacrifices, but it was necessary to modify the organisation and to change the ideas of the services which directed the Army.

M Charles Humbert’s speech was listened to by a large number of Senators, and produced a considerable impression.

M [Minister of war Adolphe] Messimy said he could not reply to M Humbert, having received no notice of the statements he had made. He admitted that most of the facts taken separately were correct, if not in the way in which they had been presented, at least as exceptions, a partial admission which was followed by such uproar in the House that the Minister was unable to continue for a time. When he was able to resume his speech he asked the Senate to vote the Government programme in order that work might begin as soon as possible. He undertook to employ most rigorous control over the execution of the programme, in order to obtain the best result for the defence of the country.

M [Georges] Clemenceau said he had not attended such a heartrending sitting since 1870. We are, he said, neither governed nor defended. Very grave matters have been brought forward. They must be replied to. The Minister of War must set forth the present situation completely, and indicate his remedies. M Clemenceau concluded by demanding the adjournment of the vote and the summoning of Parliament in a few days, the country being unable to remain in suspense during the Parliamentary recess.

After a few words from M [René] Viviani, the Premier, who excused himself for being taken unawares, not having been notified beforehand, the debate was adjourned until tomorrow afternoon.

The Irish Times

July 18th, 1914