Thursday, 4 September 2014

Poem ~ Government in Bordeaux - Friday, 4 September 1914


Following on from a previous announcement,
The French Government has taken an important decision,
(Which is not unexpected), in a prompt transition
Of the Country’s central administration to Bordeaux.
The Cabinet members and the President of the Republic,
Have already left the capital for this city.
To explain reasons for this, Government gave a manifesto
That in transferring public power from Paris is being made,
At the request of the military authorities while the capital
Becomes pivot for military operations - it states possibility
Of enemies possible sudden attack on entrenched camps.
Consequently the military states Paris will be the centre,
Around which armies will now revolve - the city, therefore,
Will assume an almost exclusive military character.
'Endure and fight!' is the motto of the manifesto

In a footnote is given the order by General Gallieni,
That all occupants of dwellings within the range of forts
Are to leave, as these buildings are to be demolished.

by Jamie Mann

Anon.,1914. Paris Preparing for a Siege-Government Removed to Bordeaux - President leaves - Manifesto to the Nation. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 04 Sept. p.7. Col.2. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11068557/Daily-Telegraph-September-4-1914.html [Accessed: 04 September 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 04 September 2014). 



#WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1 #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered 

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