David Lloyd George
AN APPEAL TO THE NATION
September 1g，1914
There is no man in this room who has always re－garded the prospect of engaging in a great war with greater reluctance and with greater repugnance than I have done throughout the whole of my polit-ical life.There is no man either inside or outside this room more convinced that we could not have avoided it without national dishonor.I am fully alive to the fact that every nation that has ever en－gaged in war has always invoked the sacred name of honor.Many a crime has been committed in its name；there are some being committed now.All the same，national honor is a reality，and any na-tion that disregards it is doomed.Why is our honor as a country involved in this war？ Because，in the first instance，we are bound by honorable obliga-tions to defend the independence，the liberty，the integrity，of a small neighbor that has always lived peaceably.She could not have compelled us； shewas weak； but the man who declines to discharge his duty because his creditor is too poor to enforce it is a blackguard.We entered into a treaty—a solemn treaty—two treaties—to defend Belgium and her integrity.Our signatures are attached to the documents.Our signatures do not stand there alone；this country was not the only country that undertook to defend the integrity of Belgium.Rus－sia，F(xiàn)rance，Austria，Prussia—they are all there.Why are Austria and Prussia not performing the obligations of their bond？ It is suggested that when we quote this treaty it is purely an excuse on our part—it is our low craft and cunning to cloak our jealousy of a superior civilization—that we are at-temyting to destroy.
It is the interest of Prussia to break the treaty，and she has done it.She avows it with cynical contempt for every principle of justice.She says “Treaties only bind you when your interest is to keep them.”“What is a treaty？” says the Ger－man Chancellor：“A scrap of paper.” Have you any ￡5 notes about you？ I am not calling for them.Have you any of those neat little Treasury ￡ 1notes？ If you have，burn them； they are only scraps of paper.What are they made of？ Rags.What are they worth？ The whole credit of the British Empire.Scraps of paper！I have been deal－ing with scraps of paper within the last month.One suddenly found the commerce of the world coming to a standstill.The machine had stopped Why？ I will tell you.We discovered—many of us for the first time，for I do not pretend that I do not know much more about the machinery of commerce to－day than I did six weeks ago，and there are many others like me—we discovered that the ma-chinery of commerce was moved by bills of ex-change.I have seen some of them—wretched，crinkled，scrawled over，blotched，frowsy，and yet those wretched little scraps of paper move great ships laden with thousands of tons of pre-cious cargo from one end of the world to the other.What is the motive power behind them？ The honor of commercial men.Treaties are the currency of International statesmanship.Let us be fair： Ger-man merchants，German traders，have the reputa-tion of being as upright and straightforward as any traders in the world—but if the currency of Ger-man commerce is to be debased to the level of that of her statesmanship，no trader from Shanghai to Valparaiso will ever look at a German signature a－gain.This doctrine of the scrap of paper，this doc-tine which is proclaimed by Bernhardi，that treaties only bind a nation as long as it is to its in-terest，goes under the root of all public law.It is the straight road to barbarism.It is as if you were to remove the Magnetic Pole because it was in the way of a German cruiser.The whole navigation of the seas would become dangerous，difficult，and impossible； and the whole machinery of civilization will break down if this doctrine wins in this way.We are fighting against barbarism and there is one way of putting it right.If there are nations that say they will only respect treaties when it is to their interest to do so，we must make it to their in－terest to do so for the future.
What is their defense？ Consider the interviewwhich took place between our Ambassador and thegreat German officials.When their attention wascalled to this treaty to which they were parties，they said，“We cannot help that.Rapidity of ac－tion is the great German asset.”There is a greaterasset for a nation than rapidity of action and that ishonest dealing.What are Germany's excuscs？ Shesays Belgium was plotting against her；Belgiumwas engaged in a great conspiracy with Britain andFrance to attack her.Not merely is it not true，butGermany knows it is not true.France offered Bel-gium five army corps to defend her if she was at－tacked Belgium said，“I do not require them；Ihave the word of the Kaiser.Shall C$sar send alie？” All these tales about conspiracy have beenvamped up since.A great nation ought to be ashamed to behave like a fraudulent bankrupt，per－juring its way through its obligations.What shesays is not true.She has deliberately broken this treaty，and we are in honor bound to stand by it.
Belgium has been treated brutally.How bru-tally we shall not yet know.We already know too much.What had she done？ Had she sent an ulti－matum to Germany？ Had she challenged Germany？Was she preparing to make war on Germany？ Hadshe inflicted any wrong upon Germany which theKaiser was bound to redress？She was one of themost unoffending little countries in Europe.Thereshe was—peaceable，industrious，thrifty，hard- working，giving offense to no one.And her corn- fields have been trampled，her villages have beenburnt，her art treasures have been destroyed，hermen have been slaughtered—yea，and her womenand children too.Hundreds and thousands of herpeople，their neat comfortable little homes burntto the dust，are wandering homeless in their ownland.What was their crime？Their crime was thatthey trusted to the word of a Prussian King.
Have you read the Kaiser's speeches？If youhave not a copy I advise you to buy one；they willsoon be out of print，and you will not have manymore of the same sort.They are full of the glitterand bluster of German militarism—“mailed fist，”and“shining armor.”Poor old mailed fist.Itsknuckles are getting a little bruised.Poor shiningarmor！The shine is being knocked out of it.Thereis the same swagger and boastfulness running through the whole of the speeches.
Treaties？They tangle the feet of Germany inher advance.Cut them with the sword.Little na－tions？They hinder the advance of Germany.
Trample them in the mire under the German heel！The Russian Slav？He challenges the supremacy ofGermany in Europe.Hurl your legions at him andmassacre him！Christianity？Sickly sentimentalismabout sacrifice for others！Poor pap for German di－gestion！We will have a new diet.We will force itupon the world.It will be made in Germany—adiet of blood and iron.What remains？Treatieshave gone.The honor of nations has gone.Libertyhas gone.What is left？Germany！Germany isleft！—“Deutschland über Alles！”
They think we cannot beat them.It will notbe easy.It will be a long job；it will be a terriblewar；but in the end we shall march through terrorto triumph.We shall need all our qualities—everyquality that Britain and its people possess—pru－dence in counsel，daring in action，tenacity in pur-pose，courage in defeat，moderation in victory；inall things faith.
戴維·勞合·喬治
告國(guó)民書
1914年9月19日
我在自己的整個(gè)政治生涯中對(duì)參加一場(chǎng)大戰(zhàn)的前景從來是堅(jiān)決反對(duì)和深惡痛絕的，在座諸位中沒有人會(huì)超過我。在座或不在座的人當(dāng)中也沒有人比我更相信：我們不可能避免了戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)而不損害國(guó)家榮譽(yù)。我充分注意到了這樣的事實(shí)：每個(gè)曾經(jīng)參加過戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)的國(guó)家總要乞靈于榮譽(yù)這個(gè)神圣的名義。許多罪行是以榮譽(yù)的名義犯下的；眼下就有人在犯罪。但是國(guó)家的榮譽(yù)畢竟是一種實(shí)際存在，任何無視這種存在的國(guó)家都注定要倒運(yùn)。為什么我們這個(gè)光榮的國(guó)家卷入了這場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)呢？首先是因?yàn)槲覀兂袚?dān)著光榮的義務(wù)：保衛(wèi)一個(gè)始終與世無爭(zhēng)的弱小鄰國(guó)的獨(dú)立、自由和領(lǐng)土完整。這個(gè)國(guó)家不可能強(qiáng)迫我們履行義務(wù)；她很弱??；但是如果有人因?yàn)閭鶛?quán)人太懦弱，無力強(qiáng)制他還債而拒絕清償債務(wù)，那他就是一個(gè)惡棍。我們簽訂過一個(gè)條約——一個(gè)莊嚴(yán)的條約——兩個(gè)條約——以保衛(wèi)比利時(shí)及其領(lǐng)土完整。我們是在文件上簽了字的。在文件上簽字的不止我們一個(gè)國(guó)家；我們不是承諾保衛(wèi)比利時(shí)領(lǐng)土完整的國(guó)家。俄國(guó)、法國(guó)、奧地利、普魯士——它們都簽了字。為什么奧地利和普魯士不履行他們所承擔(dān)的義務(wù)？有人提出，我們引用這個(gè)條約純粹是我方的一種借口——是我們用以掩蓋我們對(duì)一種優(yōu)越文明的妒嫉的卑劣手腕和詭計(jì)——我們企圖摧毀這個(gè)文明。撕毀這個(gè)條約對(duì)普魯士有利，于是她就撕毀了條約。她以對(duì)一切正義原則肆無忌憚的輕蔑態(tài)度公開宣布這一點(diǎn)。她說“條約只有在遵守它們對(duì)你有利時(shí)才對(duì)你有約束力”。德國(guó)首相說，“條約是什么？”“一張廢紙?！蹦銈兩磉厧е?鎊的紙幣嗎？我不是要這五鎊錢。你們有那種小巧勻稱的1鎊國(guó)庫(kù)券嗎？如果有的話，就燒掉它吧；那不過是幾張廢紙。它們是用什么東西造的呢？破布。它們有什么價(jià)值呢？它們的價(jià)值是不列顛帝國(guó)的全部信譽(yù)。廢紙！上個(gè)月我一直在和廢紙打交道。人們突然發(fā)覺世界貿(mào)易停止了。機(jī)器停轉(zhuǎn)了。為什么？我來告訴你們。我們發(fā)現(xiàn)——我們?cè)S多人是第一次發(fā)現(xiàn)，因?yàn)槲易哉J(rèn)為自己今天在貿(mào)易機(jī)制方面比6個(gè)星期之前懂得的要多，其他許多人和我一樣——我們發(fā)現(xiàn)貿(mào)易機(jī)制是靠匯票來運(yùn)轉(zhuǎn)的。我看到過一些匯票——臟兮兮、皺巴巴、票面上亂涂亂畫、墨跡斑斑、散發(fā)著霉味?？删褪悄切┡K兮兮的小小廢紙開動(dòng)了滿載著幾千噸珍貴貨物的巨輪從世界的這一頭駛向另一頭。什么是這些廢紙背后的動(dòng)力呢？是商人的信用。條約是國(guó)際政治家的貨幣。平心而論，德國(guó)商人和世界上的任何商人一樣，以誠(chéng)實(shí)正直而聞名——但是如果德國(guó)貿(mào)易的貨幣貶值到德國(guó)政治家的貨幣的水平，那么從上海到瓦爾帕萊索就不會(huì)有一個(gè)商人對(duì)德國(guó)商人的簽字再瞧上一眼。這個(gè)廢紙論，伯恩哈迪所宣揚(yáng)的這個(gè)廢紙論——條約只有在對(duì)一個(gè)國(guó)家有利時(shí)才對(duì)它有約束力——涉及到了一切公法的根本。這種理論直通野蠻之路。這種理論就是你必須去挪動(dòng)磁極，因?yàn)樗鼡趿艘凰业聡?guó)巡洋艦的路。如果這種理論就這樣得逞的話，那么所有海上的航行就會(huì)變得危險(xiǎn)、困難，甚至不可能；而整個(gè)文明機(jī)制就會(huì)崩潰。我們正在同野蠻作斗爭(zhēng)，我們有一個(gè)撥亂反正的辦法。如果有些國(guó)家說他們只有在守約對(duì)他們有利時(shí)才守約，那末我們就不得不迫使他們只有守約才對(duì)他們今后有利。
他們是如何辯解的？請(qǐng)看我們的大使與德國(guó)高級(jí)官員的會(huì)見。當(dāng)大使要求他們注意他們也是這個(gè)條約的締約方時(shí)，他們說，“我們對(duì)此無能為力。行動(dòng)迅速是大日耳曼的財(cái)富”。其實(shí)，對(duì)一個(gè)國(guó)家來說，有一種比行動(dòng)迅速更寶貴的財(cái)富，那就是以誠(chéng)待人。德國(guó)的借口是什么呢？她說比利時(shí)正在陰謀反對(duì)她；比利時(shí)和英法在策劃一個(gè)進(jìn)攻德國(guó)的大陰謀。不僅這件事本身是不真實(shí)的，而且德國(guó)知道這是不真實(shí)的。法國(guó)提供比利時(shí)五個(gè)軍，以保衛(wèi)比利時(shí)不受侵犯。比利時(shí)說，“我不需要軍隊(duì)；我得到了皇帝的保證。難道愷撤還會(huì)撤謊嗎”？所有這些關(guān)于陰謀的謊言都是事后捏造出來的。一個(gè)大國(guó)本該對(duì)這種像一個(gè)破了產(chǎn)的騙子那樣用發(fā)假誓來擺脫其義務(wù)的行徑感到羞恥。她所說的都是不真實(shí)的。她蓄意撕毀了這個(gè)條約，而我們?cè)诘懒x上必須遵守這個(gè)條約。
比利時(shí)遭到了蠻橫的對(duì)待。蠻橫到什么程度我們還不清楚。其實(shí)我們已經(jīng)知道得太多了。比利時(shí)干了什么呢？她給德國(guó)發(fā)了最后通牒?jiǎn)幔克虻聡?guó)挑戰(zhàn)了嗎？她在準(zhǔn)備向德國(guó)開戰(zhàn)嗎？她使德國(guó)遭受了必須要皇帝來糾正的冤屈嗎？比利時(shí)是歐洲最安分守己的小國(guó)之一。比利時(shí)——她的人民溫順、勤勞、節(jié)儉、工作努力——沒有冒犯任何人。而她的麥田遭踐踏，她的村莊被燒毀，她的藝術(shù)珍品被毀壞，她的男人們?cè)馔罋ⅰ踔翄D女和兒童也未能幸免。她成千上萬的人民在自己的國(guó)土上流離失所，他們那整潔舒適的小家已化為灰燼。他們犯了什么罪？他們的罪行就是聽信了普魯士國(guó)王的諾言。
你們讀過皇帝的演說集嗎？如果你們沒有這本演說集，我建議你們?nèi)ベI一本；它們將很快絕版，這種演說不可多得。它們充滿了德國(guó)軍國(guó)主義的氣焰和咆哮——“鐵甲拳頭”，“锃亮的盔甲”。可憐的老鐵甲拳。它的指關(guān)節(jié)有點(diǎn)發(fā)腫?？蓱z的锃亮的盔甲！它正在失去光澤。演說集篇篇都是這種耀武揚(yáng)威，自吹自擂。
條約？條約纏住了德國(guó)前進(jìn)的腳步。用劍斬?cái)嗨鼈?。小?guó)？小國(guó)阻礙了德國(guó)的前進(jìn)。用德國(guó)的腳跟把她們踩入泥淖！俄國(guó)斯拉夫人？他們向德國(guó)在歐洲的霸權(quán)挑戰(zhàn)。把你的大軍開過去殺光他們！基督教徒？他們那種對(duì)于為別人犧牲的令人作嘔的多愁善感！他們對(duì)德國(guó)的消化力來說不過是乏味的半流質(zhì)食品！我們要有一種新的飲食。我們要把它強(qiáng)加給全世界。它將在德國(guó)制造出來——鐵血飲食。還剩下什么？條約完了。國(guó)家的榮譽(yù)完了。自由完了。還留下什么？德國(guó)！只有德國(guó)留下了！——“德國(guó)高于一切！”
他們以為我們不能打敗他們。打敗他們不會(huì)是件易事。這將是件耗時(shí)費(fèi)力的事；這將是一場(chǎng)可怕的戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)；但是最終我們將克服恐怖走向勝利。我們需要我們的所有品質(zhì)——不列顛及其人民所擁有的每一種品質(zhì)：謀劃審慎、行動(dòng)果敢、意志頑強(qiáng)、敗不餒、勝不驕，無論何事都恪守諾言。
AN APPEAL TO THE NATION
September 1g，1914
There is no man in this room who has always re－garded the prospect of engaging in a great war with greater reluctance and with greater repugnance than I have done throughout the whole of my polit-ical life.There is no man either inside or outside this room more convinced that we could not have avoided it without national dishonor.I am fully alive to the fact that every nation that has ever en－gaged in war has always invoked the sacred name of honor.Many a crime has been committed in its name；there are some being committed now.All the same，national honor is a reality，and any na-tion that disregards it is doomed.Why is our honor as a country involved in this war？ Because，in the first instance，we are bound by honorable obliga-tions to defend the independence，the liberty，the integrity，of a small neighbor that has always lived peaceably.She could not have compelled us； shewas weak； but the man who declines to discharge his duty because his creditor is too poor to enforce it is a blackguard.We entered into a treaty—a solemn treaty—two treaties—to defend Belgium and her integrity.Our signatures are attached to the documents.Our signatures do not stand there alone；this country was not the only country that undertook to defend the integrity of Belgium.Rus－sia，F(xiàn)rance，Austria，Prussia—they are all there.Why are Austria and Prussia not performing the obligations of their bond？ It is suggested that when we quote this treaty it is purely an excuse on our part—it is our low craft and cunning to cloak our jealousy of a superior civilization—that we are at-temyting to destroy.
It is the interest of Prussia to break the treaty，and she has done it.She avows it with cynical contempt for every principle of justice.She says “Treaties only bind you when your interest is to keep them.”“What is a treaty？” says the Ger－man Chancellor：“A scrap of paper.” Have you any ￡5 notes about you？ I am not calling for them.Have you any of those neat little Treasury ￡ 1notes？ If you have，burn them； they are only scraps of paper.What are they made of？ Rags.What are they worth？ The whole credit of the British Empire.Scraps of paper！I have been deal－ing with scraps of paper within the last month.One suddenly found the commerce of the world coming to a standstill.The machine had stopped Why？ I will tell you.We discovered—many of us for the first time，for I do not pretend that I do not know much more about the machinery of commerce to－day than I did six weeks ago，and there are many others like me—we discovered that the ma-chinery of commerce was moved by bills of ex-change.I have seen some of them—wretched，crinkled，scrawled over，blotched，frowsy，and yet those wretched little scraps of paper move great ships laden with thousands of tons of pre-cious cargo from one end of the world to the other.What is the motive power behind them？ The honor of commercial men.Treaties are the currency of International statesmanship.Let us be fair： Ger-man merchants，German traders，have the reputa-tion of being as upright and straightforward as any traders in the world—but if the currency of Ger-man commerce is to be debased to the level of that of her statesmanship，no trader from Shanghai to Valparaiso will ever look at a German signature a－gain.This doctrine of the scrap of paper，this doc-tine which is proclaimed by Bernhardi，that treaties only bind a nation as long as it is to its in-terest，goes under the root of all public law.It is the straight road to barbarism.It is as if you were to remove the Magnetic Pole because it was in the way of a German cruiser.The whole navigation of the seas would become dangerous，difficult，and impossible； and the whole machinery of civilization will break down if this doctrine wins in this way.We are fighting against barbarism and there is one way of putting it right.If there are nations that say they will only respect treaties when it is to their interest to do so，we must make it to their in－terest to do so for the future.
What is their defense？ Consider the interviewwhich took place between our Ambassador and thegreat German officials.When their attention wascalled to this treaty to which they were parties，they said，“We cannot help that.Rapidity of ac－tion is the great German asset.”There is a greaterasset for a nation than rapidity of action and that ishonest dealing.What are Germany's excuscs？ Shesays Belgium was plotting against her；Belgiumwas engaged in a great conspiracy with Britain andFrance to attack her.Not merely is it not true，butGermany knows it is not true.France offered Bel-gium five army corps to defend her if she was at－tacked Belgium said，“I do not require them；Ihave the word of the Kaiser.Shall C$sar send alie？” All these tales about conspiracy have beenvamped up since.A great nation ought to be ashamed to behave like a fraudulent bankrupt，per－juring its way through its obligations.What shesays is not true.She has deliberately broken this treaty，and we are in honor bound to stand by it.
Belgium has been treated brutally.How bru-tally we shall not yet know.We already know too much.What had she done？ Had she sent an ulti－matum to Germany？ Had she challenged Germany？Was she preparing to make war on Germany？ Hadshe inflicted any wrong upon Germany which theKaiser was bound to redress？She was one of themost unoffending little countries in Europe.Thereshe was—peaceable，industrious，thrifty，hard- working，giving offense to no one.And her corn- fields have been trampled，her villages have beenburnt，her art treasures have been destroyed，hermen have been slaughtered—yea，and her womenand children too.Hundreds and thousands of herpeople，their neat comfortable little homes burntto the dust，are wandering homeless in their ownland.What was their crime？Their crime was thatthey trusted to the word of a Prussian King.
Have you read the Kaiser's speeches？If youhave not a copy I advise you to buy one；they willsoon be out of print，and you will not have manymore of the same sort.They are full of the glitterand bluster of German militarism—“mailed fist，”and“shining armor.”Poor old mailed fist.Itsknuckles are getting a little bruised.Poor shiningarmor！The shine is being knocked out of it.Thereis the same swagger and boastfulness running through the whole of the speeches.
Treaties？They tangle the feet of Germany inher advance.Cut them with the sword.Little na－tions？They hinder the advance of Germany.
Trample them in the mire under the German heel！The Russian Slav？He challenges the supremacy ofGermany in Europe.Hurl your legions at him andmassacre him！Christianity？Sickly sentimentalismabout sacrifice for others！Poor pap for German di－gestion！We will have a new diet.We will force itupon the world.It will be made in Germany—adiet of blood and iron.What remains？Treatieshave gone.The honor of nations has gone.Libertyhas gone.What is left？Germany！Germany isleft！—“Deutschland über Alles！”
They think we cannot beat them.It will notbe easy.It will be a long job；it will be a terriblewar；but in the end we shall march through terrorto triumph.We shall need all our qualities—everyquality that Britain and its people possess—pru－dence in counsel，daring in action，tenacity in pur-pose，courage in defeat，moderation in victory；inall things faith.
戴維·勞合·喬治
告國(guó)民書
1914年9月19日
我在自己的整個(gè)政治生涯中對(duì)參加一場(chǎng)大戰(zhàn)的前景從來是堅(jiān)決反對(duì)和深惡痛絕的，在座諸位中沒有人會(huì)超過我。在座或不在座的人當(dāng)中也沒有人比我更相信：我們不可能避免了戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)而不損害國(guó)家榮譽(yù)。我充分注意到了這樣的事實(shí)：每個(gè)曾經(jīng)參加過戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)的國(guó)家總要乞靈于榮譽(yù)這個(gè)神圣的名義。許多罪行是以榮譽(yù)的名義犯下的；眼下就有人在犯罪。但是國(guó)家的榮譽(yù)畢竟是一種實(shí)際存在，任何無視這種存在的國(guó)家都注定要倒運(yùn)。為什么我們這個(gè)光榮的國(guó)家卷入了這場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)呢？首先是因?yàn)槲覀兂袚?dān)著光榮的義務(wù)：保衛(wèi)一個(gè)始終與世無爭(zhēng)的弱小鄰國(guó)的獨(dú)立、自由和領(lǐng)土完整。這個(gè)國(guó)家不可能強(qiáng)迫我們履行義務(wù)；她很弱??；但是如果有人因?yàn)閭鶛?quán)人太懦弱，無力強(qiáng)制他還債而拒絕清償債務(wù)，那他就是一個(gè)惡棍。我們簽訂過一個(gè)條約——一個(gè)莊嚴(yán)的條約——兩個(gè)條約——以保衛(wèi)比利時(shí)及其領(lǐng)土完整。我們是在文件上簽了字的。在文件上簽字的不止我們一個(gè)國(guó)家；我們不是承諾保衛(wèi)比利時(shí)領(lǐng)土完整的國(guó)家。俄國(guó)、法國(guó)、奧地利、普魯士——它們都簽了字。為什么奧地利和普魯士不履行他們所承擔(dān)的義務(wù)？有人提出，我們引用這個(gè)條約純粹是我方的一種借口——是我們用以掩蓋我們對(duì)一種優(yōu)越文明的妒嫉的卑劣手腕和詭計(jì)——我們企圖摧毀這個(gè)文明。撕毀這個(gè)條約對(duì)普魯士有利，于是她就撕毀了條約。她以對(duì)一切正義原則肆無忌憚的輕蔑態(tài)度公開宣布這一點(diǎn)。她說“條約只有在遵守它們對(duì)你有利時(shí)才對(duì)你有約束力”。德國(guó)首相說，“條約是什么？”“一張廢紙?！蹦銈兩磉厧е?鎊的紙幣嗎？我不是要這五鎊錢。你們有那種小巧勻稱的1鎊國(guó)庫(kù)券嗎？如果有的話，就燒掉它吧；那不過是幾張廢紙。它們是用什么東西造的呢？破布。它們有什么價(jià)值呢？它們的價(jià)值是不列顛帝國(guó)的全部信譽(yù)。廢紙！上個(gè)月我一直在和廢紙打交道。人們突然發(fā)覺世界貿(mào)易停止了。機(jī)器停轉(zhuǎn)了。為什么？我來告訴你們。我們發(fā)現(xiàn)——我們?cè)S多人是第一次發(fā)現(xiàn)，因?yàn)槲易哉J(rèn)為自己今天在貿(mào)易機(jī)制方面比6個(gè)星期之前懂得的要多，其他許多人和我一樣——我們發(fā)現(xiàn)貿(mào)易機(jī)制是靠匯票來運(yùn)轉(zhuǎn)的。我看到過一些匯票——臟兮兮、皺巴巴、票面上亂涂亂畫、墨跡斑斑、散發(fā)著霉味?？删褪悄切┡K兮兮的小小廢紙開動(dòng)了滿載著幾千噸珍貴貨物的巨輪從世界的這一頭駛向另一頭。什么是這些廢紙背后的動(dòng)力呢？是商人的信用。條約是國(guó)際政治家的貨幣。平心而論，德國(guó)商人和世界上的任何商人一樣，以誠(chéng)實(shí)正直而聞名——但是如果德國(guó)貿(mào)易的貨幣貶值到德國(guó)政治家的貨幣的水平，那么從上海到瓦爾帕萊索就不會(huì)有一個(gè)商人對(duì)德國(guó)商人的簽字再瞧上一眼。這個(gè)廢紙論，伯恩哈迪所宣揚(yáng)的這個(gè)廢紙論——條約只有在對(duì)一個(gè)國(guó)家有利時(shí)才對(duì)它有約束力——涉及到了一切公法的根本。這種理論直通野蠻之路。這種理論就是你必須去挪動(dòng)磁極，因?yàn)樗鼡趿艘凰业聡?guó)巡洋艦的路。如果這種理論就這樣得逞的話，那么所有海上的航行就會(huì)變得危險(xiǎn)、困難，甚至不可能；而整個(gè)文明機(jī)制就會(huì)崩潰。我們正在同野蠻作斗爭(zhēng)，我們有一個(gè)撥亂反正的辦法。如果有些國(guó)家說他們只有在守約對(duì)他們有利時(shí)才守約，那末我們就不得不迫使他們只有守約才對(duì)他們今后有利。
他們是如何辯解的？請(qǐng)看我們的大使與德國(guó)高級(jí)官員的會(huì)見。當(dāng)大使要求他們注意他們也是這個(gè)條約的締約方時(shí)，他們說，“我們對(duì)此無能為力。行動(dòng)迅速是大日耳曼的財(cái)富”。其實(shí)，對(duì)一個(gè)國(guó)家來說，有一種比行動(dòng)迅速更寶貴的財(cái)富，那就是以誠(chéng)待人。德國(guó)的借口是什么呢？她說比利時(shí)正在陰謀反對(duì)她；比利時(shí)和英法在策劃一個(gè)進(jìn)攻德國(guó)的大陰謀。不僅這件事本身是不真實(shí)的，而且德國(guó)知道這是不真實(shí)的。法國(guó)提供比利時(shí)五個(gè)軍，以保衛(wèi)比利時(shí)不受侵犯。比利時(shí)說，“我不需要軍隊(duì)；我得到了皇帝的保證。難道愷撤還會(huì)撤謊嗎”？所有這些關(guān)于陰謀的謊言都是事后捏造出來的。一個(gè)大國(guó)本該對(duì)這種像一個(gè)破了產(chǎn)的騙子那樣用發(fā)假誓來擺脫其義務(wù)的行徑感到羞恥。她所說的都是不真實(shí)的。她蓄意撕毀了這個(gè)條約，而我們?cè)诘懒x上必須遵守這個(gè)條約。
比利時(shí)遭到了蠻橫的對(duì)待。蠻橫到什么程度我們還不清楚。其實(shí)我們已經(jīng)知道得太多了。比利時(shí)干了什么呢？她給德國(guó)發(fā)了最后通牒?jiǎn)幔克虻聡?guó)挑戰(zhàn)了嗎？她在準(zhǔn)備向德國(guó)開戰(zhàn)嗎？她使德國(guó)遭受了必須要皇帝來糾正的冤屈嗎？比利時(shí)是歐洲最安分守己的小國(guó)之一。比利時(shí)——她的人民溫順、勤勞、節(jié)儉、工作努力——沒有冒犯任何人。而她的麥田遭踐踏，她的村莊被燒毀，她的藝術(shù)珍品被毀壞，她的男人們?cè)馔罋ⅰ踔翄D女和兒童也未能幸免。她成千上萬的人民在自己的國(guó)土上流離失所，他們那整潔舒適的小家已化為灰燼。他們犯了什么罪？他們的罪行就是聽信了普魯士國(guó)王的諾言。
你們讀過皇帝的演說集嗎？如果你們沒有這本演說集，我建議你們?nèi)ベI一本；它們將很快絕版，這種演說不可多得。它們充滿了德國(guó)軍國(guó)主義的氣焰和咆哮——“鐵甲拳頭”，“锃亮的盔甲”。可憐的老鐵甲拳。它的指關(guān)節(jié)有點(diǎn)發(fā)腫?？蓱z的锃亮的盔甲！它正在失去光澤。演說集篇篇都是這種耀武揚(yáng)威，自吹自擂。
條約？條約纏住了德國(guó)前進(jìn)的腳步。用劍斬?cái)嗨鼈?。小?guó)？小國(guó)阻礙了德國(guó)的前進(jìn)。用德國(guó)的腳跟把她們踩入泥淖！俄國(guó)斯拉夫人？他們向德國(guó)在歐洲的霸權(quán)挑戰(zhàn)。把你的大軍開過去殺光他們！基督教徒？他們那種對(duì)于為別人犧牲的令人作嘔的多愁善感！他們對(duì)德國(guó)的消化力來說不過是乏味的半流質(zhì)食品！我們要有一種新的飲食。我們要把它強(qiáng)加給全世界。它將在德國(guó)制造出來——鐵血飲食。還剩下什么？條約完了。國(guó)家的榮譽(yù)完了。自由完了。還留下什么？德國(guó)！只有德國(guó)留下了！——“德國(guó)高于一切！”
他們以為我們不能打敗他們。打敗他們不會(huì)是件易事。這將是件耗時(shí)費(fèi)力的事；這將是一場(chǎng)可怕的戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)；但是最終我們將克服恐怖走向勝利。我們需要我們的所有品質(zhì)——不列顛及其人民所擁有的每一種品質(zhì)：謀劃審慎、行動(dòng)果敢、意志頑強(qiáng)、敗不餒、勝不驕，無論何事都恪守諾言。