At four-fifty in the afternoon [writes Ensign Auge] our
little boats cleared the harbor for the last time and made
the open sea. Suddenly we see a trail of foam hastening on
us with a mad rush. It started three or four hundred meters
off on our right. There is a lightning flash and we see the
torpedo cross our bows, too low, fortunately. A submarine
has tried to attack us but has missed. We describe a great
circle in order to avoid a second attack. Fortunately night
falls to end the chase, and we make for the Italian coast.
Although the sea is smooth, the third boat is lurching
terribly. About midnight I hear terrible cries from this
boat. It is dark as pitch and impossible to make out
anything in the darkness. The cries continue: sparks burst
forth. Something is thrown into the sea. It is impossible
to know what is happening. So much the worse. The most
dangerous thing would be to stop. Let us go on.
They went on and finally arrived in sight of Italy the next morning.
The incident of the night before had been a little thing which had
started a panic on board the boat. Little by little the roofs and
towers of Brindisi appeared in the distance. The entire squadron of
Allied ships was there, ranged in battle formation. When they saw the
two little boats which were bringing in the last Serbs with their last
guns, they rendered military honors to the heroic saviors, the crews
cheering and the colors saluting. Supreme and unprecedented homage was
rendered two nations: France and Serbia.
* * * * *
In January, 1918, M. Vesnitch, Serbian Minister to France, on a
mission to the United States, during an after-dinner speech, in a
voice that did not conceal his emotion and with a different manner
from his usual downcast one, told some of the details of this Passion.
And he added:
"We are grateful to everyone, but Serbia's heart will remain attached
through all centuries to come to France."
I repeat these words, which are France's sweetest reward, because they
attest in history what France, the nation "worn out and bled white"
has done to save and succor her little ally.
Finally let me say that the men are wrong who believe France is
without strength and resources. Beneath her torn garments, in rags,
under flesh that is cruelly bruised, there beats a virile heart which
fights on and on. And there is young, red blood which still flows and
is always ready to flow for the immortal principles of Liberty,
Justice and Humanity.
IV
THE WAR AIMS OF FRANCE
A French statesman, Mr. Louis Barthou, has summed up the War aims of
France in the three words: "Restitution, Reparation, Guarantees."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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