ms_0466_s2_v4_057 |
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intimated that the French, among the poorer classes, wanted peace. I replied
that this was true of the poorer classes in each of the belligerent countries.
They had nothing to win and nothing to lose and were merely pawns. He thought
it was a mistake to believe the belligerents (he did not mention Germany by name
but it was clear he included her) were in an exhausted condition, either in men
or economic resources. I concurred in this.
The main idea I gathered from him was that he is not intensely anti-
German, and that perhaps before the war his sympathies may have been with that
country. I had a feeling he was more critical of France and England than he
was of Germany, though he did not absolutely indicate it by what he said. It
was clear, though, that he knew of the bitterness the Belgian people feel toward
Germany, and he also knew it was unalterable. He spoke time and again of having
to be a good citizen, and do what the people thought a good citizen ought to do.
To interpret what he said fairly, meant that he should not give vent to his own
feelings or his own thoughts, but should think as the Belgian people think and
feel as they feel.
I was anxious to return to Boulogne, and since the conversation had
covered all the ground necessary, I grew quiet as I have done before with monarchs,
which indicated, as far as I was <del/> able to do <add>so</add> <del>as</del> that the interview was
finished. He asked me have tea, which I declined, telling him I desired to hurry
back to Boulogne. He bade me a cordial farewell and, before parting, sent furth-
er messages to the President.
Our ride back was as wild as the one going, for it was very dark and wet
and we made the sixty miles in two hours, including the many stops. It was a
weird and exciting experience. Infantry, cavalry and artillery would loom up
out of the mist like ghosts for the space of a few seconds, and then disappear.
We reached Boulogne in time for a late dinner to which I invited the King's Aide,
who returned with us.
| Title | ms_0466_s2_v4_057 |
| Transcript |
intimated that the French, among the poorer classes, wanted peace. I replied
that this was true of the poorer classes in each of the belligerent countries.
They had nothing to win and nothing to lose and were merely pawns. He thought
it was a mistake to believe the belligerents (he did not mention Germany by name
but it was clear he included her) were in an exhausted condition, either in men
or economic resources. I concurred in this.
The main idea I gathered from him was that he is not intensely anti-
German, and that perhaps before the war his sympathies may have been with that
country. I had a feeling he was more critical of France and England than he
was of Germany, though he did not absolutely indicate it by what he said. It
was clear, though, that he knew of the bitterness the Belgian people feel toward
Germany, and he also knew it was unalterable. He spoke time and again of having
to be a good citizen, and do what the people thought a good citizen ought to do.
To interpret what he said fairly, meant that he should not give vent to his own
feelings or his own thoughts, but should think as the Belgian people think and
feel as they feel.
I was anxious to return to Boulogne, and since the conversation had
covered all the ground necessary, I grew quiet as I have done before with monarchs,
which indicated, as far as I was |
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