The French Government is the best ally for peace of the English Government, which has taken the initiative in conciliation and gives to Russia advice of prudence and patience.

As for us, it is our duty to insist that it shall speak with force that Russia may abstain.  If unfortunately Russia does not abstain, it is our duty to say, “We do not know of any other treaty except the one which binds us to the human race.”

This is our duty, and in expressing it we find ourselves in accord with our German comrades who demand of their Government to see to it that Austria moderates its acts.  It is possible that the telegram of which I spoke is due partly to that desire of the German workers.  One cannot go against the wish of four millions of enlightened consciences.

Do you know what the proletariat is?  They are the men who have collectively an affection for peace and a horror for war.  The chauvinists, the nationalists, &c., are men who have collectively an affection for war and carnage.  When they feel, however, over their heads the menace of conflicts, or wars which may put an end to their capitalist existence, then they remind themselves that they have friends who seek to reduce the storm.  But for the supreme masters the ground is mined.  In the drunkenness of the first battles they succeed in pulling along the masses.  In proportion as typhus completes the work of death and misery these men will turn to the masters of Germany, France, Russia, Austria, Italy, and so on, and will demand what reason they can give for all those corpses.  And then the revolution will tell them:  Go and demand grace from God and men.

* * * * *

COMPOSURE IS NECESSARY.

Editorial Article for l’Humanite, Written by Jean Jaures on the Night He Was Assassinated, July 31.

If we put things at their worst, if we take, in view of the most formidable hypothesis, the necessary precautions, let us keep the lucidity of our spirit, the firmness of our reason.  To judge from all the common elements, it does not seem that the international situation is desperate.  To be sure, it is grave, but all chances of an amicable adjustment have not disappeared.  On one side it is evident that if Germany had a design to attack us she would have proceeded according to the famous sudden attack.  On the contrary, she has allowed days to pass, and France, like Russia, could have put to profit this delay, the one, Russia, in order to proceed to a partial mobilization, the other, France, to take precautions compatible with the maintenance of peace.

On the other hand, Austria and Russia have entered into direct negotiations.  Russia demands of Austria what treatment she reserves for Servia.  Austria answers that she will respect her “territorial integrity.”  Russia figures that it is not enough and that it must also include that “the sovereign rights of Servia are guaranteed.”