Proclamation by the Government Announcing Transfer of Capital to Bordeaux, Sept. 3.
People of France: For several weeks relentless battles have engaged our heroic troops and the army of the enemy. The valor of our soldiers has won for them, at several points, marked advantages; but in the north the pressure of the German forces has compelled us to fall back.
This situation has compelled the President of the Republic and the Government to take a painful decision.
In order to watch over the national welfare it is the duty of the public powers to remove themselves temporarily from the City of Paris.
Under the command of an eminent chief, a French Army, full of courage and zeal, will defend the capital and its patriotic population against the invader.
But the war must be carried on at the same time on the rest of its territory.
Without peace or truce, without cessation or faltering, the struggle for the honor of the nation and the reparation of violated right must continue.
None of our armies is impaired. If some of them have sustained very considerable losses, the gaps have immediately been filled up from the reserves, and the appeal for recruits assures us of new reserves in men and energy tomorrow.
Endure and fight! Such must be the motto of the allied British, Russian, Belgian, and French Armies.
Endure and fight, while at sea the British aid us, cutting the communication of our enemy with the world.