As an injured Russian bear and plucked French cock stumble off, Britain's John Bull protects his fleet with the flags of neutral nations, while making his throne on his colonies and allies: Egypt, India, Belgium, Ireland, Transvaal (part of the Union on South Africa), and, at the center, Italy, an ally since May, 1915. A postcard from 1915, labeled in French and German.

John Bull le Protecteur des Opprimés



John Bull der Freund und Beschützer der Kleinen.



John Bull, Protector of the Oppressed



John Bull, friend and protector of the little ones.



Egypte, Indes, Belgique, Transvaal, Irlande



Egypt, India, Belgium, Transvaal, Ireland

1915

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Wednesday, November 3, 1915

"3rd November[, 1915]

 Countries like France and Belgium, which have been dragged into the conflict in spite of themselves and against their wishes, have everything to lose in being chained to an indestructible power like the British Empire. They take all the blows which are not intended for them. The struggle between England and Germany will last for centuries and will have the universe for theatre."

Quotation Context

A somewhat ungrateful diary entry for November 3, 1915 by Albert, King of the Belgians, whose country, like France, was invaded by Germany in August, 1914. In response, Belgium ask the guarantors of its neutrality, including France and Great Britain, for support in its defense. Britain, which had hesitated coming to France's aid, declared war on Germany after it failed to respond to a demand to leave Belgium. German Commander-in-Chief Erich von Falkenhayn, shared King Albert's view that Great Britain was Germany's primary rival.

Source

The War Diaries of Albert I King of the Belgians by Albert I, page 72, copyright © 1954, publisher: William Kimber

Tags

1915-11-03, 1915, November, Albert, King Albert, King of the Belgians, Great Britain