Ln November 11, 1918, at 15.50. precisely, the President of the Council, Georges Clemenceau, rose to the podium of the Palais-Bourbon to read to the deputies the text of the armistice signed at 5 o’clock that same morning, in the forest of Rethondes (Oise)by Marshal Foch, Admiral Wemyss and plenipotentiary of defeated Germany. All the deputies then stood together to applaud, as did journalists and spectators in the packed stands. Clemenceau, at the podium, bent his shoulders as if he were bending under the weight of these acclamations, but, as soon as he made a gesture to indicate that he would speak, a silence fell, almost religious.
In a voice that was subtle at first but gradually strengthened, he began: “Brethren, there is only one way to acknowledge such honor, which comes from the house of parliament, however excessive it may be. The way is to mutually promise, at this moment, to always work with all the strength of our hearts for the good of society. » The applause then started again and did not stop for several minutes, before he read the text of the armistice written in a small blue notebook. Once again there was thunderous applause when he delivered: “The salvation of France, one and indivisible, in the rediscovery of Alsace and Lorraine. » Finally, he paid his respects “to our dead, who gave us this victory”Then “to the living” : “We wait for them to do great work in social reconstruction. Thanks to them, France, which yesterday was a soldier of God, is now a soldier of humanity, will always be a soldier of ideals! »
To close this extraordinary session, all members of the Council sang a note Marseillaise. The next day, the press wrote: “The national anthem vibrates, resonates, grows violently and seriously. This is an unforgettable moment. » A few minutes later, in front of the Senate, Clemenceau repeated the statement made in the presence of the deputies, and there were the same shouts of joy, the same applause, the same voices. Marseille chanted at the top of his lungs. Additionally, the Upper House unanimously decided to install a statue of Tiger among other prominent senators. When he returned to the Ministry of War, rue Saint-Dominique, supporters accompanied him into the courtyard and cheered him on. From his office window, he said to them: “My friends, shout with me, long live France! »
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