"We are face to face with tremendous, strenuous competition" said one of the leaders of the world's superpower. "We have to hold our own against other nations not too friendly. …
"We see every day that we, the most liberal nation the world has ever seen in its international connections, are also the best hated. Other people are envious of us, they libel us in the most outrageous, abominable, and discreditable manner, they misrepresent us and gloat over what they think is our approaching downfall."
Which leader spoke those words? Read the top comment for the answer…
Behind the Façades in France: What expats and the mainstream media (French and American alike) fail to notice (or fail to tell you) about French attitudes, principles, values, and official positions…
Speech by Chamberlain at a January 1902 meeting in Birmingham, Britain
ReplyDeleteIt's actually "misrepresent", as in "they caricature us in every way". (If this exchange does not make sense to you, new reader to this post, it's because I have gone back and corrected the entry since reading the previous item and posting this).
ReplyDeleteAs for which Chamberlain is speaking, the January 2002 "100 years ago" item doesn't say, as it is simply quoting (briefly, in one paragraph) from the newpapers of the day (the Daily Mail), when giving first names wasn't as widespread as it is today, while honorifics (Mr.) were.
I suppose it may be Neville, although I seem to recall that there was another Chamberlain of notice at the beginning of the 20th century (a relative of his?). (If it was NC, he seems to have been using better judgment in Birmingham than 36 years later in Munich.)
Thanks very much, Sid. See what a high calibre of readers we have on this blog, Erik?
ReplyDelete(I'll thank you on Erik's behalf because he may be a little busy preparing for his trip to Cannes.)
Merci, les gars !
ReplyDelete