"There are two alternatives, either you agree to what we ask and model yourselves on the German and Italian constitutions, or Hitler will force you to do so... France has never had and never will have a more inveterate enemy than Great Britain. Our whole history bears witness to that. We have been nothing but toys in the hands of England, who has exploited us to ensure her own safety. Today we are at the bottom of the abyss where she led us... I see only one way to restore France...to the position which she is entitled: namely, to ally ourselves resolutely with Germany and to confront England together."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Speech to the deputies (5 July 1940), quoted in Geoffrey Warner, Pierre Laval and the Eclipse of France (1968), pp. 197-198
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pierre_Laval
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Pierre Laval
Pierre Jean Marie Laval (28 June 1883 – 15 October 1945) was a French politician. During the Third Republic, he served as Prime Minister of France from 1931 to 1932 and from 1935 to 1936. He again occupied the post during the German occupation, from 1942 to 1944.
22 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Pierre Laval →
Related Quotes
"Just as war was originally waged between towns, then between countries and recently between empires, so, in future, i…"
"War means the end of us all. Mankind is morally incapable of enduring another war, the horrors of which will surpass …"
"I consider agreement between Italy and France, that is to say between the Latin countries, including Nationalist Spai…"
"Mr Chamberlain is right to refuse to intervene in Spain, just as he is right to re-establish good relations with Ital…"
"What is going on is abominable. A cry of indignation goes up at such a situation. Today, Germany, who lost the war, h…"
"Because French-Italian cooperation had been destroyed Germany was in Vienna and in Prague. By turning their backs on …"
"Well, it was unfortunate for us all that he [Ramsay MacDonald] refused to face the unpalatable fact of Abyssinia at S…"
"Gamelin is absolutely useless. The troops are all underground in that wretched Maginot Line, and completely demoraliz…"
"Whether, in the last resort, Germany wins the war or not, we now have less choice than ever. We must reach an agreeme…"
"We will always be neighbours of Germany. We face the alternative of reaching an agreement with her or of clashing eve…"