"If, on the other hand, by some misfortune or blunder our Entente with France were to be broken up, France will have to make her own terms with Germany. And Germany will again be in a position to keep us on bad terms with Germany and Russia, and to make herself predominant upon the Continent. Then, sooner or later, there will be war between us and Germany, in which much else may be involved."
January 1, 1970
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_Grey%2C_1st_Viscount_Grey_of_Fallodon