Home
Search transcripts:    Advanced Search
Notable New     Yorkers
Select     Notable New Yorker

Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
Photo Gallery
Transcript

Part:         Session:         Page of 915

“Madame,” he said, “it is more than the Marshal said. I cannot tell you how strong France is today. I cannot tell you. It cannot be talked about. Our method of protection, our method of military defense, our method of developing and training our army is secret. It is beyond all words. The French army is stronger than it ever was. The French leadership in the military field is strong and powerful.”

Then I said to him, “What about this scandal?” I mentioned this scandal of a few years previous.

He said, “Oh, that did not touch the military. You must remember that that was just some of the upper politicians. The military is clean in this country. The military is free of any of these confusions. Some of the politicians were touched by it, but in spite of that the French military has managed to buy its own supplies, to provide for itself. We've got everything and all is well.”

I said, “And the financial condition of France is sound to support it?”

“Oh very.”

I said, “What about the army itself?”

He said, “Oh you know, we have universal military service. Our call-up is very great.”





© 2006 Columbia University Libraries | Oral History Research Office | Rights and Permissions | Help