This treaty received big front-page headlines two days running. I think The Times sold on the street for 3 cents a copy. That is more than the treaty was worth, it seems to me.
To Hitler, the treaty was priceless. For it helped keep the French and other European countries lulled into a false sense of security and kept them from arming themselves for war.
It's the same today. Some thing paper represents security when in reality nothing but cold steel guarantees it.
I wonder if this wasn't some kind of quid-pro-quo from Hitler for France's going along with Hitler's free hand in Czechoslovakia?
It was negated, of course, when France declared war on Germany in September 1939, after Hitler's invasion of Poland.
For what it's worth: this was a curious reversal of 1914, when Germany first declared war and invaded France. In that war, France never did declare war on Germany.
In 1939, France did declare war, but still did not invade Germany. And this time, the Germans conquered France WITHOUT declaring war.
After all, what's the point of useless paperwork? ;-)
Like I said, for what it's worth.
European countries have gotten along for thousands of year.
Any guesses on how long this worthless piece of paper will be honored?
The text of that “treaty” reads like when our congress does on of their “sense of congress” bills. It’s a lot of words that dont have any real meaning.
It reminds me of what’s in the “Foundation” by Isaac Asimov; a prince comes to the foundation after the fringe of the Empire had broken up and gave many speeches to the people of the foundation. They took his speeches and analyzed them and every sentenced canceled themselves out. So he spoke for two weeks and said NOTHING.