GAULLE Charles de L.A.S., Paris, 25 November 1936, to Paul Reynaud; 2 pages in-4. About German manoeuvres. "I don't know whether you intend to take part in the forthcoming serious debate on foreign policy. Should you decide to do so, I trust that you will once again highlight the close relationship between these three terms: security, international solidarity and military policy. Perhaps you will also feel that there is now enough hindsight to show how and why the example of 7 March was so striking in this respect. The men who refused to bring our military instrument into harmony with obvious needs incurred very serious responsibilities. On the other hand, in the German manoeuvre which is taking shape to isolate France through humiliation by using the pretext of communism and the Franco-Russian pact, there is, once again, an immense bluff. Germany is not ready for war. If we speak loud and clear, they will back down. What is more, I think it can be argued without paradox that she has, for the time being, a secret desire to see us consolidate. Because nothing can worry her more than our confusion and uncertainty, and that's only natural: with a solid, straightforward man, you know what you're dealing with, even if he has a good gun in his pocket, but you feel a thousand anxieties about a man staggering around playing with a knife. As I currently have free time every afternoon except 2 December, I am entirely at your disposal for any work you may require. Minor tears without affecting the text and trace of paperclip. Bibliography: L. N. C., vol. 1, p. 825.