‘‘If I am told that tomorrow a miracle must be produced to save France, then I believe in the miracle, because France cannot die.’’
The famous watchword of the French Revolution — the cry that saved France at Valmy — was evoked by Premier Paul Reynaud yesterday [May 21] afternoon, when, addressing the Senate, he declared: ‘‘Messieurs, la patrie est en danger.’’ Making no attempt to minimize the gravity of the situation, the French Premier informed the Senators that the Germans had reached Amiens and Arras yesterday morning. ‘‘If I am told that tomorrow a miracle must be produced to save France, then I believe in the miracle, because France cannot die.’’ — New York Herald Tribune, European Edition, May 22, 1940