“Whatever shall we do in future? The nation that does not arm continuously is lost – as France has been lost, as Britain will be lost but for the Grace of God. In this mechanistic age where bravery and improvised organization at the last moment will not help. The only alternative is a League of the Nations or of some nations strong enough to withstand aggression …”

—  Jan Smuts

As quoted by W. K. Hancock in SMUTS 2: The Fields of Force 1919-1950, p. 360

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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military leader, politician and statesman from South Africa 1870–1950

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