Matthias Erzberger
All that's left separating us from an armistice is false pride.
A line from Matthias Erzberger
My son killed in the war. He doesn't feel any honor.
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1 scene Matthias Erzberger
[On Marshal of France Foch's private train, Matthias Erzberger is attempting to secure an armistice; Erzberger and Foch speak in German and French respectively, so two junior officers translate to Erzberger and Foch]
I stand before you, in the hope that you will take our presence here today as an opportunity to take action to suspend all hostilities. In the name of humanity, I am asking you for an agreement to an immediate cease-fire for the entire duration of our negotiating time to in order to spare our nation's unnecessary depletion. Matthias Erzberger, head of the German delegation.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch
[Marshal Foch stares coldly at the German delegation in silence, then addresses General Maxime Weygand]
Weygand, que veulent ces monsieur? (Weygand, what do these men want?)
General Maxime Weygand
Je ne sais pas. (I don't know.)
German Translator
Marshal Foch asks what brings you gentlemen to him.
Mattias Erzberger
We are here looking forward to your proposal for an enduring cease-fire that will include all those on the water, on land, as well as those in the sky.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch
N'ai aucune monsieur proposition de ce genre à faire. (I have no proposal of this kind to make.)
German Translator
Ich habe ihn keine vorschläge zu machen. (I have no proposal to make to him.)
Mattias Erzberger
What does he mean by that?
German Translator
I think he disliked the phrasing of what you said.
Mattias Erzberger
Yes. Good. Then...
German Translator
Monsieur le Maréchal, si vous permittez, on aimerais connaître les conditions- (Marshal, if you please, we would like to know the conditions-
Marshal Ferdinand Foch
[angrily cuts him off]
Ne pas condition! Si vous voulez un armistice, déclarez! (No conditions! If you want an armistice, declare it!)
Major General Winterfeldt
He wants you to ask him formally.
Matthias Erzberger
Monsieur le Maréchal, I am asking you for an armistice.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch
[after handing the document of armistice to Matthias]
You have 72 hours to accept our conditions. They are non-negotiable.
Matthias Erzberger
Seventy-two hours?
Marshal Ferdinand Foch
The war will continue until you sign them.
Matthias Erzberger
Monsieur le Maréchal, in God's name, don't let 72 hours pass us by here. Thousands of lives depend on it.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch
[Stands up, holding a pen out to Matthias]
Alors signe! (Sign then!)
