"Mr. President, although the situation is extremely unfavorable to us, we can still keep fighting. We still have more than a million troops, and our British allies still have several hundred thousand troops as well. If we continue fighting, perhaps a miracle will happen." Marshal Joffre unhesitatingly stated his position.
President Poincaré nodded and looked at the others.
"Your Excellency, if we continue fighting, are we certain we can win? The French Republic has already lost far too many troops in this war." Prime Minister René Viviani asked.
Clearly, after suffering such devastating losses and seeing almost no hope of victory, the French government's resolve had begun to waver. Since defeat seemed inevitable, why should they continue fighting? That would likely only make them pay an even greater price and send more people to their deaths.
"No, Prime Minister. Although our chances of victory are slim, there is still a chance. If we surrender to the Germans, they will certainly carve us up without mercy. We will lose vast tracts of territory and bear the burden of crushing war reparations. France will sink from then on and never again have a chance to rise." Marshal Joffre said.
The senior government officials present wore grim expressions, but they had to admit that Marshal Joffre was right. According to the intelligence they had received, Russia had paid an immense price to withdraw from the war. If France surrendered, it would be like delivering themselves to the Germans' doorstep to be butchered. The Germans certainly would not show mercy then. They might even demand harsher terms than those imposed on Russia.
"Ah, if only the rules of war still followed those of more than two hundred years ago!" Minister of War Alexander Millerand said.
Everyone was momentarily stunned, then smiled bitterly. They all