Minister Roman's first action upon arriving in London was to meet with Britain's famous pro-war hawk, expressing his apprehension toward Germany's terrifying military might as well as his own firm determination to fight.
Although Winston Churchill had left the government, he had successively served in the British Cabinet as Minister of the Interior, First Lord of the Admiralty, Minister of Munitions, Secretary of State for War, Secretary of State for Air, Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs, and Chancellor of the Exchequer. He still held considerable influence in British politics.
The former Cabinet Member, who had transformed himself into a writer and renowned critic, made a pointed remark after hearing Minister Roman's resolute pro-war stance: "Perhaps the fate of the countries behind you and me will be decided by tomorrow's meeting."
On April 10, 1936, Prime Minister Baldwin received Minister Roman, representing France, and the two sides held a diplomatic meeting.
At the meeting, Minister Roman brought up the German-Austrian War that had broken out two days earlier and said bluntly, "I don't believe this is merely a war between Germany and Austria. It is a great war spreading across the whole of Europe.
France needs Britain's support. It is the key guarantee that we can defeat Germany. Without support from Britain, France will be defeated in this war, and we will have no choice but to seek a way to reduce our casualties and save France from imminent destruction."
What Minister Roman had said was simple. Summed up in one sentence, it meant: If Britain enters the war, I will fight. If Britain stays out, I will surrender. He was using this to pressure Prime Minister Baldwin and the British Government.
If this had happened a year earlier, Prime Minister Baldwin would have scoffed at the French people's threat.