Matthias Erzberger Quotes

The demands of Germany may require too much sacrifice of the rights of others for them to be granted, but for the peace of the world they must be considered with the utmost seriousness, and it is difficult to escape the conclusion that sooner or later some of them will have to receive satisfaction.

You just don't invade another country on phony pretext in order to assert your interests!

All war aims for impunity.

What is more immoral than war?

It depends on the situation. I mean, on one hand there's the argument that people should be left alone on the other hand, there's the argument to wade in a stop slaughters in places like Bosnia and Kosovo and what we probably should have done in Rwanda.

The absolute pacifist is a bad citizen; times come when force must be used to uphold right, justice and ideals.

Respect for human rights is a cornerstone of U. S. foreign policy.

Peace with justice is very difficult. My people need both, but we need peace more.

Let the natural process of war among nations smother the weak.

In fighting with Japanese savages all previously accepted rules of warfare must be abandoned

We have decided to bring to an end the most unequal, most unjust, most barbarous war of our age, and have chosen the road to exile in order that our people will not be exterminated and in order to consecrate ourselves wholly and in peace to the preservation of our empire's independence ... we now demand that the League of Nations should continue its efforts to secure respect for the covenant, and that it should decide not to recognize territorial extensions, or the exercise of an assumed sovereignty, resulting from the illegal recourse to armed force and to numerous other violations of international agreements.

The government considers it the greatest of crimes against humanity to continue this war over the issue of how to divide among the strong and rich nations the weak nationalities they have conquered, and solemnly announces its determination immediately to sign terms of peace to stop this war on the terms indicated, which are equally just for all nationalities without exception.

History asks of us that we never act unilaterally, never alone, but only within the alliances of NATO, the United Nations and the European Union as it is clearly specified in international law

If we really see the necessity for military action against Serbia, I would think it regrettable if we did not take advantage of the present moment, which is favorable from our point of view.

The population of Belgium ... behaved in a diabolical not to say, bestial manner… They tormented the wounded, beat them to death, killed doctors and medical orderlies, fired secretly … on men harmlessly standing in the street… The King of Belgium has to be notified at once that since his people have placed themselves outside all observance of European custom … They will be treated accordingly

Major General Thomas Jesup has committed an unprecedented violation of that sacred rule which has ever been recognized by every nation, civilized and uncivilized, of treating with all due respect those who had ever presented themselves under a flag of truce before the enemy, for the purpose of proposing the termination of warfare.

I would never call myself an expert on geopolitics. I'm not studied in it. But what I do know is what's right and wrong in terms of treatment of people.

If political leaders want respect, they will begin by enforcing the global rule of law.

Even in war, everyone deserves to be treated humanely.

We need to put human rights, a belief in multilateralism and respect for international law back at the heart of foreign policy.

As we respond to the assault of our enemy and defend our country, we must never break international laws. Crime can not be solved by more crime.

Germany will never break the peace of its own accord.

There are both things in international law: the principle of territorial integrity and right to self-determination.

There are laws for peace as well as war.

Nothing can justify war.