"It is during my second stay in Madagascar, in 1900, that truly began my role as a Colonial Chief, acting politically, administratively, economically as well as militarily"
1935: Paroles d'actions
"Upon our arrival in Morocco, we found a country that was quite sick. Remnants of the monarchy being torn by foreign interests, disdain for their beliefs. The King was not strong enough and the center could not hold. I remember when our column entered Oujda, what a glorious day, to finally bask in the light of a monarchy, however weak it was, to be able to mold back as a shining example. Truly, I felt a second life had been given to me."
The reconquest: Memories of a King (27th edition)
"When all is said and done, the reason I succeeded in Morocco, in the mission given to me by the Republic of the time was for the same reasons I could not work in their regime. I succeeded because I was a monarchist and I found myself in a monarchic country. There was a Sultan whose authority I never stopped respecting, and he paid me back in kind when the time came to rise up to help France. I am religious and Morocco is a religious country. I believe there is no possible public life without religion, without religious discipline."
The reconquest: Memories of a King (27th edition)
"When Pétain, with his lack of imagination, with his lack of anything but pure instinct to follow order, like a well behaved dog, was sent to replace me from the Guerre du Rif, I knew France was too rotten to be saved by the Republic. I said it before, when heels snap, brains shut down and Pétain is a perfect example of this. To represent the Glory of France abroad, you need strong people, raised in the tradition of the strength and unity. When he came to relieve me, I had no choice and finally decided to meet my destiny.”
Trial of the past (3rd edition)
“It was needed, a strong leader with a strong hand, side by side with a benevolent King, following on millenias of tradition. It was the last chance we had and we took it. I will never forget the cries of joy of the people during the crowning. To this day, I believe this was the best decision for France and I shiver at the thought of what could have happened if I did not call my men to fight for France.”
The reconquest: Memories of a King (27th edition)
“Some men are drawn to power, some men are drawn to money. Some other men are not drawn to anything and will blindly follow order. This is why you need a strong leader to conduct the first ones, a strong country to content the seconds and an army to gather the thirds. I believe a King was the best way to gather those attributes.”
1927: Adress to the Assembly
“1925 was the last year of the unfair and unbalanced state of France. Finally, after almost a century, a true King has come back to France.”
1927: Adress to the Assembly