To open to civilization the only part of the globe not yet explored, to penetrate the shadows that envelope its entire population; This is, I make bo… - Leopold II of Belgium

France need not to extend its own borders, that would only have a counterproductive effect, however, it should surround itself with allies and friends whom it must make more powerful, and whom in turn make France itself more powerful, such an approach will not disturb anyone, free and without In this way, France can fence itself with reliable allies, it goes without saying that 6 or 7 million Piedmontese, 3 million Swiss, 8 million Belgians and 37 million French can provide the French emperor with a larger, better organized and more complete armed forces than those possessed by the Empire of 50 million people, all the emperor has to do is give us permission to invade the Netherlands, thanks in part to his prestige a quick and easy victory awaits us.

It is very curious to see how in China and Morocco the vanquished pay for the costs of the expedition that crushed them.

If you yield so much as an inch of the Congo, your old King will rise from his grave to blame you.