Chapter 694: You old guys have this day too
When Germany demanded an armistice, Fuxi asked Germany to hand over 5,000 cannons, 3,000 mortars, 30,000 machine guns, and 2,000 aircraft as part of the armistice. "Margin".
Considering the situation in Germany, machine guns were allowed to be retained for use in suppressing resistance in Germany.
In March this year, the Kingdom of Hungary and the Grand Duchy of Bavaria successively established working-class-led republics, sounding the alarm for European rulers.
In 1848, revolutions broke out in various European countries. The Russian Empire went out to put out the fires and became the main force in the suppression. It was known as the "European Gendarmerie".
Now that the Russian Empire is dead, who will maintain peace and stability in Europe?
While revolutions broke out in Austria-Hungary and Germany, Britain and France were also in turmoil.
The British Labor Party was founded by the Trades Union Congress. It was first called the Labor Representative Committee. In 1906, the Labor Party was jointly formed by trade unions, cooperative organizations and social groups. After the outbreak of the world war, it supported the government's war policy and joined the Liberal Party. coalition cabinet.
The French branch of the Workers' International was formed by the merger of the French Socialist Alliance, the Workers' Federation, and the Workers' Party.
What these two organizations have in common is that they are full of factions and have complex structures. They do not simply represent the interests of the working class, but represent the overall interests of the emerging bourgeoisie.
Sydney Webb and his wife Beatrice were famous British activists and leaders of the Fabian Society, who advocated a cooperative approach to reform Britain.
After the ceasefire was achieved, the British working class set off a new upsurge in the strike movement in order to fight for better welfare benefits. The most intense struggle and the most combative were the coal miners.
In January this year, the Miners' Federation demanded an increase in wages, the implementation of a seven-hour working day, and the nationalization of mines.
The British government rejected the demands of the Union of Mineworkers.
The Miners' Union decided to strike.
As an expert from the Union of Mineworkers, Webb participated in the Commission of Inquiry into the Conditions of the Coal Industry, assisting the British government in dealing with increasingly tense labor disputes.
Mrs. Webb was the famous drafter of the "Minority Report", which originated from the Royal Commission of Inquiry established in 1905 on the Poor Law. Mrs. Webb was one of the members of the Commission of Inquiry. .
After the investigation, Mrs. Webber submitted a "Minority Report" recommending that the Poor Law be abolished and replaced with extensive social insurance.
This proposal clearly reflects the Fabian view of the "welfare state".
The eight-hour working day and minimum wage guarantee system implemented in Russia coincide with the "welfare state" advocated by Fabianism, which resonates strongly with the Webers.
The day after Alexander's interview was published in The Times, the Webbers approached their mutual friend, Labor leader Arthur Henderson, to discuss the New Deal in Russia.
Arthur Henderson has also read the "Times" report and was deeply impressed by the content of Alexander's interview.
Unfortunately, at least for now, a similar system cannot be implemented in the UK.
“As you know, the biggest difference between us and Russia is that we do not have powerful people like Grand Duke Yuriev. If Russia allows the State Duma to discuss it, it will not be able to reach an agreement smoothly in 100 years.”< br>
Arthur Henderson spoke with a hint of envy.
The situation in Britain is more complicated than in Russia. Resolutions passed by the House of Commons, which is mainly composed of the emerging bourgeoisie, will be rejected by the House of Lords, which is composed of the aristocracy, if it does not conform to the interests of the aristocracy.
The British are so easily fooled.
If Nicholas had such political wisdom, he would not have fallen to where he is today.
I can’t even understand the homework I copied.
“This news has not spread yet. If the workers know that their Russian counterparts can pursue their own interests and hobbies while supporting their families, I really don’t know what they will do.”
Weber reminded Arthur Henderson that everyone has the right to pursue a better life.
"This must be a conspiracy by the Russians. Their purpose is to incite our workers. This is Grand Duke Yuriev's revenge for our not accepting the Tsar."
Arthur Han Desun was inconsistent. He had just praised George's strength.
"No, no, no, this system has been running perfectly in the territory of Grand Duke Yuriev for many years. At least in 1892, they have been doing this."
Bea Therese married Weber in 1892 and visited Vladivostok during their honeymoon.
Beatrice was born into a wealthy family in Gloucester. She and Weber settled in London after their marriage. Their source of income came from Beatrice's inheritance and royalties, which amounted to about 1,000 pounds per year.
Don’t underestimate this 1,000 pounds. Only the top middle class, equivalent to 0.5% of the UK’s total population, can reach this income level.
Arthur Henderson hesitated, he had also been to Vladivostok, and even met George himself in St. Petersburg as a member of the British delegation.
It's a pity that he knows George, but George doesn't know him.
“Even if this is a Russian conspiracy, it is an outright conspiracy. We must act, otherwise we will be completely passive.”
Weber feared that British workers would be incited to cause greater chaos.
"Yes, we should indeed act-"
Arthur Henderson goes into "Yes, Minister" mode.
The classic four stages of "Yes, Minister": the first stage, claiming that nothing happened.
Phase 2: Something may be happening, but no action should be taken.
Stage 3: Maybe something should be done, but nothing can be done. Stage 4: Maybe something could have been done, but now it’s too late.
The Webers are scholars.
Arthur Henderson was a politician as leader of the Labor Party.
So what the Webbs worried about was exactly what Arthur Henderson hoped for.
It's good for workers to cause trouble.
It would be better to make a big fuss until the Lloyd George cabinet falls, and then the Labor Party will have its chance.
In order for Arthur Henderson to take the stage, he needs to wait for time to ferment.
The French in the old revolutionary areas have already taken action.
During the Russian Empire, France was the most desirable vacation destination for Russians. Every winter, countless Russian dignitaries chose to spend the cold winter in France, just like migratory birds, waiting for spring to bloom before returning to St. Petersburg.
The situation in France is actually more severe than that in Russia.
During Nicholas' reign, the Russian army never rebelled. It was not until Nicholas abdicated that the Russian army, which had lost its allegiance, became disorganized and suffered a complete defeat.
After the Battle of Verdun, some French troops refused to carry out combat orders and were actually in a state of rebellion.
Pétain, who was ordered to do so at the critical moment, visited all the troops on the French front line, but was unable to restore morale. In the end, it was the participation of the US military in the war that saved France.
During the World War, French workers organized strikes many times to fight for better welfare benefits, but were severely suppressed by the French government.
Ironically, it was the notorious three-traitor cabinet that took the most violent stance in suppressing workers' strikes.
Alexander Millerand, one of the three traitor cabinet members, gained a reputation for defending the labor movement in his early years. After he became famous, he became the politician with the most violent attitude in suppressing the labor movement, playing the workers at his fingertips.
After Nicholas abdicated, many Russian dignitaries fled to France. Paris, as the capital of France, naturally became the first choice of Russian dignitaries.
Long before "Le Figaro" published Alexander's interview, news about Russia's implementation of the eight-hour work system and the minimum wage guarantee system began to spread widely in Paris.
The shock this news brought to the old revolutionary base was subversive.
Doesn’t it mean that Russia is about to return to the dark and ignorant Tsarist era?
Why does it seem that Russia has become a republic where workers are the masters of the country?
France is the real republic, not the Third Republic.
In 1919, although the war on the front line has ceased, prices in Paris are still unattainable. The people at the bottom are miserable. Workers are busy all day long. It is difficult to even support their families, let alone pursue personal hobbies.
On March 27, the third day after Alexander’s interview was published in Le Figaro, tens of thousands of Paris workers took to the streets, demanding that the French government improve welfare benefits and follow Russia’s example in providing French workers with the best possible benefits. Basic living security.
This cannot but make people sigh, the consciousness of the old revolutionary base areas.
Russia has begun to progress towards a welfare society.
French workers are still striving to pursue the most basic living security.
What is the most basic living security?
The lowest level of Maslow's five-level pyramid.
In this pyramid, Russian workers are at least on the third level, having satisfied their physiological and safety needs and beginning to pursue spiritual satisfaction.
At noon, more and more people gathered. Not only did more and more workers come, but disabled soldiers who had become homeless also participated.
The situation in which the Cossacks self-exiled themselves after being disabled in order not to be a drag on their families has been mentioned many times before.
The situation of disabled French soldiers is not much better than that of the Cossacks. Many disabled soldiers are stranded in Paris, waiting for pensions from the French government, and have to live on the streets.
Excited people surrounded the Palace of Versailles, the Royal Avenue was blocked, and the fountains in the square were filled with people.
Clemenceau urgently mobilized cavalry to maintain order. The disabled veterans formed a human wall to prevent the cavalry from rushing into the crowd.
“Brothers, a month ago, we fought side by side, and I lost this leg to protect my comrades——”
“Look at me, this is my badge, I also served in the Fifth Army. I am your brother Henry——”
“If you don’t take action, our today will be your tomorrow——”
The shouts of the disabled veterans made the cavalry rein in their horses one after another with unbearable expressions.
The officer leading the team saw that the situation was not good and immediately led the team back.
We cannot stay here. If we stay any longer, the cavalry may join us.
In the Palace of Versailles, Clemenceau was furious and roared that he wanted to drive the Russians out of the Paris Peace Conference.
Lloyd George desperately sent a telegram to London, asking all newspapers to strictly prohibit publishing any news about Russia.
Wilson looked calm on the surface, but was roaring crazily on the inside.
You old guys have this day too!
(End of this chapter)