Chapter 696: Man's Arsenic, My Honey
If possible, Clemenceau would like to completely dismember Germany and split it into four or five small principalities, so as not to pose a threat to France.
Lloyd George opposed excessive weakening of Germany for the sake of continental balance.
In order to strengthen the United States' influence on Europe, Wilson also opposed excessive weakening of Germany.
Nicholas the Younger’s initial attitude was similar to Clemenceau’s, and he also favored the complete division of Germany.
But as time went by, little Nicholas's attitude began to change.
Would it be good for Russia to completely dismember Germany?
Yes, but not many.
A Germany that can break the European order is more beneficial to Russia.
Without Germany, France will be the only country in the world, which is also detrimental to Russia.
In the 3:1 situation, Clemenceau had to give up the idea of completely dismembering Germany and focus more on fighting for practical interests for France.
In addition to territory, war reparations have also caused huge controversy.
After counting France's losses, Clemenceau proposed a compensation amount of 800 billion gold marks to Germany.
This request is too much. Germany is now running out of oil and gas. Even if all the Germans are sold, they still won’t be able to get it at this price.
This does not include the losses caused by Germany to Russia, Britain, Belgium, and the United States.
Russia suffered greater losses in the war than France.
Clemenceau dared to ask for 800 billion, and little Nicholas was not polite, just opened his mouth and asked for 2 trillion.
Lloyd George and Wilson were helpless, are you two competing for big eaters?
One year before the outbreak of the world war, Germany's GDP was only about one trillion marks.
Wilson carried forward his style and said that the United States could not pay reparations, hoping that Clemenceau and Nicholas Jr. would lower the reparations standards.
Clemenceau opened his mouth to retort.
“All the gold that disappeared in Germany is in the United States. You have made enough money through free trade——”
“Russia lost 20 million people in the war, and Germany must make compensation. "
The data in Little Nicholas' mouth is not accurate. It was 15 million a week ago.
Russia mobilized a total of 15 million people to participate in the war, and the total number of casualties was about 7 million.
"Can you calculate the data accurately?"
Clemenceau is not a tiger, but a mad dog. He will bite whoever he catches.
"Gentlemen, let's be realistic. The Germans simply cannot afford so much money."
Lloyd George was worried about what to do.
Clemenceau and Nicholas Jr. are not blackmailing Germany, but blackmailing Britain and the United States.
For the sake of continental balance, and for the United States to continue to generate benefits in Europe, the United Kingdom will definitely increase its support for Germany after the war.
It doesn’t matter if Germany has no money. It can use resources and products to pay off its debts. Clemenceau is eyeing the coal mines in the Ruhr area.
The Ruhr is Germany's main coal-producing area. If this area is taken away, German industry will lose a leg.
Russia does not have any requirements for German resources, but is quite interested in German industrial products.
Before the outbreak of the war, the main mode of trade between Russia and Germany was: Russia imported industrial products from Germany, and Germany imported food from Russia.
The bad relations between the two countries also started with restrictions on trade.
With George's emphasis on industry, Russia's dependence on German industrial products will rapidly decrease.
If the Germans are willing, they can make some beer-smoked ham or something to enrich the Russian dining table.
"It doesn't matter if we don't have money now. Germany can pay it back slowly. We have plenty of time!"
Clemenceau will not give in. This is his final bottom line.
The French's bottom line has always been very flexible.
George's bottom line is also very flexible.
After the beginning of spring, a delegation led by former US Secretary of State Robert Bacon arrived in Yakutia to inspect the construction of the Hebrew Autonomous Prefecture.
Robert Bacon had an extraordinary resume. He served as secretary of state, ambassador to France, and head of the U.S. military office in Britain during the World War. He was also a director of the Morgan Financial Group and an outstanding banker.
Yakutia has a very large area, more than 3 million square kilometers.
The Hebrew Autonomous Prefecture covers an area of only 36,000 square kilometers. Not only does it have no outlet to the sea, but its location is almost to the Arctic Circle.
Spring flowers are blooming in New York in April, but the Hebrew Autonomous Prefecture is still covered in ice and snow.
The average temperature in Xizhou is minus 50 degrees in January, and the average temperature in July is 20 degrees. The winter lasts for 9 months, and all areas are located in the permafrost zone.
Bacon was very angry. What the hell is this place? It is not suitable for human survival at all.
“Are we going to give Vladivostok or St. Petersburg to the Hebrews?”
Ilya, who had just retired from the Russian army three months ago, was not angry, and he did not expect this ghost place of ice and snow.
Although Russia is large in area, many areas are actually extreme places unsuitable for human survival.
To survive in such a ghost place, you need not only a strong body, but also a savage spirit.
Gao, li, dai, which the Hebrews are best at, are of no use in a place like this.
“Russia is so big, why is it here?” Bacon believed that this was a deliberate targeting of the Hebrews.
If Werther were here, he would say to Bacon: You are right.
The loan from the United States to Russia can only allow George to go so far.
If you want to go to a better place, you have to pay more.
“The Hebrews are the most intelligent race in the world. My Grand Duke, Prime Minister Kerensky, believes that the Hebrews can definitely create miracles here.”
Elijah smiled, "the wisest" was not said by me, but by the Hebrews themselves.
Grand Duke Yuriev-Prime Minister Kerensky did not find a desert to throw the Hebrews into, which is already very good.
"Kerensky is dead!"
Bacon was furious and didn't even care. Could he find a better excuse?
“No, as the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government, Prime Minister Kerensky will always live in the hearts of all Russians.”
Ilya was right and correct, and Kerensky would be very pleased if he was still alive.
Why local?
He is so great, he will definitely go to hell if I don’t.
Although the name of George Town, the capital of Xizhou, contains "city", it is actually a small town with more than a hundred households, who make a living by fishing and hunting.
Ilya's mayor's official residence is also his own residence. The living room is so small that it cannot even accommodate everyone in the delegation.
However, the "official residence" covers a large area. The warehouse next to it is filled with smoked meat and fish. There are more than a dozen sled dogs in the kennel. They are not only able to pull sleds, but also responsible for the city. Security work at the governor’s residence.
Another warehouse is filled with firewood, which is an indispensable fuel in winter.
The clothes Ilya wears are a bearskin cloak. If this piece of clothing were sold in a shopping mall in New York, it would cost at least more than 100 US dollars.
$100 is very valuable these days.
Although the name Elijah comes from ancient Hebrew, he has an oriental face, yellow skin and black hair. He does not look like a Hebrew.
This is normal, Yakuts are originally yellow people.
Ilya's "official residence" didn't even have a staff member. Ilya had to boil the water himself and make the tea himself. The cup was not washed before making the tea.
Bacon no longer cares about these details.
Except for the tea cup which is not very clean, the conditions are quite good in other aspects.
The carpet in Ilya's living room is made of the skin of some kind of animal.
There are sabers and rifles hanging on the wall, as well as medals that Elijah received during the war, and a photo wall of more than a dozen photos, in which Bacon actually found a photo of Elijah and George.
Looking at the yellow and black blanket spread on the lounge chair next to the fireplace, and the huge antlers above the fireplace, Bacon felt that this place was not so bad, it was almost the same as his country house in the United States.
But when he thought of the nine-month long winter, Bacon frowned again.
"You think this is not good? No, in my opinion, this is exactly the best place for Hebrews."
Ilya poured Bacon a cup of tea, and then Begin roasting potatoes by the fireplace.
This thing is delicious whether dipped in sugar or salt.
It would be better if it is salt and pepper.
“We are a nation chosen by God, and we are also a nation abandoned by God. As long as we can live here without being disturbed, this is the greatest luck.”
Ilya’s The inside is not as rough as the outside.
"The long winter is nothing. There is endless firewood to burn and endless prey to hunt. You only need to work for three months a year to stock up on supplies that are enough for a year's living. My favorite place is During the long winter nights, wrapped in a warm bear skin, making a glass of vodka with a low alcohol content, and reading my favorite books by the hot fireplace——"
Elijah's description immediately made Bacon stare.
This——
Isn’t this the life I dream of!
“I issued an appeal to all the Hebrews living in Russia, hoping that they would come here to settle. Not only did they not come, they also called me a liar - so funny, I would rather endure the locals in the big cities People are excluded and do not come to enjoy a peaceful and peaceful life. They can only say that this is their own choice."
Ilya left Bacon speechless.
If you come here, live here for a while, feel that this place is not suitable for you, and then return to the city.
You don’t even come, and you veto Yakutia as soon as you hear about it. Is this what smart people do?
It is undeniable that the feasting and feasting of big cities does have unparalleled appeal to many people.
But is the fast-paced life in a big city really suitable for everyone?
I can only say that I know myself well.
"What can I do for you?"
Bacon finally got back on the right path.
"The biggest problem here is the inconvenience of transportation. If we can have a railway, then this will become a paradise for the Hebrews."
Ilya made Bacon frown again.
Xizhou is 8,900 kilometers from Moscow and 1,900 kilometers from Khabarovsk on Amur.
"No, no, no, you are wrong. We don't need to build a railway that far away. We only need to connect the railway to the coastline, and we will no longer be isolated from the world."
Ilya's plan is more suitable.
It also saves money.
(End of this chapter)