Chapter 700 This is the peace we want to give you
After the Provisional Executive Committee came to power, in order to withdraw from the war, it took the initiative to release prisoners of war and send a peace signal to Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Except for the 600,000 German troops who surrendered voluntarily, most of the current prisoners of war in Russia are from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire.
The day after George agreed to provide aid to Germany, 40 military vehicles loaded with food set off from Warsaw for Germany.
On May 7, this batch of grain arrived in Berlin.
Hindenburg was very happy and decided to designate May 7th as the Friendship Day between Germany and Russia.
When Carl learned the news, his mood was similar to those turkeys that were eaten during Thanksgiving in the United States.
No matter what, peace is coming and friendship is the theme.
Also on May 7th, a German delegation led by German Foreign Minister Count Ulrich von Brockdorff Lantzau arrived in Paris.
The German delegation was placed in a military camp on the outskirts of Paris. The camp was surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by soldiers with live ammunition.
Count Lancao strongly objected, believing that the German delegation was not a prisoner and should not be locked up in a prison.
Clemenceau not only ignored Lancao's objections, but also did not stop the French from watching, allowing the French to humiliate and abuse the German delegation.
Even the three meals a day delivered were scraps.
On May 11, a drunk French soldier broke into the German delegation camp carrying a pistol and killed a German delegation representative.
After this incident, Clemenceau strengthened the security of the camp.
At this time, the Big Eight were still arguing over the issue of compensation.
The conflict is mainly between Clemenceau and Nicholas the Younger.
Last month, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, and Nicholas Jr. joined forces to propose to Wilson that the United States forgive its World War loans.
Wilson was helpless, he had no such power at all.
Britain, France, and Russia borrowed money from U.S. capital, not the U.S. government. Wilson had no power to make decisions on behalf of U.S. capital.
"As the president of the United States, you don't even have this power. Are you a puppet of American capital?"
Clemenceau said in the face.
“Are you capable of representing French capital?”
Wilson retorted, everyone is the same, no one should dislike anyone.
Since the United States insisted on asking for money, Clemenceau regarded Germany's reparations as the best solution to the financial crisis.
Since we want to solve the fiscal crisis, we must give up unrealistic illusions.
The four people studied together for five days and five nights, and finally determined the amount of Germany's compensation to be 226 billion marks.
226 billion marks is approximately equivalent to 11.3 billion pounds, which is also a burden that Germany cannot bear.
After the total amount of compensation is determined, how to distribute it becomes the focus.
Wilson is generous. We, the United States, don’t want the reparations. You can divide it up as you like.
Lloyd George said that the UK only needs 20%, and you can take care of the rest.
Nicholas Jr. said that since Russia has suffered the greatest loss, Russia wants 50%——
Clemenceau believes that France has suffered the greatest loss, so France wants 55%——
This quarrel lasts for another month.
When the time came to June, the Paris Peace Conference had lasted for more than half a year.
Little Nikolay doesn't matter, Russia's reconstruction is underway with great vigor.
This spring, more than 90% of the land in Russia has been re-cultivated, and agricultural production is recovering rapidly.
After the new ruble was launched, the old paper ruble stopped being used, and Russia's financial order is gradually returning to normal.
After Felix became Minister of Industry, Russia's industry entered the fast lane, steel plants were nationalized, the three major industries were completely transformed, from military industry to civilian use, and a number of power plants, cement plants, and fertilizer plants have begun construction. .
Taking the natural gas pipeline as an opportunity, Witte has increased its efforts to develop Russian resources, forming two new hotspots with Baku and Tyumen as the centers, and driving the development of surrounding areas.
After Japan tasted its reparations, Russia established a number of key universities, led by the University of Constantinople, St. Petersburg University, and Moscow State University, to enhance Russia's high-end education capabilities.
Basic education has not been relaxed either. In the first half of this year alone, 11,000 new primary schools and middle schools were built in Russia, and the construction of the talent echelon is also being gradually improved.
Compared with Russia, the situation in France continues to deteriorate.
During the World War, France vigorously developed the military industry in order to improve its military industrial capabilities. Its military industrial capabilities increased nearly a hundred times compared with before the outbreak of the war. The number of workers producing 75mm artillery shells alone reached 900,000.
After the ceasefire on the front line, the demand for weapons and ammunition dropped sharply, and workers in the military industry instantly went from working three shifts 24 hours a day to becoming unemployed.
Russia's reconstruction is state-led.
The French government also wanted to rebuild, but the French Parliament and French capital did not cooperate. Clemenceau could only quarrel with Nicholas Jr. in the Palace of Versailles.
Clemenceau knew very well that there are many ways to solve the problem, just copy what the Russians did.
Russia's reconstruction starts with infrastructure construction. The investment ratio is huge and the return cycle is long. Capitalists have better investment areas, so naturally they will not spend precious funds on France's infrastructure construction.
Compared with building railways, collecting money by jamming natural gas pipelines is the best way.
Clemenceau hoped that through the Paris Peace Conference, he could accumulate enough political capital for the general election at the end of the year. If this continues indefinitely, it will only accumulate capital for political opponents.
Based on the actual situation in France, Clemenceau took the initiative to make concessions and reduced his share to 50%.
Little Nicholas said, how can you give in? It’s obviously still a dream.
So 50% was reduced to 45%.
Nicholas Jr. asked Lloyd George if Britain could get 5%.
Lloyd George's face is turning green, you two are just sitting here and being beggars.
Clémenceau said that France’s bottom line is 40%, and there will be no discussion if it falls below this standard.
Little Nicholas is getting more and more confident. If you don’t want to talk, let’s talk. Let’s go to Constantinople and talk slowly. I’ll treat you to vodka—no, French champagne.
The wily Wilson finally discovered that young people like Alexander were easier to deal with.
Wilson could see that Nicholas Jr. was retaliating against everyone through a long tug-of-war. After all, the people from Britain, France, and the United States who came to the meeting were either prime ministers or presidents. Russia really had the final say in Constantinople. Nicholas Jr. Gula is talking nonsense here, Russia is not delaying anything.
Like France, the United States is about to hold an election. Wilson wants to serve another term and has no time to waste in Paris.
Wilson hoped that Alexander would persuade Nicholas Jr. to make some concessions. After all, the earlier an agreement was reached, the earlier Germany would be able to start rebuilding, and the earlier Russia would be able to receive compensation.
Alexander is not stupid.
Although the total amount of compensation has been determined, it remains to be seen whether the Germans will be willing to accept it.
Even if they accept it, it is unknown whether the Germans will be able to compensate.
It is not unknown. The Germans definitely cannot afford compensation, because all the German money has been stolen by the Americans.
Looking at it this way, this sanctimonious guy becomes even more disgusting.
However, Alexander was indeed fed up with the long tug-of-war. He also wanted to return to Russia one day earlier and participate in Russia's reconstruction.
After completing Alexander's work, Nicholas finally gave in and reduced the compensation ratio to the same 40% as Clemenceau.
Still not working.
The United Kingdom wants 20%, and France and Russia want 40%. Is it possible that other countries will not be able to survive even if they are divided?
Wilson moved between the offices of Clemenceau, Nicholas Jr., and Lloyd George. The dignified president began to work as a telegraph operator, persuading the three men to show their respect.
On June 7, Count Lancao, who had been waiting in the "prison" for a long time, was finally summoned to the Palace of Versailles.
The arrogant Clemenceau threw the "Peace of Paris", which consisted of 15 parts and a total of 440 articles, in front of Count Lancao, and proudly said as a winner: "Gentlemen, You asked us for peace, and this is the peace we will give you.”
The contents of the treaty include: depriving Germany of all its colonies, France taking back Lorraine and Alsace, coal mines in the Saarland region of Germany being mined by France, and administration being managed by the League of Nations for 15 years, after which the ownership will be decided by referendum.
The German territory on the left bank of the Rhine was divided into three occupation zones, occupied by the Allies for 5, 10, and 15 years respectively. The 50 kilometers on the right bank were undefended areas.
Germany can only maintain an army of 100,000 people and a navy of 15,000 people. It has abolished the compulsory military service system, is not allowed to own capital ships and submarines, and is not allowed to own heavy weapons such as aircraft, tanks, and artillery.
Germany will pay 226 billion marks (note: equal amount in gold) to the Allies as war reparations.
Earl Lancao's nose almost became angry. This was not a truce based on the "Fourteen Points" at all, but an unconditional surrender.
"Germany denies this treaty."
Count Lancao would rather die than obey.
Oesberg, who signed the ceasefire agreement on behalf of Germany, was assassinated by extremists after returning to Berlin.
If Count Lancao dares to sign, he will be eaten alive by angry Germans when he returns to Berlin.
“If you don’t agree, the war will continue.”
Clemenceau smiled grimly, this was what he wanted.
It is good that the Germans agree. If the Germans do not agree, the French army can invade Germany openly, which will accumulate higher political prestige for Clemenceau.
The German army has been disarmed and is unable to fight anymore. Now Germany is meat on the chopping board, ready to be slaughtered.
Earl Lancao was filled with grief and anger, and had no one to complain to.
Alexander, who was watching, seemed familiar with this scene.
When Ludendorff forced the Provisional Executive Committee to sign the "Brest-Litovsk Treaty", Bronstein, who represented the Provisional Executive Committee, was just like Count Lancao and would rather die than obey.
The German army then continued the offensive and pushed the front from Poland to Belarus.
The Provisional Executive Committee had no choice but to sign the "Brest-Litovsk Agreement".
Ludendorff——
After the ceasefire was achieved, Vasily suggested to George that he send people to Norway to bring Ludendorff to Constantinople for trial, or simply kill him. He cannot be allowed to get away with it.
George's attitude towards pursuing responsibility was more determined than Vasily's.
But for Ludendorff, George was not prepared to hold Ludendorff accountable.
The more madmen like Ludendorff the better in Germany.
George doesn’t help the Germans with their crimes.
(End of this chapter)