Chapter 725 Visiting Relatives
British continental equilibriumism, to put it bluntly, means constantly creating conflicts on the European continent in order to achieve British strategic goals.
After the Franco-Prussian War, Britain and France jointly contained Germany. Later, they found that they could not hold it back, so they brought Russia in to form the Allied Powers.
Now that Germany is gone, Britain must continue to find an enemy for Europe if it wants to continue playing continental equilibriumism.
If you can’t find one, make one.
From the British perspective, Russia is well suited to become Europe's "public enemy."
So this is not a question of whether Russia is peace-loving, but a question of whether the tree wants to be quiet but the wind does not stop.
Russia’s attitude is also clear.
In the context of the economic crisis, Russia is indeed unique in promoting economic growth through infrastructure construction and taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to adjust its domestic economic structure.
The source of instability in Europe has never been Russia, but Britain.
Far from being the source of trouble, Russia is the European military policeman maintaining order.
Germany, which joined the Free Trade Organization, immediately enjoyed the convenience brought by "free trade".
Although Germany suffered heavy losses during the World War, since the war did not reach Germany itself, the foundation of German industry is still there. As long as there are funds and raw materials, it is not difficult to resume production.
During the Paris Peace Conference, British, French and American politicians discussed in Paris how to punish Germany in order to cater to the needs of the Chinese people.
The capital forces of Britain, France and the United States are all ready to make a move. They have cash and checks ready and are ready to go to Germany to buy the bottom.
This is truly capital without borders.
It can be explained that Britain and the United States want to buy Germany at the bottom.
The French also want to buy the bottom, which is completely against the interests of France.
It is said to be bargain hunting, but in fact it is investment. Regardless of whether it makes money or not, the German industry will definitely benefit from this.
Once Germany regains its strength, France will be most seriously threatened.
Therefore, apart from being driven by interests, the behavior of the French is difficult to explain logically.
This is not surprising. During the Russo-Japanese War, the French, as Russia's allies, also bought Japanese bonds.
Even the French can "put aside their past grudges". As the German son-in-law, George has even more reason to buy the bottom.
Compared with Britain, France and the United States, the Germans also hope to cooperate with Russia.
I have said many times before that 90% of the conflicts between Russia and Germany are due to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The remaining ten percent should not be shared between the arrogant Wilhelm II and the indecisive Nicholas.
But the British provocation should be blamed.
After the end of the World War, the German elite also began to reflect on the World War, and finally came to the conclusion that if Germany did not fall into a passive situation of fighting on two fronts, then the World War might have another outcome.
I won’t say whether the conclusion is correct or not.
At least the German elite have a new understanding of Britain, France and the United States.
On November 25, Alexander visited Germany as the vice president of the Yuriev Consortium. The Weimar government prepared a welcome ceremony at the head of state level for Alexander. The German media affectionately called Alexander's visit a "family visit."
Alexander, accompanied by Prince Carl, first came to Anne’s hometown to pay homage to Anne’s relatives, and then met with Friedrich Albert, President of the Weimar Government, at the manor where Anne grew up.
In Germany, Alexander was a guest.
But Alexander was also the owner of this manor.
From Anne's side, Alexander is also a prince in Germany.
With the blessing of multiple identities, the atmosphere of the meeting between Alexander and Friedrich was particularly harmonious.
Friedrich first asked Alexander to convey his greetings to Anne, and then, on behalf of the Weimar government, gave Anne a crown worn by Queen Augusta.
Augusta was the daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia and married Kaiser Wilhelm I.
Alexander returned the favor and donated one million rubles through the foundation on behalf of Anne, earmarked for the rescue of German children.
Frederich was very happy. Although one million rubles was not much, it was enough to represent the attitude of the Yuriev family.
After exchanging "meeting gifts", Friedrich got down to business, hoping to get help from the Yuriev Consortium.
The three major consortiums in Russia are Yuriev, Yusupov, and Dolgorukov.
Alexander is not only the vice president of the Yuriev Consortium, but also the vice president of the Dolgorukov Consortium.
The president of the Yuriev Consortium is Anne, and the president of the Dolgorukov Consortium is Alexander's uncle Mario.
The sole heir of the Yusupov Consortium is little Felix, who once killed Rasputin with Alexander.
These two are close friends.
Friedrich hopes to get a loan from the Yuriev Consortium to restore the German economy.
Alexander agreed to increase cooperation, but not in the form of loans, but in the form of joint operations.
The conditions given by Friedrich were pretty good, with an annual interest rate of 10%, which seemed to be very profitable.
Germany’s total compensation was 132 billion gold marks, equivalent to 96,000 tons of gold. Even if all the Germans were sold, they could not afford the compensation.
Don't listen to what Friedrich said. He is a president, not an emperor, and has a term of office.
Even if the interest given by Frederic is 50%, what if Frederic's successor disowns it?
In May of this year, just before the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Britain and France jointly proposed that the loans owed by Britain and France to the United States should be offset against Germany's compensation and written off.
Is this how “hedging” is used?
Let’s not talk about whether Americans agree.
Being able to make this request fully proves what the so-called spirit of contract between Britain and France means.
This is not embarrassing, it is historical fact. Some things are not as good as advertised.
The British never pay attention to the spirit of contract, the free trade of the United States is just a joke, the French dishonesty only exists among the so-called elites, and the Germans are never rigorous, but are more obedient. .
What "strictness" means in Germany is that if the machine manual says that you have to kowtow 9 times before turning on the machine, then none of them should be missing.
Alexander didn't know where the Germans' bottom line was.
George knew.
In another time and space, through the Dawes Plan, Germany received a total of 32.6 billion marks in loans and investments from Britain, France and the United States. During the same period, Germany only paid 11 billion in compensation. Later, due to the outbreak of the economic crisis, Germany declared financial bankruptcy and stopped paying. indemnity.
After the end of World War II, Germany continued to pay World War I reparations on the basis of World War II reparations. This money was not paid off until 2010.
World War II reparations will not be paid until 2015.
This is what national credit is all about.
“Russia has issued tens of billions of rubles of bonds for reconstruction, most of which were borne by domestic consortiums and banks, and is unable to provide direct loans to Germany.”
While Alexander refused, he also gave Friedrich left hope.
If you don’t give money, you can only barter.
Russia can provide industrial raw materials, including food, to Germany, and Germany can pay its debts with industrial products.
Friedrich frowned.
This means that if Germany is used as a processing factory, it can only earn some processing fees, and most of the profits will still be made by the Russians.
“We have built two new automobile factories in St. Petersburg and Constantinople. If Mr. Benz is interested, we can have more exchanges on technology.”
Alexander continued bait.
Amur Automobile Group is not interested in German automotive technology, but it is very interested in the German automotive market.
"Mr. Benz will take the initiative to contact you."
Whether it is meat or cock, Friedrich will pick it up in the basket first.
Don’t be disgusted. Before chemical fertilizers appeared on a large scale, if you were slower, you wouldn’t even be able to pick up the warm ones.
Friedrich was busy with official duties and had limited time for Alexander.
The real negotiations were between Alexander and Prince Karl.
Germany is the same as Russia. Although the empire is gone, the people who really control the country are still the same people before, and the situation has not changed.
Prince Karl hopes that the Yuriev consortium will inject capital into Deutsche Bank and promote German economic revival through Deutsche Bank.
Unlike Friedrich, Prince Carl directly gave shares, which was the real benefit.
During the World War, Russian companies used many patented technologies from Germany and did not pay patent fees to German companies.
German companies also commit infringements against Russian companies.
After the end of the world war, German and Russian companies claimed compensation from each other, with each winning and losing, and both received similar compensation.
It seems like a complete mess, not making a penny, and making the lawyer cheaper in vain.
In fact, it is the protection of intellectual property rights, which is of far-reaching significance.
There are some countries in the world that wantonly infringe on intellectual property rights and seem to be very profitable.
This kind of country that only cares about immediate interests has no future. It can only imitate and has no soil for innovation. People with innovative abilities will naturally choose countries that respect intellectual property rights.
Prince Karl directly gave shares. Even if Russia and Germany go to war again in the future, no matter who loses or wins, Deutsche Bank will pay the profits belonging to the Yuriev consortium after the war.
Based on the same reason, the profits of the German consortium's investment in Russia can also be guaranteed.
This is the consequence of insufficient social change.
“How to say it?”
Alexander said bluntly.
"If the Yuriev consortium injects 100 million gold marks, it can obtain 1% of Deutsche Bank's shares."
The conditions offered by Prince Carl are not as favorable as those offered by Friedrich.
“Deutsche Bank is worth 10 billion gold marks?”
Alexander does not agree with this valuation.
Deutsche Bank before the outbreak of the world war may have been worth this price, but it is certainly not worth it now.
"Maybe you think it's not worth it, but the profits generated by this investment will definitely satisfy the Grand Duke."
Prince Karl has confidence in the German economy and knows who has the final say in the Yuriev Consortium.
“Do you think my father will still care about the profits generated from investment?”
Alexander directly made it clear that if you want to get capital injection from the Yuriev Consortium, you will definitely not be able to rely on profits alone.
“What are your conditions?”
Prince Carl is not in a hurry. This level of investment cannot be decided by one or two people.
After Prince Karl learned about the conditions of the Yuriev Consortium, he also had to communicate with the shareholders of Deutsche Bank before conducting the second round of negotiations.
(End of this chapter)