Chapter 155 “European Army”

“At least so far, the British have behaved quite well.” Charles de Gaulle, because of his height, in order to show respect for others, was not willing to stand and talk to others, took a sip of water and immediately sat down and said, “I hope that the British can also understand the current situation, at least for the time being, the decisions made are the same as my thoughts, the short-term threat to France is Germany, the long-term threat may be the Soviet Union, but this long-term threat will not necessarily be expressed in a war mode of expression.”

“It is to be feared that the British, now, because of the blunders of the Chamberlain years, have led to the other opposite direction, over-exaggerating the threat of the Soviet Union, becoming nervous, and ceding the benefits of Europe. The Soviet Union is certainly a threat, but the Americans are just as untrustworthy, such as before in Vietnam, when the Americans gave our surrender rights to the Chinese.”

Listening to De Gaulle’s words, Georges Pidoule nodded his head, expressing his agreement with De Gaulle’s thoughts, “Whether it is the Soviet Union or the United States, the threat to the colonies in our hands is the same, in the short term the Soviet Union has no way to project its power overseas, but the Americans have the ability to do so, and the British for once, at the critical moment, have still made the right judgment. ”

“The key is still what role Germany has in it.” Charles de Gaulle opened his mouth, there was little he could do in terms of how to confront Germany, “One has to admit that the possibility of Germany joining the Soviets, while not entirely out of the question, is so remote that there is no need to consider it from a practical point of view. This is first of all because of the long history of that scornful hatred which separates the Germans from the Slavs, while the national affinity between the Germans and the Anglo-Americans, as well as the sincere – though this sincerity may not always be reciprocated – German attitude towards the British -sympathetic attitude, all indicate that Anglo-America is inclined toward Germany.”

“In addition to this, the visible signs of Britain’s power and affluence through the treatment of prisoners of war, the behavior of the occupying forces, and so on, have deepened in the minds of the Germans the cross-border envy they have always felt for their distant relatives across the English Channel.”

“George, if Germany is finally Sovietized, we can conclude one thing, that France will not be able to remain in such a situation, and will inevitably be next after Germany. That’s why we also hope that Germany can stand up to the Soviet Union and become an outpost for the protection of Europe, but the Germans are distantly related to Britain and America and have a grudge against us instead, so this problem is too difficult to solve.”

Talking about how to get along with Germany, Charles de Gaulle’s heart is also full of sighs, the majority opinion within the French provisional government is to retaliate ruthlessly against Germany, even de Gaulle is not willing to hold an opposing view, which will isolate him.

But the consequences of retaliation against Germany may lead Germany to orient to the Soviets, although this is not very likely. ; The other possibility is that Britain and the United States would exclude French influence in the German-occupied zone, which is a very strong possibility.

Whichever outcome occurs, it will not be good for France in the long run; Britain and Germany have a national emotional affinity. It is still too difficult for France to compete for influence in the face of this closeness.

So de Gaulle has always tried to speak for Italy, at least Italy is also part of the Latin civilization, because of this reason, in the British proposal to let Spain join this Brussels conference, France did not firmly opposed.

Both Italy and Spain, are allies for France to maintain its influence, but of course France can only do so much right now, as medieval Poland has proved that repeatedly jumping sideways between two powerful enemies is not a good idea.

Between Britain, America and the Soviet Union, France alone trying to go its own way must be Poland’s downfall.

The good news, however, is that Britain seems to be relatively sincere at the moment, and from its strong support for France as a permanent member to its fight for the right to station French troops in Germany, it is still relatively credible at the moment.

As the leader of the French Provisional Government and the Foreign Minister conferred, the softening of the hand towards Spain continued.

If someone were to interview Alan Wilson, was it a hellishly difficult task to bow and scrape for the British Empire in 1945, only to have to look the U.S.S.R. in the eye.

Alan Wilson would have denied in his heart that it was better than serving for France in 1945. At least on the colonial issue, although France is politically unstable internally, moving out of power, but for the colonial issue is still the same table.

The one who was really in and out of power was the seemingly politically stable Britain, and if Alan Wilson had been a Frenchman, he would have truly despaired because Britain, the piggybacker, was totally untrustworthy.

When Churchill came to power for the second time, he still felt that Britain had the strength to play three-ring diplomacy and be the link between the Commonwealth, the US and the USSR, and by that time even British India had been independent for several years, and Churchill still thought that Britain had the strength to be able to be the balancer of continental equilibrium.

When Churchill’s successor, Aidan, became prime minister, the Suez Canal War was lost, and France finally realized that Britain could no longer be relied upon, and left Britain to go it alone, while reconciling with Germany and openly stating that Britain was only interested in splitting up Europe.

By that time it was too late for Britain to take the initiative, and France had repeatedly refused to let Britain join the EEC.

In 1945, Britain was in fact in a much better position than France, as long as it was willing to put down its face, it would be easy to set up an EEC with a dual core of Britain and France, and Britain’s say in it would certainly be heavier than France’s, and the formation of a British-dominated and French-subsidized EEC would be foreseeable.

And Nino Bertrand together to Spain on behalf of the civil attack military scare Allen Wilson, in the French showed a tough attitude, but launched a lure offensive, said Europe still welcome Spain to make contributions.

“I will be sure to report the situation here, as it is, to General Franco.” Manuel Martin, inspired by the glory of the two colonial empires, was grateful to Britain and France for disregarding the past.

“This is an opportunity for Spain to re-enter the international community.” Alan Wilson said slowly, “Of course the prerequisite is that Spain has to make strong reparation for the previous harm done to Europe. At this time the opportunity has come, I hope Spain can seize this opportunity, otherwise it will be a waste of the goodwill of Britain and France.”

Now Britain and France is at least a great power with global influence, and in the general view of the rest of the world, even if it is not on a par with the United States and the Soviet Union, it is also a very strong presence.

Obviously in front of Spain, ancestral broad over has not been pulled down the bottom of the pants of Britain and France, or very dignified.

Manuel Martin even heart surged heavy responsibility, Spain can not break through the full isolation of the diplomatic predicament, this hope falls on their own.

Did not shut off the inner drama a lot of Spanish representatives, Alan Wilson in the effect, directly and Nino Bertrand left the Spanish delegation’s residence, moving some stiff arms, recently he did carry out full-power work, the body is also a little tired.

To show hypocrisy in public meetings and to show old imperialist dominance behind closed doors, being two-faced was not something anyone could do, especially with the French delegate next to him, who had consumed the most words.

“Alan, isn’t that a bit exhausting.” Nino Bertrand asked with concern, “Actually, at the beginning of the meeting, I was still a bit skeptical about you, but you changed my mind.”

“Do I know Mr. Nino and I?” Alan Wilson asked in disbelief, one can’t be prejudiced, right? Neither side knew each other, so how come the Frenchman came up and had misgivings about himself? Just because he is an Englishman?

“Uh, nothing.” Nino Bertrand wanted to speak, very tempted to open his mouth to ask, are you in the streets of Paris once, impassioned standing and talking, but also on the British native newspaper?

Can think of this after all is not something honorable, Nino Bertrand still did not ask out, can only say, “You and the general British diplomat is not the same, seems to be very enthusiastic about the current work.”

“Of course, I am a Europeanist.” Alan Wilson stood straight and said with a proud face, “But it’s true that many people at home, have misgivings about Britain’s initiative to intervene in Europe, which violates tradition.”

Tradition? Nino Bertrand’s face changed, Britain’s tradition towards Europe, it can be said that the biggest victim is France. Having been sick for a long time, France was the country with the most thorough knowledge of Britain’s diplomatic philosophy.

“So it’s the Eurosceptics!” Nino Bertrand’s tone is as perfunctory as it needs to be, just because of the French accent, it was not heard by Allen Wilson, “I wonder what Allen has in mind for a united Europe.”

“The greatest bond of unity is colonization!” Alan Wilson looked at the Dutch and Portuguese representatives who were farther away and lowered his voice, “In fact, Spain can be used as a breakthrough point to form a united foreign legion, the European Foreign Legion.”

“That’s London’s idea.” Nino Bertrand’s heart stirred and hurriedly pursued, “I wonder how many London supporters there are?”

“Oh, my friend, it was the French idea.” Alan Wilson shirked the blame without a trace, “How could there be such a whimsical idea among the English. It would have been laughed at if anyone had suggested it. But if the French were to suggest it, it would have to be taken seriously, for it is a matter of diplomacy and must be treated solemnly.”

Nino Bertrand stood in Yun Ai for a moment, savoring Alan Wilson’s words, and finally laughed, “Actually, France has always had a similar idea, and has always wanted to bring it up at this meeting.”

“Oh, really? It seems that the British Empire must consider this issue carefully.” Alan Wilson, with a surprised look on his face, moved his stiff neck and said, “Go talk to the Belgians, it’s probably much better to deal with than Spain.”