Chapter 156 British and French Guidance

The Belgian Congo was situated in the center of Africa and was the only important Belgian colony. With French Africa to the north and British East Africa to the east, the Belgian Congo can be described in this way, “French army, English navy, two great powers serving me a Belgian colony, is this blessing still small?”

For a short time it seemed as if the Belgian colony was perfectly safe, and indeed it was safe enough for ten years. There seemed to be no reason for Belgium to contribute more, it wasn’t as if it was the isolated environment that Spain is in now.

But naturally it was a European conference that showed solidarity, and it was set to take place in the Belgian capital, and Belgium would undoubtedly be dreaming if it wanted the benefits of white without paying for them.

The British Empire is now not too much to help less, just afraid of not enough help. Regardless of how it is, even if it stands out to fill a number, more than one country more power, Belgium must also make the contribution that should be made.

“Belgium and the Netherlands is a neighboring country, even if it is out of goodwill should act, even if it is sent out a battalion.” Allen Wilson spoke without saltiness, “as long as the Belgian flag, in the Dutch East Indies appeared in the air, is a great help to the Netherlands, this time should put down selfishness, as far as possible to help stabilize the interests belonging to Europe, the colonies have nothing to do with my other, that are everyone’s.”

Another occasion, Allen Wilson are going to be moved to tears, simply the spirit of internationalism. What Germany and France to unite Europe also figure a music, really want to unite Europe, but also my British Empire.

Belgium eventually also in the British and French inspiration, that Belgium should be in the European unity of the issue of a contribution, but at the same time asked rhetorically, “Belgium in the name of what to send out the right troops, to stand for the Netherlands?”

“Isn’t it only right that Belgium, as an important member of the Allied Powers, should help Holland to receive the Dutch East Indies, which are occupied by the Japanese?” Alan Wilson justified, “Are Germany and Italy the only Axis countries? Japan was also an important member of it, and it is quite normal for Belgium to shoulder international responsibility.”

“I think Alan is right, and that’s what France thinks.” Nino Bertrand similarly spoke up, singing praises for the maintenance of the precious Anglo-French friendship.

Since Britain and France had already made excuses for Belgium, in principle Belgium no longer had any objections to its own role, the Belgian Congo was in the midst of a British and French colony, and if London and Paris made any moves, it would still be hard enough for Belgium for a while.

After Belgium said that the unity of Europe is a good Europe, Allen Wilson finally breathed a sigh of relief, the Brussels Conference of the six countries, finally took a unanimous position on the colonial issue.

A time Allen Wilson mixed feelings, even if the predecessor of the European Union is a shelf, as long as the emergence of early enough, but also has a great role, nineteen forty-five the British and French national strength, certainly more than the Suez Canal War after the British and French loud.

As long as the United Kingdom in this alliance to stand position, Germany even if later to join in, suppression is also much easier.

Under the mixed feelings, Alan Wilson even imagined the future of the European Community, Britain and France once in the framework of the fight, can pull those countries to support themselves.

From the French point of view, it was only the Latin-speaking countries that might be France’s supporters. It’s not that Alan Wilson is narrow-minded, freedom and equality are great, but shouting slogans is fine, and it’s a bit unintuitive when it comes to fighting.

The kinship between nations is an undeniable, living fact, a fact that has nothing to do with the idea of race, as the Germans call it.

It is above all an intimate relation to language, civilization, and spirituality in general, or, as it is sometimes called, to terroir.

Such an affinity undoubtedly exists among the Latin nations – chiefly France, Italy, and Spain. For one thing, they all have a very noticeable Catholic tinge to them.

The depth of this influence often strikes observers from abroad as uncanny. And, the close linguistic affinities make it very easy for the Latin countries to communicate with each other.

For three countries, France, Italy and Spain, there was a close affiliation between the various Latin civilizations.

Such a kinship of soul and spirit, which unites the Latin nations, should ensure in the mutual relations of the nations within the Latin States a character of liberty, equality, and fraternity, without which there can be no true democracy.

The drawing together of Italy and Spain existed in itself in the outline of the French state, a very influential document in France.

Then Alan Wilson stood in the British point of view to consider, the current six countries, the Netherlands is certainly easy to pull together, Belgium and Portugal, in fact, Britain and France have great influence.

France has cultural influence on Belgium and Portugal, Britain is a little more direct, with the past two hundred years and France to fight for the upper hand, easy to let the European countries of the United Kingdom to produce blind obedience.

It can be said that the current Brussels Conference among the six countries, France can pull Spain, Britain can pull the Netherlands. As for Portugal and Belgium, they are in a relatively neutral position.

If the nationals of the countries near and far, Britain in Europe can pull together the countries, can be more than France.

Germanic people in the broad sense, in addition to Germany, there are Denmark, Sweden, Norway. Britain can pull together these countries, in addition to Germany has the volume to be able to sing the opposite, the other countries are not very populous, Britain is the natural big brother of these countries.

Germany, on the other hand, is a defeated country, destined to have little political say in such a framework as the EEC. In fact, decades later in the EU, France also has a greater political voice than Germany, never mind that Germany has been reunified.

Although Germanic in the United Kingdom in fact not much market, but once the need to draw allies, the United Kingdom will also temporarily recognize themselves as Germanic, to bring supporters closer to the relationship.

On the contrary, on the French side, the population and area of Italy and Spain, are not much smaller than France, Italy and Spain’s historical burden is not as heavy as Germany, who said that they dare not sing against France in the long run?

Although very tired, but Alan Wilson’s heart is very excited, the European Community, no matter what it is now, but with and without is not the same, he believes that this is a good start, the current European Community may only scare people. Once the European economy has recovered, it will become an important tool for Britain to maintain its glory.

“I heard that at today’s meeting, the French proposed the creation of a European army?” Edward Bridges met Alan Wilson after the meeting was adjourned and opened his mouth to inquire, “The Prime Minister didn’t get the news from de Gaulle.”

“It seems that the French attitude of secrecy is still commendable.” Allen Wilson, with a serious face, expressed that he was also taken aback and spoke, “The French are extremely keen on establishing a nominal military force, but I personally have always had my misgivings, fearing that France would use this to compete with the British Empire for leadership.”

Edward Bridges nodded his head in approval, expressing his appreciation for Alan Wilson’s performance of being prepared for danger, “We must consider this matter carefully, if France does not provide sufficient benefits, London will not be moved. There is also the fact that even with such a European Foreign Legion, the scale should not be too large.”

“With the military power of our British Empire, there is no need for the so-called European Army.” Alan Wilson, who already had a deep understanding of the two-faced faction, did not hesitate to show that the so-called European Army was the whims of the French, and then turned his words around and said, “Of course from another point of view, the ones who need such a sign to scare people the most are in fact the Netherlands Belgium and Portugal, the three countries have insufficient military power and very much want to have such an institution to deter the stupid colonies.”

At today’s meeting, probably because the French had already ventilated beforehand, Holland, Belgium and Portugal, who felt that their national strength was insufficient, all reported a warm welcome to the concept of the European Army.

It can be seen that Nino Bertrand also did some homework, knowing that now the Netherlands urgently need the help of European allies, and pulled the Netherlands also into their camp.

Edward Bridges and Alexander Cadogan silent, not long after someone came in, said the foreign minister asked the foreign ministry secretary Alexander Cadogan to go.

After a while, Alexander Cadogan went and returned, and came in and said, “The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, also inquired about the European Army, and asked what we had to offer, whether we would agree to it, and if we did, what would be an appropriate size.”

“In fact, we and the French can not join in, and support the sending of staff officers among the command structure to maintain the daily work.” After thinking for a long time, Edward Bridges spoke, “As for Portugal, Belgium and Holland, Spain, they can send some of their soldiers to hold up the brand of this so-called European Foreign Legion.”

Alan Wilson listened while thinking, then asked with an uncertain tone, “That is to say, the British Empire is not joining now, but reserves the right to join at any time?”

“France should not join either, with the military power of Britain and France, it is entirely possible not to be restricted. Instead, they will work on the side to give guidance.” Edward Bridges spoke and looked to Alexander Cadogan, Permanent Undersecretary of the Foreign Office, “That is the opinion of the Diplomatic Assessment, and that is the answer if asked again.”

Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, and French Foreign Minister Georges Pidoule, in their interviews, said that rebuilding Europe’s economy was more important than anything else, and that this was the biggest aim of the Brussels conference.

Turning off the radio, Alan Wilson stepped up his preparations for the draft of a common declaration of the six nations and had no time for nonsense.