Chapter 671: Chamberlain's Visit to Luo
Although Britain and France temporarily suspended the Romanian military threat, the heavy presence of troops on the border remained unchanged. Moreover, the Romanian fleet also appeared in the Mediterranean, but this time it was advertised as going to Italy for military exchanges.
Romania temporarily suspended military operations, although Britain and France breathed a sigh of relief. But Greece is still just as worried, but compared to Romania, which casually mobilized 50W people, Greece can only mobilize 300,000 people with great effort, because the total population of Greece is less than 7 million. And it is a question whether the 300,000 people in Greece can even be equipped with guns, because Greece has insufficient reserves.
According to the latest information received by Romania, the current Greek stockpile of weapons and equipment can only equip a maximum of 200,000 people. At present, Greece is purchasing weapons and equipment from abroad, but it is difficult to buy and get weapons, because many countries are afraid of Romania and do not dare to extract them from their own reserves, so they can only produce them now.
In addition, the current attitude of Britain and France is also interesting, and countries with close relations with Britain and France have no interest in Greek procurement contracts and versions. It is said that Britain and France did not want to provoke Romania too much now, believing that Britain and France were delaying the preparation of Greece for war.
But no matter how they procure weapons and equipment, the Greeks alone are no match for Romania at all.
The gap between professional and conscripted soldiers is placed there, and now the requirements for military personnel are higher than in World War I. Without a long period of training, going to war is committing a crime.
Therefore, Romania did not panic at all, and still made its own preparations step by step.
However, compared to Romania, which was not in a hurry, Britain and France were very busy. Now that the British and French envoys are running around Europe, they need to know the attitudes of other countries and their views on the two crises. However, the main objectives of Britain and France were still on the two parties concerned, Germany and Romania, with which the crisis affecting peace in Europe could be resolved only if they were negotiated.
For this reason, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain did not hesitate to fly to talk to the heads of state. Although airplanes are no longer the preserve of adventurers, flying is now risky. And Chamberlain, as the prime minister, actually took a plane in a hurry, and it seems that the prime minister is also desperate for the peace of Europe.
Chamberlain first had a conversation with French Prime Minister Daladier, but no one knew what the conversation was about. Chamberlain then rushed to meet Hitler, and heard that Hitler did not even go to the station to meet him.
And now Chamberlain, who had just gotten off the plane, came to Bucharest. The flight all the way made the 67-year-old man have a trace of tiredness in his eyes.
In the face of the British Prime Minister's visit, Romanian Foreign Minister Costel greeted him at the scene. "Welcome to Bucharest."
"Hello, Mr. Kostel."
There were no flowers or crowds to greet him, but Chamberlain didn't care about it, at least much better than he did in Germany. In Germany at that time, not only did Hitler not greet him, but also no other high-ranking government officials received him.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, we have prepared a place for you to stay."
Facing Kostel's words, Chamberlain quickly shook his head and said. "No, no, I want to go and see His Majesty the King of your country now."
As to who in Romania could make the final decision, Chamberlain knew very well. This time I was in a hurry not to rest, otherwise it would be bad to take the train, at least I could rest better. The plane was so torturous that he still felt his old bones ache.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I think it's better to take a break, you are not in a good state of mind at the moment."
In the face of Kostel's dissuasion, Chamberlain insisted on his opinion. "I'm fine right now and don't need a break."
At Chamberlain's insistence, Foreign Secretary Kostel immediately took the prime minister into the car he had been waiting for.
On the way to the palace, there was no one talking in the car. Chamberlain was thinking about how he needed to convince the monarch when he saw Eder next, and Costel was thinking about it for other reasons.
With the arrival at the royal palace, the deserted and sleepy trip finally came to an end. However, to Chamberlain's delight, Romanian Prime Minister Mihalakai and Deputy Prime Minister Kerstev were waiting for him at the door.
"It seems that Romania has a better attitude than Germany, and perhaps the breakthrough is in Romania."
Chamberlain, who had a thought in his mind, stepped out of the car and smiled at the two prime ministers who greeted him.
"Hello, Your Excellency Chamberlain."
"Hello, Your Excellencies Mihalakai and Kirstev. Thank you very much, Prime Ministers, for greeting. ”
After a brief mask, Chamberlain automatically stirred up the topic. "Romania has always been a country of great respect, and your country has made an outstanding contribution to world peace by keeping the red threat at bay in Eastern Europe, for which the world is grateful to the world. However, it is incomprehensible that your country's sudden demand for the return of Greece's territory is enough to upset the peace situation in Europe. ”
Faced with Chamberlain's words, Kersteff replied coldly. "There is nothing puzzling about this, because Greece oppressed the local Bulgarians, which is enough to show that the previous treaty was wrong. Since it is a mistake that needs to be corrected, it is time to correct it. ”
Compared with Deputy Prime Minister Kerstef's speech, Prime Minister Mihalakai has a much better attitude. "Okay, don't keep Your Majesty waiting."
Although Prime Minister Mihalakai put the conversation on hold, Chamberlain got the information he wanted. It seems that in this coalition government, the influence of the Bulgarians is much higher than previously expected.
When he met Eder, Chamberlain realized that there was no one else here except Eder, not even the clerk.
"Hello, Your Majesty Eder."
"Hello, Your Excellency Chamberlain"
After a brief greeting, Chamberlain spoke of his purpose. "Your Majesty, your country's actions in Greece are entirely in the midst of a new upheaval in Europe. You must know that your country is also a beneficiary of the Versailles system, and such an action will inevitably lead to other countries to follow suit, which will plunge Europe into all kinds of disputes, and you must know that all countries have minorities, and if they make a big move because of a small misunderstanding and injustice, then Europe will never have peace. ”
Although Chamberlain said it beautifully, Eder was unmoved. Is the name of the British-stirring stick called for nothing, but the British have a lot of experience in dealing with this problem.
I saw him shake his head and say. "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you are wrong. In the case of Greece and the Czech Republic, a small number of countries have taken advantage of the Versailles Treaty to target ethnic minorities with nationalism and fearlessness, and have achieved their goal of diverting the attention of the people. Greece and the Czech Republic are among them. We cannot give these countries the illusion that the international community has nothing to do with them, nor can we ignore a few words of apology. As the proverb goes, if an apology works, then ask the police to do something. ”
Of course, Eder said this with a red face and a heartbeat, and neither the Jews in Germany nor the Hungarians in Romania could speak because there was no one to speak for them.
In the face of Eder's speech, Chamberlain knew his intentions, but he knew that he knew what he should fight for. Britain does not want the Mediterranean Sea to become more lively, and the Mediterranean, which already has three powers, forcibly intervenes one, and no one wants to.
"Your Majesty, I can understand the feelings of your country, but neither our country nor France agree on the matter of returning Greek territory. This would increase tensions in the Balkans, to the detriment of all countries. ”
Faced with Chamberlain's words, Eder picked up a document and handed it to Chamberlain. "I stopped Romania because of my respect for Britain and France, but our patience was very limited. This is a mobilization order given to me by the military, which I have not signed and do not wish to sign. I'd sign it if I had to, though. ”
Chamberlain listened to Eder's speech and looked at this Romanian mobilization order, which was a war mobilization prepared by the Romanian military. According to the decree, Romania will conscript men aged 18-35 into the army, and its requirement is to conscript 1.2 million people at a time.
It was clear that this mobilization order was prepared for the British and French intervention, and Chamberlain looked at it and felt like he was about to fall in front of him. Thinking of the previous discussion of French Prime Minister Daladier, the old man could not sit still, and he was now eager to renegotiate with France.