Chapter 96: The Anglo-German Armistice Talks Storm
One might wonder if Britain had made such a big deal about unilateral peace talks with Germany, even if the United States had been invited to participate, but what about France? What if someone really asks Lloyd's about that? George, the latter will definitely forget his identity and status for a while and slap the other party hard, and may even rush up and kick a few times to vent his hatred.
With Lloyd? George had the same mood to occupy the vast majority of the British, because the French army ignored the life and death of the British and American armies and refused to send reinforcements, and then launched an attack on its own, and the defeat plunged the entire Allied front into chaos, among which the greatest loss was the British colony Australia formed by the Australian Imperial Army, so domineering name actually refers to the mother country of the British Empire.
In this chaotic retreat, the Australian Imperial Army was captured by all the people who remained, and after knowing the reason for this, the Australian representative ran to the French embassy in London to try to be shut out, because the French felt that a British brother really did not have an equal status with him. Australia was also joined by representatives of Canada, but the farce was being held by Lloyd's? George's clearance came to a hasty end.
Lloyd's? Of course, George was also angry, but the top priority was to solve the British expeditionary force that was in danger of being encircled and annihilated, and the life and death of other countries, he had already left it behind, he was the prime minister of the United Kingdom, and he was only responsible for the British Empire.
Lloyd's? George had made his opposition to Britain entering the war as early as the Sarajevo crisis escalated, but as the events escalated, coupled with the German invasion of permanently neutral Belgium, Britain had to join the war as a protectorate. Lloyd's in what situation? George also tried to build a "permanent peace" after a military victory, but as it stands, it failed.
Max's proposal was not good, and it should have been bad, and the five people present fell silent, after all, the decision to withdraw the British army was too big, even if the four of them unified their attitude, they would be opposed by the military generals, at least Douglas, the commander-in-chief of the British three armies? Haig would have objected.
Lloyd's? George finally shook his head and said: "The conditions for the British withdrawal must be after the treaty is signed between the two of us, and before that, I can't do anything, I hope you can understand." β
Mike had long expected this to be the case, just Lloyd's? George did not negotiate the price on this basis, but instead said: "It's very simple, we sign an agreement, an agreement signed separately by the British and German sides. β
Lloyd's? George asked with interest, "What agreement?" β
Max took a sip of tea and cleared his throat before saying, "The Anglo-German armistice. The next reaction was very lively, and the four of them said in unison: "No." β
Max was not surprised by their reaction, but patiently explained: "As far as I know, Britain did not sign any military mutual assistance treaty with France, and Britain did not enter the war as an ally of France, right?" β
Henderson replied: "Indeed, the German invasion of Belgium was the reason why Britain entered the war. β
Andrew? Law rarely interjected, and at this time he couldn't help but say: "If it weren't for the stupid Caesar attacking Belgium, Britain would never have entered the war, let alone the current tragic situation!" Countless souls have died because of a stupid decision made by a stupid disabled person and a fat and stupid fat man. β
Max heard Andrew Ann? Law's face turned pale instantly after these words, all because the former insulted the emperor of the German Empire, even if he had abdicated, which really made Max's royal family unacceptable, and the atmosphere was cold for a while.
Lord Curzon sat directly across from Max and took his whole expression into his eyes, knowing Andrew? Law said the wrong thing and hurriedly added: "These are all in the past, we don't need to dwell on these past things, Andrew, calm down." β
Max knew that Curzon was working it out, and he wasn't going to make a move, otherwise he would have slapped the table and left. Max took a deep breath and said calmly: "President Adrian is the German Empire??? Well, Caesar? Wilhelm II apologized for the invasion of Belgium. "Lloyd? The four Georges didn't care about what Max just said, Belgium's life or death had nothing to do with them, and if it hadn't been for the signing of the Treaty of Protecting Belgium's Permanent Neutrality in 1839, I am afraid that Germany would not have intervened in the quagmire if Belgium invaded Belgium.
Max then continued: "If Britain is willing to sign a unilateral armistice with Germany, Germany may withdraw its troops from Belgium and allow British troops to move freely in the areas of the present occupation, and if necessary, to Belgium under the escort of our soldiers." β
Lloyd's? George was immediately attracted to this plan, and Max was not right at all, Britain's entry into the war was forced solely because of the German invasion of Belgium, and such a simple withdrawal was not enough.
Lloyd's? George took the opportunity to say: "How does Germany respond to the losses suffered by Belgium? β
Max said confidently: "President Adrian will welcome the Belgian king and his wife back to their country to help their subjects clean up the traces of war." Germany, on the other hand, will provide Belgium with everything it needs free of charge until it believes that Belgium is fully back to normal operations. Then he added: "Germany is also willing to provide reparations for the losses suffered by Britain and to make up for the mistakes it has made." β
Max is a beautiful thing, but for these old politicians, a blanket reparation will not go unanswered, unless the two sides work out specific values and terms, and there is a time limit.
Lloyd's? George was actually very satisfied, this had met his expectations, and in order to quickly solve the current predicament, he no longer struggled, so he stood up and said, "Thank you, Mr. Max, thank you very much for your efforts and dedication. It is Germany's fortune that you are its representative. β
Max also stood up with Lloyd? George shook his hand and said, "No, this is our common effort for the great cause of peace. β
The contents of the conversation between the British and Germans were quickly translated into telegrams and sent to all parties.
George V was also aware of the full conversation and said it was acceptable.
After the French intelligence services deciphered the cable, President Raymond? PoincarΓ© directly called the British ambassador to France to his office and scolded him bitterly, and the shameless and despicable words were endless, but the British ambassador did not intend to have any conversation with the arrogant president, otherwise he would inevitably be criticized by people when he returned home.
This is the fault of France, and also Max? Hoffmann had formulated the best-case scenario for the Paris operation, forcing the French to desperately believe that there was a shortage of major generals in the southern part of the German army, and that the French army, eager to break the stalemate, would be fooled, rather than give support to the British and American armies. France's adventurous behavior was clearly hated by the people of Britain and the United States, and similarly, the top leaders of both countries began to deliberately distance themselves from France in order to gain the support of their own people.
As an ally of Britain, the United States also saw the content of the conversation between Britain and Germany from the telegram received by Edward, and was a little indignant at Britain's unilateral promise to sign an armistice agreement, after all, it was Britain that pulled the United States into the team. However, Britain alone reached an armistice with Germany in spite of the United States, which sounds a little too incredible. It was not long before another telegram came from London that Germany was willing to agree the same terms of peace with the United States, and was willing to spend all the expenses of the American expeditionary force, which made the American ambassador hesitate, after all, everything came so suddenly, as suddenly as the collapse of the American line.
Will the United States say yes?