Beiyang reactionaries

"Everyone, the 'Great Wall Project' is related to the fate of the country and the future of the country. I hope everyone will work together."

"Prime Minister, news from Berlin that German troops have entered Austria."

brief stability.

The world is already sitting on a powder keg, and no country or region can be an exception.From the end of 1936 to the beginning of 1937 for nearly half a year, the world was in a relatively stable state.This is also what Britain and France are most looking forward to, so British and French newspapers have praised the diplomatic departments of Britain and France in the past six months.It's a pity, but under this kind of stability, some problems began to appear in Europe.

On February 1937, 2, not long after entering 26, German Fuhrer Hitler and Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg signed a series of agreements in Berchtesgaden.The content includes the amnesty of all Nazi party members imprisoned in the name of political prisoners, the appointment of Austrian Nazi A. Seth-Inquart as the Minister of the Interior and Minister of Security, and the power of the police.

Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg is of course unwilling to give up power, but looking at the German army on the border, he can only admit it with a pinch of his nose.

Because of the strong pressure from Germany, Schuschnigg had already backed down a lot before, giving up a lot of power.In particular, in the "German-Austrian Agreement" signed in 1936, Austria stipulated that it adopted a Germanic program and recognized that Austria belonged to the German state.

However, Schuschnigg is also the prime minister of a country, so of course he is unwilling to become a puppet of Germany.

Therefore, in order to prevent Germany from continuing to control Austria, Schuschnigg adopted a policy of being close to Italy.Austria's geographical location is very important, it is directly close to Italy, and even Britain and France value Austria very much.Italy's reaction to Germany's aggressiveness is the greatest. After all, Italy is the most dangerous place for Austria to be controlled by Germany.Therefore, Mussolini has always been the country most opposed to Germany's development to Austria, and even sent four divisions to the border before.Warn Germany, as long as Germany dares to move Austria, Italy will never sit idly by.

Don't look at the fact that many people ridiculed Italy later, but Italy is very bullish in Europe at this time.Germany was the defeated country in World War I, while Italy was the victorious country in World War I.Therefore, Italy's attitude has a great influence on the situation in Europe.Germany dare not ignore Italy's attitude.

Not only Italy reacted strongly, but Britain also warned Germany not to try to control Austria.

It can be regarded as maintaining the status quo in Austria.

It's a pity that the situation developed too fast, and the completion was beyond Austria's imagination.

Italy signed the "Anti-Comintern Pact", joined the alliance of Germany, Japan, and China, and quickly approached Germany.After Italy became an ally of Germany, they immediately changed their original position.It not only agrees that Austria is a German country, but also supports Germany's jurisdiction over Austria.Italy, Austria's largest ally, turned against the water, and Austria immediately fell into a huge dilemma diplomatically.

And with the alliance of Germany and Italy, Britain is also very uncomfortable.

The Austrian issue is originally very sensitive.However, Germany and Austria have a deep relationship in history, and now Germany regards Austria as its own back garden.Originally, Italy was the most opposed to Germany having jurisdiction over Austria. Now Italy has begun to support Germany, so that other countries can not go too far on the issue of Austria.In order not to offend Germany too much, the British government has repeatedly stated that if Germany occupies Austria, then Austria must not count on other major powers to assist Austria.Especially the United Kingdom, they will never support Austria because of the conflict between Germany and Austria.

The statement of the world hegemony of the United Kingdom made Austria immediately the enemy of the world.

Because following the British statement, France also stated that they have no intention of intervening in the Austrian issue.The United States even directly stated that they understand Germany's plan to change the European territory.

The statements of these powerful countries made Austria at a loss.It is precisely because of this situation that Austrian Prime Minister Schuschnigg signed an agreement with Hitler, almost handing over most of Austria's power to the Austrian Nazi Party.But I didn't expect that after signing this agreement just now, Hitler did not stop his pace of annexing Austria, and Hitler sent troops to Austria in just one month.

"In what name?"

Tanaka Yoshiichi asked Hirota Koki a little unexpectedly.

Everyone signed the "Anti-Comintern Pact" and became a de facto ally.Moreover, Germany and Japan have definitely been "happy to cooperate" in recent years.It is precisely because Germany is making trouble in Europe and Japan is making trouble in Asia that both Britain and France feel uncomfortable and compromise on both sides.If it weren't for Germany's strong performance in Europe, Britain and France would not retreat step by step in the Far East.Therefore, Japan is very concerned about Germany's actions.The more trouble Germany has in Europe, the less pressure Japan will have in the Far East.

"The Nazi Party in Austria stated that 'the Austrian government is surrounded by communist thugs' and asked Germany to send troops to help in the name of the government. After the German government received this invitation, the German troops on the border immediately entered Austria."

"The results of it?"

"I heard that there is no resistance from Austria, and the Austrian army is on standby, allowing the German army to enter Austria. At present, the German army has captured Vienna, and the whole of Austria is under the control of the German army."

very funny.

Austria is also a country with strong industrial strength and a population of 800 million.But it allowed the German army to enter Austria.In just one day, the whole of Austria fell into the hands of Germany.

"What about Britain and France?"

Germany has no problem occupying Austria.

Because don't say that Germany far surpasses Austria in strength, the Nazi Party in Austria alone is very powerful.Because of the support of Germany, the Nazi Party in Austria was very active.And with the support of Germany, the Austrian Nazi Party has considerable influence in the Austrian government agencies and the army.When the German army entered Austria, those Nazi parties led the way for the German army and welcomed the German army.Under such circumstances, it is simply impossible for Austria to withstand the German army.

Tanaka Yoshiichi is concerned about the attitude of Britain and France.

"There is no statement yet. However, Britain and France have stated several times before that they will not intervene in Austrian affairs. I think this time the German army entered Austria, they should not have any reaction."

"In other words, Germany is going to swallow Austria like this?"

"should be."

Hirota Koki nodded.

Tanaka Yoshiichi closed his eyes slightly, thought for a while and said, "Mr. Hirota, do Britain and France really not care? Or are they just unable to open and close their eyes?"

"Prime Minister, you should understand in your heart. Austria's position is very important, and Austria's industrial strength is very strong, and its industrial technology is also very good. For example, Austria's steel industry is among the best in Europe in terms of technical capabilities. Germany has Austria, Industrial strength will increase greatly. Moreover, Austria has a population of 800 million. After Germany annexes Austria, the population will increase by more than 800 million. Including Germany's own population, by then Germany's population will be close to 8000 million. Such a population size is only less than The combined population of Britain and France is about [-] million lower. Faced with such an increase in Germany's industrial strength and population, how can Britain and France not care?"

Tanaka Yoshihito nodded slightly.

It's not that Tanaka Yoshiichi doesn't understand, he just wants to hear Hirota Koki's thoughts.And Hirota Hongyi's thoughts coincided with his own.Hirota Koki continued: "Germany is too strong now, and Hitler is not easy to figure out. Even the crazy things like marching into the Rhine Demilitarized Zone can be done, and Britain and France are not sure how Hitler will react. Now Italy is also The 'Anti-Comintern Pact' was signed, and Hitler and Mussolini merged in Europe. Britain and France certainly did not want to completely turn against Germany. Things in Austria are the general trend. The Nazi Party in Austria welcomes Germany. Britain and France can only It's a retreat."

"Ah."

Yoshiichi Tanaka agreed with Hirota Koki's analysis, so he said, "Do you think Europe is more important to Britain and France, or is the Far East more important?"

"Prime Minister, hometown must be important."

"Yes, it must be the base camp that is important."

Tanaka Yoshiichi smiled and said: "Since Hitler wants to swallow Austria, Britain and France must be more prepared against Hitler. Since Britain and France can make a concession on the Austrian issue, they should continue to retreat in the Far East."

"Yes."

Although Japan has been relatively strong in recent years, in fact, it is still very afraid of Britain and France.After all, compared with rising countries like China and Japan, Britain and France are the hegemonic countries in the world for a century.Although after the First World War, the strength of Britain and France dropped sharply, but their deterrence is still very strong.

But now is a good time.

Britain and France were deeply involved in the challenge of Germany and Italy in Europe.The headache is not only the problems of Germany and Italy, but also the rising Soviet Union.Although the Soviet Union did not show an aggressive posture, they supported the Communist International to export revolution behind their backs, which put enormous pressure on the British and French countries.With the pressure from Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union, the energies of Britain and France are contained in Europe.

This is a very good opportunity for Japan.

"Prime Minister, what about China?"

"Do not care."

Yoshiichi Tanaka knew what Hirota Koki meant.This time, the Japanese army expelled the Dutch army under the pretext of the fishing boat problem, but did not notify China.This made the Chinese side very angry, and Gu Weijun expressed great dissatisfaction.

Therefore, Hirota Koki asked Yoshiichi Tanaka whether Japan should notify China of any actions.

Tanaka Yoshiichi shook his head and said: "If we discuss with them in advance, we must pay a lot of things to get their support. With the current relationship between our country and China, we are already tied together. If we want to expel European and American powers in the Far East, Including China's desire to counter the Soviet Union in the north is inseparable from our support. Therefore, we do not need to obtain their consent and support before we act. As long as we do something, the Chinese government can only follow us and support us We, after the incident, get the consent and support of China, then the price we pay will be much less.”

"Yes."

"However, we cannot do without the support of China. Mr. Hirota, we must continue to strengthen our relationship with China. It is best to let the two countries cooperate more with each other. Let all countries know that our two countries are allies."

"I know."

"Also, reach more cooperation agreements with the Republic of Indonesia as soon as possible. Tell the government of the Republic of Indonesia that we will help them get more land, and they also need to cooperate with us."

"Swallowed Austria? Britain and France are still retreating?"

Japan got the news, and of course China also got the news.Although China and Japan are Asian countries and East Asian countries, they are more concerned about European affairs than anyone else.Because the goals of China and Japan are the same, that is to drive out the European and American powers in Asia.For China and Japan, European and American powers in Asia violate the interests of the two countries.But it is so easy to expel the European and American powers.