British civil servant

"Not yet. It would be great if Britain and the United States would not unite so quickly." Stalin said with a wry smile. It’s impossible to continue playing. Given the current situation, it’s really not a good thing for the Soviet Union to weaken too early.”

Regarding the matter of accepting American aid, Stalin has no choice. After all, the Soviet Union and the United States cannot be compared in terms of financial resources. However, since the general trend has been known in advance, he can make some preparations.

Immediately, Stalin asked Zhdanov and Beria to leave, picked up the phone on the table, and said, "Call me Molotov."

Alan Wilson, who is now in Paris, the originator of the city, has a camera hanging around his neck, just like an ordinary tourist shuttling through the corners of Paris, in the name of looking for the real side of Paris. Of course, as a diplomat, he brought a gun That's very normal, after all, he is very self-aware and has no confidence in his force value.

Alan Wilson, the worst district in Paris, enjoys the bustling Paris. The walls of the old city are extremely thin, only a little thicker than a matchbox. In order to cover the gaps, the walls are pasted layer after layer with pink paper, but It was loose, and the bedbugs were densely packed inside.Near the ceiling, there is a long procession of bed bugs all day long, like a army of soldiers.

This part of town has everything, shoemakers, masons, stonemasons, coolies, students, whores, pickers.

Some are penniless, and some days are ok.In one of the attics there lived a student who made beautiful shoes for the American market.From six o'clock to twelve o'clock every day, he sat on the bed and made twelve pairs of shoes, earning 35 francs, and went to Paris University to attend lectures in the rest of the time.

The slums of Paris are places of eccentrics who have fallen into the solitary, half-frenzied orbit of their lives, no longer trying to live a normal or decent life.Poverty frees them from common standards of behaviour, just as money frees people from work.

"Deputy Secretary-General!" Daniel hesitated to speak, wondering whether it was the right behavior for him to come here with his superiors as a staff member of the embassy in France.

Alan Wilson was taking pictures of a couple. The couple was old, dressed in shabby clothes, and had a short stature. They were sitting on the side of the road selling postcards. Alan Wilson was very upset when he was disturbed. He turned his head and said in a bad tone, "What are you doing?"

"Is our behavior inappropriate?" Daniel looked ashamed, and he didn't understand the behavior of the new boss.

"Why is it inappropriate? We are recording the real Paris." Allen Wilson said confidently, "Only by understanding the real Paris can we understand the real situation in France, know ourselves and the enemy, and deal with the United States together."

After saying something illogical, Alan Wilson continued to fiddle with the camera. Although he has not yet found a French luxury car to drive, of course that is not important. The important thing is to understand the environment in which the French Communist Party breeds through the current work.

This is all to prepare for the joint response to the Soviet Union. Obviously, the embassy staff who arranged to help him did not understand the spirit of this level, and the future development is not optimistic.

While saying this, a naked boy with a dirty body ran out from the alley. Alan Wilson found a new target, and quickly took out the camera around his neck to record this moment.

For important meetings like the Marshall Plan, the results will not be reached in a day or two. If there is no accident, it will take at least several months in Paris. Come to Paris in glory.

So of course Alan Wilson has to find something to do, otherwise?Let the foreign secretary stay in Paris for a few months?

Moreover, he was not satisfied with the entourage arranged by the embassy. He only needed to chat casually, and he probably knew who Daniel was, Jian Zheng!

But it is related to the military. He claims to have read countless books on strategy and military history. He talks about the theories of Napoleon, Kutuzov, Clausewitz, Moltke and Foch. , anything related to being a soldier makes him happy.

My favorite cafe is the Lilac Garden in Montparnasse, just because there is a statue of Marshal Ney outside.

You are an Englishman, why go to see the statue of Marshal Ney?Don't you know that was the Marshal of the French Army during Napoleon's time?

Based on this, the life assistant arranged by the embassy has already labeled Alan Wilson as unreliable. If Daniel knew that his boss thought so, he would definitely feel very wronged. Marshal Ney was the commander of the French army in the Battle of Waterloo. Commander, why can't he just go and have a look.

Daniel, who was labeled as unreliable because his boss didn't have enough knowledge, would definitely feel very wronged if he knew Alan Wilson's thoughts.

With the regret of not taking pictures of French luxury cars, Alan Wilson finally left this old city.

The British embassy in Paris is not far from the Elysee Palace. After the Battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington bought the residence of the Duke of Sharost and made it the British embassy in France.

The official celebration held by the embassy every year is of course needless to mention. Alan Wilson is actually more interested in the oral history of the embassy staff. Napoleon's sister Pauline Bonaparte was the first owner of the mansion.

After getting up, she likes to walk around naked, showing her enviable body; "strong blacks" accompany her in the bath; if she feels cold, she will put her feet into the breasts of the maids who are already lying on the floor.

After Napoleon's defeat, the residence was sold to the Duke of Wellington, commander of the British army.

Alan Wilson, who learned of this history, was in awe, as if he could see the rich history contained in it with his own eyes, and it had absolutely nothing to do with the life of Napoleon's sister.

"Alan, we got news from China that Finland, Poland and Czechoslovakia are beneficial to join this meeting." Sir Prince, the ambassador to France, called Alan Wilson over and said, "Do we support it at the meeting? Especially Czechoslovakia, hope to get our support."

"Of course we support it. Anyway, the Soviet Union would oppose it." Alan Wilson said with a smirk, "Actually, from our point of view, we should pay more attention to Canada's interests."

Canada is similar to the United States - also suffered little damage from the war and had one of the largest economies in the world in [-].Unlike the U.S., however, Canada's economy is much more reliant on trade with Europe than the U.S. economy.So after the war, Canada's economy began to show signs of trouble.

Alan Wilson feels that, in fact, if Europe can recover as soon as possible, if the UK can take a leadership position in the European Community, Canada will also benefit. After all, the relationship between the UK and Canada still exists.

"Who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia?" Although Alan Wilson didn't care much about the attitudes of those countries affected by the Soviet Union, he still asked politely.

"Jan Masaryk, the son of the first president of Czechoslovakia after independence, is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the ambassador to London before the war." Sir Prince shrugged.

Chapter 388 The pressure is all in the United States

"Oh, so there are some origins." Alan Wilson nodded. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia, just like the provisional governments of Yugoslavia, Poland, France, Greece and other European countries before the war, set the place of exile in London.

This aspect reflects the international status of the British Empire before the war, but at this moment, it is depressing. Two young men from the United States and the Soviet Union do not speak martial arts and bully the British Empire, which is a late empire.

However, Alan Wilson knew in his heart that the position of Czechoslovakia could not be pulled out of the Soviet Union by the United Kingdom, let alone Czechoslovakia, the United Kingdom had already given up Greece and Turkey in the Near East.

So the other countries he cares most about are Canada. As for Czechoslovakia, you Slavs can solve your own affairs by yourself.It is possible to speak for Czechoslovakia, but there is no need to care too much.

The embassy is indeed a magnificent building, but it is not suitable for living in, it is just a part of the continuous operation of the British diplomatic machine.Just like the status of Czechoslovakia in the eyes of the United Kingdom!

When did Canada become fully independent?This is actually a long process. In the British colonies of the Americas, there are rebellious sons like the United States, and there are places like Canada that want to help the old father.

The "British North America Act of 1867", which established Canada's self-government status, is not within the scope of legislative sovereignty granted to Canada by the "Westminster Act of 1931"; as Canada's basic constitutional document, the right to amend this law still rests with the United Kingdom Parliament, except that the British Parliament needs the request or consent of the Canadian Parliament to amend the Act.

According to history, the flag of British Canada will still be used until [-]. It was not until [-], when Trudeau insisted on negotiating with the British royal family and Parliament, that the United Kingdom agreed to allow Canada to maintain its allegiance to the United Kingdom. , has his own constitutional system, diplomatic and military power.

At this time, Canada can be considered to have obtained the national power that all countries should have.

In fact, among the countries that were born out of the British Dominion, the United States is a natural alien. The problem is that this alien is a bit too strong. Australia, New Zealand and Canada all think about the good of the United Kingdom, but they can’t be tied to the United States. strength compared.

So decades later, although the three countries are closer to the United Kingdom in spirit, they still follow the United States honestly.But Canada is different from New Zealand and Australia.

In fact, Canada and New Zealand are a group of countries, and Australia should be listed separately.Because we are in the southern hemisphere, surrounded by the ocean and have no strong enemies, this makes the national character of Australians a bit close to that of the United States. Although Australia is not as good as Canada in terms of economic aggregate and population, you can feel the momentum of Australia when you compare Sydney and Vancouver. and ambition.

This can also be seen from the development of the Australian Navy, the character of the Australians is similar to that of the Americans.

However, Australia has momentum, but in fact the conditions are far worse than the United States, and although Australia is far from the United Kingdom, it is not far from British Malaya, and it is not close to the United States.

As long as Britain can recover, it is still possible to hold Australia back.Historically, until the 60s, Britain was still able to command Australia and New Zealand, and when Malaya faced Indonesian invasion.

At that time, Britain, the suzerain country, called Australia and New Zealand to end together, so the armed forces supported by Indonesia were hanged and beaten, so the Indonesian paratroopers who couldn't stand it were also hanged and beaten. Later, Australia and New Zealand participated in the Vietnam War. The group of people who had beaten Indonesia were thrown into Vietnam.

Alan Wilson now feels that Pamela Mountbatten can send an exploration team to Australia, but he doesn't know how many nobles Pamela Mountbatten has tied up now, anyway, the more the better.

In the first few days after arriving in Paris, Alan Wilson lived a relatively comfortable life, because the Americans had not yet arrived, and his current status was there, so it was nothing to put on a pose.

Anyway, reading newspapers to pass the time, Alan Wilson didn't feel bored, so he found a place to watch American cartoons, such as Popeye, Tom and Jerry, and the Three Little Pigs.

It's still an episode with a strong propaganda atmosphere, and they are all versions with connotations against Japan and Germany. The world war has only ended a few years ago, and this kind of cartoon screening can be regarded as politically correct.

When he was watching cartoons in Paris and was thinking about finding a French luxury car to drive, the Foreign Office in London was very busy. Secretly expressed interest in US aid.

"Minister Jan Masaryk said that if the UK can help Czechoslovakia, he is willing to negotiate with Moscow, open trade with the UK, and import British machinery. These can be discussed." Ambassador of Czechoslovakia in London , said so when meeting British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin.

"Comrade Tito is willing to put aside previous hatred and jointly promote peace in Europe." This is the speech of the Yugoslav ambassador.

As for Finland and Poland, they have also brought out the attitude of "I can also talk about it, and I can also patriotic".Said that he did not rule out getting out of the aftermath of the war with the help of the United States.

Alan Wilson, who was at the Paris embassy, ​​soon received news from London, and always felt that something was wrong.Moscow will watch these countries being influenced by the United States.

Among them, the attitude of Yugoslavia, Alan Wilson is not incomprehensible. In the original history, Yugoslavia almost accepted the Marshall Plan, and its independence is very high. As for Poland and Czechoslovakia, the two countries have already negotiated, but it seems that Moscow finally stopped it. ?

As for Finland, Alan Wilson actually has no impression of being involved in the Marshall Plan. However, during the Cold War, Finland did not seem to dare to violate the Soviet Union's intentions. After all, Finland and the Soviet Union are neighboring countries.

Because the history in Alan Wilson's mind is too different and out of imperialist conduct, Alan Wilson expressed doubts about the attitudes of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Finland, and Yugoslavia in his telegram back to London, and said that this would not Could it be a Moscow conspiracy?

For the sake of the British Empire, Alan Wilson, when he received a call back from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again, angrily denounced this timid behavior as doubting the international influence of the British Empire.The British Empire is related to these countries. Who supported these countries against Germany in the world war?

In the current governments of Poland and Czechoslovakia, there are many people from the original governments in exile who are leading the countries.As for Finland, which has always had doubts about the Soviet Union, it dared not speak out.

At the same time, this is a good opportunity to improve relations with Yugoslavia. Alan Wilson's current task is to maintain the influence of the British Empire as much as possible, instead of having conspiracy theories about Moscow in his mind.

"The British Empire still has influence?" Alan Wilson, who was reprimanded by the Foreign Ministry, could only admit his mistake.

But since this is what London meant, Alan Wilson could only follow suit, hiding the so-called conspiracy in his heart, thinking in his heart, "Could it be that Philby leaked the news? Even if it shouldn't make such a big difference? Or Did my presence really cause Britain to change the trajectory of free fall?"

If it is the latter, of course it is the best. Who doesn't want the country they serve to become stronger?

Don't say that the special relationship between Britain and the United States is just a slogan, even if it is true, how can it be better for Britain to eat and drink spicy food.

In the next few days, delegations from various countries arrived in Paris, including Yugoslavia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Finland, which were supposed to be under the influence of the Soviet Union.

Historically, Poland and Czechoslovakia did attend the Paris conference, only to be stopped by Moscow at the last minute.

Although Yugoslavia did not come to Paris, because it fell out with Moscow later, the United States took the opportunity to win over, so although Yugoslavia was not listed as a donor country in the Marshall Plan in name, it was actually treated as a donor country.

As for Finland's Alan Wilson, he really can't find an excuse. Is it out of balancing diplomatic considerations?

In any case, Alan Wilson, who has already extinguished conspiracy theories in London, and the French welcome these countries that are ready to abandon the dark and turn to the bright.

Both the Polish and Czechoslovak delegations were led by foreign ministers. Both Polish Foreign Minister Stanislaw Skrzeszewski and Czechoslovakian Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk had arrived in Paris.

Since the Paris Peace Conference, there has not been such a grand political event in Paris. For a while, all countries have gathered in Paris, which has also aroused the hearts of the French.

Unlike the optimistic French, Alan Wilson is quite sympathetic to the fate of the two foreign ministers. Let alone other things, Marshal Rokossovsky of the Soviet Union is a Polish. With this great god, there is no resistance in Poland. Ability, everything is not a matter of Moscow.

Of course, on the surface, Alan Wilson, like the French, cheered for the friendship formed during the war.

Even if Czechoslovakia, which was betrayed at the Munich Conference, is here, as long as the French are not embarrassed, Britain will not be embarrassed.

It was thinking of the Munich Conference that Alan Wilson understood London's difficulties. It is not necessary to do practical things, but he must not be stingy when he can move his mouth.

Representatives from Finland, Poland, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia have arrived in Paris, as well as representatives from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey, a total of [-] countries The delegation gathered in Paris, waiting for the American delegation to arrive.

Chapter 389 A generation of dollars

This is a grand meeting in Paris in recent years. Since the Paris Peace Conference, Parisians have never seen such a scene.

As for the American delegation, after all, they are rich now, so of course they have the privilege of being late.

At that time, there was no doubt that because this international conference opened in Paris, the citizens of Paris were excited, as evidenced by the fireworks by the river.

Houses and shops were closed early, and crowds of citizens, men and women, flooded the streets from all directions.Everyone already has a score in mind, some go to watch fireworks, some go to watch opera.

You don't have to feel the expectations of the French with your heart, Alan Wilson can also see the clues from the cold data.

Industry has always been a pain point in France. After Germany began to rearm, Britain began to secretly prepare for war. Before the outbreak of the war, steel production increased by 60.00%. Compared with France, it decreased by 5.00%.

That is to say, before Poland was eliminated by Germany, not only did France not increase steel production because of the approaching war, but its industry was weaker than before the Great Depression.

Post-war French steel production is still weak. This year, France’s steel output is 700 million tons, Britain’s is 500 million tons, plus 700 million tons in the British-occupied area. As for the steel output outside the British-occupied area, France crushes it. this data.

Because of the two-wing plan, the British-occupied area has unlocked the steel industry. According to the plan of the British-occupied area trade committee, next year the British-occupied area will fully start rebuilding and prepare to increase steel production to 1000 million tons.

Therefore, it is true that steel production has always been a pain point for the French industry. If there is a problem in responding to domestic demand, then what about export?Historically, under such circumstances, Germany's competition became more acute after the war.

He robbed the dam materials in Egypt, the steel and steel bars for the railways in Australia, and the business in China and India.Some products even compete with Britain and the United States.

This is still established under the framework of the coal and iron community. Germany has established an advantage over France under the unfavorable framework. If there is no such framework for direct competition, it will be nothing more than a repeat of World War II in the economic field.

So it is understandable why France wants to annex the Saar district.

Allen Wilson took the initiative to invite the French to go to the opera, and decided to see if a certain consensus could be reached before the arrival of the Americans, so that there was more room for bargaining.

In the theater, the upper panel can be seen from the entire hall, and it will be used as a stage at that time.The cage is surrounded by curtains, and the inside is used as a dressing room for the characters in the play.Outside, there is a ladder that connects the stage and the dressing room. The actors climb up and down the sturdy steps when they enter and exit.Randomly arranged characters, mechanism settings, sudden changes in the plot, etc.

It looks a bit messy, but it doesn't hurt Alan Wilson's good mood at this time. He doesn't mind the mess in other countries, especially this country is France, so he chose such a theater that is close to the people.

There is no doubt that the current UK is stronger than all European countries. If Alan Wilson is to say, except for the situation in the Soviet Union that is not very clear, the countries that can be observed at this time should not be as good as the UK.

Several actors on stage are reciting poems, and the audience is more interested in the costumes of the actors than in the roles they play.

"Pierre, the Americans will be here soon. We all know the purpose of the Americans coming this time, but how to divide the money and how to get the biggest share is believed to be the most concerned issue for you French."

Alan Wilson took advantage of the poetry recitation to discuss with the negotiators appointed by France.

"Of course, there is no doubt that we have some ideas, and we don't refuse to communicate with the UK to discuss this matter." Pierre said a typical nonsense, which seemed to be talking, but in fact there was nothing explain.

"Then I'll take the initiative!" Alan Wilson smiled and said, "There is no doubt that the only remaining major country in Europe will take the bulk of this aid. Don't look at the absence of Germans, I'm sure There must be Germans. So the ostensible representatives are not nineteen countries, but also Germany.”

"According to the calculations of the Trade Committee of the British Occupied Area, the war reduced the industry in the Ruhr area by only about 80.00%. Therefore, after reconstruction, the Ruhr area quickly recovered to more than [-]% of the pre-war level. The reconstruction after the war The progress is certainly gratifying, but it also proves the war potential of the Germans, in the position of us, Britain and your France, I believe not all are happy."

Before the war, Germany was the second largest economic power in the West after the United States.During the war, German industry expanded again.

According to a rough estimate, the reduction in industrial production capacity caused by the war in the entire Three-Kingdom Occupied Area is only about [-]%.Germany's original level of scientific and technological culture is relatively high, and once it is put into production again, the indicators will recover very quickly.

Alan Wilson also took the initiative to mention that Germany must have a part in the Marshall Plan. Although it was very difficult at one time, the United States provided $20 billion in aid to Germany in the first three years after the war, which eased the crisis in the occupied areas.

Of course, the United States has not been effective in distributing money so far, and it can even be said that a lot has been sucked away by the British-occupied areas.It has become the capital that Britain can barely stand and make money now.

But it is clear that the Marshall Plan this time is definitely not the previous refueling tactic. The United States will not do such a large amount of aid. , The United States will definitely set up an agency to track the use of this large amount of aid.

"The Germans?" Pierre frowned. "I don't understand why the Germans should be rearmed. On this point, the US's thinking is just like your British, very short-sighted."

"Well, respected Mr. Pierre, it is no longer the problem of the United Kingdom, but the problem of the United States." Alan Wilson also felt a little feverish when he was confronted face-to-face with Britain's long-standing continental balance policy, but immediately pushed the matter to the Americans, "Times have changed. Britain is not opposed to France's occupation of the Saarland, but the Americans can't say it out, so let us oppose it. If you can recall the position of the United Kingdom two years ago, you know that we are opposed to the French occupation of the Saarland." Saar District is understanding."

"It turns out that the United States is already able to command the British." Pierre sneered, "It's not like you."

"We owe the Americans a lot of money, and there's nothing we can do about it. Don't laugh like that, the Americans will be in the same situation as you, the French, as soon as the Americans arrive. If the United States uses the amount of the Marshall Plan as a bait to make France give up on the Saar What are you going to do about the idea of ​​merging districts?"

Alan Wilson stared straight at the Frenchman in front of him, and Pierre froze for a moment. This was indeed a difficult problem.

"You see, some things are not completely under our control. Chamberlain thought he could control Hitler at that time." Allen Wilson shrugged, "Can you refuse the aid of the Americans for the Saar district? Even if you Yes, the French can?"