British civil servant

Although the "Dawes Plan" reduced Germany's burden, it ignored the fact that Britain and France also owed huge debts to the United States.

It is equivalent to the United States paying compensation for Germany to finance compensation to Britain and France, and Britain and France then use it to pay the United States.Therefore, German compensation did not help Europe recover at all, on the contrary, it aggravated the political turmoil in Europe.

Similar views exist in the UK and the US, but from a different perspective.Britain's views combined economic development and strategic planning. Out of concerns about the expansion of the Soviet Union to Western Europe, Britain, like after World War I, did not want Germany to be overly weakened, so it was imperative to rebuild Germany.

That is to say, Britain is more eager than the United States to rebuild Germany, but it has no money now.

"That is to say, how we treated France in the past is how we treat the Soviet Union now." Eifel felt that he had understood the key.

"In fact, the United States was the role of our British Empire at the time, and the Soviet Union was in the environment of France, but in terms of strength, it may be more suitable for us to make peace with Paris this time." Edward Bridges shook his head, pointing to these Diplomat, "In this case, balancing the opinions of the United States and the Soviet Union is a very test of ability. Well, let's adjourn the meeting first."

The meeting room was empty, Alexander Cadogan accompanied Edward Bridges to leave, and followed behind him step by step, "Sir Edward, this is the first time these diplomats are facing such an important international conference. It's also understandable."

"Of course I understand!" Edward Bridges said without stopping, without turning his head. "Do you think I'm worried about their lack of experience? That's not important. I'm worried about our Prime Minister. I thought it was nothing more than It is a simple repetition of the Paris Peace Conference, disregarding the current domestic situation, and blindly persecuting the Soviets."

"You just said that we are now more like the French before, referring to the Prime Minister?" Alexander Cadogan was a little surprised, he really didn't think of this level.

"Otherwise? You don't think that the Paris Peace Conference is the prime minister and the foreign minister, who meet every day from morning to night." Edward Bridges looked back with a very unprofessional look, "It's not us The diplomats went to talk, but the talk turned out to give politicians a chance to sign."

Chapter 84 Yes, Prime Minister!

Edward Bridges, who has worked in Whitehall for many years, has been immune to the prime ministers who are on the go. There is no such thing as a genius. It was a mistake for Prime Minister Chamberlain to raise Germany. Could it be that Prime Minister Churchill was right to sell his blood to resist? is it?

"Sir Edward, even for reasons of correctness, we can only agree with Prime Minister Churchill's ideas." Alexander Cadogan smiled wryly. He admitted that Edward Bridges' ideas were correct, but he could not say them out.

"Yes, this is the limitation of our affairs officers. We only implement, even if we object, we cannot publicly object." Edward Bridges said helplessly, "It's not that I haven't reminded the Prime Minister that the current situation in the British Empire It's really bad, but you know, the Prime Minister is a stubborn man."

If it weren't for Churchill's stubbornness, the British citizens might not have united and resisted to the end during the war.But it won't work if you keep being stubborn to the end. In the eyes of Edward Bridges, Churchill is a person who doesn't know how to adapt.

Zeitzlienhof Palace has been designated as the palace where the Potsdam Conference was held. Although the whole building has 170 six rooms, it is almost invisible from the outside. It really looks like a country house.

After entering the large arch of Cecilinhof Palace, the first thing you see is the green grass on the ground, and there is a large circle of grass in the middle of which is a white ring pentagram. There are five red brick chimneys connected in series on the roof on the right, which are particularly conspicuous and look huge. Heavy is the architectural symbol of the Cecilinhof Palace.The main building with a triangular-shaped roof wall on the front is designated as the meeting place of Potsdam.

It seems a little crude, but during the period of Frederick the Great, it was as important as Berlin, with the summer palace, office space, and court residences all available.The status is similar to Versailles or Fontainebleau in France.

The scale of the palace is indeed not suitable for the leaders of Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union, but there is no way to do it. Now the urban area of ​​Greater Berlin is being plowed by the heavy artillery of the Soviet Red Army, and there are ruins everywhere. It is okay for military parades, but I really can’t find it. A complete palace is here for the leaders of the three countries to talk quietly.

At noon on June 26, at Berlin Airport, a plane bearing the British logo landed on the runway. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the current British Foreign Secretary Robert Anthony Eden came hand in hand.

Edward Bridges, who had criticized Churchill himself a few days ago, was also in the team below, with his iconic bulldog expression. When he got down, he saw the cabinet secretary Edward Bridges in front of the crowd at a glance.

"Sir Edward, are you ready?" Churchill asked with deliberate strength.

"Yes, Prime Minister!" Edward Bridges was a different person from when he was with the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With a gentle smile, he introduced the current situation in Berlin and the preparations he had made for many days.

"Then we will have a real negotiation with our opponents of the British Empire." Churchill narrated his grand blueprint, and left the airport with Edward Bridges and Foreign Secretary Robert Anthony Eden.

Alan Wilson was just an inconspicuous role in the team of diplomats in charge of the Potsdam Conference, and he followed behind everyone. However, compared with Churchill's classic image, he focused more on Foreign Secretary Robert Anthony Allen. If there is no accident, I will often meet the No. [-] figure of the Conservative Party during the next meeting.

"Is he the one who was humiliated by the US and the Soviet Union during the Suez Canal War?" Alan Wilson murmured in his heart.

The Suez Canal War was a key event in the handover of power. The United Kingdom and France formed a coalition force and united with Israel to fight Egypt, the leader of the Arab countries, but was finally forced to make concessions. From then on, in the eyes of the world, it is no longer worthy to be compared with the United States and the Soviet Union. .

It was after the Suez Canal War that Britain allowed the colonies to become independent step by step, and finally completely returned to the British Isles, becoming a follower of the United States.

Because Berlin has lived up to its former prosperity, in order to avoid delaying the good mood of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, the convoy arranged by the cabinet secretary Edward Bridges did not pass through the city of Berlin and arrived in Potsdam by detour.

Entering the Zeitzlienhof Palace, Edward Bridges told Churchill the current news, "The Soviet Union has sent a telegram, and the Soviet leader Stalin himself and Molotov have set off. The Soviets are from the land. Come up the passage."

"As for the United States, President Truman is expected to arrive tomorrow. According to the current news, the Secretary of State will not be accompanying him! It seems that the US government has frequently changed personnel recently."

"Truman will be here tomorrow, so that's fine. Before Stalin arrives, I want to communicate with our allies first, so that when we face the Soviets together, it may be easier." Churchill nodded, thinking that this was a Not a bad start.

"This is Alan. During the meeting, he will follow the Foreign Secretary." Edward Bridges waved Alan Wilson over and introduced to Foreign Secretary Robert Anthony Eden, "Alan has experience working overseas. , has studied in the Oriental Academy, is very familiar with the customs of the Far East, India, and the Middle East, and has a certain understanding of the Soviet Union. He is a rare young talent."

Robert Eden nodded slightly, "Diplomats working overseas, this is very similar to Alexander."

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Cadogan, was once the ambassador to China. Robert Eden is very clear about the resume of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"These are the diplomats who negotiated during the meeting." Edward Bridges introduced the others comprehensively.

"Let's safeguard the interests of the British Empire together." Churchill opened his head with a hint of toughness on his face.

"Yes, Prime Minister!" The diplomats conducting the Potsdam Conference assured Churchill.

On June 27, the special plane of US President Truman arrived in Berlin. Compared with his famous predecessor, President Roosevelt, this was the first time that Truman went abroad to participate in an important international conference. His opponents were Stalin of the Soviet Union and Churchill of the United Kingdom. It is false to say that he is not nervous .

But immediately, when Truman arrived in Potsdam, he was relieved by the warm welcome expressed by Churchill.Regarding the special relationship between Britain and the United States that Churchill said, Truman nodded in agreement, but did not give a positive response.

Chapter 85 Potsdam Conference

Out of some common stance towards the Soviet Union, the British and American diplomatic representative team had a brief communication before the arrival of the Soviet delegation, and they knew the basic bottom line of each other, especially the bottom line facing the Soviet Union.

Alan Wilson is not a direct negotiator. His role now is similar to before. He is a liaison officer between Robert Anthony Eden, the foreign secretary, and the negotiating diplomats, including Eifel.

In other words, it is a messenger who conveys the meaning of the prime minister and the foreign minister to the diplomats who directly participate in the negotiations.

Alan Wilson cherishes this opportunity very much, as if inspired by the glorious years of the British Empire for 300 years.

For example, the relationship between elected national civil servants and politicians should not be too rigid.

If politicians want to tear their face apart, they can also do it to the cabinet secretary, but they usually don't do so.

The photos of Churchill and Truman standing side by side will appear in the pages of major British newspapers immediately.Alan Wilson has no doubts about this, the general election is coming soon, and Churchill will not let go of this opportunity.

"Actually, Americans are still most concerned about the issue of fighting against Japan. We have communicated with us on this issue. I hope we can adopt a common position here to facilitate the Soviet Union's fighting against Japan." Allen Wilson reported the first-hand news to the foreign secretary Robert Eden.

"It's about the same as I thought. This should be the main request of the United States to the Soviet Union at this stage. It can be expected that the Soviets will not agree so easily." Robert Eden nodded, "Sir Edward said that you have a keen sense of Eastern issues. I know, what do you think?"

That depends on what the Eastern issue is specifically?The East is so big!Although he thought so in his heart, Alan Wilson replied without stopping, "It seems that the Soviet Union doesn't have a decent sea power, so why not swim to Japan?"

"That's right, that's the problem." Robert Eden smiled and said, "I knew it during the negotiation."

Alan Wilson nodded. Historically, the general direction of the Potsdam Conference on the war against Japan was actually that the United States begged the Soviet Union at the beginning of the negotiations. After the successful nuclear bomb explosion, the Soviet Union begged the United States.

On the topic of fighting against Japan, Britain's attitude is happy to see the results, but it will not be particularly concerned.Of course, Alan Wilson knew that General Mountbatten, who was still in British India, was very concerned, and he also advocated the invasion of Japan for a complete liquidation.

Churchill and Robert Eden belonged to another proposition. They had no interest in attacking the Japanese mainland, but they could support the Americans morally. The huge casualties caused by the attack on the Japanese mainland could make the Americans pay a little more.

I just want to think so, and I can't say that I expect Japan and the United States to fight to the end. The United States and the Soviet Union will attack Japan together, which is the future that the British Empire expects.

As for the ideas of the Americans, if Japan wants to surrender, it must deal a major military blow to Japan, otherwise Japan will not surrender.The main countries fighting against Japan are China and the United States.The United States has this ability to counterattack, but the price it pays is too high, and the United States is unwilling.

In addition, Britain also fought against Japan in the Far East, but failed.Britain, which had just ended the European battlefield, was no longer capable of fighting Japan in the Far East.Therefore, the United States can only ask the Soviet Union to declare war on Japan at this time, so that it can reduce its own pressure and let Japan surrender as soon as possible.

On the issue of fighting against Japan, Britain hopes that the United States and the Soviet Union will attack Japan, and the United States also hopes that the Soviet Union will help it share the burden. As for the attitude of the Soviet Union, it is currently unclear.

On the Berlin-bound train, in the compartment of Stalin himself, Molotov holds a stack of papers, which are also the Soviet Union's position at the Potsdam Conference.

"Comrade Molotov, the United States must have been very eager at the beginning when it came to dealing with the Japanese war. Although we have decided to join, we cannot easily agree. We mainly emphasize the division of Europe and divert Truman's attention. Stalin said indifferently, "Beria said that with our current merchant fleet, it is actually very difficult to support the war against Japan. We cannot let the Americans transport our soldiers to Japan, and we will lose the initiative."

"I think we can think of a way from Germany!" Molotov thought for a while, "demand that Britain and the United States deliver all the remaining merchant ships in Germany to the Soviets as indemnities."

The Soviet Union was really not good at maritime power. Before the war broke out, there were 130 million tons of commercial transport ships, but now it has become 140 million tons after the war.Not to mention that it is incomparable with Britain and the United States, it is not at the same level as the German, Italian and Japanese Axis Group, each with a tonnage of 500 million.

The war has continued for many years, and the commercial transport ships of Germany, Italy and Japan have almost lost. Maybe the Axis countries each had a fleet of 500 million tons before the war, which is not as good as the current Soviet Union.

"A good idea. Although this is our goal, we must pay attention to the method and method." Stalin nodded in approval. "In this way, with the German fleet, the transportation capacity for the war against Japan should be enough."

The first communication between Britain and the United States in Berlin has ended, and it is impossible to know what the Soviets who are still on the road think.

However, on the issue of the tonnage of the fleet alone, Alan Wilson is really clear that Germany still has a fleet of 80 tons that can still be used, which is a loss of more than 500% compared to the size of nearly 80.00 million before the war. , but it depends on how to use it.

Whether or not the Japanese Navy still has fuel is a problem. The fuel for the warships can't be supplied, so what's wrong with the warships?

On June 28, the train carrying the Soviet delegation arrived in Berlin, and then Stalin and Molotov led the Soviet delegation to Potsdam and arrived at Cecilinhof Palace. At this point, Stalin among the Big Three arrived at the Potsdam conference site.

On the lawn of the Cecilynhof Palace, the Big Three of the Allied Powers, Stalin, Churchill and Truman, stood side by side, smiling for the surrounding reporters to take pictures.

"The kind father of all nationalities!" Not far away, Alan Wilson said words that only he could hear.

While the leaders of the three countries accepted a group photo to show the unity of the Allies, negotiators from the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union also entered the venue.The Potsdam Conference officially kicked off.

At the beginning of the first round of talks, in simple terms, everyone talked about their own opinions. Because of the different issues raised, the division of camps also changed at any time. Not all issues in the United States were on the side of the British.The previous special relationship between Britain and the United States disappeared after the meeting began.

The United Kingdom and the United States opposed the Soviet Union, the United States and the Soviet Union opposed the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom opposed the United States and the Soviet Union. The first day of the meeting basically made no progress.

Chapter 86 US Requirements

It is hard to imagine that when the leaders of the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union posed for the camera, there was such a scene in the conference hall of the Three Kingdoms, but the basic mathematical logic and the history of the Three Kingdoms have proved this point, that is, the triangle is stable .

It is difficult to make breakthrough progress when each is talking to himself.

"Our diplomats had frank exchanges with the United States and the Soviet Union, and all countries have come up with constructive opinions." Alan Wilson changed the subject, maintaining a posture with his hands folded over his chest, facing the diplomat Secretary Robert Eden said, "Our first proposal, which was opposed by the United States and the Soviet Union, was a proposal to blackmail the Soviets by occupying Soviet territory."

"It's not surprising that the Soviets actually objected." Foreign Minister Robert Eden smiled wryly. He didn't quite agree with Prime Minister Churchill's blatant threat, but Churchill was the prime minister, and both of them belonged to the Conservative Party, so they could only let it go. .

"Ah! To be precise, it was the Americans who opposed it. The Americans expressed their respect for the division plan of the Yalta Conference and opposed the one-sided, irrational, and unilateral demands of the British Empire that undermined the spirit of unity." Allen Wilson recalled the Americans. The wording, while repeating intact.

"I knew that the Americans were untrustworthy. They were humiliating us." Robert Eden couldn't help complaining when he heard this. He thought that the first objection proposal would definitely come from the Soviet Union, but he didn't expect it to come from the Soviet Union. In the United States, just yesterday, President Truman, who arrived in Berlin, had a good talk with Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Alan Wilson kept silent, and the two young men from the United States and the Soviet Union did not speak martial arts, and attacked the British Empire, an old comrade who had ruled the world for more than 300 years.However, from the perspective that heretics are more hateful than heretics, it is not incomprehensible.

There is nothing new under the sun. Alan Wilson just listened to the complaints made by the Foreign Secretary in front of him. Robert Eden must have just talked, because the Suez Canal War proved that a person can fall into the same pit twice.

"Minister, the topic most mentioned by the Americans is the issue of the Soviet Union's war against Japan." Alan Wilson thought that occupying a piece of the Soviet-occupied area was just a small issue, and it should not be the focus of discussion at the Potsdam Conference. He reminded "I heard that the Americans lost a lot in the just-concluded Battle of Okinawa. Strictly speaking, Okinawa is not the mainland of Japan. The tragic casualties have already left the Americans with lingering fears. Judging from the round of meetings, the United States is asking for something from the Soviet Union. Therefore, it is not a good idea to insist on attacking the Soviet Union first."

In fact, the Battle of Okinawa had just ended a few days ago. The landing battle lasted 82 days. The attacking side was the U.S. army and the defending side was the Japanese army.Although the U.S. military finally wiped out the 8 Japanese troops guarding the island, it also suffered nearly [-] casualties.

This is an appalling figure for the United States.You must know that although the previous battles of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima were equally fierce, the US military killed less than 2 people in total.

What shocked the U.S. military the most was actually the Kikusui Operation launched by the Japanese army around the time of the Battle of Okinawa. Ten death squads were mobilized successively, and they became the pioneers of the Peace Cult.The U.S. military before and after the Battle of Okinawa was greatly shocked by the suicide attack method of killing each other!

Although the battle was won in the end, the Americans were deeply afraid of the irrational madness of the Japanese soldiers and the way they died together.

Traveling all over the world, the U.S. military has never encountered such an opponent. A small Okinawa is already like this. If it really lands in Japan, how many soldiers will the United States, which has not suffered major damage in the world war, lose?

"Alan, the representative of the United States wants us to attend a reception together." At this moment, a British diplomat pushed in the door and invited, "The Americans should have some communication with us."

"Eh!" Alan Wilson looked at Robert Eden, got the latter's approval, turned and replied, "Of course we can't refuse our close allies."

After the door was closed again, Robert Eden said, "It should be that we hope to support us in the war against Japan."

"If there is no accident, it should be like this." Alan Wilson nodded with a smile, "Today the Soviet Union mainly mentioned the issue of European rights and interests, and it seems that they have no interest in the Far East. It seems that the Soviet Union is paying more attention to Europe now."

"Just go and see what the Americans think, and come back and tell me." Robert Eden sighed. As the foreign minister, Robert Eden's position is actually very embarrassing.

This is not a problem with the United Kingdom itself. The problem comes from the United States. There is actually no Secretary of State in the United States now.There was originally, but recently, for unknown reasons, there just happened to be a vacancy for the Secretary of State.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill showed solidarity with Truman in the US and Stalin in the Soviet Union. Robert Eden can only be equal to Molotov and start a one-on-one contest. If the US now has a Secretary of State and comes to Germany, he is now facing The situation will certainly be much better.

After all, it is still the honeymoon period of the Allies, and Potsdam is not short of receptions that symbolize celebrations. Although the positions of the three countries are not completely consistent, they still have to be passable on the whole.

It's just that compared with the downstairs hall belonging to political figures, the atmosphere in the small hall on the second floor of the representatives of various countries is a bit inferior.There is no way to do this. There are almost no intact palaces in Germany. Although the Zeitzlienhof Palace is not magnificent enough, it can only be used as it is. Small also has small advantages, and some information exchanges can be carried out.

boom!After having a drink with the staff of the U.S. Secretary of State, Alan Wilson asked, "James, why didn't your U.S. Secretary of State come to Germany? This will deprive us of an extra boost for us in the UK during negotiations, and add some that are unnecessary. hindrance."

"Allen, actually I don't know why. On June 27th, Secretary of State Edward Stettinius was dismissed by the President." James Jones shrugged helplessly, "Now there is only one acting political officer, Joseph Crew, actually I heard that James Burns was very popular as Secretary of State, but President Truman did not wait for the Secretary of State to be appointed, he came directly to Germany."

Alan Wilson nodded knowingly. He didn't know if this kind of thing had happened before, but it was a coincidence that it happened at this time, but it happened ten days earlier than in history.

"Of course, we still hope that the United Kingdom will support the United States' position, especially on the issue of fighting against Japan. We can resolve other issues later. The most important issue now is to end the world war. Alan, what do you think?" James Jones said very Opened the mouth with sincerity.

"Hmm!" Alan Wilson took a sip from the wine glass, not knowing what he was thinking.The United States is more urgent than expected about the issue of fighting against Japan.

Chapter 87 Great Britain has its own national conditions here

Talking to yourself in a meeting is not completely useless, it is a necessary trial process.At present, the United States is focusing on the issue of fighting against Japan, while the Soviet Union is talking about European issues, which naturally includes the just-emerged issue of refugees crossing the border.

It may be the internal changes in the United States caused by the death of President Roosevelt. Anyway, in this meeting, the United States put too much emphasis on the issue of fighting against Japan, which has already given the Soviet Union an excuse.

As for the position of the British Empire!To be honest, Alan Wilson still has a lot of positions, but the theme expressed in any single position is not clear.The United Kingdom believes that many issues are very important, but some issues have been emphasized by the United States, and some issues have been emphasized by the Soviet Union. The role of the British Empire in the Potsdam Conference is really like a crap stick in the old business.

Holding a glass of wine, Alan Wilson said while thinking, "Actually, with the capabilities of the United States, it is completely possible to fight independently. There is no one who is immortal in a war. It is really not easy to deceive the Soviet Union to sacrifice."

Although the Japanese army's dying counterattack in the Battle of Okinawa shocked the US military.But according to Allen Wilson, is the Japanese's will to resist really strong?In fact, it is not certain.

Maybe when the U.S. military really invades the Japanese mainland, it will find that the resistance of the Japanese army is not as strong as in Okinawa. It is not necessarily true to calculate the cost of attacking Japan based on the losses in the Battle of Okinawa.It's just that the United States dare not gamble!

Of course, Alan Wilson talked about this matter in a tone that didn’t hurt his back, which quickly aroused James Jones’ dissatisfaction, “Mr. , this is not the attitude of a close ally."

"Britain did this to leave the honor and joy of defeating Japan to the United States. This cannot be said to be a mistake." Alan Wilson denied it flatly. Seeing that the other party did not believe it, he could only add another sentence, "Say Britain has no interest in the Far East, and we can't really help."

Although the Japanese navy can be regarded as nothing left, the Japanese army in Southeast Asia is in a state of isolation and helplessness.But the British-Indian coalition forces are indeed still far away from the Japanese mainland.

Didn’t the United States not solve the Japanese army in Southeast Asia? Now the Japanese army in the Philippines is still surrounded, and the US military has not wiped out these Japanese troops who refused to surrender. Alan Wilson used this incident to refute James Jones’ words. He even wanted to Tell the other party that until Japan's unconditional surrender, the U.S. military did not hand over all the Japanese troops in the Philippines.

"On the issue of ending the war, is there only interest?" James Jones asked dissatisfied.

"Ah, Great Britain has its own national conditions." Alan Wilson put down his wine glass and spread his hands helplessly, "And you also know that the United Kingdom is an island country, and it is not good at the army. The landing battle is still the United States' strengths, don't believe it Your Excellency may recall that Operation Overlord is a firm proposition of the United States."