Chapter 2004 Make a Decision
The current situation has turned into a heavy blow to France and peace talks with Britain. This still does not touch the bottom line of the Americans, because Britain and France have not subjugated, and Britain, an island country, has retained a lot of vitality and can still contain Germany. This is also within the bottom line! However, this is definitely not what Americans want to see…. Not to mention anything else, if the British sold a batch of warships to Japan in order to regain blood after the war, it would be a great threat to the United States!
"We know that the conditions that Crown Prince Ruprecht gave to your country are harsh, but they are definitely the best choice at present. I can only tell you one thing when I come here, that is to accept this condition, and then we will help you as an intermediary Your country, as a reward for the help your country gave us when the United States of America became independent. This is all we can do." The US ambassador said.
"What if it's too late?" Petain said suddenly.
"How could it be too late? If you make a decision, we can contact Crown Prince Ruprecht through special channels now!" said the US ambassador.
"No, you don't understand the military. Once the military deployment is confirmed, even if there are some accidents, as long as they are not particularly big, then the whole plan will continue, because it is related to millions of troops. Tens of thousands of various artillery pieces, several The problem of thousands of planes and millions of tons of supplies. Changing the order will cause terrible chaos, just like an overloaded car has difficulty braking. Once the Germans have decided, it may be difficult to make them change their minds. "Pétain explained.
"If this is the case, we can only do our best." The American ambassador was taken aback for a moment, then said. "If this is the case, I hope the French army on the front line can perform better."
"Now, I want to make sure that your country is ready to accept Germany's request? Once Germany decides to attack Britain, will the French army open a 20-kilometer gap at the junction of the British and French armies? ?” said the American ambassador.
"We agree in principle." President Armand thought for a while and said.
"You are playing with fire!" The American ambassador laughed angrily. "Respected President Armand, anything the United States of America does is guaranteed by its own dignity and reputation. Your two ends will directly lead to the loss of the reputation of the United States! This is not only a provocation to Germany, but also to the United States. provocation!"
"Now, I can clearly tell you that if you cannot come up with an official statement signed and sealed by the president and key members of the cabinet, then we will refuse to participate in this matter. Anyway, it is France that will die, not us." The United States The ambassador said righteously.
"Give us two more days," said President Armand.
"You are finished!" The American ambassador said in his heart, and left with a blank face. Now the American ambassador also admires the French in his heart! It's really not easy to be so "calm" at this time!
"It's best to make this decision as soon as possible. What I said before is not a joke." Petain even admired his own president. During the election that year, Petain voted for this buddy. Now he really doubts, Did I just choose him in a nutshell?
"I have already said that I agree in principle, but I need to think about the specific details. I am thinking, is there a way for us to complete the things we agreed with the Germans, and at the same time avoid betraying our allies What about this matter?" President Armand said.
"For example, let's keep some troops on the defense line, and then order the artillery to fire a few shots? This at least shows that we have resisted." Looking at the pale-faced Petain,
President Armand explained. This is the ending he wants most. How can he sell the British without taking the blame?
"This is really a politician's brain hole, and only you can come up with such a way." Petain's words revealed a trace of contempt. "The result of this is that both sides are not happy, because the British will still think that we have betrayed them, and the Germans will also think that we are causing trouble!"
"Mr. Armand, let me remind you that what you are doing is not a lawsuit within the scope of the law. Criminals can rely on incomplete evidence to escape charges. The British will never forgive us for some of the cover-ups we did."
"And by the same token, the Germans will not agree with us because we have withdrawn most of our troops. They will only see that the troops we left behind caused some trouble for the German army to advance. Political nonsense It is often the most unlucky, and the same applies to the country or the military when this principle is applied," Pétain said.
"Don't just think about opportunism, because it doesn't work! Do you know what I am most worried about now? What I am most worried about is what if the Germans make more stringent demands this time!" Petain's words made President Armand and Ribo The Prime Minister fell into the ice cave!
"More stringent conditions? Isn't it harsh enough for us to let go of a 20-kilometer front for the Germans?" Prime Minister Ribo said in horror.
"If the Germans ask us to point our guns at the British, what should we do?" Petain said with a complicated expression. This is not impossible, because the negotiation conditions between the two parties have changed. Before, Germany People may be satisfied to let the French put up a line of defense, and then do the rest by themselves, but now, when the Germans are full of cards, the French will ask for peace when the Germans are about to make a move. I'm afraid the conditions really can't satisfy the other party's appetite.
"If the Germans propose this condition, I think the Americans will also support it very much! They would like to see the British Expeditionary Force wiped out in France." Petain added.
"It's impossible. It's one problem for us to give up a section of the front, but it's another problem for us to confront our former friendly forces! This will destroy the surplus and prestige accumulated by France hundreds of years ago!" Although at this time President Armand is ready to accept the suggestion of letting go of the defense line, but it does not mean that he has no bottom line. If he turns around and jumps to the German side to deal with the Germans, he really can't get over this hurdle ideologically.
"Let's contact the Germans according to the previous negotiation conditions. Then contact the British. I want to know what they want to do?" President Armand still has a little fantasy about the British. In other words, the strength of the British is deeply ingrained in the hearts of this generation of French! They don't believe that the British will admit defeat!
And just when the French made the most difficult decision, Belfort and his party had already arrived in Brussels. In the German Western Front Base Camp, Belfort met Crown Prince Ruprecht for the first time!
The second one is here~~~! Three more tomorrow~~~! Ask for a subscription and a reward~~~! ! !