Chapter 100 Politicians and Civil Servants

Minor differences in history are normal, just as Tito's opponents were cleaned up in history, but now they are alive and well, and the current errors are within the normal range.

Before Alan Wilson returned to Potsdam, the British Prime Minister representing the British Empire at the Potsdam Conference had changed.

Churchill was replaced by the new Prime Minister Attlee. Churchill was immediately appointed as an adviser and obtained the right to continue to attend the Potsdam Conference.

Also coming with the new Prime Minister Attlee was the new Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, who was a trade union leader who had organized and led the 1926 national strike.

Like many working-class parties of the era, Ernest Bevin argued that Britain should act first against the German and Italian threats at the time of Hitler's rise.

For a long time, the parties that were close to the workers were all war parties according to the division of later generations.

For example, the Democratic Party of the United States before Kennedy was a purely white party.

The Australian Labor Party first implemented the White Australia Policy. The Socialist Parties of various European countries during the First World War unswervingly supported the war.

Parties that are closely related to workers are often the decisive force to join the war. This is unimaginable in Europe where the white left is pervasive in later generations.

After the new Prime Minister Attlee and the new Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin arrived in Potsdam, Truman became a little unhappy, but Stalin was in a very good mood.

Because whether it is the new prime minister or the new foreign minister, in the eyes of many people, they are obviously pro-Soviet elements. When Britain participated in the intervention of the Soviet Revolution, Ernest Bevin encouraged the London dock workers to take the lead, declaring that he would refuse to load the ship "Silly George" unless the military supplies destined for Poland were removed. , put a lot of pressure on the government.

The No. 1 and No. 2 figures of the new British government came to Potsdam with such obvious pro-Soviet elements. One can imagine how Truman felt. This is what happened at Cecilline Hof Palace when Alan Wilson returned to Potsdam.

The first is to report to the Secretary of the Foreign Office and the Secretary of the Cabinet, and ask Edward Bridges, "Sir Edward, is it my job to hide something from the Prime Minister?"

Edward Bridges pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said, "No, this is not at home. The international meeting is still in progress. Our private transaction with the Soviets cannot be hidden from the new prime minister. Because the meeting is not over yet, At the same time, the black box operation will continue, and it is necessary to express honesty to the new prime minister at this time."

"But the former Prime Minister is still there." Alan Wilson scratched his head a little, and some didn't know the consequences of doing so.

"Civil servants take a friendly and neutral attitude towards the alternation of political parties." Alexander Cadogan interjected, "As for the handover between Mr. Churchill and the Prime Minister, that is their business."

"Very good!" Edward Bridges spat out a word, and the meaning was already obvious.

Ah...Mr. Churchill! Alan Wilson knew it in his heart, and he was stupid if he didn't understand what it meant. Then he asked for instructions, "I don't know what the attitude of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs is towards this meeting."

"To be honest, Mr. Churchill's attitude towards the Soviet Union is much more relaxed. Our foreign minister and Molotov have a very good relationship, and the hostility between each other has reduced a lot." Edward Bridges changed the subject. , "In fact, we have no conflict with the Soviet Union at all, but some politicians have inexplicable hostility towards the Soviet Union."

"Yes, there is no conflict." Alexander Cadogan also quickly distanced himself from the relationship, "We are only implementing Mr. Churchill's policy, which does not mean that we agree with their proposition."

That's it for them? Although Alan Wilson thought so in his heart, he also showed that he was moving closer to the organization, "Actually, if the Prime Minister participates in the negotiations,

It's not that Mr. Churchill is here, maybe the talk is over. "

"Very likely," began Alexander Cadogan in agreement, ignoring my embarrassment against myself.

When Alan Wilson was about to report on the private transaction with the Soviet Union, Alexander Cadogan followed and stopped Alan Wilson.

"Executive Deputy Chief, what's the matter?" Alan Wilson was puzzled, recalled the process just now, and there was nothing wrong.

"Sir Edward, I don't agree with some of the Prime Minister's understanding. You have experience as a civil servant in British India. If the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary ask about the situation in British India, you have to tell us." Alexander Cadogan was afraid of Alan Wilson I don't understand, and said in a low voice, "In the final analysis, the affairs of the Soviet Union have nothing to do with us, but British India has a relationship with the lives of 100,000 civil servants and their families, do you understand?"

"Understood!" Alan Wilson's face was serious. It seemed that there was a disagreement between the cabinet secretary and the new prime minister on the issue of British India. As Cabinet Secretary Edward Bridges, the Soviet Union was far less important than the British Raj in the eyes of the head of the civil service.

The chief civil servants are concerned only with the size and budget. The 100,000 civil servants in British India are an important part of the civil service system of the British Empire, and the scale is close to half of that of the local civil servants. What will happen to these civil servants if the new prime minister is not going to spend his days in British India?

The problem is that I already know it, but Alan Wilson didn't think of a way. He can only pray that he is a small person, and the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary will not think of asking himself the opinion of such an insignificant role.

"It's really the style of the Conservative Party, and it's a black-box operation." Ernest Bevin, who had just become foreign secretary, listened to Alan Wilson's report, and commented sarcastically, "I said, why is Molotov so kind? , focus on this kind of thing, the real problem has not been solved, what about the ownership of Austria? The Soviet Union has blocked the border between Austria and Yugoslavia, and said that it is not suitable to change the status quo in a short time, what should we do?"

"Dear Foreign Minister, this is actually a problem of the United States and the Soviets." Alan Wilson maintained the original statement that the Yugoslavs went to the US-occupied area and had nothing to do with the British Empire.

He had to speak at this time. The two new bosses from the province had no topic to talk about. After a while, they really remembered to ask about British India.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Soviets have officially informed us that they are going to declare war on Japan." Just as we were walking on thin ice, Alexander Cadogan, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pushed the door open and said, "It was the Soviet delegation that informed us just now that the Soviet Union has entered into a war with Japan." A state of war."