1932: Playing with the Japanese Communist Party with a doll

France did not want to be involved in the war between Britain and the United States, but was eventually forced to get involved. Is this a good thing or a bad thing for France?

"It's nothing serious. We are just informing the British." Prime Minister Daladier was not so worried, but rather excited:

"We don't care about how the Americans and the British fight, and we can't care. Rather, if the British really fall out with the Americans, I'll be happy to drink a few more glasses of Bordeaux."

"No, Edward, if the British are defeated, the Americans will not be easy friends to get along with."

"I know, but that doesn't matter. Compared to the lying British guy, that Joan of Arc is obviously more worthy of our respect and trust, isn't she?"

"Even if she demands the debt?"

"Even if she demands payment."

Isn't 518 just about stirring up trouble? You say it as if everyone can do it.

"...lower interest rates or increase the number of installments, postpone debt repayment...allow repayment in francs, gold, silver, or other currencies acceptable to the US...export some goods and raw materials at low prices to offset debt...tariff rebate program..."

Downing Street, Arthur Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940 and the representative of the famous "appeasement policy" in history, looked at the intelligence sent from France and sighed:

"It's a perfect opportunity to hit a point of interest that France can't refuse. It's a truly respectable and formidable enemy. Stupid French, they're finished this time."

Especially the "tariff refund", which is a stroke of genius.

If you ask the French to "exempt from tariffs," they will definitely not agree for the sake of their domestic industries. But what if you ask them to "pay the tariffs first and then get a refund next year"?

Because this tariff is in their hands for one year, can be transferred, and they believe that the initiative is in their hands, the French are very likely to agree.

However, Chamberlain knew that it was a trap, designed to silence French citizens and businesses, and was effectively no different from not collecting tariffs at all.

Moreover, there are other issues such as rent-seeking in the middle, the United States's use of this to gain moral advantage again, and the deep-rooted roots of American companies in France due to the return of tariffs.

Having said that, Chamberlain knew very well that if the same conditions were imposed on Britain, which owed more debt to the United States than to the French, the MPs would probably have to think carefully.

Theoretically, as the world's hegemon, the British Empire should have been like it was in the past, giving a hard slap to any powerful nation that dared to challenge it, thus avoiding all troubles.

The only problem is that America is too strong

The country has a vast territory, abundant resources, developed industry, is isolated and safe overseas, and has no other powerful countries around it... The First World War has fully proved that this is a large-scale British Empire, even more so.

Therefore, it is fine to default on debts to ordinary countries, but the cost of defaulting on debts to the United States, the second largest country after itself, may be unacceptable to the UK.

The national will is never absolutely rational and selfless. It is composed of individuals, so the larger the country, the more ideas it has and the more chaotic its execution.

As an old politician from a political family and the current British Chancellor of the Exchequer, the experienced Chamberlain firmly believed that Germany and France were not a concern, and that Britain's only real enemy was the United States.

Originally, isolationism has been rampant in the United States, and the pacifist forces in the country are no less powerful than those in the United Kingdom. It cannot be said that they have no interest in interfering in European affairs, but at least they sneer at it.

(英国此时国内1500万人投票，1180万坚决支持和平,美国也差不多，1936年4月,光是美国大学生紧急和平运动就一口气拉了50万人进行反战罢课)

Faced with this situation, any person in power in a country that has faced the cruelty of the European war would never dare to touch the topic of war easily. It is no exaggeration to say that only those who shout for peace can come to power.

Chamberlain originally thought that, at least before his death, except for the restless Germany, all mainstream countries in the world should be like this. However, the emergence of Springfield made him smell something different.

Although it is not yet obvious, the United States has indeed begun to break the shackles of isolationism and extend its tentacles to the world since Springfield came to power. This global visit further proves this point.

This is very troublesome.

For the British Empire at this time, the best way to protect its own interests was to "use stillness to control movement, and remain constant in the face of ever-changing circumstances." It must not easily get involved in any conflict, and must never resort to force if it can be resolved through political and economic means.

Because, once a war breaks out, whether it is against a strong country or a weak country, whether it wins or loses, Britain will not gain any tangible benefits, but will only decline further;

Ireland and Scotland, which have been clamoring for independence, might actually become independent, and those colonies that are vital to the British Empire will definitely be completely lost.

However, the challenge from the United States, especially this kind of face-saving behavior in the heart of Europe, cannot be completely ignored, otherwise it will lose the dignity of the British Empire;

what can we do about it?

Why don’t you discuss it with that person? Whatever you wish for will come true.

There was a knock on the door:

"Sir, Lord Baldwin is here for a visit." "Please ask him to come in."

Stanley Baldwin, a typical old British gentleman about the same age as Chamberlain, the former British Prime Minister and current President of the Privy Council, walked into the room and, without wasting a second, stated his purpose:

"Neville, you should have heard about it, right?" "Yes, I just received the news."

"The conditions the Americans offered the French are clearly an attempt to win over the Gauls and cause trouble for us!"

Baldwin pounded his stick angrily:

"I even suspect that these country bumpkins want to unite the whole of Europe against us, which is not in our interest!"

Britain's foreign policy goals have not changed for at least five hundred years, namely, to create a divided Europe and even a divided world.

So, the British can fight the Spanish together with the Dutch, fight the French together with the Germans, and fight the Germans together with the French...

Anyway, the more heated the fights among the world’s nations, the happier Britain will be;

But now, the Americans have unexpectedly intervened. It would have been fine if they hadn't already stirred up trouble in the Far East, but now they've even come to the heart of Europe, and are trying to win over France!

What do they want to do!

Rebuilding the friendship between France and the United States to fight the British Empire together?! "...So, Neville, what do you think!"

"I do have some ideas, but I'd like to hear your opinion first."

The conversation between the two did not sound like a conversation between a Privy Councillor and a Chancellor of the Exchequer, but since the real British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald has been completely sidelined, they really are the ones who have the final say in the British Cabinet.

Faced with Chamberlain's "concession" and "respect", Baldwin nodded with satisfaction, and then said decisively:

"We must respond strongly and find a way to ruin this matter. We must not let the French and Americans get back together!"

I knew it would be like this.

Chamberlain sighed softly in his heart.

Last year, Baldwin made a speech in the House of Commons, in which he made a judgment on the situation in Europe, saying that "nationalism and totalitarianism are bound to rise" and "the risk of war is increasing." He then openly declared:

"The bombers will one day come to Britain, and our only defence will be to strike back hard."

In the face of strikes and protests, he would rather risk the collapse of his own government and the paralysis of the country's internal affairs than give in to the "union dogs."

This shows the character of this person.

Although he is a Conservative, he sometimes behaves in a rather unconservative way. Chamberlain did not immediately refute the other party, but instead said in a roundabout way:

"Yes, we must fight back, but how? If the French really betray us this time, this year's debt repayment will be very difficult. After all, it's the United States, and it's the Saint."

His tone was firm and frank, and one could not tell that this was the culprit who led the betrayal of the "European Debt Rejection Alliance" last year and severely cheated the French.

33

Baldwin was stunned for a moment and then speechless.

Baldwin disliked the name Field and the meaning behind it.

Last year, he sent a message to Springfield, who hadn't yet taken office but was already virtually certain of the presidency, hoping he'd be invited to a future inauguration. But Springfield ignored him.

This made the Earl very unhappy.

How dare a lowly girl who appeared from nowhere in the corner of a chair be so arrogant!

If the United States had not been busy sorting out its internal affairs after that and the United Kingdom had not been too preoccupied with its own affairs, there might have been some minor setbacks between the United States and Britain.

Regardless of whether the honor of the nobility was "trampled" by Springfield, if France accepted the conditions of the United States, it would indeed put the British in a very passive position - because they had no intention of repaying the money at all.

Previously, he and Chamberlain had discussed sending a debt task force before the end of the year to formally "inform" the United States of Britain's debt settlement measures:

Either we pay you back $4 million and write off the $50 billion debt;

Otherwise, you won't get a penny! Overbearing, huh?

overbearing.

Is it unreasonable?

unreasonable.

But that's the Brits.

Fortunately, this is the Americans, a powerful challenger to Britain. If it were an ordinary small and weak country, the money I owe you is your honor, and you dare to ask me for it?

Of course, this is also a strategic test by the UK against the US, the so-called "maximum pressure", to see how capable the other side is and whether it will completely turn against the UK over this matter.

Due to the sudden rise of Springfield, there was deep hesitation and division within the British Parliament and government as to whether to continue with this matter.

What if that crazy woman who, when she was nothing, dared to lead American veterans to overthrow the army, storm the White House, and almost hang President Hoover, directly confronted Britain?

After thinking about it, Baldwin could only shake his head:

"We secretly sent people to warn the French not to agree to the Americans' conditions."

"This is difficult. With these conditions, the French might be tempted." And given the French temper, warnings might only backfire, Chamberlain muttered to himself.

"I don't believe the French are willing to pay back the money."

"Yes, I don't believe it either, but..." Chamberlain tapped the folder in his hand lightly:

"That Saint Lady might threaten the French with force. The French certainly don't want to pay back the money, but they don't want to fight even more. Compared to bloodshed, paying this price is obviously more cost-effective."

Although he knew what Chamberlain said was true, and even though the British themselves did not want to fight, Baldwin could not help but curse:

"Stupid and cowardly Frenchmen! They should be allowed to fight to the death with the Germans!"

Having said that, France still plays a very important role for Britain, and it cannot really turn against it for the time being.

"Neville, tell me what you think!"

"First, directly refusing to pay back the money... For economic reasons, if we simply tell the American people we won't pay them back, I'm afraid this plan won't gain majority approval in Congress. Do you agree?"

Baldwin hesitated, then nodded.

"Secondly, our deficit problem is already extremely serious. If we insist on repaying the debt, we will have to drain the entire colonial system of its income for at least ten years. Therefore, we absolutely cannot repay the debt. Do you agree with this?"

Baldwin nodded again. Chamberlain spread his hands:

"Then, obviously, there is only one solution - since the French are probably no longer reliable, we can only continue to find a way to unite small countries such as Italy, Finland, Czechoslovakia, and jointly refuse to pay the debt."

There is no doubt that this is an extremely conservative plan, with little guarantee of success, but it will never go wrong politically.

It's no different than what we did in the past.

Even the new target chosen to provoke the Americans is obvious at a glance - Finland.

As long as Finland is willing to take the lead and say it will not repay the debt, Britain does not mind giving them a little protection to keep them from the invasion of communism and the Soviets.

only...

Baldwin sighed:

"If we do that, Winston and his gang will definitely come out and accuse us of being weak."

"Churchill?"

Chamberlain curled his lips in disdain.

If, in Chamberlain's eyes, Baldwin was just sometimes impatient and therefore acted tough, then Churchill was just a big fool...a little cutie who acted tough just for the sake of being tough.

Fortunately, this little cutie is now sitting in the House of Commons as a backbencher, with no legitimate job and no say. If the navy had continued to be commanded by him, the French would probably have landed in England soon.

What if he became Prime Minister?

Haha, the British Empire is finished.

Whenever Chamberlain thought of Churchill, he wanted to speak up for Judas, that treacherous, self-willed, and ostentatious villain. Every time he got close to him, he felt like he was being stabbed in the back.

"Go ahead and oppose it. Half of the opposition is just meddling egomaniacs like him anyway."

"What about the other half?"

"A smart guy who just wants to make some money." "Hmm?"

"They have the organisation of the Italians, the resilience of the Germans, the humility of the French, the imagination of the Belgians, the generosity of the Dutch and the intellect of the Irish."

“Hahahahahahaha…”

The two laughed for a while, and after making some harsh sarcasm about British political "losers" like Churchill, Chamberlain added:

"Of course, in addition to uniting Europe to fight against the United States and attack France, we also need to cause trouble for the United States in other ways."

"You mean..."

"First, Germany. We must continue to support it to contain the French. Secondly..."

Chamberlain smiled meaningfully:

"Field's interest in Asia, especially China and Japan, is inexplicably high. This is a breakthrough for us...Mr. Baldwin, do you remember the American Jew who came to London to seek our help?"