Logan has no reason not to laugh, and he can be more sure that the man in front of him will be a powerful double-edged sword, and to what extent he can "manipulate" himself will also be an unprecedented challenge.
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Chapter 124 Don’t lose money.
Chapter 124 Don’t lose money.
On January 31, 1943, the last day of the deadline for the ultimatum of the United States to Italy, Rome continued to be sunny for several days, while Washington was shrouded in yin rain and faced with the choice of declaring war or compromise. Two leaders who had the ultimate position in their respective countries invariably chose to stay in the office, so almost all the eyes of the world were focused on the White House in Washington and the Venice Palace in Rome, and of course, a lot of media reporters gathered outside the German Chancellor’s Office on this day. Whether this powerful Euro-6 strongman who tried to play a more important role on the international stage would really stay out of the way, people were wiping their eyes.
During the normal working hours in the afternoon, the Prime Minister of the government cabinet, Rogan, did call his ministers’ meeting, but the main topic of the day was not directly related to the changing international situation, because by this time, the German military and political leaders had completed secret talks with the special envoys sent by the United States and Italy respectively, and a series of secret agreements and memorandums were signed accordingly, so they were fully prepared. At this last moment, they had to look back and forth, sway from side to side, but made up their minds to sit quietly and watch the tigers fight.
"Although the size of the army has been reduced by two thirds according to schedule, the total branch of our army has reached 92.2 billion Reich marks since April 1 last year, which is 67% higher than the data in the first 10 months of a fiscal year. This is mainly due to the one-time subsidy paid to veterans and the war pension for disabled and killed people." Count Kroschick, the finance minister, was the only "elder of the four dynasties" in the Third Reich, while his small eyes hidden behind the glasses swept the report documents in front of him, he reported the national financial situation to the cabinet in a steady and slow tone-considering the German government.
"The foreign military government expenditure of 41.7 billion imperial marks has increased by 30% compared with the first 10 months of the year, mainly due to the increase of government subsidies for enterprise reform and government discount for veterans’ investment. Taken together, it is estimated that the total expenditure of our government will reach 15oo billion imperial marks in fiscal year 1942-1943, compared with 9.2 billion imperial marks, the total revenue deficit is likely to reach 5 billion imperial marks."
In terms of figures alone, this year’s government deficit has exceeded the total deficit of the German government in the six years from 1933 to 1939. At that time, Germany was also building large-scale projects and preparing for war. Considering that the exchange rate of the Imperial Mark against the US dollar was still 25 to 1 in early 1943, the scale of the deficit was staggering.
After the war, the financial situation of the country seems to be very pessimistic, but most cabinet members here, especially the two prime ministers, are sitting in their seats safely and listening to the financial minister’s professional words to estimate the economic and financial situation in the first stage
"Considering a series of strategic adjustments in military, industrial, economic and social aspects, the revenue and expenditure situation in a fiscal year is greatly variable. Based on the large-scale export agreements signed at present, we believe that the profit of the arms industry will increase greatly in the first half of this year, and the sale of surplus military equipment will exchange the government for a large amount of hard currency. If the military expenditure can continue to be reduced as planned, it is expected to achieve a balance of payments-at least the deficit scale will be greatly reduced."
"If the army continues to shrink"-the finance minister left enough room for his official forecast, which not only reflected the great uncertainty of the international situation, but also said that a considerable number of Germans’ mentality of being a big country had greatly increased their self-esteem and self-confidence, and their vision was much higher than the actual ability of this country. There is no doubt that Germany has made great progress in military technology and war experience after a long war on the western and eastern fronts, but many people don’t know or want to admit that Germany’s wartime economy is quite bad. The cake government is burdened with heavy debts, including foreign debts and national debts. Only by charging high occupation for economic plunder in the occupied areas and expanding the scale of foreign arms export can the government support the economic and financial operation of the country.
The count ended his speech. speer immediately said
"From the ordinary law of economic development, it is not only very difficult to eliminate the government deficit in the short term, but also it may do more harm than good for the overall economic situation of the country. We should make full use of the external environment and try our best to restore and expand the competitiveness of the non-arms industry with high economic scale, although we are not 100% sure … If we finally take the US government’s total amount of 607 billion US dollars to order shipbuilding in stages, the economic benefits brought by the shipbuilding industry will be considerable, and it will probably bring prosperity to our shipbuilding industry and coastal ports for decades and bring a lot of income to the government every year. What is more desirable is that we will really take
Speer’s blueprint is wonderful, of course, but all the members sitting here have seen the wind and rain. They are not lacking in national spirit and nationalism. They are used to looking at everything calmly and rationally. When the last sentence of the Deputy Prime Minister still reverberates in this conference room, they are holding their chests with expressions and trying to figure out the meaning behind the words. The recent changes in the international situation have also had a great impact on the German political arena. The most sensational and controversial thing is the German Chancellor’s visit to the United States. The deepening of the strategic integration between the two countries means that the axis agreement is naturally destroyed. Historically, Italy and Japan are not allies of German unification. Even so, many people still have doubts about the German-American exhibition and are very resistant. In their view, Germany is dominating Europe and has gained far more than the overseas colony of the Second Empire. Germany is entering an unprecedented dream era. Such a powerful country does not need to lower itself and negotiate peace with other countries-as Adolf Hitler once described, it should become a high "world leader"
The German grand strategic debate may be too far away for civilians and make them more curious. Note that there is another thing at the top, or "the national ceremony gate". After the New Year, Prime Minister Logan and Vice Premier speer, Defense Minister Lei Deer and Foreign Minister Feng Niuwright took the lead in donating gifts privately given by foreign governments to national museums or memorial halls, including exquisite and expensive craft treasures and valuable antique treasures. Later, a large number of senior military and political officials also donated gifts received from abroad in various ways. Although most people did not disclose the specific source of the gifts, people were still able to shape them. It is not surprising that Italy has become the number one contributor to the German art world. The public opinion is that the Italian government has been severely given the collection of a public museum to honor foreign dignitaries. This behavior has also attracted a lot of criticism in Italy. For German military and political leaders, the loss of personal interests caused by this action is negligible. What is important is that they have gained a fair and cheap reputation among the people, and it is even more important to promote the final passage of the secret agreement with the United States in the German cabinet at a critical moment. After many former ministers raised objections to Germany’s pro-American policy, although some people still avoided talking about Italian gifts, they voted for or abandoned it in a key vote.
"The positive impact of shipping and arms trade is indeed foreseeable. Although we can’t make an accurate estimate, we will try our best to take it into account when arranging government revenue and expenditure."
The Minister of Finance replied quickly, perhaps out of personal considerations, perhaps to leave some favors for the giver. He didn’t announce the donation ―― he didn’t make a statement on the Italian gifts, but it was also heard that he anonymously donated a batch of precious antiques. The earl was always welcome to the wartime policy of "buy now and transport". After all, countries with poor financial situation, such as Italy, may not be able to collect the payment on credit for a long time and eventually fall into the political bargaining chip, which is not good for Germany, which consumes a lot of money in the war.
"All right, let’s stop here for the time being for the annual financial discussion," said Luo Genkou, who was sitting in office. "Last night, the president called me to have a long talk. Thanks to your efforts, our work has been recognized by the president in the new year, especially in dealing with the conflict between Italy and the United States. Based on this, we can be sure that we will take peace building for granted for a long time to come, and we will increase our military investment appropriately according to our financial situation to ensure that we will become a first-class world military power in ten years and form a complete set of perfect protection for areas directly controlled by overseas trade and treaty ports."
Speaking of which, those cabinet members who have reservations about the current strategic decision for various reasons can also keep their brewing words in their bellies. According to the agenda of this cabinet meeting, the ministers then discussed some overall situations. At the end of the political affairs, an adjutant came in to report to Logan alone, and then the Prime Minister got up and informed everyone.
"The Italian ambassador sent us Rome’s decision to accept the ultimatum from the United States after bilateral consultations, and they will go forward if war can be avoided."
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Chapter 125 The war has rekindled
Chapter 125 The war has rekindled
The war returned to Europe
On the morning of February 1st, 1943, many newspapers and magazines in Europe put this eye-catching and exciting headline in a prominent position. The process was very simple. The Italian government refused to stop military operations in Saudi Arabia after the expiration of the ultimatum from the United States. The American government decisively declared war on Italy, and the Italian government responded rudely with the formal declaration of war on Italy ―― Mussolini issued a declaration of war at the king’s behest and made a general mobilization for the war. Even though the war between the two major countries across the ocean had been burning for a long time, everything seemed logical and too unexpected.
Around a white dining table, Logan sat opposite President Frick and placed a copy of Berlin Daily, which was printed on the same day. It is one of the most widely circulated newspapers in Germany and a representative of mainstream public opinion. In addition to publishing the news of the declaration of war between the United States and Italy, it also listed in detail the strength comparison between the two countries and analyzed the possible war routes. Although it is not as professional as the information of the General Staff of the National Defence Force, it also makes people feel quite talented.
"It’s lucky and unfortunate for Americans to have a decisive president." Frick, wearing a nightgown, barely moved his tableware and just drank some hot milk. "His body is * * money" should make the old politician who finally got to the top of the presidency sigh. Coronary heart disease and hypertension are a series of diseases that are difficult to eradicate, which greatly restrict him from performing in the political arena. In the past few months, his appearance in public has become less and less, and his influence has been slipping.
Logan is enjoying an elegant dinner leisurely, which is the ideal stage of energetic and active thinking at his age
"Isolationism does not conform to the trend of historical exhibition after all. If you don’t seek success in change, you will lead to failure in conservatism, right?"
"Well," Frick took a sip of hot milk. "The United States is indeed our number one competitor in the future. Personally, I think this is a great opportunity to hit three competitors at the same time and we should make good use of it."
"Of course," Rogan said with a smile. "There are a few things I am going to ask your advice. One is to lend the Italian government 200 million imperial marks to buy our weapons and equipment, which will enhance Italy’s short-term military competitiveness and increase our political weight; The second is to exchange 200 million tons of fuel from the Italian government for their complete "loosening" of the French fleet; The third is to secretly present 5o first-line submarines to the US Navy. "
Frick listened to it silently and then spent several minutes thinking. Suddenly, he said with emotion, "They are all quite exquisite, Hans. I sincerely feel happy for you and Germany."
"Thanks to your teaching and support," Logan said politely.
Frick shook his head. "Hehe, this is innate wisdom. You are destined to be king on this stage."
"I’ll arrange it as soon as possible if you don’t mind?" Logan chased the topic and asked
Frick acquiesced with a smile and then picked up the Berlin Daily and read lightly that "history will prove Italy’s greatness and let us win the flag of the European enemy."
"Great Italy, Great Mussolini" Rogan said with a full face of ridicule that this group of delusions who claim to inherit the mantle of the ancient Roman Empire never seem to take failure to heart. It can be said that they are indomitable and never lack their own strength, confidence and ambition. However, two years ago, they rashly declared war on Britain and France and suffered a great loss. This time, the Italian government did not forget to make preparations-recalling Chinese merchant ships from North America and the Pacific and strengthening maritime vigilance in the Strait of Gibraltar and Suez Canal to prevent American ships from breaking into the Mediterranean Sea. Italy also invited high-level Japanese government officials to discuss the joint war with the United States, and planned to form a large-scale international joint fleet of Japan and Italy, thus giving a decisive blow to the opponent in the Pacific battlefield.
"Do Americans have the courage and patience to continue to support the Roosevelt administration if they lose the first battle?" Frick suddenly asked this question.
Logan quickly replied, "From the experience of the War of Independence and the Civil War, the American people did not lack these two qualities, and Roosevelt was a president loved by the people … Everything is hard to say."
"If the United States retreats prematurely, our political investment will be wasted." Frick said this with a smile on his face
Logan let go of his knife and fork, picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth. "If the United States is so vulnerable, I don’t mind taking over their interests in the Atlantic region and then squeezing Italy from the economy and from the day of political isolation."
As shown recently, Frick said lightly, "They used to be our allies, but the changes were always embarrassing when the steel axis was built."
"leader should have that courage and courage to correct previous misjudgment, shouldn’t they?" Logan asked.
"Maybe," Frick sighed lightly. "I hope you have chosen the right road-but who knows where the other roads will lead?"
Perhaps old people prefer feeling, perhaps Frick is frustrated because he has the heart, so Logan thought calmly and comforted, "It is because you are an experienced and prestigious veteran who sits in the seat that we young generations dare to find a new path in the thorns. Although it is hard, there are many gratifying gains."
Frick didn’t answer. He had scanned the newspaper before he browsed quietly. From time to time, he asked some small questions until Logan finished his coffee leisurely.
"So we acquiesced in the Italian navy’s cordon in Gibraltar and Suez Canal?"
Frick’s problem comes from the press as well as from his heart.
The fortress of Gibraltar was called by Germany with the support of Spain, and Italy did not have any money. According to the agreement reached between Germany and Spain, the fortress and port of Gibraltar are now in the hands of Germany legally and reasonably. With the expanded navigation base, Germany obviously has the first control over the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal. Although it was almost fought by German African troops at that time, Italy made a lot of contributions in logistics, so the two sides agreed to jointly manage the canal after the war.
Logan calmly replied, "If they can maintain long-distance sea supply, we can tolerate their ships staying in Suez for a long time in the Strait of Gibraltar … The Americans are preparing to block it, just as Japan and Italy are planning to block the Panama Canal, but the United States has reached the stage of implementation."