Chapter 1355 Defense and Cooperation

At this time, Alan Wilson was still waiting for the fate of parties such as the French Communist Party and the French Socialist Party. If these two parties did not express their stance, it would be difficult for De Gaulle to pass the blame.

"French Prime Minister Pompidou, this person may not necessarily be on the side of De Gaulle." Alan Wilson said to Brest, "He may be a spy next to De Gaulle, which is not important, but what we can be sure of is that he Definitely a supporter of the United States of Europe, which is bad for us.”

After the war, France was determined to avoid choosing either side of the two blocs and to find another way. Of course, many French leftists want to resolutely oppose the hegemonic policies of the bourgeois camp represented by the United States. However, refusing to fully stand on the same position as the Soviet Union is not considered negative.

He hopes to publicize his political attitude through various means, thereby influencing more and more people and achieving the purpose of preventing France from going astray.

Alan Wilson understands this sentiment, and the French, well, are mavericks. There have been two initiatives in this world to impose sanctions on the United States. One was the oil crisis in the 1970s. The sanctions imposed by Arab countries against the West affected all countries, including the United States.

And the other time it was not a major country with strategic determination, nor was it Russia that flexed its muscles at any disagreement, but France proposed sanctions against the United States at the United Nations because the United States overthrew the Iraqi regime. Of course, with France's national strength, it would not Naturally, the United States did not benefit. In addition to Alstom being forcefully taken away, it also left a lot of jokes about breast milk.

When France was anti-American, other countries were pretending to be dead, and when the other two countries were targeted by the United States, Europe was also pretending to be dead. This is how the world is, and it does not change according to human will.

Half a million people took to the streets in Paris, signaling French Prime Minister Pompidou's assurances to de Gaulle that he was merely fooling the aging general. The city of Paris was in an uproar, and de Gaulle had a premonition that the situation was serious. The demonstrators marched from the Place de la République to the Place Denfeldt-Rocher.

Demonstrating workers across the country are feeling empowered. Southern Aircraft workers occupied the factory, detained their boss, organized an action committee, and went to neighboring factories and workplaces to rally other workers to join them.

This is just the beginning, transportation, hospitals, schools, post offices, shipyards, theaters and other industries have joined in.

"My dear, now is the time. I don't understand finance, but I feel that with this wave of strikes spreading across the country, a financial attack on you is a good opportunity." Alan Wilson used his public weapon for private purposes this time. Called home from Whitehall to tell his wife that the time had come for him to call her.

As a layman, he naturally had no guidance on how to operate these bankers, and left everything to professionals.

"Look at ours." Pamela Mountbatten covered the microphone, with excitement hidden in her voice. She had been waiting for this day.

At the critical moment when France fell into a nationwide strike, the British financial group found an opportunity to counterattack France's short-selling of the pound in 1967. This was not only to revenge the British, but also to highlight the special relationship between Britain and the United States and to support France's run on thousands of tons in the past three years. Gold needs an explanation.

Alan Wilson then went to the Prime Minister's Office to report the situation, which can also be said to be throwing dirty water. "The situation in France has shown an anarchic trend. No matter what the outcome of this farce is, the French will suffer heavy losses."

"I believe in the judgment of heavy losses, Alan, especially when your wife is here." Harold Wilson had an expression that I understand. Political Secretary Maria Falconde nodded at Alan Wilson. , and then left the Prime Minister's Office.

Having said this, how could Alan Wilson still not understand? He smiled and replied, "I don't understand financial matters. Bankers make their own decisions. As a member of the government, it is not convenient for me to interfere. However, the strength of the pound may be closely related to the actions of patriotic bankers this time. The pound cannot always be attacked without fighting back.

Is not it? prime minister. "

Harold Wilson understood this too, the pound issue was a matter of great concern to all governments, and he himself was known to the electorate as the Goblin of Zurich.

Historically, the pound crisis caused by the failure to defend the pound against the dollar had led to the resignation of then-prime ministers Harold Wilson and John Major, and almost ended Churchill's political career. The key is that UK gilts generally have higher yields than US gilts. This makes it more attractive to keep money in the UK and helps protect the pound.

There are factors related to the Vietnam War. The United States issued a large amount of US dollars, and the United Kingdom stayed out of the matter. There seems to be no problem at present, but it is okay for the time being, but it does not mean that it will be okay forever. It still needs to show its sword at critical moments.

Attacking France is just the beginning. The United Kingdom can also attack the United States when necessary. You must know a basic fact. London is the center of the Eurodollar. After the war, the UK adopted a series of measures such as regardless of provenance and tax incentives to try to convert the Eurodollar Attracted to London, forming the largest U.S. dollar market in the world outside the United States.

This has proven effective. Not only do European countries no longer need to borrow U.S. dollars but transfer them to London, at the same time, some U.S. companies have put their overseas earnings in London in order to avoid high domestic tax rates.

If the UK resorted to a squeeze on gold, it would actually have a better foundation than France to do it. But what if the UK had the same indigestion as France? Probably even worse than France now.

Over the past year, as France took advantage of the inherent flaws of Bretton Woods and continued to redeem gold, the British and American media trumpeted how strong the franc was and how sufficient its gold reserves were. In the midst of the craze, financiers from the United Kingdom and the United States, coercing financial speculators, flocked to France. They transferred all currencies that could be exchanged for francs from all over the world, making the French financial market extremely hot.

France announced that the franc is freely convertible, and now it is officially the UK's opportunity to use the European payment system to enter France.

"De Gaulle has caused embarrassment to Britain and the United States in recent years, so he should pay some interest." Harold Wilson agreed, "I am looking forward to good news in the financial market."

"Of course!" But this was not enough. Alan Wilson left half of his words, and now he just stepped on the franc. After sinking the franc, the problem is still the US dollar.

Of course, the United States does not want to see another currency that can be on an equal footing with the US dollar. Although the circulation scope of the British pound is becoming increasingly narrow, it can still threaten the status of the US dollar. At least in the eyes of Americans, the current decline in the circulation of the pound is not enough. The United Kingdom must first let the dollar calm down before the United States uses its brains on the pound.

At this time, the whole country of France is in a commotion. I don't know that a large number of pounds and marks have poured into France. Who cares?

The French government is facing record-breaking strikes every day. At this time, who dares to care about the influx of hot money?

For opinion leaders from all walks of life in France, middle-aged people with ambitions and fame are what they pursue. With the tacit approval of the unreliable French Prime Minister Pompidou, they decided to expand their victory.

Sartre, who had previously gone to Luxembourg, came back and was invited to the Sorbonne University to have a discussion with the students. Sartre and Beauvoir were both invited, which was undoubtedly the focus of the students' attention.

As soon as the news spread, people flocked in. More than 7,000 people crowded into the lecture theater that could only accommodate 4,000 people. The corridor outside the classroom was even more crowded and crowded.

Seeing that the audience was in an excited and excited mood, the chaotic scene lurked the danger of causing trouble. When Sartre's voice rang out in the classroom, the noisy crowd immediately fell silent.

Sartre first unanimously endorsed the students' actions, and then expressed his hope that students should adhere to "the fierce democracy you have created that will break all established systems."

Then the students rushed to ask questions to Sartre, who kept answering for more than an hour. Finally, Sartre concluded with inspiring words: "The concept of a new society is taking shape, which will be based on full democracy and the combination of socialism and freedom." People applauded heartily, The applause lasted.

This rally caused a huge response, including voices of approval and criticism.

Several newspapers began to attack the so-called opinion leaders who had been in Luxembourg before, and some Gaullists with medals on their chests angrily came to the "Flo" and "Tab" cafes that Sartre frequented. After searching all over, Wai Wai threatened to give Sartre a good beating.

Slightly more moderate right-wing intellectuals have challenged the continuation of this discussion, and they will rise to the challenge.

The whole of France was in sharp opposition, and this scene was naturally noticed by British newspapers that had been paying attention to France.

A headline in The Times for the next three days read, “A textbook revolution in France, as history repeats itself.”

The next day, the headline was changed to "The general has decided to resign!" However, under the intervention of Whitehall, it was immediately clarified that this was unconfirmed news.

"The French government has lost its effectiveness! The strike has taken on a political and riotous nature!" headlines such as this filled the front pages of the British media.

On the surface, British public opinion is concerned about the French political situation, but during this period of time in the world, the French financial market is the real decisive point. The United States called the United Kingdom together for a private meeting in Stockholm to talk about the situation in France. It was a special and urgent meeting, but focused more on finance than politics.

How long will the chaos in France last, and when will it be more appropriate to sell off franc assets? This is a matter of great concern to the United States. Similarly, the United Kingdom is also concerned that the United States is afraid that the other party will secretly trap it. This is not without a record.