Chapter 156 British and French Guidance

The Belgian Congo is located in the center of Africa and is the only important colony of Belgium. To the north is French Africa, and to the east is British East Africa. One can use this sentence to describe the Belgian Congo, "French army, English navy, two great powers serve me a colony of Belgium. Isn't this a small blessing?"

For a short time it seemed that the Belgian colonies were very safe, and in fact they were safe enough for ten years. There seems to be no reason for Belgium to do more, and it is not the isolated environment that Spain is now.

However, it is naturally a European meeting that demonstrates unity, and the venue of the meeting is set to be in the capital of Belgium. If Belgium wants Bai's benefits without paying, it is undoubtedly a dream.

The British Empire does not think it is helping too little, but it is afraid that it is not helping enough. No matter what it is, even if it stands up to make up the number, one more country and one more force, Belgium must also make its due contribution.

"Belgium and the Netherlands are neighboring countries. Even if it is out of goodwill, we should take action, even if it is to send a battalion." Alan Wilson said casually, "As long as the Belgian flag is in the Dutch East Indies Appearing in the sky is a great help to the Netherlands. At this time, we should let go of our selfishness and try our best to help stabilize the interests that belong to Europe. There is nothing mine or others in the colonies, it belongs to everyone.”

On another occasion, Alan Wilson would be moved to tears by himself, which is simply the spirit of internationalism. What Germany and France want to unite Europe is just for fun. If we really want to unite Europe, we have to have the British Empire.

Inspired by Britain and France, Belgium finally believed that Belgium should contribute to the issue of European unity, but at the same time asked, "In what name does Belgium dispatch appropriate troops to stand for the Netherlands?"

"Belgium, as an important member of the Allied Powers, helped the Netherlands to take over the Dutch East Indies occupied by the Japanese army. Isn't that a matter of course?" Alan Wilson said confidently, "Is it true that the only Axis powers are Germany and Italy? Japan It is also an important member of it, and it is normal for Belgium to shoulder international responsibilities."

"I think Allen is right. This is what France thinks." Nino Bertrand also spoke, singing praises for maintaining the precious British-French friendship.

Now that Britain and France have found an excuse for Belgium, in principle Belgium has no objection to its role. The Belgian Congo is surrounded by British and French colonies. If London and Paris make any moves, it will still be very uncomfortable for Belgium. For a while.

After Belgium stated that a united Europe is a good Europe, Alan Wilson finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the six countries at the Brussels Conference finally adopted a unanimous position on the colonial issue.

For a while, Allen Wilson had mixed feelings. Even if the predecessor of the European Union was just a shelf, as long as it appeared early enough, it would have a great effect. The national situation of Britain and France in 1945,

Certainly louder than Britain and France after the Suez War.

As long as Britain holds a place in this alliance, even if Germany joins in the future, it will be much easier to suppress.

With mixed feelings, Alan Wilson even imagined the future of the European Community. Once Britain and France start a battle within this framework, they can win over those countries to support themselves.

From the perspective of the French, it is nothing more than that the Latin-speaking countries may be French supporters. It's not that Alan Wilson is narrow-minded. Liberty and equality are great, but it's okay to shout slogans, but it's a bit unintuitive when fighting.

The kinship between nations is an undeniable, living fact that has nothing to do with what the Germans call the idea of ​​race.

The first is an intimacy with language, civilization, and spirit in general, or, as it is sometimes called, country and customs.

Such a kinship undoubtedly existed among the Latin nations, mainly including France, Italy, and Spain. First, they all have a very striking Catholic overtone.

The extent of this influence often strikes observers from abroad as inconceivable. Moreover, the close kinship in language makes it very convenient for Latin countries to communicate with each other.

For the three countries of France, Italy, and Spain, there is a close alliance between the various Latin civilizations.

Such a kinship of soul and spirit, which unites the Latin nations, should secure in their interrelationships within the Latin state a character of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which, if absent, would There can be no real democracy.

Winning over Italy and Spain already exists in the outline of the French State, which is a very influential document in France.

Then Alan Wilson considered from the perspective of the United Kingdom. Among the current six countries, the Netherlands is definitely easy to win over. Belgium and Portugal, in fact, both Britain and France have great influence.

France has cultural influence on Belgium and Portugal, while the United Kingdom is more direct. With the upper hand in the past two hundred years of fighting with France, it is easy for European countries to blindly follow the United Kingdom.

It can be said that among the six countries in the current Brussels Conference, France can hold Spain, and Britain can hold the Netherlands. As for Portugal and Belgium, they are in a relatively neutral position.

In terms of the distance of the nationals of various countries, the countries that Britain can win over in Europe are much more than France.

In a broad sense, Germanic people include Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in addition to Germany. The countries that the UK can woo, except for Germany, which has the size to sing the opposite, have small populations. The UK is the natural big brother of these countries.

And Germany is a defeated country, destined to have no political say in the framework of the European Community. In fact, in the European Union decades later, France's political discourse power is also greater than that of Germany, regardless of the fact that Germany has already been unified.

Although the Germans do not actually have a big market in the UK, once they need to win over allies, the UK will temporarily admit that they are Germans to get closer to their supporters.

On the other hand, in France, the population and area of ​​Italy and Spain are not much smaller than that of France. The historical burden of Italy and Spain is not as heavy as that of Germany. Who dares to sing against France after a long time?

Although very tired, Alan Wilson's heart is very excited. No matter what the EC is now, there is a difference between having and not having it. He believes that this is a good start. The current EC may only scare people effect. Once the European economy recovers, it will become an important tool for Britain to maintain its glory.

"I heard that at today's meeting, the French proposed the establishment of the European Army?" Edward Bridges saw Alan Wilson after the meeting ended, and asked, "The Prime Minister has not heard from de Gaulle."

"It seems that the French's secrecy attitude is commendable." Alan Wilson said with a serious face that he was also taken aback, and said, "The French are extremely keen on establishing a military force in name, but I personally always have I fear that France will use this to compete with the British Empire for leadership."

Edward Bridges nodded approvingly, and expressed his appreciation for Alan Wilson's performance in times of crisis, "We must consider this matter carefully. If France does not provide enough benefits, London will not be tempted. Still Even if there is such a European Foreign Legion, the scale should not be too large."

"With the military power of our British Empire, there is no need for the so-called European Army." Alan Wilson, who has already had a deep understanding of the two-faced faction, stated without hesitation that the so-called European Army is the whimsy of the French, and then changed the subject. Dao said, "Of course, from another perspective, the people who need such a brand to frighten people the most are actually the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal. The military strength of the three countries is insufficient. I very much hope that there is such an organization to deter the colonies that are about to move."

At today's meeting, it may be because the French had informed in advance that the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal, which felt that their national strength was insufficient, all warmly welcomed the concept of the European Army.

It can be seen that Nino Bertrand also did his homework, knowing that the Netherlands urgently needs the help of its European allies, and he has also pulled the Netherlands into his camp.

Edward Bridges and Alexander Cadogan were silent, and soon someone came in and said that the Foreign Secretary had sent Alexander Cadogan, the Foreign Secretary.

After a while, Alexander Cadogan went back and forth, came in and said, "The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister also asked about the European Army, and asked if we have any suggestions, whether to agree, and if yes, what size would be more appropriate. "

"Actually, we and the French don't need to join in, and support sending staff officers to maintain daily work in the command structure." After thinking for a long time, Edward Bridges said, "As for Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, some soldiers can be sent. , to prop up this so-called European Foreign Legion sign."

Alan Wilson thought while listening, and then asked in an uncertain tone, "In other words, although the British Empire does not join now, it reserves the right to join at any time?"

"France shouldn't join either. With the military power of Britain and France, it can be completely unrestricted. Instead, it will give guidance to the side." Edward Bridges said, looking at Alexander Cadogan, executive deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Said, "This is the opinion of diplomatic assessment, if you ask again, just answer like this."

Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin and French Foreign Minister Georges Pidour said in an interview that rebuilding the European economy is more important than anything else, and this is also the biggest purpose of the Brussels meeting.

Turning off the radio, Alan Wilson stepped up preparations for the draft of the six-nation joint declaration, and had no time to listen to nonsense.