Southern Africa does not have as urgent a need as the United States to break the colonial monopoly. Herring
Southern Africa used to be a Commonwealth country and had good relations with Australia and Canada. Products need to enter the Australian and Canadian markets. Although they have to change their appearance, they can still enter after all.
It is more difficult for American goods to enter Australia and Canada. After all, the needs of Australia and Canada can be met in southern Africa, so there is no need to look far away.
The same goes for French-controlled North and West Africa.
During the World War, the relationship between France and its overseas colonies was almost severed. Southern African goods took the opportunity to follow the expedition and sold well in North and West Africa. De Gaulle was powerless to object because this was one of the conditions for the Southern African federal government to recognize Free France.
As mentioned before, foreign aid to Southern Africa is not free. Even if it is labeled as free, it actually has conditions attached.
Some conditions may seem fair, but in fact they contain hidden traps that are nothing compared to some free assistance.
For example, only about 5% of Southern Africa's cash aid to the Free French was free aid, and the remaining 95% had to be repaid, plus interest.
Even if only 5% is free, the federal government of Southern Africa can still make a big deal out of it, and those who don’t know it would think that all aid given by Southern Africa to France is free.
The condition for free aid is mutual openness of the market.
Being open to each other may seem fair, but in fact it hides mysteries.
France has it, and southern Africa has it, and the quantity is greater, the quality is better, and the price is cheaper. Except for champagne, southern Africa has almost no demand for French products.
It is available in southern Africa, but not necessarily in France.
Such as cars.
France's Renault was once Europe's largest car manufacturer, but due to its cooperation with Germany during the World War, Renault has not resumed production yet, and it seems far away.
However, France's demand for cars has not decreased. In the foreseeable future, as the French economy recovers, France's demand for cars will continue to grow.
Under such circumstances, if a large number of southern African cars are exported to France, Renault may be gone.
De Gaulle kept saying that he wanted to retain part of the armed forces, which was also a business opportunity.
If nothing else, if De Gaulle wants to build a modern air force, he must import fighter jets from southern Africa. It is not impossible to develop them himself, but it depends on the determination of the French.
De Gaulle does not have the final say in France's affairs alone. Even if De Gaulle is correct, it must be approved by the three levels of French parliament.
The cost of developing fighter jets is high. Even if the development is successful, there will definitely be a certain gap in performance compared with the most advanced fighter jets. Therefore, De Gaulle's idea is to purchase engine parts from southern Africa, assemble and produce them in France, and finally use them in related enterprises in southern Africa. With help, France has the ability to manufacture advanced fighter jets.
The advanced fighter here refers to the jet fighter that just appeared. Herring
The idea was good, but Rock didn't agree.
It’s not that jet fighters cannot be sold, but the timing is wrong. If the French want to buy them, they can wait until the next generation of fighter jets in southern Africa enter service in a few years.
France is already one of the few powerful countries in the world.
Even France has to make such big concessions to southern Africa, not to mention other countries.
By the way, the agreements signed between Southern Africa and European countries are all exclusive, so if Truman wants to open the European market, he must get Roque's consent, otherwise the relevant countries will not open their markets to the United States at all.
Under such circumstances, it is no wonder that the United States has invested heavily in Russia.
In fact, Russia also has an agreement with Southern Africa.
However, the Russians' words are not very credible. Just listen to them, but don't have too much confidence in the Russians' contractual spirit.
"The old era has passed. The future belongs to all of us. We will embrace the world with a more open attitude and use our hands to create a better life together." Let’s talk about how to do it.
As the leader of a major allied country, Roosevelt had many people attending the funeral, including Rock's old friend William King.
Beginning in 1921, William King served as the Prime Minister of Canada three times and lasted for 18 years. He was the most influential Prime Minister in Canadian history.
William King's life has been very difficult in recent years. The world war has had a huge impact on Canada's economy. On the one hand, William King has to work hard to support the European war, and on the other hand, he has to appease the relationship between the Canadian federal government and the various dominions. This left William King mentally and physically exhausted.
This started when William King was elected Prime Minister of Canada for the third time ten years ago.
Ten years ago, Canada had not yet emerged from the shadow of the Great Depression. The economy was in recession, it was deeply in debt, and there were many conflicts between the federal government and the autonomous territories. Herring
During the campaign, William King promised that if elected, he would work hard to eliminate poverty, reverse the decline, and restore economic and social prosperity.
It is not easy to do this, but it is not impossible for William King, who has accumulated rich experience through his previous two terms as prime minister.
The outbreak of the World War disrupted William King's recovery plan. Like the last World War, Canada, as a member of the Commonwealth, had to organize an expeditionary force to go to Europe to participate in the war. At the same time, because the size of the ANZAC troops was greatly reduced, Canada needed to bear the burden. The responsibility is heavier than that of the last world war.
After six years of world war, William King not only failed to fulfill his original campaign promise, but was dragged down by the world war, causing the situation in Canada to further deteriorate.
William King's situation is also very bad now. If he cannot turn the tide in a short period of time, he will completely lose the trust of Canadians.
"——The situation is like this. The finances are exhausted, the public resentment is boiling, the Dominion is no longer willing to assume its obligations, the expeditionary soldiers are tempted, and now the federal government does not even have the funds to resettle the wounded veterans. London's list of needs is getting longer and longer. If the war continues, , our government is about to go bankrupt!" William King's face was full of bitterness, and God's calculations were worse than those of others.
The list of supplies that Britain has requisitioned from Canada is nominally paid for. However, the British government has no money now, so it can only make IOUs. When it can be cashed out, it will have to wait for the British conscience to find out.
The British government was supposed to be responsible for the resettlement costs for Canadian veterans and wounded soldiers. London also refused to pay because it had no money. All the bitter consequences were ultimately tasted by William King.
Canadian veterans and wounded soldiers cannot afford to travel across the ocean to ask for money from Winston.
Therefore, William King became the target of curses by veterans and wounded soldiers.
Just last month, veterans and wounded soldiers who were living in hardship without receiving resettlement fees held a rally in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, demanding that the Canadian government fulfill its promise to pay full living allowances to all veterans and wounded soldiers.
The Canadian government was not as ruthless as the Americans and could not bear to use armored vehicles and tear gas to deal with the veterans. William King finally borrowed money from southern Africa, which temporarily appeased the agitated veterans.
Living allowance is paid every year.
This year’s dealings have been dealt with, but what will happen next year? Herring
You can't eat the same amount of food every year.
"The war is coming to an end. If you hold on for a while, everything will be fine." Rock could only comfort him, but there wasn't much he could do.
There is only one solution to the problem, money!
It's easy to talk about anything if you have money.
The key is that there is no money, and the federal government of Southern Africa does not have any money either.
The money William King borrowed from the Federal Government of Southern Africa was guaranteed by the Federal Government of Southern Africa and used a financial institution. The Federal Government did not have enough money of its own and had no money to lend to Canada.
Although the revenue of the federal government is high, its expenditures are also high. It is not easy to be a general manager. Everyone comes to borrow money, and selling the federal government is not enough. Herring
"I heard that the French signed an agreement with you, entrusting most of the security affairs to southern Africa -" William King was euphemistic. To put it harshly, it was almost like a protectorate.
To put it in a more unpleasant way, it is a colony.
"France and southern Africa are allies, and this is what we should do." Roque did not bear the infamy. Colonialism is an unpleasant thing to hear.
"I have sent a telegram to General Harry. Next month, regardless of whether the war ends, Canada will withdraw." William King really cannot afford the high military expenditures and wants to continue to fight you. I will quit.
General Harry was Henry Criller, Chief of Staff of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, who led the Canadian army to participate in the Normandy landings and the Spring Offensive.
The number of members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was not large. After the outbreak of the World War, they spent most of their time on the British mainland assisting the British army to strengthen their defense and had few opportunities to perform.
It was during these few battles that the Canadian Expeditionary Force suffered some casualties, which broke the fragile glass heart of Canadians and caused public resentment to boil.
"It's not necessary. The war will be over in no more than half a year at most -" Rock was surprised. It would be more gain than loss to withdraw from the war now.
The war lasted for six years, and it was hard to see the dawn of victory. Even the Americans couldn't wait to get off the field and join the war, but Canada wanted to withdraw. After praying twenty-four times, how could it be so short of trembling?
"Lord, I don't know if the war will end within half a year. I only know that if it continues, even if the expeditionary force returns home, I will not have the chance to welcome them." William King smiled bitterly, and he also knew that it would be launched at this time. The gains outweigh the losses in war, but unfortunately circumstances do not allow it.
"I'll send a telegram to Patton -" Rock couldn't make it too clear. On the surface, he had to treat everyone equally.
Patton is now using the British as cannon fodder and sending them to the battlefield.
Within the British army, Canada is cannon fodder, so every large-scale operation of the British army cannot be without the participation of the Canadian army.
Rock sent a telegram to Patton, asking Patton to take appropriate care of the Canadian army and reduce the Canadian army's actions, so that William King might be less stressed. Herring
"It's not necessary. I'm going to make Canada a permanent neutral country like Switzerland." William King also figured out that the war in Europe actually had little to do with Canada.
Canada, like the United States, is far away from Europe. It is also beneficial to have Americans as neighbors. At least it can guarantee that even if Europe is overturned, no country will land in North America.
Of course, the biggest threat to Canada also comes from the United States.
Therefore, if Canada wants to become a permanently neutral country, it depends on whether the United States agrees.
William King's meaning is also very clear. As long as Rock nods, William King will start to follow the procedure.
If you want to become a permanently neutral country, the first step must be to withdraw from the Commonwealth. Otherwise, Britain will declare war with other countries, and Canada will also declare war. Then it will still be neutral.
Although withdrawing from the Commonwealth will reduce the protection of the United Kingdom, it will also relieve many obligations. At least there will no longer be a need to exchange precious resources for an IOU that does not know when it will be redeemed. When the time comes, it will be paid and delivered.
Canada is a resource exporting country, and such a country does not need to worry about the market.
Looking at how southern Africa and the United States made money during the two world wars, William King was determined to follow suit.
"London won't agree to it -" Rock said casually, his mind running rapidly.
It is definitely a good thing for Canada to withdraw from the Commonwealth, because then it will have to increase its dependence on southern Africa.
When William King mentioned France just now, he probably meant to entrust most security affairs to southern Africa.
After World War I, security cooperation between Canada and Southern Africa increased. It was against this background that Halifax became one of the home ports of the Atlantic Fleet in Southern Africa.
Now William King means to deepen it again on this basis. This is the rhythm of complete surrender to southern Africa. Herring
Not necessarily. If Canada really becomes a permanently neutral country, then southern Africa will return Halifax to Canada——
Thinking about it this way, this is still a trap.
"If London doesn't agree, then find a way to help Canada solve the current problem." William King's plan was similar to that of Yang Smuts.
Yang Smuts relied on going to London every day to ask for money, which finally drove the British into panic and allowed southern Africa to become independent.
Now William King is repeating his old tricks. If Britain wants to keep Canada in the Commonwealth, it should help the Canadian government solve its financial problems. Otherwise, it will also let Canada become independent. From then on, it will be different.
"Have you seen Winston?" Rock wanted to know Winston's attitude.
"Not yet. The situation in Canada is different from that in southern Africa. Winston will not agree to it——" William King was prepared to face difficulties. Herring
Winston agreed or disagreed, but William King wasn't actually too worried.
The current situation in the UK is not much better than that in Canada. After the war is over, Winston will definitely step down. By then, no one will care about Winston's attitude at all.
On this issue, almost everyone has reached a consensus, which means that Winston still feels good about himself and feels that he can continue to be Prime Minister.
"Then what are your plans?" Rock didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in William King's gourd.
"I will raise this issue at the Imperial Conference at the end of the year." William King wanted to flip the table at the Imperial Conference: "If I can still represent Canada at the Imperial Conference by then."
