Peace without territory or reparations was the proposal of the Russian Bolsheviks.
The Bolsheviks certainly have reason to say this, because the Russians have already seized the Caucasus from the Ottoman Empire through war. If the war is stopped now in the Russian way, they will take advantage of it.
Whether it was the Tsar, the Kolensky government launched by the State Duma, or the Soviet government formed by the Bolsheviks, the Russians' greed for land was unstoppable.
What's more, the Bolsheviks are not in power now, and they have not made enough voices within Russia. The Soviet government hopes to cease the war immediately and let the soldiers on the front line return to the rear to provide sufficient power for the revolution they are planning.
After the Russians put forward this initiative, some people in Germany also responded, including members of the Communist Party led by Prime Minister Bethmann Hollweg. This does not mean that Bateman is a Communist Party member. In fact, it is because Bateman is moderate.
Doctrine, he has offended everyone, including his friends.
The Germans also have enough reasons to favor a peace that does not involve territory and reparations, because the Germans now occupy the Liege area of Belgium, which has the strongest fortress in Europe. The Germans must control the Liege area in their own hands to ensure national security.
But this kind of peace that does not involve territory and reparations is unacceptable to Britain and France.
The British and French did not need territory, their colonies were already large enough, and they did not need compensation. What they needed was a dead Germany, or a Germany that was not threatening.
A dead enemy is a good enemy, this saying is very true.
Clemenceau was the representative of the militant faction.
For France, it is best for Germany to return to the way it was a hundred years ago. The Germans want to use the current actual front as the border truce. This is wishful thinking. I really don’t know how anyone can agree with such brainless remarks. Those people should
Go to hell. Clemenceau was furious.
When Clemenceau finished speaking, Qin Zhiyuan keenly noticed that Julian Binn, commander of the British Third Army, and the American general John Pershing were paying attention here. Even Pershing's
The adjutant, the future famous George Smith Patton Jr.
The relationship between Barton and Pershing was very unusual. Although Pershing was 25 years older than Barton, he had already discussed marriage with Barton's sister before coming to Europe. Therefore, Barton was able to attend this banquet.
Now Patton and Chen Kangjian are talking happily. It is obvious that Patton is very interested in the tanks under Chen Kangjian's command.
Yes, the Germans have the final say when the war starts, but we must have the final say when it ends. Qin Zhiyuan followed Clemenceau's wishes.
Then tell me how your stalemate can defeat the Germans without a fight. Clemenceau is in a good mood.
It's very simple. If the Germans continue to fight, their emperor will meet the same fate as the Czar. The Germans' war potential has been fully exploited. They can no longer hold on. We don't need to take the initiative to attack them. Wait.
The best way is for them to collapse themselves. Qin Zhiyuan does not want to take the initiative to attack anyway.
This does not mean that Qin Zhiyuan has no blood, but it is determined by the strength he has in his hands. Qin Zhiyuan only has so many people in his hands. If he wants to take the initiative to attack and throw them into Sherman Daidam, he probably won’t even be able to make a big splash.
Point is, Qin Zhiyuan will never confront the Germans head-on unless necessary.
No, no, no, this is not the best way. There must be a better way. Clemenceau was a little disappointed.
When it comes to military quality, Clemenceau thinks that he is not as good as Qin Zhiyuan, but Clemenceau also has something to insist on. Compared with Qin Zhiyuan, the French are much stronger, and Qin Zhiyuan wants to preserve his strength.
The difference is that the French just want to defeat the Germans on the frontal battlefield and establish themselves as the leader of the world's army.
The Germans may not agree with this army boss, but the French have always thought so.
Of course, we can speed up the process of the Germans' collapse. For example, while taking a defensive position on the eastern front, we can increase the intensity of the attack on the western front. As long as we knock down all Germany's allies, even if Germany wants to persist, it will
Unable to persist, Qin Zhiyuan found another way.
Like Germany, France is also divided into the Eastern Front and the Western Front. The Eastern Front is with the Germans, and the Western Front is with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Coincidentally, the French Western Front Commander Louis d'Esperre also
Be present.
Seeing that Qin was thinking the same thing as me, I kept asking for reinforcements, but the gentlemen in Paris always ignored me. When it came to this matter, Louis was also full of complaints.
Louis, it's not that we don't give it, it's that we don't have it. The pressure on the Eastern Front is really too great and we don't have the extra ability. Lyautey, the master of Paris, also has difficulties.
Compared with Berlin, Vienna's combat effectiveness is not strong. If we can take over Vienna as soon as possible, we can squeeze out more troops. By then, even if it is a frontal attack, we will have a better chance of winning. Qin Zhiyuan is still deceiving.
That will be half a year later, or next year. Before then, the Germans may have been driven out of French territory. Clemenceau was a little depressed.
Just before the dinner, the battle report from Arras was delivered. The British won a great victory and successfully captured Vimy Ridge. The geographical location of Vimy Ridge is very important, as it controls the vast plains east of Arras.
As the main offensive force, Commander Arthur Kerry's preparations were excellent. The Canadians took advantage of the darkness and advanced covertly along the honeycomb-like underground trenches under Arras until they were only 150 yards away from the German position. The Germans did not.
Notice. When the Canadians launched their charge, their forward speed coordinated well with the creeping barrage bombardment. As a result, the Germans were in bad luck. The British captured 14,000 Germans on the first day and captured
180 cannons.
The victory came so easily that it gave everyone the impression that Nivelle's upcoming attack at Sherman-de-Dam would go just as well.
Maybe only Qin Zhiyuan doesn't think so.
It is too early to talk about the defeat of the Germans. The Germans still have strength. There is no sign of mobilizing their troops in Sherman Dedam. This shows that the Germans still retain the ability to counterattack in the Arras area. We cannot take it lightly.
.Qin Zhiyuan is not optimistic.
The battle report sent today is a briefing, and the description of the process is not detailed. I believe that in the next few days, when the detailed battle report is sent, everyone here will know what exactly happened in Arras.
Regardless of the progress of the British army, Qin Zhiyuan never believed that Nivelle would replicate his success at Verdun.
In Qin Zhiyuan's view, rather than copying the experience of Verdun, it is better to copy the British experience in Arras.
But this is unlikely, because there is not much time left for Nivelle.
