"Everyone, we have invited the Romanian representative in. We can discuss it now."
After many days of quarrels and negotiations, the representatives of several countries present were somewhat exhausted. After seeing the arrival of Prime Minister Bretianu, President Wilson glanced at the Polish representative Dmowski. This guy was complicating the Polish issue.
.
As the chairman of the Polish National Committee established in Paris in 1917, Dmowski was still thick-skinned enough to pretend not to see it at all. Because he knew that this meeting would determine the status of Poland after its establishment, and of course he should regain as much territory as possible.
First things first. Is it okay to eat something like face?
Also seeing the Romanian representative entering the venue, Clemenceau said with some embarrassment, "Let me tell Prime Minister Bretianu about this issue."
Unexpectedly, it was a little embarrassing that Romania was asked to help Poland stabilize the situation not long ago, and now it was asked to raise the territorial issue. After Clemenceau's narration, Prime Minister Bretianu finally learned the details of the matter.
Condition.
It turned out that Dmowski, on behalf of the newly established Polish government, formally proposed Poland's comprehensive and detailed territorial claims to the peace conference. He suggested to the Supreme Council that "when reaching a territorial settlement belonging to Poland, we should start from before the first partition
Beginning in 1772, he proposed that Lithuania and Ukraine should be "unified" to Poland. Although the Galicia region in the southeast did not belong to Poland before the fourteenth century, the Poles in the region accounted for the majority and should also belong to Poland. In addition, in
In Upper Silesia and Danzig to the east of Germany, Poland should also get a large Polish corridor leading to the sea."
In the face of Poland's territorial claims, France certainly supports it. They intend to make Poland a strong enemy to the east of Germany. The victory of this war is due to the containment of its former ally Russia on the Eastern Front. France has no reason
Don't continue to do this.
The United Kingdom, on the other hand, is firmly opposed to Poland's so-called territorial claims. Prime Minister George believes that giving a large area of German territory to Poland will become a trigger for future wars.
To this end, he also asked: "If the Germans in Poland oppose Polish rule and defend themselves, will the three countries fight to maintain Polish rule over them?"
At the same time, he also declared that if Poland occupied Danzig and Upper Silesia, Germany would refuse to sign the contract. In fact, Britain's attitude was a reflection of its traditional policy of equal power on the Polish issue. Britain did not want to see that
Germany was overly weakened, allowing France to dominate the European continent. The United States, on the other hand, saw this problem based on the principle of national self-determination and advocated classification based on racial information.
As for the Galicia region involved, they advocate direct negotiations between Poland and Romania, which occupies the region and is also the victorious country. As for the Ukrainian government, it has been completely ignored.
When Clemenceau finished speaking, Prime Minister Bretianu went directly: "I'm sorry, we cannot accept Poland's request. We have already reached an agreement with the Ukrainian government regarding the ownership of this area, and we cannot make any decisions that violate that agreement."
Agreement decision.”
Faced with Prime Minister Bretianu's merciless refusal, Dmowski couldn't help but said: "90% of the area is Polish, and you have no reason to occupy this area." (Dmowski
I really said this at the Paris Peace Conference)
Dmovsky's words, Bretianu directly retorted: "90%? Where does this data come from? According to our survey, there are only 43% Poles in the region, and the remaining 41% are Ukrainians.
There are also 16% made up of Slovaks, Romanians, Hungarians and other ethnic groups.”
Seeing that Demovsky was directly rejected by Bretianu, the negotiation collapsed. Clemenceau stepped forward and smoothed things over and said: "We don't know much about the local ethnic divisions, so let's talk about it.
Other aspects."
Dmovsky, who was awakened by Clemenceau's words, immediately changed the subject. "As far as I know, the so-called Ukrainian government was established based on the Treaty of Bucharest. And that treaty has been abrogated, so this
The Ukrainian government supported by Germany and Austria should also be banned."
Regarding Dmovsky's new offensive, Prime Minister Bretianu said with a smile: "I admit that the Ukrainian government was established based on the Treaty of Bucharest. But according to the national self-determination proposed by President Wilson, the region's
Ukrainians have the right to choose whether to establish their own government or to whom they surrender."
Bretianu's words are very clear. You deny the Treaty of Bucharest. I point to President Wilson's national self-determination. As for whether Ukraine is willing to join the Polish government, this is a joke. No one wants to find a father for themselves.
Keep it on your head.
Demovsky, who was a little confused by Bretianu's words, continued: "Your calculation is wrong. Galicia should be a separate nation of self-determination."
"No, the Galician region should not self-determine independently, it is part of Ukraine."
"We know that you and Ukraine have funds for troop withdrawal compensation, and we can take over this as well."
"I'm sorry, this is a resolution between us and Ukraine, and you cannot represent the Ukrainian government."
"..."
"Okay, don't argue."
Seeing the red-faced dispute between the two parties and no one willing to give in, President Wilson couldn't help but said: "At present, it seems that the issue of Galicia is a bit too complicated. Should this issue be postponed and discussed until Hungary is resolved?
.”
In President Wilson's view, the current issue regarding the Galicia region does not fall within the scope of negotiations with Germany, so this issue can be postponed for further discussion, and there is no need to hold on to it here.
Prime Minister George, who had remained silent, agreed: "This is a good idea."
Seeing that both Britain and the United States agreed, and that Demovsky had always been at a disadvantage in front of Bretianu, Clemenceau also nodded and said: "Let's do it this way. Let's postpone the discussion on this matter."
The words of the Three Kingdoms made Demovsky as dejected as a defeated rooster, while Prime Minister Bretianu walked out of the conference room with a calm face. However, after walking out of the conference room, Bretianu immediately
He pulled his entourage who was waiting outside the door to him and whispered: "Go back to the embassy immediately and send a secret telegram to the country, saying that the Poles want to seize Galicia through diplomatic channels."
The attendant was shocked when he heard this. He knew the seriousness of the matter and immediately replied: "I will rush back to the embassy to send a report."
After giving instructions to his entourage, Bratianu still smiled and kept greeting other members of the delegation, as if nothing was wrong.
After leaving the Galicia region aside, the process of the Polish issue accelerated a lot, and boundary issues in all directions were quickly negotiated. The final decision will also be placed in the general terms against Germany.
As for the treaty with Germany, as in history, after more than three months of quarrels and compromises, the final solution was finally reached on February 13.
According to the treaty, Germany territorially ceded Alsace and Lorraine to France, restoring France's borders before the Franco-Prussian War. North Schleswig returned to Denmark after a referendum.
Recognize Poland's independence and grant Poland a coastline. Return the territories originally belonging to Poland, including West Prussia, Posen Province, part of East Prussia and part of Upper Silesia; east Upper Silesia to Czechoslovakia. Danzig is administered by the League of Nations, and is called
For the Free City of Danzig.
Ceded Yuben and Salmedi to Belgium; Klaipeda region to Lithuania (1923).
The Saar coal mining area will be administered by France for 15 years, and then its ownership will be decided by referendum.
Germany recognizes the independence of Austria and may never merge with it. It recognizes the independence of Luxembourg.
This treaty caused Germany to lose 10% of its territory, 12.5% of its population, all overseas colonies (including German East Africa, German Southwest Africa, Cameroon, Togo and German New Guinea), 16% of its coal producing areas and half of its
of the steel industry.
Military restrictions; the territory on the west bank of the Rhine (Rhineland) was occupied by the Allied forces for 15 years, and German troops were not allowed to set up defenses within 50 kilometers of the east and west banks.
The Army was limited to less than 100,000 men and was not allowed to possess tanks or heavy artillery, and the establishment of the German General Staff was abolished.
The number of naval personnel is limited to less than 15,000. In terms of ships, there can only be 6 battleships with a displacement of 10,000 tons, 6 cruisers and 12 destroyers. Submarines are not allowed.
It is not allowed to organize an air force, it is not allowed to import or export weapons, it is not allowed to produce or store chemical weapons.
In order to limit the number of people receiving military training, the compulsory military service system was abolished and the service period was extended to 12 years for non-commissioned officers and 25 years for officers.
War responsibility; Germany must admit full war responsibility and admit crimes against civilians of the Allied Powers. Former Kaiser Wilhelm II was tried as the chief war crimes offender. Some German soldiers were tried for war crimes, and some of them were sentenced to death.
War compensation; according to the decision of the Allied Compensation Commission, Germany had to pay a total of 226 billion marks (approximately 11.3 billion pounds) in gold, which was later reduced to 132 billion Reichsmarks.
The only thing about this treaty that involves Romania is the issue of German compensation. However, because Romania did not suffer much losses during the war, it only received 2% of the compensation. However, if it wants to get this money, Romania still has to
