UN
Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters of the League of Nations.
At this moment, the Council Hall of the League of Nations at the University of Norway is filled with representatives from 58 Member States and the United States.
"The fact that there has never been an emergency meeting since the founding of our League of Nations in 1919 shows that the whole world is becoming safer and better thanks to the efforts of all of us." The secretary general of the League of Nations cleared his throat and said, "But just a few dozen hours ago, this beautiful peace was broken. The incident began with the French navy trespassing on German territorial waters and sinking a German destroyer. So at the beginning of the meeting, I would like to ask the representative of France what is your explanation of the French Government on this matter? "
When all the delegates heard this, they looked at the representative of France in the front row.
The French representative pressed the microphone in front of him and said: "Our government has no knowledge of the invasion of German territorial waters by our naval fleet, and the French government and military have never issued such a dangerous order as illegal invasion of the territory of other countries. "
"Then do what you want." The representative of Germany said with a sneer. "Our warship was smashed and sunk by a meteorite? Oh, and it could have been sunk by a shark, right? "
There was laughter at the scene.
"Silence!" The Secretary-General patted the table, then said to the representative of France, "We all know this matter, does the French Government still want to argue?"
"No, we don't mean to quibble." The French representative said, "I just want to say that this matter has nothing to do with the French government or the military, but is entirely the unauthorized action of the fleet commander." "
"Ahem, what matters now is not a matter of whose responsibility." The British representative said, "The question is how to resolve the confrontation between the German-French border forces. "
"Speaking of this question, I think it is appropriate to ask the representative of Germany, why did you blatantly violate the Portsmouth Peace Treaty and move troops into the Rhine Demilitarized Zone?" The French representative sent a message to the German representative, "The French Army was forced by you to enter the German-French border, and I hope you can give my government an explanation." "
"Under our pressure? Didn't we march into the Rhine under your pressure? If you hadn't sunk our destroyers, would we have been like this? The German representative said angrily.
Seeing that the two sides were about to return to the issue of responsibility, the secretary-general hurriedly interrupted the two men and said: "Okay, stop pointing fingers at each other, just talk about how to get you to withdraw your troops." "
"As soon as the German troops leave the Rhine, we will immediately withdraw." The representative of France took the lead.
"We need a compensation plan, the 234 sailors on board the Leiberacht cannot die in vain!"
"If you have any requirements, just say it." The representative of the United States, who had been silent on the side.
The German representative smiled slyly and said: "First of all, we need the French side to compensate all our losses, including the pensions of the fallen soldiers and the value of the warship. "
"Of course." The Secretary-General nodded.
"Second, the French government wants to try the naval commander who 'acted without permission.'"
"Yes."
"Finally." The German representative paused, "We demand the lifting of the restrictions on our air force in the Portsmouth Peace Treaty!" "
Upon hearing this, the originally quiet venue suddenly sounded with a burst of discussion.
"I disagree!" The French representative Huo Ran stood up and shouted loudly, "Germany's possession of an air force threatens neighboring countries, and we will never allow you to have an air force!" "
"Quiet!" The Secretary-General clapped his hand at the table and shouted, and when the room had become completely quiet, he said, "Ask the representative of Germany why this request is, and then make a plan." "
"If we had an air force, then the sinking of the Leiberacht could have been completely avoided." The representative of Germany said "with bitterness", "If we have an air force, we can detect and stop the French fleet before it 'trespasses' invades our territorial waters, so that there will be no conflict." "
The Secretary-General nodded when he heard this, feeling that this was very reasonable.
"In that case, let's use an all-hands vote to decide whether the German proposal can be passed." The representative of the United Kingdom proposed, "Raise your hand if you support Germany."
"I agree!" The representative of China took the lead in raising his hand.
"Agreed." The United States followed.
"Agreed." Representatives of Japan, Italy, Great Britain, the USSR also raised their hands.
Some small countries in the venue saw that several "leading big brothers" all agreed, and they also raised their hands in approval.
In the end, only the representative of France did not raise his hand.
"Ahem, you have to know that our British Royal Navy Home Fleet has left port." The British representative raised his hand and faintly threatened, "It's Christmas in two days, and I don't want our Royal Navy officers and men to spend time in war on such a holiday." "
The American representative nodded and echoed: "Although the main force of our US Navy is in the Pacific Ocean, the US Home Fleet alone is enough for us to intervene in the European war. "
Seeing this, the representative of France could only raise his hand with hatred, and in the face of the threat of the world's two strongest maritime forces, the country could only agree to this plan no matter how unwilling.
"Well, the proposal is officially passed, and later we will amend the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, and Germany will be able to build an air force." The secretary general smiled and said, "Then please ask the German side to withdraw its troops, and the Rhine demilitarized zone will continue to be retained."
"Of course, we will withdraw immediately." The representative of Germany also smiled.
Not only the two of them, everyone at the scene was smiling happily, no matter what, a war was avoided.
Oh, except that the representative of France is crying with a sad face.
Germany, Berlin, War Department.
After receiving the news from the League of Nations, Lyon immediately gave an order to Army Group Center: "All troops in the Rhine Demilitarized Zone are withdrawn, and Army Group Center returns to its garrison." "
Hindenburg stared blankly at the man in front of him, one second he still had an expression of wanting to fight to the death, and the next second he put on a smile of "long live peace".
"You, you didn't plan to fight this battle from the beginning?" Hindenburg asked Leon incredulously.
"Of course." Leon smiled and said, "Why fight this battle?" Not to mention that we will never be able to fight the French Army now, and from my personal point of view, I do not want to fight this war, and I do not want my wedding to be spent in the smoke of war. "
"Then how do you..."
"How can I look like I'm going to fight to the death?" Leon helped him ask, "This is just to give an account to the people, otherwise they will lose faith in us." Moreover, even if the garrison in the Rhine is really there, what is the real benefit to us? This will only increase the risk of war, and we are far from prepared. Therefore, instead of risking the garrison of Rhine, it is better to exchange some substantial benefits. "
Hindenburg took a deep look at the young man in front of him and once again realized his awesomeness.
Maybe he really is the savior of Germany? Hindenburg thought to himself.
On Christmas night, the whole world is immersed in joy.
In the martyrs' cemetery in the naval port of Kiel, Helmut touched Karl's tombstone and said to himself: "Your sacrifice is meaningful, and the general won the establishment of the air force for us." "
"But, I swear, brother, I will personally make them pay your blood debt!"