Chapter 0656: The Threat of Force

The territory north of the Loire River was undoubtedly the very heart of France, home to its most vital industries. Nearly all of France's industrial might was concentrated in this region. In stark contrast, the vast southern areas were primarily agricultural, relying on farming and pastoralism. 

Losing the land north of the Loire would reduce France from an industrial powerhouse to a third-rate agricultural nation. This drastic shift was an intolerable blow to the ministers, particularly because Paris was also included in the territories to be ceded to Germany.

"Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, is there no way we can negotiate with the Germans, perhaps reduce the amount of territory we are forced to cede?" Finance Minister Alexandre Ribot asked.

President Poincaré and Prime Minister René Viviani both shook their heads in unison.

"The Germans have made their demands clear. They insist on taking all territory north of the Loire, with no room for negotiation," President Poincaré stated, his tone heavy with resignation. There was an undeniable sorrow in his voice—here he was, as President of France, unable to do anything to prevent such a fate.

"Then we have no other options," Ribot continued, his voice strained. "We either accept their terms and surrender half of our land, or we resist to the end. And of course, that would mean certain annihilation at the hands of the Germans."

Undoubtedly, neither of these outcomes was acceptable to the French government. If they had a choice, they would have rejected both. But alas, they had no choice but to select one.

"If we choose to resist, can we even hold out?" President Poincaré asked.

"Mr. President, if we continue to resist, our homeland will soon fall," said Minister of War Alexandre Millerand. "We will likely be forced to flee to our overseas colonies. And with Germany possessing the world's most powerful navy, even that will not be safe. The Germans will pursue us relentlessly. At best, we may hold out for a year or two in the colonies."

President Poincaré nodded solemnly, but said nothing further.

"The fourth demand," President Poincaré continued, "is that Germany requires us to keep our army under 100,000 men, forbids us from possessing artillery with a caliber greater than 100mm, and mandates that we dismantle our tanks and armored vehicles. Our navy must not build ships over 5,000 tons, nor can we possess submarines or aircraft. Even our police force must be limited to a mere 100,000 personnel."

"Undoubtedly, the Germans intend to cripple our military power, to diminish any threat we pose to them," Prime Minister Viviani remarked.

Though the ministers were furious at the Germans' attempt to weaken France's military, they knew there was little they could do. After all, it was France's defeat that had brought them to this point.

"The final condition," President Poincaré continued, "is that the German army will send a force of 100,000 soldiers to occupy France to ensure we comply with all of these terms."

This final condition caused no outrage. After all, if they could accept the previous humiliating terms, then this fifth demand hardly seemed worth objection.

"Gentlemen, it is time to decide. Do we accept Germany's terms?" President Poincaré asked.

What followed was a series of heated exchanges among the ministers. Some expressed their willingness to accept the German terms, arguing that while harsh, it would at least preserve half of the country's territory and ensure France's continued existence. Most importantly, they would remain in power.

Others, especially the military, strongly opposed. They believed that even if France agreed to these terms, it would be tantamount to surrendering the nation's sovereignty. They advocated for a final stand, even if it meant the complete destruction of the French mainland. Should the homeland fall, they argued, they could continue the fight from the colonies. Though Germany was strong, they would find it difficult to wipe out every last French resistance in such a manner, and time might work in their favor. Perhaps, just perhaps, a miracle might emerge from their unwavering perseverance.

However, the German threats loomed large. If France resisted, the Germans would mercilessly sack the country, suppress all opposition, and carry out a massacre. Many feared that such violence would result in the death of countless French citizens at German hands. 

The debate grew more intense, with both sides stubbornly refusing to yield. Even President Poincaré and Prime Minister Viviani found themselves torn between the two camps, uncertain of which path to take.

Time, however, was running out. The Germans had given the French government only three days to reach a decision. Once that time elapsed, they would resume their assault.

On the morning of May 27, with no response from the French government, the German government officially declared the negotiations broken off. Almost immediately, the once-stalled German forces surged forward, launching a full-scale attack on southern France.

The German Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Armies, comprising over a million elite troops, launched their assault with unparalleled intensity. 

Though, during the three-day lull, the French military had attempted to fortify some defensive positions in hopes of repelling the German advance, the results were disastrous. Within half a day of the German offensive, these defenses were overrun.

French soldiers, demoralized and desperate for their lives, began to surrender in droves, raising their hands in submission to the German forces. The war had reached the point of total despair, and there was no will left to fight. The German push was relentless, and French resistance was crumbling.

The French government, now under tremendous pressure, saw the stark reality of the situation: refusal to comply with German demands would lead to the rapid and total occupation of France. The thought of such a fate was unbearable.

Under the growing threat of German military force, more and more ministers began to shift their positions. After all, exile in the colonies seemed a far better prospect than remaining in the occupied French homeland. Even if they lost half the territory, at least they would still control the remaining portion and continue to wield power.