Chapter 1670 Aid
Having subdued the Dalmatian Kingdom, Yugoslavia's pressure was immediately relieved, meaning it could allocate its effective military resources elsewhere, especially towards Germany and Bulgaria.
However, subsequent communications with France and the Soviet Union did not go too smoothly, especially as France wavered in its attitude toward Yugoslavia.
February 3, 1938, Paris, France.
At this time, French Prime Minister Blum was discussing this topic with his subordinates with great concern.
"The Spanish Civil War is about to end, and the military government represented by Franco will completely control the whole of Spain. It is foreseeable that as Spain fully leans towards Germany, the situation in France will become increasingly difficult."
"What is everyone's opinion on the request from Yugoslavia?"
"If we do nothing, Yugoslavia might become a second Spain, further strengthening Germany's dominance in Europe. At that point, all of Europe would truly be dominated by Germany!"
As Bloom finished speaking, French Foreign Minister Boncourt stood up indignantly.
"Your Excellency the Chancellor and all those present! I have said before that the Germans' wolfish ambitions will never be satisfied."
"The deterioration of the situation in Spain is a huge mistake in our government's diplomacy."
"If we can support the Spanish Republican government, Spain will most likely become our most steadfast ally in the future confrontation with Germany."
"Even if that's not possible, it could at least provide us with a stable rear. However, the changes in the situation in Spain have left us completely surrounded by the extreme nationalist camp led by Germany, facing attacks from both sides."
As a hardliner, Minister Boncourt is extremely dissatisfied with the current state of France, especially after the Franco government gained a complete advantage and Spain was on the verge of changing sides. This dissatisfaction reached its peak.
Boncourt bluntly stated: "The fear of Germany is so deeply ingrained in the French that it has led us to remain passive and helpless to this day, without any effective countermeasures against Germany."
"This is the darkest moment France has ever experienced. Have we even lost the basic courage to defend our homeland?"
"Moreover, we haven't even started a war with Germany yet. We're just supporting some countries that can stand up to Germany. Even cowards wouldn't dare to do that. Who would have thought this is France, the country that once prided itself on being the most powerful in Europe?"
As Boncourt points out, there is now a general fear of Germany in France, which was the main reason why France did not dare to get involved in the Spanish Civil War.
Everyone knows that the Spanish Civil War was not just an internal Spanish problem, but also a contest between the Soviet Union and Germany, with both countries sending troops to be deeply involved in the war.
If France were to join, it would inevitably provoke dissatisfaction from Germany and could even directly trigger a conflict between the two countries.
However, Spain is of great importance to France because it is one of France's three most important land neighbors, the other two being Germany and Italy.
Undoubtedly, both Germany and Italy have irreconcilable conflicts with France. Under these circumstances, the French government should actively court Spain.
But the reality was that during the Spanish Civil War, the French did nothing and watched helplessly as Spain took on the shape of Germany.
Defense Minister Daladier then spoke up: "Ahem, Minister Boncourt, we understand your feelings, but the situation is beyond our control. France is indeed at an unprecedented historical low right now."
"We cannot speak lightly of war. Germany has now surpassed France in every field, which is an objective fact that is difficult to change."
"Germany has more than twice the population of us, and its industry far surpasses that of France. Germany's steel production has exceeded 30 million tons, while France's is less than a quarter of Germany's."
"Not to mention Germany, even when facing Italy, our strength seems to be stretched thin. Italy's industry is very poor, but its population is comparable to ours."
"To put it bluntly, we have no chance against Germany and Italy, especially with Britain wavering."
Britain's wavering stance toward Germany is a significant factor making it difficult for France to take a hard line against Germany. Britain played a crucial role in France's previous non-participation in the Spanish Civil War.
In today's world order, Britain and France are banding together for mutual support, with Britain playing a leading role in this alliance.
Minister Boncourt scoffed, “We would be better off strengthening our cooperation with the Soviet Union than relying on the British. We have a deep historical grudge against Britain, and their cooperation with us has always been fraught with ulterior motives.”
"The British side's behavior during the last World War proved that they are not trustworthy!"
Most French people, though they didn't say it, genuinely found it hard to trust the British, their sworn enemy. It was only because the threat from Germany now outweighed that France had to lower its proud head and cooperate with the British.
At this point, French Prime Minister Blum said, "Well, it's too late to discuss the Spanish question now. The main issue today is whether to support Yugoslavia."
“Minister Bonkur, you are in charge of foreign affairs, so you can start by sharing your views.”
In response to Bloom's question, Boncourt replied without hesitation: "Your Excellency, there is no need for hesitation. I suggest that France provide full support to Yugoslavia."
"The fact that Yugoslavia is now asking us for help demonstrates that Yugoslavia also harbors deep distrust of Germany."
"Furthermore, the Yugoslav government recently expelled the Ustaša, an extreme nationalist and terrorist organization supported by Germany and Italy."
"This further demonstrates the deterioration of relations between the Yugoslav government and Germany."
"Therefore, we should give Yugoslavia full support, making it a thorn in Germany's side, thereby maintaining the security of the whole of Europe."
Boncourt's suggestion clearly drew immediate opposition from many within the French government.
"Yugoslavia's geographical location is too sensitive. If we support Yugoslavia at this time, what will Germany think..."
"It's too risky to do that! Besides, Yugoslavia isn't very big and can't really hold Germany back."
Facing these opponents, Bonkur said with a completely unfriendly expression, "Hmph, the current situation is a direct result of our previous weakness."
"If we could get Spain back on track, we wouldn't have had to resort to trying to win over a small country like Yugoslavia."
"Moreover, the situation in Yugoslavia was completely different from that in Spain, and supporting Yugoslavia was absolutely the right step for us."
"The regime in Yugoslavia is currently stable, so our support for Yugoslavia will not fluctuate significantly due to the political situation in Yugoslavia."
"Secondly, Yugoslavia was not a small country either, with a population of ten million. Coupled with its complex terrain, Yugoslavia was theoretically capable of holding its own against Germany, provided that Yugoslavia's will to resist was strong enough."
"I believe that Yugoslavia was aware of this, after all, they were Slavs, an inferior race in the eyes of the Germans, so there was an irreconcilable conflict between Yugoslavia and Germany."
"From a historical perspective, Yugoslavia also had a tenacious tradition of resisting foreign powers. For example, when it fought against the Ottoman Empire, the Yugoslavs never completely surrendered."
"Finally, as Yugoslavia is a small country in your eyes, I think Germany shouldn't care too much about some of our actions with Yugoslavia."
"If Germany doesn't even allow normal international exchanges, then it can only mean that Germany's ambition to destroy France has never wavered!"
According to Boncourt, no matter how much France cooperates with Yugoslavia, it is a matter between the two countries. If Germany cannot even tolerate this, then it can only mean that Germany has already put France on its menu.
Of course, all of Bonkur's arguments were based on his tough stance toward Germany. He was unwilling to let go of any possibility that could weaken Germany, such as supporting Yugoslavia.
Not to mention supporting Yugoslavia, Bonkur wouldn't even mind cooperating with the Soviet Union, whose ideology was completely different, in order to achieve a strategic encirclement of Germany by France and the Soviet Union.
However, Boncourt's ideas are clearly difficult to implement in the current social atmosphere in France.
As expected, his statement was met with fierce opposition from other government officials.
Ultimately, the topic came down to Prime Minister Bloom.
Prime Minister Bloom frowned and said, "Alright, let's stop arguing. I think it's feasible to support Yugoslavia."
"Of course, there are methods to supporting Yugoslavia, so considering everyone's ideas, I think we can achieve our goal indirectly."
"In terms of supporting Yugoslavia, we can completely avoid some sensitive areas, such as the military and arms exports."
"However, we can strengthen Yugoslavia by supporting its industry, which is in line with normal business and trade practices. Germany has no reason to attack us."
"After all, it's not just us who invest in European countries. Britain, the United States, and East African countries are doing the same, and we haven't seen Germany intervene. Europe is not Germany's Europe anymore, and they can't have a one-man show."
Prime Minister Bloom's remarks indeed made both sides, who had been at loggerheads, fall into deep thought. Supporting Yugoslavia in the economic field, especially in the industrial sector, was indeed a good approach.
As for the military field, France certainly didn't have the guts, but clearly there was one country that had absolutely no qualms about it—the Soviet Union.
...
Moscow.
Unlike the French, when the Yugoslav government approached the Soviet government, the Soviets immediately showed great interest and enthusiasm.
At the Kremlin, Joseph personally received the special envoy of the Yugoslav government and expressed his support for Yugoslav national independence on the spot.
Joseph said, "The Yugoslavs and the Soviet Union have a deep historical friendship. The two countries are like brothers and are both members of the Slavic family."
"Therefore, the Soviet Union will spare no effort to express its support for Yugoslavia. Now we can compile a list to provide assistance to Yugoslavia in various fields."
The Soviet government's attitude clearly delighted the Yugoslav envoy, who said, "Your Excellency Joseph, you truly deserve to be the leader of this great nation of the Soviet Union. Along our journey here, we have witnessed the vibrant vitality that the Soviet Union has shown under your leadership."
"We Yugoslavs also have a great fondness for the Soviet Union, especially since, as you mentioned before, both of our countries are members of the Slavic family."
Joseph was completely unfazed by the Yugoslav envoy's flattery; if it weren't for the German threat, he certainly wouldn't have considered the Yugoslav government to be anything of a good thing.
However, the current predicament facing the Soviet Union meant that Joseph had no choice but to pay attention to this small country in the Balkans.
Joseph said, "We are willing to help Yugoslavia establish an independent military industry and provide Yugoslavia with a large amount of weapons assistance."
"Furthermore, given the dire geopolitical situation facing Yugoslavia, we suggest that Yugoslavia establish its military industry in your rear, namely in the mountainous regions of Yugoslavia."
The Yugoslav government naturally wouldn't refuse Joseph's proposal, as that was their own plan. After all, the plains of Yugoslavia were located on the border with Germany and were not safe.
As for the higher costs of establishing military factories in mountainous areas, the Yugoslav government naturally wouldn't care as long as the Soviets were footing the bill.
Joseph continued, "In other sectors, such as steel, textiles, and food, which are essential industries for people's livelihoods, we can also provide Yugoslavia with corresponding support."
The support the Soviet Union could provide to Yugoslavia in the area of people's livelihood was clearly not much, because the Soviet Union itself was weak in the development of light industry.
The Soviet Union's industrial system was actually not perfect. The two five-year plans were basically centered around heavy industry and military industry, prioritizing national defense.
Of course, if the goal was simply to support Yugoslavia, a small country, the Soviet Union's light industry, though poor, was more than capable of meeting Yugoslavia's needs.
The Yugoslav envoy once again expressed his gratitude to Joseph: "I believe that with the help of the Soviet Union, we Yugoslavia can make an important contribution to regional stability."
As for the factors that lead to regional instability, that clearly refers to Germany.
Joseph was satisfied with this, since the central task of all Soviet diplomacy was to target Germany.
There are very few countries in Europe that the Soviet Union can use as pawns, or rather, apart from Yugoslavia, there are practically none.
Without Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union could only support some insignificant non-governmental organizations, such as Hungarian national independence groups and anti-German forces in Poland.
However, these organizations are "illegal" activities and are subject to comprehensive suppression by Germany and the governments of the countries it supports. At most, they cause trouble for Germany, but cannot act as a check and balance.
Therefore, now that Yugoslavia has taken the initiative to approach them, the Soviet Union will inevitably provide as much support as possible.
Therefore, starting in early 1938, France and the Soviet Union provided varying degrees of support to Yugoslavia from their respective perspectives.
France primarily provided various forms of assistance to Yugoslavia's economy and light industry, while the Soviet Union was mainly responsible for the construction of Yugoslavia's army and the development of its military industry.
Although the two had different focuses, they complemented each other, allowing Yugoslavia to develop more comprehensively, with significant improvements in both heavy and light industries.
To further conceal their true intentions, the two countries even disguised themselves by supporting Yugoslavia's development through East Africa. After all, East Africa itself is quite active in trade with the Balkans, and there is also Dalmatia, a country supported by East Africa.
Therefore, the activities of East African merchant ships and merchants in the Adriatic Sea were quite common.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
