Chapter 958: Providing Protection for Greece
General Winter's guess was correct. Charles gave the credit to the "League of Nations" with the intention of "setting an example for others to learn from".
The occupation of Saarbrücken and the rescue of Romania were clearly done by Charles leading the French army, but he "donated" them to the "League of Nations".
The purpose of doing this is, firstly, to establish the authority of the "League of Nations" and let everyone know that the "League of Nations" is not an organization without execution power.
On the other hand, no matter what Charles does in the future, he can transform himself into a "multinational force" under the banner of the "League of Nations" and become the embodiment of justice and fairness.
Clemenceau continued: "The third thing..."
He stretched out his voice and paused for a while, which was to keep the audience in suspense and wait for the representatives to quiet down.
The representatives were confused.
I've only done two things recently, Italy and Romania, and the third thing?
Why have you never heard of it?
Even if there is a third thing, it’s not a big deal!
Clemenceau and other representatives gathered enough curiosity, and then they mysteriously revealed the answer:
"Gentlemen, we have succeeded in bringing Russia back into the Allied Powers."
"Yes, you heard it right. It is the Russia that just experienced the 'February Revolution'."
"They are still in chaos, but under the persuasion of the 'League of Nations' they expressed their willingness to stand by our side and continue fighting!"
This is no small matter; it is a great achievement.
It surprised everyone. No one expected that the "League of Nations" would have such great power that it could bring Russia back to the Allies and rejoin the war.
So much so that the representatives couldn't believe it.
Even General Winter and the British representatives were stunned; they also didn't know about this.
The next second General Winter understood: this was Charles's work, and only he had the ability to convince Russia to join the war, relying on his relationship with Brusinov.
There were also some representatives who understood this, and they communicated with each other through eye contact without revealing their thoughts.
Then, warm applause rang out in the conference room again.
The "League of Nations" was stable, at least to the outside world, because other countries believed that it could make Russia "obey."
Before the applause completely died down, the Greek representative could not wait to stand up and speak:
“Dear Chairman, fellow delegates.”
"It is well known that Greece has always wanted to remain a neutral country and did not want to be involved in this war."
“The results were beyond our expectations.”
“Greece became a battlefield, with Allied and German troops facing off on the Thessaloniki Line.”
"We have no objection to the current situation. It is caused by many factors and cannot be simply attributed to any one country."
"So we are not asking for the French troops to withdraw from Greece, nor are we asking for the British troops to withdraw from Greece."
The whole audience was in an uproar, even General Winter and the British representatives were surprised.
What's going on in Greece?
Not long ago, its demand was that all troops, including German troops, should not enter Greece.
Of course, the key is the British Army.
The French troops have agreed to withdraw.
Greece is pro-German, and there is no need for the German army to enter Greece and cause tensions between the two sides.
The most troublesome thing was the British troops who were unwilling to withdraw.
Only Clemenceau understood what was going on. He had already talked to Charles and knew what was going on.
It was impossible to ask the British army to withdraw from Greece, which meant that all its operations in Greece would be in vain and might also allow the German army to gain control of Greece's Mediterranean geographical location.
Since this cannot be done, we should retreat in order to advance, and try our best to keep Greece under a state of "protection", a "double protection" from both the public opinion and military aspects.
Amid everyone's surprised looks, the Greek representative continued:
"Ladies and gentlemen."
"The harsh reality is that the Allies and the Central Powers fighting on Greek soil inevitably led to a humanitarian disaster."
"I mean the toll that war takes on civilians, and the problems of security, order and law enforcement that arise from the large number of soldiers entering Greece."
"Based on this, I request the League of Nations to send the League of Nations to provide protection for Greece."
After hearing this, the representatives understood Greece’s intention: to use the "League of Nations" to ensure that the Greek regime would not be overthrown by Britain.
General Winter's face gradually became gloomy, which was obviously directed at Britain.
"I think the League of Nations should not interfere in Greece." General Winter stood up angrily.
He believed that he should do something, otherwise Britain's dignity would be trampled under the feet of this group of small countries and its prestige would be destroyed.
“Really?” Clemenceau raised his hand toward General Winter. “What do you think?”
General Winter hesitated. He had not thought of a reason to object, and the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.
At the critical moment, the embassy military attaché Tonys, who was sitting next to General Winter, stood up and answered on his behalf:
"Because there are Allied troops stationed in Greece."
"As you all know, the French Army and the British Army are both members of the League of Nations."
“We fought the Germans in Greece to protect Greece from German aggression.”
There were a few laughs in the conference room, and everyone knew that this was not the case.
The Greek representative's eyes were filled with anger. "Guarantee that Greece will not be invaded by Germany"? They are supporting the opposition to overthrow the Greek regime!
General Winter went on:
"That's right."
"There is no humanitarian crisis in Greece, France and Britain can guarantee that."
"And Greece also has its own police and army, which can ensure its own security and order."
"Think about it, if we send a 'coalition of nations' to provide protection for Greece, then Greece will have troops from many countries, which will inevitably cause unnecessary chaos."
The venue burst into laughter again.
General Winter was asked: "So the General wants Greece to have its own police and army?"
Winter was stunned. Isn't it?
Thomas whispered, "General, the British government requires the Greek army to disarm and obey British command."
General Winter immediately realized that he was wrong, but he remained calm:
"Of course, Greece can have its own police and army."
"But in order to avoid unnecessary conflict, it is reasonable for us to ask its troops to temporarily disarm."
"This does not affect their ability to maintain domestic order..."
Clemenceau could no longer listen and interrupted General Winter:
"But the French are leaving Greece, General, just as we promised."
"In the future it may be that only British troops will remain in Greece."
"Do you think the British Army can guarantee the safety of Greece?"
General Winter gritted his teeth and said, "Without a doubt."
Even he himself did not believe what he said, and there was a sudden booing in the conference room.
The Greek representatives looked indignant and helpless. They did not even dare to over-provoke the British representatives, lest they become angry and do something even more extreme in Greece.
Clemenceau raised his hand and said, "Then let us vote on this matter, whether to send the 'League of Nations' to provide protection for Greece."
The representatives cheered loudly.
General Winter and the British representatives looked at each other.
If we vote under this trend, Britain will definitely lose!
(End of this chapter)
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