Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 208

Chapter 208: Each to Their Own Survival (4)
“General, so has Clemenceau gotten together with the island nation?”

“…It’s a choice for security. The purpose is preventing such tragedy.”

“Already struggling to keep existing colonies after this war yet desperate to swallow more? Look here, General Foch. Even after seeing that state while serving as chairman, you still don’t understand?”

Though his counterpart seemed flustered by his sudden change in attitude, Kokovtsov didn’t mind.

Because already.

“We are no longer allies, I tell you. Why don’t you understand that?”

The Franco-Russian Alliance had long been destroyed.

“In three months, naval delegations will return from all ports. The naval treaty of ’13 will become void and staff won’t meet anymore. You were always hasty. Desperate and impatient. Yes, you talked about alliance but had no trust. So all you could do was bark at us throughout the 4 years of war.”

A truly direct and scathing criticism.

“Don’t misunderstand. We haven’t abandoned you. You chose Britain over Russia. And I respect that.”

“…”

“But just respect, don’t mistake that for understanding.”

Though the peoples’ feelings may still be close.

Though it’s regrettable to waste the long history of cooperation and unity.

“We are clearly strangers now.”

The alliance is over.

In fact, this alliance may have ended long ago.

From the moment the Russian military felt betrayed by the Anglo-French forces, and they started pushing all the war onto Russia.

“So go argue with Britain who claims to be the guardian of balance. Ask them to butcher Germany and put it in France’s mouth.”

After spitting it out cleanly, not even any emotion remained.

Rather, he felt sorry for Foch who could only stand there silently ruminating on the conversation without any rebuttal.

Thus the relationship was settled.

“I’ll go first.”

America, Russia, Britain.

If, as Foch claims, Germany’s survival directly connects to France’s destruction, then no country among the Big Four can save France.

Though Kokovtsov didn’t feel it as he turned and left after pouring everything out.

‘I, what have I…’

Those words were like a death sentence to Foch.

==

“I hear you had it out with General Foch? I heard everything.”

“News travels fast. We just had a brief chat.”

“Come on, the rumor’s already spread. They say Foch’s rampaging stopped after meeting you, Prime Minister.”

Originally, the primary purpose of the treaty the Allied nations gathered in Paris wanted to impose on Germany was ‘military shackles’.

Subsequently, economic issues including reparations were strictly speaking bound to be pushed back compared to military treaties.

As a result, this negotiation venue had to show the unprecedented sight of three groups – soldiers, politicians, and experts – mixing by country.

And among the Russian delegation’s military officers was Roman.

“Don’t you have work to do? Not busy?”

“My role is just crossing my arms and nodding during meetings. What do I care if the troop limit is 200,000 or 100,000? Just need to make sure food is taken care of.”

“Tsk, why did the Tsar send you…”

Though clicking his tongue while glaring, Kokovtsov knew what he knew.

Roman, the hero of the Russo-Japanese War, had become king of the east in 4 years.

War fanatic.

German army crusher.

General who won both trench warfare and attrition warfare.

However, unlike his stylish public reputation, the man before him looked just like a playboy full of hot air.

“Still, yesterday, I never thought Ferdinand Foch would actually accept Rhineland demilitarization. He didn’t seem like someone who would ever put down his gun after the war.”

“There must have been internal discussions.”

“It’s more than that. Doesn’t this mean they’re already viewing the Rhineland only for ‘economic purposes’? Though I don’t know much about internal affairs, without Rhineland armament, France’s deterrence against Germany is essentially greatly lost.”

“I suppose if they don’t at least hold the Rhineland, France’s economy will fall faster.”

The countless no man’s lands created during continued trench warfare.

The Zone Rouge (Red Zone) created in French territory from those no man’s lands gathering together reaches 1,200 square kilometers.

Zone Rouge, land completely destroyed and difficult for humans to ever use again.

Land so extremely polluted and devastated that farming is impossible and factories can’t be built.

Within that wide area lie countless unexploded shells, mines, rusted ammunition, grenades, and corpses.

Naturally it’s difficult to expect even a single tree to grow healthy, and it’s covered in harmful substances like lead, mercury, chlorine, and arsenic.

“They accepted demilitarization because they need to eat up the Rhineland just to extend their life.”

“That’s what I mean. If the Rhineland is a nutritional supplement, demilitarization is like putting an expiration date on this supplement.”

With a 15-year occupation period limit attached and demilitarization conditions added, those shackles will inevitably be released after 15 years.

“That Foch accepted this. Those politician bastards might not know, but a man like Ferdinand Foch must know. Without the Rhineland, ultimately nothing changes from before the war. France still can’t defeat Germany going forward.”

“Won’t Britain they’re so proud of protect them?”

“Is that why Belgium ended up like that?”

“…”

Belgium, perhaps a more ruined country than France.

That country that proclaimed neutrality believing Britain’s words of protection, only to fall within a month of war breaking out.

“Asquith promised Clemenceau to join within two months if war breaks out again. Hmm, those two months. A truly ambiguous period.”

The past Franco-Russian Alliance demanded participation within 16 days, practically taking less than a week.

“What are you trying to say?”

“What I know, Foch must know too. Yet he accepted. Add France’s situation and their proud grand army’s disarmament is inevitable, and extreme division is clear as day with the end of the national unity cabinet. Yet Foch left this be.”

“What can a mere general do in a republic?”

“That’s what I mean.”

Though Roman wasn’t someone with political insight close to Kuropatkin’s, he could recognize this level of error.

Kokovtsov too immediately caught what Roman was trying to say.

“Either he’s given up.”

“Or there’s something.”

“Knowing Ferdinand Foch, I’d bet on the latter.”

Though understanding Roman’s argument, Kokovtsov didn’t believe a single person could break the big framework.

“Even so.”

“Well, he’s someone we need to watch.”

Roman hoping inwardly.

Kokovtsov skeptical.

Who was right would have to be seen.