256

Episode 256: Tug of war (9)

Wallace seemed to have felt a strong shock from the reality that even though his country's army and the British army joined forces, the war situation did not improve but was pushed back.

Otherwise, there's no way he would offer to negotiate with me, the leader of the fascists he hates so much.

"It looks like the Yankee boss has finally decided to talk."

Goebbels said, smiling like the devil. Then, as always, he continued to flatter his lips.

"Isn't this all the result of His Excellency the President's excellent leadership? "If it weren't for the genius command of His Excellency the Fuhrer-"

"I'm done flattering you. But it seems like the US president still has no sense of reality. A cease-fire was declared and prisoners were exchanged during the negotiations. "I'm so dumbfounded."

Now let's put down our guns and resolve this through dialogue. It's not too late, but we can still get past this point.

But let's declare a ceasefire for two weeks and exchange prisoners? Stop all offensive actions in the Atlantic?

Who do you know with Bingdari hot pants? Did you really think I would accept these conditions?

And it was ridiculous that they proposed negotiations to us now. When I said I wanted to negotiate before, he didn't seem to listen, so he thought, 'Oh, I guess I lost this game,' so now he's asking me, 'I don't like you, but I'll still talk.'

An iron plate was placed on the face properly.

I was annoyed at how shameless it was, but negotiations with the United States were still worth considering.

As I have said before, if the United States seriously attacks us, we will be in trouble. Fortunately, the will of Americans regarding the war against Germany is still weak.

We must not forget that the United States is a country where one factory in Pittsburgh produces more steel than the entire steel production of the country.

"Tell them that there will be negotiations, but there will be no armistice or prisoner exchange. "Because we have nothing to regret."

"I understand, Mr. President."

Ribbentrop wrote a reply to the United States in a polite handwriting that made readers feel less uncomfortable.

Surprisingly, Wallace inquired about the date and location of the negotiations, perhaps because he felt fortunate that we had shown a willingness to negotiate even though his requests had not been accepted.

After two rounds of consultation, Portugal was chosen as the location for the negotiations.

Portugal is a neutral country, but it only speaks of neutrality; it leases its ports and islands to the German army and is armed with German-made weapons, so it is difficult to consider it a completely neutral country.

Nevertheless, the United States agreed to designate the Portuguese port city of Porto as the venue for negotiations, perhaps because it believed that Portugal was better than Switzerland or Italy, which were equally neutral countries.

Maybe it was because Portugal was closer to the United States than Switzerland or Italy.

If this speculation is true, it would mean that the United States is very immersed in these negotiations.

I mentioned this to Ribbentrop and told him that it was okay to go hard on the U.S. side.

We had to show that we were the one holding the sword so that the Americans would not look down on us.

"Don't worry. When has Ribbentrop ever disappointed the Fuhrer? This time too, we will definitely bring results that meet the expectations of His Excellency the President."

Ribbentrop, with his neck as stiff as Zara, boarded the Ju290 bound for Portugal.

***

July 29, 1943

porto portugal

Churchill, who was told by Wallace to sit at the negotiating table with Germany, initially expressed strong resistance.

However, he soon agreed to send Eden to Portugal, probably because he agreed with Wallace's statement that negotiations with Germany were inevitable given the current state of the war.

The United States sent Leland Burnett Morris, the current U.S. ambassador to Iceland and former acting U.S. ambassador to Germany, to Portugal.

"how are you?"

"long time no see."

"Ha ha ha ha ha."

Both Maurice and Ethan had met Ribbentrop in the past, so the three exchanged awkward greetings in Porto.

After diplomatic greetings and superficial smiles were exchanged, the three immediately entered into negotiations.

As the fierce battle continued on the front line, Maurice and Eden could not waste even a minute.

On the other hand, Ribbentrop had a more relaxed attitude than the other two.

"So, who will speak first?"

"You two please speak first. "I will speak after listening to the two of you."

"There's no need to… … ."

After a bit of a scuffle over politeness and formality, Maurice was the first to speak.

Negotiations between the US and UK have already been concluded. Therefore, Morris's words were Eden's position as well.

Maurice cleared his throat and spoke about the demands he had prepared.

-Germany has the right to station 20,000 troops in southern England. However, all troops except this will be withdrawn. The United States will also withdraw its troops from the UK.

-The UK will remain a permanently neutral country and will reduce its armed forces to 100,000, including the army, navy and air force.

-If Germany accepts the above conditions, the United States will not spare any support for Germany's post-war economic recovery and will provide various benefits.

"… … That is all."

After finishing speaking, Maurice took a gulp of water. She tried to control her breathing, her throat burning even as she spoke.

The two waited nervously for Ribbentrop to speak. How will Ribbentrop react?

First of all, there was little change in his outward expression.

"Do you really think we will accept the above conditions?"

Ribbentrop's answer was as cold as his tone.

"Our defense forces have now reached Manchester and Liverpool. Half of England is ours. But now, if everything were to return to nothingness, what should we answer? On the other hand, if your country has marched all the way to Hanover and Nuremberg and we propose to return to our pre-war borders, would you accept it?"

When Ribbentrop took the attitude that listening any further would be a waste of time, Eden became impatient and spoke.

"Of course, this is only a condition on our side. Now, tell us about Germany's demands."

"Hmm."

Ribbentrop, who remembered what the Fuhrer had said, decided to continue the meeting.

This meeting was worthwhile just to find out how far the United States and Britain could retreat.

"Our German requirements are simple. British ports and cities would be transferred to Germany, German troops would be allowed to station them, and Britain would have to bear the costs of stationing German troops."

"… … ."

Ribbentrop is not finished speaking yet. This is only the beginning.

As the combination of words coming out of Ribbentrop's mouth continued, the faces of Maurice and Eden became more rotten.

-Britain will repay $100 billion in gold within 25 years as a sign of repentance for causing war against Germany.

-Britain will transfer all its colonies to the Axis powers. He also gave up ownership of Gibraltar and Cyprus.

-Cedory of Northern Ireland to Ireland and no claim to ownership thereafter.

-Return Greenland and Iceland, occupied by Britain and the United States, to their original owners, Denmark. And pay compensation separately to Denmark.

"Finally, Churchill, the person who started the war, and key figures responsible for the war should be punished by holding a joint trial between the Axis and Allied powers. That is Germany's demand. If the above demands are accepted, Germany is also willing to agree to the terms of the US and UK."

"her… … ."

As Ribbentrop finished speaking, sighs flowed from both of their mouths. Oh my god.

"Is this a condition that makes sense? "Isn't this the winner's demand?"

Ethan shouted as if he were having a fit.

The idea of putting Churchill on trial and punishing him was a problem, but it also meant that key figures responsible for the war included Eden himself.

It was he who agreed with Churchill's hard-line policy against Germany and was appointed foreign minister by Churchill, who became prime minister.

"Please calm down. This is only a condition on our part and is not mandatory. "Isn't this event set up to reconcile differences of opinion?"

"Anyway, I can never accept the last agenda. "This is a serious provocation against the British Empire."

Eden fired back in an angry tone, but Ribbentrop didn't even blink.

A toothless tiger could run rampant. If it weren't for the support of the United States, the man who would have signed the surrender document by now can't help but shout... … .

"Greenland and Iceland are incredibly important places not only for the UK but also for the United States. But returning this area is a bit... … ."

As Maurice trailed off, Ribbentrop asked in awe.

"To begin with, those two places were rightfully Danish territory. Of course, it must be returned to the original owner. "But who are you saying that you can't give it back as you please?"

What Morris said was the official position of the United States and Britain.

Iceland and Greenland, located between the United States and the United Kingdom, served as gateways from North America to Europe and from Europe to North America.

Because Germany had already fortified the Azores Islands in the middle of the Atlantic, the United States had to circle the Atlantic to send landless supplies and troops to Britain. If these two regions fell to the Axis powers again, Britain would be surrounded on both sides. Manda.

There was no way Denmark, which had lost these regions to Britain twice, would leave these two regions alone after the war.

Denmark and Germany, which supported Denmark, would undoubtedly fortify Greenland and Iceland, and in the worst case, there was concern that they would use those regions as a stepping stone to attempt an invasion of North America.

Therefore, Washington's ministers and generals unanimously declared that Greenland and Iceland could never be returned.

"Then what do you want to do? Doesn't this mean we should continue the war?"

"Of course I don't intend to do that. However, for the safety of United States citizens, returning Greenland and Iceland is not possible. "I would rather have the United States government buy these two places."

Since I can't return it, I'd rather sell it. I will pay.

Ribbentrop was dumbfounded. But Maurice's expression was very serious.

In history, it was very common to purchase territory with money.

Alaska alone was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, and in 1917, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies from Denmark for $25 million and renamed it the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Therefore, Morris's proposal to purchase Greenland and Iceland was not completely out of the blue.

***

-Nonsense! This can never, ever happen, and it should not happen!

"Of course I understand. "Would you think differently about me?"

I knew it would be like this.

When the United States demanded the purchase of Greenland and Iceland as one of the conditions of the negotiation, Ribbentrop informed me of this, and I relayed this news to King Christian X.

Naturally, King Christian X went crazy, foaming at the mouth.

It's understandable that he reacts like that.

In the midst of the British guys getting angry because they hit first, twice, and the United States, which is assisting the British in occupying its own territory, says that they can't return it and that they will buy it with money, will they accept it as a customer or get a double insult?

No matter how much money is paid, this is a matter of national pride.

Even if Denmark sells it to the United States for a high price, it will be a virtual defeat for Denmark.

I relayed Christian X's reaction to Ribbentrop. Ribbentrop also responded that he knew that Denmark would throw a fit.

"Still, the Iceland and Greenland issues are not Germany's issues, so let's put them off until later and agree on the issues that can be agreed upon."

-All right.

I should leave the negotiation issues to experts in this field and do my own thing.

The Liverpool and Manchester strategy is now in its final stages.

The Allied forces were retreating, and the Luftwaffe was raining bombs on the heads of the retreating Allied forces every day.

According to reports from the field, the Allied forces retreated, leaving behind a large amount of supplies as they were only trying to escape.

It was the miserable reality of those who were deprived of air superiority.

Unlike Göring and Richthofen, who puffed out their chests with proud faces, Brauchitsch looked like he had something to say.

"Is there something wrong?"

"It's about civilians in the UK."

"I understand you are getting along quite well with the British people?"

"That's true, but the problem is that the number of people sabotaging our troops is increasing. "There are reports that this is because the front-line units are being governed too leniently."

"Sabotage has increased due to too lenient governance. "How does it sound like you're telling me to listen to you?"

Brauchitsch's body was visible to flinch. It's just me, but I guess Brauchitch didn't think so.

"Seo, is that really possible? In any case, the front-line commanders were just saying it as it was and it was not an expression of dissatisfaction with His Excellency the President's instructions. Anyway."

"Well, anyway, there are many soldiers who think that they were trying to appease the enemy and keep the enemy's deception alive. "Isn't this what you mean?"

"… … "I think there is a need to at least listen to the opinions of front-line commanders regarding the disposition of those arrested for sabotage."

They're crawling around because we've been watching them too much, so let's take a proper look at this.

"Not only our troops, but also our allies who are responsible for maintaining security in the rear are suffering from sabotage by the British. "Even if we don't burn down the cities and villages where the British people live, we need to at least show them a clear example of what happens if they do something stupid."

"Well, just whipping them is a problem, but giving them carrots only makes their habits worse. "Then, I will delegate this matter to the general."

"Yes, Mr. President."

***

"I have just received the opinion of the Danish authorities through my home country. Denmark vehemently refused, saying it could not hand over its territory under any circumstances."

The talks resumed, but the situation itself did not change compared to yesterday.

Maurice sighed and Ethan just stared at the table with a stern expression.

"We just need to return the land to the original owners. "That shouldn't be that difficult, right?"

"After the war, Germany's deployment of troops and weapons in Greenland and Iceland would pose a significant threat to the security of the United States. "The return of Greenland and Iceland is impossible unless at least Germany and Denmark promise not to deploy armed forces."

"Huh, does that make sense? "Aren't you saying we should sit back and allow Greenland and Iceland to be reoccupied by your attacks?"

Ribbentrop responded in an annoyed voice.

At the same time, he had an intuition. It is impossible to end this war diplomatically.