I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 858: Shire Beat Them to It

The White House in Washington, President’s Office.

President Wilson is discussing the "Fourteen Points Peace Program" with his secretary.

Wilson is well aware of the importance of this peace program. On the surface, it seems like just a document, a call for peace and the interest of all humanity. However, the ensuing strategies, tactics, and measures are related to the future of the United States.

"The outdated weapons withdrawn from the battlefield should not be destroyed." Wilson pointed into the void: "We also need to purchase a large amount of obsolete weapons on the Western Front, especially light equipment."

The secretary asked in confusion: "But most of that equipment is hardly usable, Mr. President, even if repaired, it may easily malfunction."

"Don’t worry." Wilson smiled: "They are not meant for our use."

The secretary instantly understood that the President was preparing to support the colonies.

Brilliant means, the secretary praised inwardly.

The people of the colonies wouldn’t care about the quality of the weapons; as long as they have guns in their hands, it’s enough.

And these guns are British-style, French-style, and at the time the British and French would only think that the colonies secretly kept them from the war, not suspecting the United States.

Then by coordinating "self-determination" and foreign aid efforts, the British and French would become deeply entangled in the colonial wars.

(Note: The foreign aid program is the predecessor of the U.S. Agency for International Development)

And not just Britain and France, but also Russia, Italy, Holland, and other European countries.

Times are changing.

Not long ago, colonies were still symbols of power for many countries, providing substantial manpower and wealth to the major powers.

Who would have thought, soon these colonies would not only fail to bring them wealth but would become burdens, leaving them overwhelmed.

While the United States will watch as European countries fall into chaos, seizing the opportunity with its strong industrial power to quickly surpass others and become a superpower!

At this moment, Kriel, the head of the Public Intelligence Committee, opened the door, looking panicked and called out: "Mr. President, may I speak with you?"

(Above picture: George Kriel, a senior journalist, is well-versed in guiding and controlling public opinion, and is a close confidant of Wilson)

(Above picture: George Kriel [far right] and his Public Intelligence Committee, abbreviated CPI, established a week after the U.S. declared war. It is a wartime propaganda agency, shaping public opinion through campaigns and issuing a large volume of press releases and advertisements to influence opinions)

Wilson nodded, giving the secretary a signal to pause.

The secretary understood, put away the notebook, stood up, and courteously departed.

In this aspect, Wilson is very cautious. He believes unnecessary people shouldn’t be aware of matters outside their scope of work, even though Kriel is a close confidant.

However, he immediately realized that those things he deemed as "secret," elevated even to "strategic" levels, had become worthless.

"Mr. President." Kriel quickly stepped forward and handed a document to Wilson:

"My department has maintained close contact with the European front. Guess what I heard?"

"Shire unexpectedly proposed ’freedom’, ’equality’, and ’fraternity’ slogans to the Colonial Army."

"Even more puzzling, the French Government supported this approach, saying it’s the French spirit, always and everywhere correct, including for the colonial people."

Wilson froze on the spot, only reacting after a while. He looked at Kriel and then the document:

"No, this can’t be!"

"France has its colonies, even areas several times the size of its home territory."

"At this point, France needs its colonies; doing so is effectively self-destruction for France..."

Kriel interrupted Wilson: "But they have already done this."

Wilson anxiously stood up, pacing before the desk, muttering to himself: "Something must have gone wrong; they have no reason to do this."

Then he paused, turned to Kriel, and raised the document in his hand: "Are you sure? This isn’t just Shire’s impromptu decision?"

Kriel gently shook his head:

"At first, I thought so too. It might be just Shire’s personal action, especially since the supplies he sent to the Colonial Army soldiers are personal assets."

"I even believed such behavior wouldn’t last because the British and French capitalists feared such a scene appearing."

"However, French Prime Minister Clemenceau and Minister of the Army General Gallieni have respectively issued statements supporting Shire’s approach, saying that the materials ’donated’ by Shire to the Colonial Army would be borne by France."

"They claim this is the glory of France."

This completely changes its nature; it has become a national act instead of Shire’s personal "saintly complex."

Just that the initiative was started by Shire, most of the fame would fall on Shire.

Wilson was pained as if he had swallowed a fly.

All this was supposed to be his, for the United States!

He would stand at the pinnacle of the world, receiving cheers from all humanity. His proposals would be recorded in history, and the United States would gain prestige, eventually becoming a super strong nation.

But now everything has turned to bubbles, with France taking the lead, risking "destroying its own advantage."

Have those French politicians seen the benefits and prospects of doing so?

Impossible, those short-sighted individuals, they even used high-interest loans and stocks to deceive citizens out of their money.

Such foolish people, consuming government credibility to gain wealth, cannot possibly see the benefits of "common human interest."

It’s Shire, it must be Shire!

He saw the weakness in the colonial policy, the dangers in Europe, even seeing through America’s intentions.

"What about the French capitalists?" Wilson asked. "How did they react? Did no one oppose Shire’s approach?"

Wilson knew France had a colonial consortium, holding most of the colony’s resources.

And Shire’s approach touched the interests of the colonial consortium, so they wouldn’t likely go unchallenged.

Yet Kriel answered:

"Mr. President, almost everyone supports Shire."

"French citizens, and the colonial people, even domestic capitalists."

"The colonial consortium dares not voice much opposition; otherwise, they might be targeted by the colonial people..."

Wilson was momentarily speechless, not anticipating this.

After thinking, it’s understandable; the colonial consortium rose to wealth by exploiting the colonies, relying on the suppression and intimidation by the French Army.

If they lost the support of the French Army, yet openly challenged Shire’s "equality" and "fraternity," they might swiftly find themselves hung by angry colonial people!