I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 905: International Alliance

The Minister of Military Supplies sneered coldly, provocatively nodding towards Shire on the stage:

"A very good idea, Vice Admiral."

"But there’s a problem, how do you plan to maintain order?"

"I mean, if the laws of this organization deem a country’s actions unreasonable, yet it ignores it?"

The applause gradually faded away.

The words of the Minister of Military Supplies, though incendiary, held some truth.

Domestic order within a country is enforced by police and military; does Shire’s organization, above nations, have police or military to enforce it?

Even if it does, can it enforce anything against a behemoth like England?

If not, what meaning do the laws and order of this organization have?

The guests discussed amongst themselves:

"We could form an international force to guarantee order."

"That’s unrealistic; the components of this force would still obey their respective countries."

"Then, we could let France ensure order."

"That’s not right either; our purpose is to eliminate war, yet the result is giving France the power to attack other countries at will."

These remarks sent shivers down the guests’ spines, France attacking other countries at will?

By then, the entire European continent would likely be in the hands of just one man, Shire!

The Minister of Military Supplies exchanged a proud gaze with Baker, with a tone of disdain: "Just a beautiful wish, after all, just a young man!"

"Indeed." Baker agreed: "President Wilson had similar thoughts, but deemed them unrealistic, and even if this organization was established, its impact would be very limited."

Then, people once again focused their attention on Shire.

Unfazed, Shire responded:

"This organization does not need an army, gentlemen."

"Even if an army were formed, it probably wouldn’t be effective."

"Because we cannot possibly have the French Army crusade against France, I mean if one day France was judged ’unreasonable’ and needed to be restrained."

The guests laughed; this was exactly what they were thinking.

Then the guests felt strange, if this organization lacks even an army, and certainly no police, isn’t it merely a formality?

A country condemned could totally disregard it.

At this time, Shire provided an answer:

"We can constrain through economic and material means, resources closely related to war, such as energy and steel."

"If one day, France does something judged as ’unreasonable,’ then the organization can unite to implement a coal and steel embargo against France."

"We know coal and steel are crucial strategic resources; without them, it’s difficult for France to expand the scale of war, thus the organization would have a restraining effect."

Finally, Shire added:

"France welcomes oversight from all countries. I hereby declare that France is committed to creating an international community without war, without suffering, and without oppression."

"Please believe, France does this as a form of ’self-restraint,’ just as I voluntarily granted freedom to French colonies."

"Of course, there’s another reason; I’m worried the colonies might unite and deal with me!"

The guests laughed at Shire’s words; in matters of war, Shire needed to fear no country, much less worry about French colonies.

Then the conference room erupted in enthusiastic applause, wave after wave, with many guests excitedly standing up to clap with both hands raised, and some couldn’t help but go up to embrace Shire.

A perfect General, his thoughts were not of war or victory, even though he could achieve it.

Unlike others, he thought of peace, of order, of the amicable coexistence of all humanity.

Some were moved to tears, believing Shire had drafted a new order, with the potential to lead countries worldwide to a better future.

Though the process might be filled with twists and difficulties, it at least pointed humanity to a target and proposed a feasible plan.

Clemenceau was pleased with this.

If Shire’s plan received the support of various countries, France would undoubtedly become a core member state, and as Prime Minister, he would gain immense prestige internationally.

This is the benefit of following Shire.

He always throws a surprise out of the blue!

The Minister of Military Supplies and the U.S. Secretary of War had dark expressions.

The Minister of Military Supplies was worried about the organization Shire spoke of; he could disregard its army, ignore its condemnations, but if European countries united to impose a coal and iron embargo on England, that would not be trivial.

Moreover, there was oil, or other materials, which might even extend to British colonies.

By then, would England not be isolated by these countries?

This impact wasn’t just on military materials but was also a long-term economic "encirclement."

So yes, such an organization indeed has a restraining effect, far more effective than military deterrence!

The U.S. Secretary of War did not like this sight; he knew this concept should have been raised by the United States. Wilson had already prepared the "Fourteen Points for Peace."

He planned to propose it the moment Germany was utterly defeated and forced to surrender.

One point was: "To establish a global international organization with the primary goals of maintaining world peace and security."

(Note: The full name of the organization is the ’International League,’ abbreviated as "International League," conceived by U.S. President Wilson in 1918 and officially established in 1920, the forerunner of the United Nations)

But of course, the United States wasn’t so noble wanting to "maintain world peace," it was merely a crucial strategy for the U.S. to gain the high ground of public opinion and become the world hegemon.

Baker glanced furtively at the Minister of Military Supplies.

This fool still didn’t realize that Shire’s aim wasn’t for justice in Greece.

Greece was just the first step; then Shire would gradually pull England down from the number one spot in the world.

Britain, this colonial power, would be used by Shire as an example of disrupting world peace, as his stepping stone, helping France step by step onto the stage of a superpower!

Shire noticed the expressions of the Minister of Military Supplies and the Secretary of War, but Shire didn’t care.

He enjoyed seeing their looks of wanting to kill him yet being helpless.

What could they argue against?

Not wishing for world peace?

Hoping countries would be in chaos so they could fish in troubled waters?

Or, as before, acting wantonly with their own interests as the center?

England in this period did its share of ’unreasonable’ things.

Forcing troops into Greece was just one; in the direction of the North Sea, it forcibly controlled the ports of neutral countries like Holland and Sweden for inspections, even using mines to blockade them.

As long as a country did not follow England’s command, England claimed, "To prevent Germany from acquiring resources, we have the right to sink them."

These actions were undoubtedly acts of war.

But under the pressure of England’s mighty navy, the neutral countries dared to be angry but not to speak.

Now, Shire stood up and called out: Join the organization, allow France to seek justice for you, provide you with protection, and uphold fairness for you.

Of course, there’s a price.

One day, when France becomes the "sole correct truth," it will be the moment France acts at its discretion.