I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 953: Port of Piraeus
Shire did not agree to the request of Constantine I and showed a troubled expression while remaining silent.
Seeing Shire’s hesitation, Constantine I quickly said, "Vice Admiral, if France is willing to station troops in Greece to contain the British Army, Greece can offer France Piraeus Port and military bases."
(The above image shows the location of Piraeus Port in Greece, an important port connecting the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It is situated among a series of islands surrounding the Aegean Sea, where navies can block the Dardanelles Strait exit, and to the southeast can block the Suez Canal. Its geographical position is extremely important.)
Shire was tempted.
He knew very well that if France, which already controlled Malta, could also establish a base at Piraeus Port, the Mediterranean would become France’s swimming pool.
But Shire remained calm.
"Your Majesty," Shire put on a dignified appearance:
"This is not about ports and military bases. As a member of the ’International League,’ France has an obligation to speak for fairness and justice for all countries."
"Moreover, Greece is also a member of the ’International League.’"
"If we ourselves cannot ensure the fairness and justice of member states, how can we maintain world peace?"
The words needed to be said gloriously and beautifully, so as to place oneself on the moral high ground.
This approach is crucial to the general public and controlling public opinion.
That’s why the United States needed to show a tube of laundry detergent.
Constantine I was stunned by Shire’s words.
What’s going on?
Were the conditions offered not enough?
Could it be that Shire wanted more than just this?
That would be troublesome; Greece lacked resources and military capabilities, and could only offer the geographical position to control the Mediterranean.
He thought about this in his heart and followed Shire’s words, "Vice Admiral, you are right. This is the meaning of establishing the ’International League.’"
The implicit meaning of this sentence is: If you do not resolve Greece’s problem, the ’International League’ loses its purpose, and Greece will be the first to ’leave the group’!
Shire gently nodded:
"But France is also an independent nation, Your Majesty."
"It is neither reasonable nor legal for us to station troops in Greece."
"Think about it, if the French Army could be stationed in Greece with your permission, wouldn’t it also imply that the British could do the same?"
Constantine I, being more educated in military matters than diplomacy, still could not grasp Shire’s meaning.
"But I would not agree, Vice Admiral." Constantine I, anxious, had a slight sweat on his forehead, "I know what the British intend to do, they are supporting Venizelos’s faction against me."
(Note: At the time, Venizelos was the Prime Minister of Greece, who utilized and was utilized by the British, with the British aiding Venizelos to gain power, who upon gaining power, led Greece to abandon neutrality and join the Allies in the war.)
"I know, Your Majesty," Shire spoke more plainly, "I believe this matter should be raised within the ’International League’ for the representatives of various countries to decide. Similarly, the troops stationed in Greece should not be the French Army but the ’League of Nations Army.’"
Constantine I "oh" sighed with sudden realization, then his face lit up with joy, "Understood, Vice Admiral."
After pausing, he asked: "Vice Admiral, you will support the ’International League’s decision, won’t you?"
"Of course," Shire replied, "I have no reason to oppose, including the issue of establishing a military base at Piraeus Port."
Constantine I’s tensed nerves instantly relaxed.
Shire was not just a military genius, Constantine I thought; he was also a master at playing with politics, not on the same level as William II at all.
The beliefs within Constantine I began to crumble; he even felt that his persistence was meaningless, and joining the Allies and fighting alongside France might not be a bad thing after all.
(Note: Constantine I was deeply influenced by Germany during his military training there and idolized William II. This was one reason for his insistence on not joining the Allies in the war.)
...
At the Clyron Hotel, the "International League" convened representatives of various countries for another meeting.
Clemenceau was energetic and dignified, always maintaining a faint smile on his face.
Recently, he spent much more time at the Clyron Hotel than at City Hall, even having his own room there, working late into the night and resting there, continuing work the next day.
Clemenceau felt that showcasing his ’political wisdom’ in front of representatives from various countries was much more satisfying than facing those parliamentarians in City Hall or the parliament.
The folks at the Bourbon Palace, no matter how astounding Shire’s deeds were, always found many faults:
"This is Shire preparing for his dictatorship."
"We must remain vigilant; he is slowly encroaching on parliamentary power."
"Shire’s victories are due to France’s strong army, not his individual efforts!"
...
God, had they forgotten what the so-called ’strong army’ of France was like before Shire?
They even launched a mutiny refusing to fight the Germans.
It was Shire who molded them step by step into an invincible force.
But now, after having such an army, opposition parliamentarians tried to deny Shire’s success and push him aside!
Face reality, you bunch of garbage, Clemenceau internally sneered triumphantly.
This army not only can’t do without Shire but also can’t do without the equipment produced by Shire, who controls everything; he is invincible!
With this confidence, Clemenceau ascended the podium: 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"Gentlemen, ladies."
"Please allow me to summarize the recent achievements of the ’International League’ to the representatives of various countries."
"Firstly, we successfully occupied Saarbrücken, ultimately forcing the German Army to withdraw from Italy."
"Indeed, we successfully prevented a tragedy, a war from occurring."
The representatives applauded, and the Italian representative stood up, raising his hand to salute the surrounding people, accepting their cheers.
Clemenceau continued:
"Secondly, at the request of Romania, we dispatched 100 transport aircraft and 2,000 paratroopers to Romania."
"Though 2,000 paratroopers is not a large number, they are French elite forces capable of parachuting at any point behind the German-Austrian Army, launching attacks."
"Therefore, we have just learned that the German-Austrian Army, intimidated, has ceased attacks."
Clemenceau held up the telegram in his hand.
Applause rang out again, with some shouting approval.
The Romanian representative, a former military man, stood up, saluting the surrounding audience, instantly heightening the atmosphere to a new level.
Sitting in the front row, General Winter quietly conversed with other British representatives:
"This is not good news."
"Shire is crediting the ’International League’ for his deeds."
"In other words, Shire can attribute responsibility to the ’International League,’ making all countries bear it together."
...
