I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 978: The Spearhead Points to England
Shire took the document handed over by Eitzberger and flipped through it. It was the population statistics of Lorraine and Alsace over the years, and they had thoughtfully provided a graph with a curve.
The implication of this was: under the Germans’ rule, the population in both Alsace and Lorraine has steadily increased without any large-scale massacre events.
Shire asked, "Shouldn’t the armies of these two places also be returned?"
Eitzberger suddenly widened his eyes, realizing his oversight!
Yes, after the outbreak of war, Germany conscripted soldiers from these two places and sent them to fight on the Eastern Front.
Sending them to fight on the Western Front was impossible; they were French and had a deep sense of identity with France. They might defect on the battlefield.
Eitzberger turned his gaze to his secretary.
The secretary nervously flipped through the documents, but he didn’t have them, so of course, he couldn’t find them.
"V-very sorry, Vice Admiral." Eitzberger’s forehead was sweating slightly. "We will redeploy the soldiers from these two places to the Western Front at the fastest speed and hand them over to you."
Shire nodded, "Then, let’s discuss the prisoner issues..."
Before Shire could finish speaking, Eitzberger hurriedly replied, "We will release all prisoners of war, French prisoners!"
As long as Shire was willing, all Germans would become his prisoners. Germany certainly didn’t have the courage to detain French prisoners of war.
"Very well," Shire replied, "We will also release the German prisoners, all of them."
Eitzberger was stunned.
Release German prisoners?
All of them?
On the battlefield, Shire captured at least more than a million German soldiers, while the German Army had only captured about thirty thousand French soldiers.
Exchanging thirty thousand prisoners for over a hundred thousand prisoners—either way, it was a bargain!
Eitzberger worried if he heard incorrectly, "You, you really will release all the prisoners, but this..."
"Of course!" Shire replied confidently, "Is there a problem?"
The number of German prisoners was too large, and since Shire had previously promised them "preferential treatment," it had become a burden on France. Shire couldn’t wait to get rid of them sooner.
"No, no, no problem!" Eitzberger quickly shook his head.
"As I said, sir," Shire emphasized, "The German military and civilians are not enemies of France. Now that you have overthrown William II’s dictatorship, we have no reason to hold prisoners."
Shire was taking the opportunity to add a bit of halo to the "International Alliance."
In the future, if Shire saw a country that he didn’t like, he would say it was against their regime, not their citizens.
Then, that country might quickly experience a situation where "citizens and the nation" were divided.
Eitzberger stood up excitedly, holding Shire’s hands tightly:
"Thank you very much, Vice Admiral."
"Indeed, as people praise, you are a true Frenchman."
"We are fortunate to have a general like you leading the ’International Alliance’!"
Eitzberger, as the chairman of the "Armistice Committee," was in a difficult position.
Sticking to principles and reasoning with Shire, Shire might direct armored troops to advance on Berlin the next second.
If he abandoned principles to cater to Shire, he would be accused of being a "traitor" by his countrymen.
Eitzberger once considered giving up this thankless task, but someone had to take the blame.
Now, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as Shire didn’t seem harsh and was even friendly.
However, what was Shire’s intention in doing this?
Was it simply because of the French spirit, as he claimed?
...
Freeman Joint Command.
General Winter addressed Fischer in a condescending manner: "First, we hope you will unconditionally release the prisoners."
Fischer retorted, "Then, how many prisoners do you plan to exchange with us?"
General Winter was taken aback.
England had over 400,000 prisoners in German hands. Although the British Army also had some tens of thousands of German prisoners, they usually handed them over to France for management, so what prisoner exchange was there?
"This is the condition, sir," General Winter emphasized, "I’m not talking about an exchange."
Fischer laughed:
"If I remember correctly, we are still in a state of war, General."
"The British Army is attacking us, even though Germany has changed regimes."
"Do you expect us to return over 400,000 British prisoners and let them pick up guns against us again?"
General Winter snorted coldly, then glanced at Pershing, implying it was time to pressure together.
But Pershing pretended not to see it.
This request was indeed "excessive" in Pershing’s view; it was equivalent to allowing Germans to hand the sword back to their enemies.
No one would be foolish to that extent.
Seeing no response from Pershing, General Winter became furious, his face reddened as he stood up: "Fine, I should perhaps get in touch with Shire."
Fischer shrugged, indicating as you please.
...
Pondiye Fortress, Shire was discussing the control of the Ruhr Region with Eitzberger.
"I have no obsession with the Ruhr Industrial District," Shire spoke casually, as if the Ruhr Industrial District was insignificant to him:
"It is German land, and naturally we should return it to Germany."
"But my allies may not agree, for reasons you know."
Eitzberger nodded deeply, "Yes, of course."
Once the Ruhr Industrial District returned to German hands, Germany would immediately regain its strong combat capability and reinvigorate its war efforts.
This was something that Britain and the United States did not want to see.
As for Shire, he could take over the Ruhr Industrial District once, he could take it over a second, a third time...
"So," Shire reluctantly suggested:
"I suggest your country best let France manage the Ruhr Industrial District."
"One year, two years, or maybe three."
"I will ensure the output of Ruhr and, depending on the situation, provide Germany with necessary armaments."
Eitzberger’s eyes lit up, "Provide Germany with armaments?"
"Of course," Shire replied, "Germany needs weapons for self-defense and also for maintaining public order, don’t you agree?"
"Yes, of course, Vice Admiral!" Eitzberger nodded vigorously.
Heavens, yet another surprise!
At this moment, Shire received a call from General Winter.
"Vice Admiral, I have an ungracious request," General Winter said:
"We are discussing prisoner exchanges with the Germans."
"As you know, France has a large surplus of prisoners."
"Why not exchange your prisoners for British prisoners? After all, we are allies..."
Shire looked regretful, "I’ve just signed documents with Mr. Eitzberger for mutual prisoner release."
This was the truth; the document was right in Eitzberger’s hands.
Glimpsing at the document, Eitzberger suddenly realized that Shire had directed his intentions towards England!
