I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 979: Reparations

Freeman Joint Command.

The Anglo-American-German trio tacitly skipped over agreements that couldn’t be reached, moving negotiations into the most crucial phase of discussing reparations.

General Winter asked Fisher with a stern face, "So, how much compensation do you intend to pay for this war?"

He had a hunch this wouldn’t be smooth either; the Germans don’t seem to believe they’re defeated, at least not in front of the Anglo-Americans.

Fisher, with a hint of provocation, retorted, "I want to know how much compensation you hope we will pay."

General Winter took out a plan from his briefcase and placed it in front of Fisher: "Here is the investment and losses we’ve made for the war. Since Germany is responsible, it should be borne by you, don’t you agree?"

Fisher took the document and flipped through it. It listed a large array of data, including material investments, lost ships, and soldiers’ pensions.

Impatiently skipping to the end, his eyes widened at the amount: $13 billion for England, $10 billion for the United States.

(Note: Historically, the reparations were $33 billion, and the Minister of Military Supplies believed the $10 billion for France should be negotiated by Shire himself, hence it was deducted.)

After a while, Fisher started laughing, but his smile gradually froze when he turned his gaze to Pershing.

He knew what England intended: to pull the United States in with reparations.

If the United States stood firmly with England for this compensation and attacked with full force, even if Shire and France withdrew from the fight, Germany would struggle to cope.

Would the United States do it?

Highly likely!

Because $10 billion of England’s $13 billion is meant to repay American loans.

In other words, if the United States doesn’t join the fight and lets England fend for itself, ultimately failing to secure reparations, it would lose $20 billion!

No one can remain indifferent in front of such an enormous sum.

Fisher hesitated for a while, then replied in a solemn voice, "We need some time to consider."

General Winter was very pleased with Fisher’s reaction and smiled, "Of course, Your Excellency!"

If Germany could compensate this amount, everything else would be irrelevant, including the prisoners of war held by the Germans.

...

Fisher’s telegram was relayed layer by layer until it reached Eitzberger at Pondisai Castle.

Eitzberger was shocked by the figures, looking at his secretary in disbelief: "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Kurt affirmed, "I have verified it, these are indeed the reparation amounts proposed by Anglo-America."

Eitzberger’s face turned pale instantly. If the reparations proposed by Anglo-America were such astronomical figures, then the compensation demanded by France would undoubtedly be substantial.

Not only substantial, but possibly even more.

Because France exerted the most effort and had the most say; it held Germany’s life and death.

If Anglo-America demanded over $10 billion, France demanding over $20 billion or even $30 billion would not be excessive.

Germany, having just endured a war, could hardly afford this sum!

The provisional German government was on the verge of collapse due to various crises upon its formation. If agreeing to this "astronomical compensation," not only would the provisional government face severe criticism, but he, the "Armistice Committee Chairman," would also become the target of citizens’ outrage.

Shire saw Eitzberger and his secretary’s expressions were off and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"No, no problem, Vice Admiral." Eitzberger quickly responded.

He hesitated, contemplating whether to avoid discussing "reparations" with Shire, as it might deliver a fatal blow to Germany.

But he also knew he couldn’t avoid it, so he sighed lightly, "Vice Admiral, I think we should discuss reparations."

Shire responded with an "Hmm," with an apologetic expression:

"Although I know the war was not your decision, it was William II’s decision and should not be borne by the German military and civilians."

"But I must account to the French military and civilians."

"After all, Germany initiated this war and caused significant losses to the French military and civilians."

Sweat beaded on Eitzberger’s forehead; as he expected, the reparation figure was unlikely to be low.

But he dared not speak, hurriedly nodding, "Yes, Vice Admiral, of course, we should be responsible for this."

Shire gestured backward, and the staff knowingly handed over a set of documents.

"This is our rough estimate of wartime losses." Shire pushed the documents to Eitzberger: "See if there are any problems."

Eitzberger stared at the document, thick as a phone book, and felt his scalp tingle. As expected, the amount France demanded as compensation exceeded that of Anglo-America.

His mind was not on the document; he flipped through it absentmindedly, his thoughts racing:

What to do?

Should he negotiate reparations with Shire?

If he refused to acknowledge it, would Shire immediately turn hostile?

The words spoken by the guards as they escorted them in echoed: "Vice Admiral plans to attack Berlin, believing it’s more convenient to command from here.".

Eitzberger gritted his teeth, thinking he must withstand it because agreeing to this compensation also means Germany’s demise, and it makes no difference!

Suddenly...

Eitzberger froze, staring in disbelief at the final sum listed in the document, rubbing his eyes hard.

"Kurt." Eitzberger suspected he had misread it, pushing the document to his secretary and pointing at the figure: "Look at this..."

Kurt leaned over and exclaimed, "20 billion dollars, no, this... this is impossible!"

"What’s the problem?" Shire asked.

"No, no problem, Vice Admiral." Eitzberger asked cautiously, "Are you sure this document is correct?"

He didn’t even dare mention the amount, worried he might remind Shire, and then Shire would say, "Oh," and apologize for leaving a ’0’ out.

But Shire was evidently aware.

"Are you referring to the total amount of 20 billion dollars?" Shire answered, "Yes, I’ve confirmed this, including the soldiers’ pensions."

Eitzberger and Kurt exchanged stunned gazes full of disbelief and intense resentment towards the Anglo-Americans.

Those bastards!

The war was fought on French soil, and the losses to the French military and civilians would undoubtedly be much greater than those of the Anglo-Americans.

But France only demanded $20 billion in compensation, while Anglo-America demanded $13 billion and $10 billion respectively.

They are outright extortionists, robbers, and bandits intent on bringing Germany to ruin!

In comparison, Shire’s proposed compensation was simply a conscientious price that wouldn’t provoke German citizens’ resentment; rather, it would be perceived as a kind of blessing.

Because Shire clearly could demand more, he could have more power and glory, even flaunting his military prowess in Berlin as Germany once did.

Yet he didn’t choose that.

He only proposed a $2 billion compensation, which was less than a fraction of what England demanded!