For Mitterrand, the U.S. Consul General in Singapore, today's experience was a legend. After receiving a telegram personally signed by President Roosevelt and being asked to help the Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia evacuate Singapore, he felt that this evacuation operation would not be smooth sailing. Mitterrand's worry came from the Japanese. He was worried that once the Japanese saw through the Chinese's attempts to take military action, what would he do? Should he risk his life to continue to protect the Chinese, or should he just protect the interests of his own citizens? ,
The expected obstruction from the Japanese had not yet appeared, but the British intervened and intervened, and actually attacked the Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia with swords and guns. This caught him by surprise, and he was still unable to make up his mind where to stand. On the one hand, the British army and the Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia helped him make a choice. The battle soon extended to the US Consulate. The fierce battle outside the US Consulate lasted for half an hour. Although both warring parties were very restrained, they still Inevitably, American expatriates in the consulate were accidentally injured. What is lamentable is that all of the injured people held dual British and American nationalities. They became the center of this battle for no reason. Mitterrand first felt inexplicable and careless. After thinking about it for a while, I understood the cause of the matter and the truth of the matter. The Americans were very angry. The British were too despicable. It was just that they couldn't defeat the Japanese on a frontal battlefield. How could they fight with the unarmed people? Civilians were fighting for the right to flee the war zone, and the most abominable thing was that they didn't even say hello to them beforehand. This is what allies should do. As a politician, Mitterrand looked at the problem more profoundly than a soldier. Thinking about this, once the Japanese become aware of this and mistakenly believe that the evacuation of Americans is to help the British retreat, what will happen? Is the safety of the more than two thousand American citizens and the evacuation fleet still in danger? If it is not done well, the United States will be dragged into this war. Earlier, he just thought that the British were too despicable. After thinking about this, he added another evaluation: The British are too bad.
Compared with the despicable and bad British, the Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia are much kinder and friendlier. The Xinghua Volunteer Army drove away the British, and the overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee found Mitterrand, patted his chest and promised him: In order to repay the United States The government's goodwill will ensure the safety of American expatriates no matter what happens next; if you have to sacrifice, please rest assured that we Chinese will stand in front of you.
Mitterrand was moved and shook Tan Kah Kee's hand: "Sir, please don't worry, we Americans are not British, and we will not abandon our friends when they are in danger." Yes, to use an old saying from your country, let us be in the same boat."
Grant was the head of the "evacuation fleet" and Mitterrand was the organizer of the "American expatriates". They both sided with the Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia. At this point, the British had lost the opportunity to play the emotional card.
Bai Sihua didn't know this. After he met Grant at the dock, he felt that he could win the sympathy of the Americans by virtue of his deep alliance. He behaved in an extraordinarily gentlemanly and low-key manner. He apologized to Grant repeatedly and explained that they had done something wrong. This was really a last resort, so I asked Grant and Mitterrand for forgiveness, and finally made a request to help them evacuate some troops no matter what, and even if it didn't work, they would have to free up a 10,000-ton cruise ship or merchant ship for them. , "We will not occupy the cabins of your expatriates, but there are so many ships, so it is no problem for the Chinese to squeeze in." Finally, he said,
Grant spoke very little and behaved politely. After all, the other party was a general. After all, Britain and the United States were allies. After all, this evacuation operation still needed the support of the British side. However, this did not mean that he would treat his superiors like a subordinate. That way, he would absolutely obey Bai Sihua, otherwise, he would not support Zhang Liangfeng in expelling the British troops to occupy the dock. After the unpleasant encounter before, and now he also understands, the reason why the fighting took place in the city was actually because the British felt that this It was an excellent opportunity to retreat. He wanted to deprive the Chinese of their chance of survival. Deep down in his heart, he had already looked down on the British and wanted to say: Sir, your army has the courage to risk the world's disapproval and peace. The Chinese were seizing the opportunity to escape, so why couldn't they fight to the death with the Japanese and defeat them? After thinking about it for a while, he still said hesitantly: "General, there is something I must explain to you. The ships here, we There are only six ships, three of which are used to transport expatriates. If you want to take this opportunity to leave Singapore, you should ask the Chinese. They have prepared enough ships. By the way, I can help you if you need them. Introduce the person in charge of China, Mr. Zhang Liangfeng.”
Bai Sihua was stunned for a moment, then thought for a while and said: "Colonel, what do you mean, the Chinese ships are not under your command? We only agreed to the evacuation action of your government. If this is the case, then the Chinese have entered us illegally." It’s territorial waters.”
Bai Sihua was only halfway through what he said when Grant understood what he meant. After hearing what he said, he couldn't help but became anxious and said: "Of course the Chinese ships are also under my command, but I don't have the power to distribute them. General, There is one more thing I have to explain to you. The reason why we agreed to the Chinese to rescue the Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia in our name is because our government agreed to China’s request. General, as far as I know, you have just negotiated with China and France has signed a military cooperation alliance, and as an ally, I think we can discuss anything."
"You want me to discuss it with the Chinese." Bai Sihua looked at Grant with wide eyes and said, his displeasure evident in his expression. He came to see Grant in a low-key manner and apologized as soon as he opened his mouth. He already felt that he had given the American enough face. , believed that as allies, the Americans should stop reciprocating favors and stand decisively on their side. However, Grant said such words, which were far from what he expected.
Bai Sihua's attitude suddenly became stiff and vaguely hostile. Grant became increasingly unhappy and simply stopped talking. Just as the expatriate team had already appeared in sight, he didn't want to waste time here anymore, so he greeted Bai Sihua. He noted the military salute and said: "General, our expatriates have already arrived, so I won't accompany you." Then he waved and led a group of his men back to the dock and greeted Mitterrand and the others.
As soon as Grant left with his men, about a platoon of Jewish cadets stepped forward with guns in hand and blocked the way of Bai Sihua and his men. The cadets did not have a good impression of the British, and because they were U.S. Marines Their identities were fake, so they behaved extraordinarily without any pretense. They stared at Bai Sihua and others with eager eyes, the guns in their hands pointed directly at their feet, and Bai Sihua was immediately furious.
Nearly three hours after the "evacuation fleet" docked at the Sin Chew Pier, Grant and Mitterrand, the two leaders of the American evacuation operation, finally met. Grant saw the wounded among the immigrants and inquired about them. He was actually injured by the British (this is not a slander, after all, the British started the battle), and his impression of the British became even worse. Mitterrand listened to him talk about the "requisition order". After the incident, he was quite disgusted with the British's tyranny. When he learned that Grant had just rejected Bai Sihua's unreasonable request, he clapped his hands and said, "You are right, this is how you should deal with these British guys who bully the weak and fear the strong and have no morals. "