Episode 171 Breaking the Contract or Fulfilling the Contract?
Schuschnigg returned to Vienna on February 12th. Hitler gave Schuschnigg four days of grace and ordered him to give him the "most binding answer" to this ultimatum by February 15th. In addition, he
A three-day grace period was given until the 18th to allow Schuschnigg to fulfill the specific conditions in the ultimatum.
At 7:30 that night, Hitler approved General Keitel's order to exert military pressure on Austria - "spread news that is not true but sounds very credible, so that people who hear it will definitely think that Germany is carrying out military pressure on Austria."
Military Preparations”.
Under the threat of German military invasion, Schuschnigg succumbed. On December 15, he officially informed the German Ambassador to Austria von Papen that he would fulfill the Berchtesgaden Agreement by the 18th. On the 16th, Austria
The government announced an amnesty for Nazis, including those convicted in the murder of former President Dollfuss. The Austrian government also announced the list of new cabinet members, Seth Inquart
He was appointed police minister. The next day, Inquart, the Nazi minister, went to Berlin to meet with Hitler and accept his orders.
On February 20, Hitler delivered a speech, speaking passionately of Schuschnigg's "understanding" and his "sincerity" in promoting close understanding between Germany and Austria. But at the same time, Hitler also said:
“…More than 10 million Germans live in the two countries that border us! There can be no doubt about one thing: political separation from Germany does not mean that the right to self-determination is also deprived of
!A world power cannot tolerate having brothers of the same race around it who are often tortured for expressing sympathy or agreement with its entire nation, destiny and worldview! Since these Germanic brother people cannot achieve success on our borders by their own efforts
Political and spiritual freedom, then it is Germany's duty to protect the freedom of these German fraternal nations!"
This was tantamount to a straightforward notice: From now on, Hitler believed that the future of the 7 million Austrians and 3 million Germans in the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia was a matter for the Third Reich.
London didn't notice this "notice", Paris didn't notice, Nanjing and Washington didn't notice either. But Vienna and Prague did.
Four days later, Schuschnigg delivered the same speech in reply to Hitler. He said impassionedly:
"... Austria has conceded to a limit, and we are standing on the edge of the cliff. At this time, I heard a clear voice coming from behind me: 'This is it, no more retreat!'... Austria will never give up.
Her independence! Red-white-red (the colors of the Austrian flag), swear allegiance to the death!"
Hitler's speech on the 20th provoked a series of large-scale Nazi demonstrations in Austria. At the same time as Schuschnigg's speech, 20,000 Nazi thugs rushed into the square in Graz, removed the loudspeakers, and dismantled the
They raised the Austrian flag and the Nazi German swastika flag. The Austrian policeman next to them didn't care at all and just watched with a smile.
Schuschnigg's regime was collapsing.
Not only was there political chaos, there was also economic chaos. There were a large number of foreign accounts in the banks and domestic people were withdrawing money. Foreign commercial banks were worried about trouble and canceled orders from Vienna. Foreign tourists were also scared away.
Throughout February, Nanjing had been receiving requests from Germany, asking the Ming Dynasty to fulfill the secret agreement made two years ago and publicly declare support for the German-Austrian merger. However, the Nanjing government has been hesitant and has been prevaricating by saying that "the time is running out." The German Embassy in
The Nanjing ambassador asked to meet with the chief minister again and again, and his attitude gradually changed from sincere to urgent. Finally, the German ambassador conveyed a vague message from the head of state, which can also be said to be a threat: Your country is not trying to default on its debt, is it?
Don't think about it before it's too late. It's written in black and white and you can't rely on it. When Germany announces this agreement internationally, not only will your country's "feather" be unable to keep it, but it will also have to bear the reputation of "not keeping its word".
This is what Daming is most worried about. What Daming wants now is to drag it until the water is ready. After the rice is cooked, Daming will follow the trend and issue a statement. This can minimize the impact. But for Germany
, it is most useful and helpful for Ming Dynasty to issue a statement of support before the matter is completed. If you really wait until "raw rice is cooked", wait until I have completed the matter, and then you issue a statement to express support, then
Still missing this one from you?
But the pain is that the original secret agreement was not detailed. It only stipulated that Ming Dynasty would declare its support for the Anschluss at an appropriate time in the future. As for when the appropriate time was, there was no stipulation. No wonder, two years ago,
The annexation of Austria was just a dream in Hitler's mind. As for whether or when there would be an "Anschluss" in the future, Hitler was not sure. So even if a secret agreement was made, it could only be written very clearly.
Vague. Besides, at that time, "Ming supported the Anschluss of Germany and Austria" was at best an additional clause, just the icing on the cake. At that time, what Hitler valued most was "Ming supported Germany's request for the Danzig Corridor."
But today, the secret agreement "Ming Dynasty supports the Anschluss of Germany and Austria" has become the most important thing in Germany. Hitler held it firmly in his hands and had no intention of letting it go.
There were also many cabinet meetings in Nanjing. During this period, some people thought that the contract should be broken, while others thought that the contract should be fulfilled.
Those who support breaking the contract believe that now the benefits of cooperation with Germany have basically been obtained, the Beiqing Dynasty has been destroyed, and China has been unified. Germany has given us almost everything it can give us, and we have applied and developed many new German technologies.
It has become its own thing. On the other hand, what Germany has done in the past two years has become more and more unbearable. If it gets mixed up with it again, it will really ruin its own image. What Ming needs most now is the support from Britain and the United States.
, especially the huge production capacity of the United States is needed to help us win two wars. Breaking the contract is naturally very bad, but there is no other way. If Ming wants to get back on the side and maximize benefits again, it will also bear the reputation of breaking the contract.
The price that must be paid.
But those who support the implementation of the contract believe that things cannot be seen this way. In the past century, Ming Dynasty has had such good popularity in the world, so many allies, and allowed so many countries to believe in itself and not be wary of itself. It relies on the word "integrity"
.A country's dealings in the world are just like a person's dealings in society. It cannot stand without trust. A country that keeps its word, fulfills its obligations when signing contracts, and keeps its promises will make many countries willing to associate with you, and will not
How to guard against you? Why is the Ming Dynasty's navy so powerful and its national power so powerful, but Britain, France and the United States are not worried about the Ming Dynasty plotting their Southeast Asian colonies? Why is Japan's naval power similar to that of the Ming Dynasty, but its national power is much inferior, but the Western countries
Never wary of the Ming Dynasty, but instead strictly wary of Japan? Why did they all comply when the Ming Dynasty sent notes to Western countries asking them not to send ships to transport goods to Japan?
It is because everyone thinks that the relationship with Ming is worth maintaining, but the relationship with Japan is not so worth maintaining. Breaking the contract is tantamount to being a hooligan. Daming may think that breaking this contract is harmless, and what is more, it is breaking the contract with Nazi Germany, but otherwise
The country doesn’t see it that way. Although in this matter, they definitely support the Ming Dynasty breaking the treaty with Germany, but everyone will think privately: The Ming Dynasty has a first time and a second time. This time it broke the treaty with Nazi Germany, but next time
This time may break our agreement. Then Ming's credibility will be greatly damaged. Once a country loses its credibility and becomes a rogue country in the eyes of other countries, then no matter how powerful it is, as powerful as the Soviet Union, it will still suffer
unanimously ostracized by the international community.
Xiang Xiaoqiang is more inclined to the latter opinion. He also feels that a country mingling in the world is just like a person mingling in society. Let’s not talk about benevolence, justice and morality. At least the “relationship network” is very important. The twentieth century has begun.
With globalization, fighting alone with one's own brute force is not the answer after all. You have to form gangs and cultivate connections. When necessary, you can use your strength to respond to everything. Just like the United States in later generations. So how do you interact with others?
Getting along is very important. No matter what, "breaking your word" is definitely a recipe for death. If you break a contract, you will gain immediate benefits, but you will lose long-term benefits in the future.