Chapter 83 The Cabinet Secretary's Concerns

General Eisenhower, who received the telegram from President Truman, also breathed a sigh of relief. He finally had the opportunity to deal with this rebellious assassin. Because of General Pershing's relationship, if it was normal, Eisenhower would really be right. This subordinate with a lower rank than himself has nothing to do.

From this point of view, General Eisenhower even felt that the refugees crossing the border was not entirely a bad thing. Just make sure that the next thing will not involve yourself.

Therefore, Eisenhower agrees with the British definition of this matter as a purely coincidental isolated incident, and has already determined in his heart that this is the truth of the whole matter, and there is no need or need to launch an investigation into this matter.

The dismissal of General Patton is the best result, and everyone is very happy! It has to be said that the politician side of General Eisenhower played a leading role, and he understands President Truman's thoughts very well.

Before Truman arrived in Europe, General Eisenhower announced the new appointment, sacking General Patton as Bavarian state administrator in the name of his incompetence in domestic affairs.

The post of commander of the U.S. Third Army was retained, but this was only a temporary reservation. When the right opportunity came, Eisenhower would find a way to get Patton into a retirement position, and he would have no chance to make trouble in front of him.

Until General Patton was dismissed from his position as Bavarian Chief Executive, this incident caused by refugees crossing the border, and all parties competed to participate in the blame contest, finally had someone to take the blame.

From the perspective of qualifications and reputation, General Patton is a candidate who does his part. Who made him meet a direct superior, General Eisenhower, who is a strong politician, and a man who urgently needs to show his face at an important international conference and get rid of the influence of President Roosevelt? new president.

The new president's ruthlessness, coupled with his direct superior's move to clear up the suspicion, led to General Patton becoming the one who took the blame.

Moreover, General Patton is also the most suitable person, and ordinary people cannot afford to take the blame. Even if Alan Wilson was willing to take the initiative to admit that he was dereliction of duty, the Soviets would only think that it was because Britain and the United States were insincere and created a temporary worker to perfuse the Soviet Union, so it is not a bad thing to say that sometimes the status is not high.

Before the great Prime Minister and Honorable Foreign Secretary arrived in Berlin, the diplomats were still making final preparations for the British Empire to negotiate for its own interests.

Cabinet Secretary Edward Bridges was in the audience, allowing Foreign Affairs Secretary Alexander Cadogan to preside over the meeting, and he was on the sidelines to give guidance. Similar meetings are not without reference in past history.

At the end of the First World War, the Paris Peace Conference of the United States, Britain and France was similar to the upcoming Potsdam Conference. Listening to Alexander Cadogan and many diplomats discussing the upcoming conference, Edward Brown Riches said slowly, "To determine the position of the British Empire, you can judge the attitudes of the United States and the Soviet Union from the attitudes of the other two parties at the Paris Peace Conference."

"So who is in a similar situation to France now?" Alexander Cadogan turned to look at the waiting diplomats.

"After several years of fierce fighting at home, the country has been severely damaged. The situation similar to France is the Soviet Union." Alan Wilson answered this question and paused. "We can infer the Soviet Union from the attitude of the French at the Paris Peace Conference. Attitude."

"The Paris office said that the Paris newspapers haven't reported any news about the Potsdam Conference these days." Eifel mentioned the news, "A few newspapers have reported it, and it doesn't seem to be friendly."

"French, no surprise! There is no French role in this meeting, and they may feel uncomfortable." Alexander Cadogan retracted the topic, "It can be considered that the attitude of the Soviet Union towards Germany is the same as that after World War I. France has a similar attitude towards Germany, and our attitude is not to allow the tragedy of Germany's comeback after World War I to repeat itself.

"

After speaking, Alexander Cadogan set his sights on Edward Bridges. The latter did not speak, but just nodded, indicating that this was what all members of the cabinet meant.

The situation faced by the Potsdam Conference is very similar to that of the Paris Peace Conference, the difference is that the original France was replaced by the current Soviet Union. Both the United States and the United Kingdom are very worried about the recurrence of the tragedy because of the lessons learned from the past. The United States sees serious problems with the post-World War I solution to the German reparations problem.

Although the "Dawes Plan" reduced Germany's burden, it ignored the fact that Britain and France also owed huge debts to the United States.

It is equivalent to the United States paying compensation for Germany to finance compensation to Britain and France, and Britain and France then use it to pay the United States. Therefore, German compensation did not help Europe recover at all, on the contrary, it aggravated the political turmoil in Europe.

Similar views exist in the UK and the US, but from a different perspective. Britain's views combined economic development and strategic planning. Out of concerns about the expansion of the Soviet Union to Western Europe, Britain, like after World War I, did not want Germany to be overly weakened, so it was imperative to rebuild Germany.

That is to say, Britain is more eager than the United States to rebuild Germany, but it has no money now.

"That is to say, how we treated France in the past is how we treat the Soviet Union now." Eifel felt that he had understood the key.

"In fact, the United States was the role of our British Empire at the time, and the Soviet Union was in the environment of France, but in terms of strength, it may be more suitable for us to make peace with Paris this time." Edward Bridges shook his head, pointing to these Diplomat, "In this case, balancing the opinions of the United States and the Soviet Union is a very test of ability. Well, let's adjourn the meeting first."

The meeting room was empty, Alexander Cadogan accompanied Edward Bridges to leave, and followed behind him step by step, "Sir Edward, this is the first time these diplomats are facing such an important international conference. It's also understandable."

"Of course I understand!" Edward Bridges said without stopping, without turning his head. "Do you think I'm worried about their lack of experience? That's not important. I'm worried about our Prime Minister. I thought it was nothing more than It is a simple repetition of the Paris Peace Conference, disregarding the current domestic situation, and blindly persecuting the Soviets."

"You just said that we are now more like the French before, referring to the Prime Minister?" Alexander Cadogan was a little surprised, he really didn't think of this level.

"Otherwise? You don't think that the Paris Peace Conference is the prime minister and the foreign minister, who meet every day from morning to night." Edward Bridges looked back with a very unprofessional look, "It's not us The diplomats went to talk, but the talk turned out to give politicians a chance to sign."