I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 715 Just Sympathy
The first of Wilson's "Fourteen Points" was to sign an open peace treaty and put an end to secret diplomacy.

On the surface, the contract signed by Witte and Karl was just an ordinary trade agreement. The two countries agreed to deepen exchanges in the economic, cultural and other fields on the basis of repairing bilateral relations and deepening bilateral friendship.

These contents are all normal. Britain, France and Germany also have similar agreements.

Judging from the content of the agreement alone, Britain and France support Germany more strongly than Russia.

Russia only trades, while Britain and France not only provide loans to Germany but also make direct investments, which is more radical than Russia.

Sometimes George really doesn't understand the way Europeans think.

It’s okay for the UK, but supporting Germany is for the sake of continental equilibrium.

Why did France support Germany?
The answer is that capital has no borders.

Even French capital is increasing its investment in Germany, so Russian capital has even more reason to invest in Germany.

After Witte and Karl signed the agreement, at the evening banquet, Karl couldn't help but sigh that if Germany had chosen Russia as an ally instead of Austria-Hungary, the world war would not have ended like this.

George smiled and said nothing.

If Germany forms an alliance with Russia, who will be the main party?
This is why Nicholas and William II disliked each other.

The day after the agreement was signed, a Polish delegation arrived in Constantinople.

In 1916, in order to win the support of the Poles, Germany promised to establish an "independent Polish state" after the war.

At the end of December of that year, Germany and Austria-Hungary established the "Provisional Polish State Council", recruited Polish youths, and appointed Socialist Piłsudski as the Minister of Military and Political Affairs of the Provisional State Council. Poland then joined the German-Austrian alliance.

In 1918, the German army occupied Warsaw. Pilsudski established a coalition government in Warsaw and became the head of state of the Republic of Poland.

As a member of the Allied Powers, Poland was not eligible to participate in the Paris Peace Conference. However, in order to contain Germany, Britain and France invited Poland to participate in the Paris Peace Conference, which gave the Poles a great advantage.

The purpose of Piłsudski's visit to Constantinople this time was not only to hope that Russia could provide assistance to Poland, but also to hope that Russia could return Warsaw to Poland.

If Poland sided with Russia, clung to Russia's thighs, and became a loyal younger brother, it would not be impossible to provide help to Poland.

Asking for Warsaw is too much.

Russia, Germany and Austria divided Poland in 1795, and Warsaw has been occupied by Russia since then.

Although in 1806, with the help of Napoleon, Poland established the Grand Duchy of Warsaw and once separated from Russia.

But in 1815, with the defeat of Napoleon by Russia, Warsaw was once again ruled by Russia and became part of Russia.

George didn't expect that the Poles could dig up something that happened a hundred years ago.

According to the Polish logic, Russia should also return the Far East to the Qing Empire.

Piłsudski probably knew that he had little influence, so he wanted to put pressure on Russia through Britain and France to force Russia to return Warsaw to Poland.

Witte replied to Piłsudski that there was no room for discussion in Russia regarding Warsaw.

It is still impossible to pay it back. If you want it, you have to get it by your own ability.

So on Christmas Day, Piłsudski held a press conference in Constantinople, where he was prepared to denounce Russia's arrogance and tyranny.

At 9:30 in the morning, 30 minutes before the press conference was to start, the press conference was crowded with reporters discussing whether Russia would return Warsaw to Poland.

Zelenski, a reporter from the Polish daily, vowed that Russia should comply with the demands of the Poles and return Warsaw to Poland.

"The fate of Warsaw should be decided by the Russians."

Carol, a reporter from the Constantinople Daily, sneered.

“Warsaw is Poland’s Warsaw, not Russia’s Warsaw.”

Zelensky fought hard.

"The people of Warsaw do not agree with you—"

Peter, a reporter from Russian News, was calm and composed. He came here to watch the fun.

"No way! All Warsaw residents will be proud of Poland."

Zelensky's words drew unanimous sympathetic glances from the surrounding reporters.

After the provisional government was overthrown, Russia has relocated the population of the Warsaw area to Siberia in batches. Now all the people living in Warsaw are real Russians, most of whom are actually family members of the Russian garrison.

“Is a country founded by begging for mercy really something to be proud of?”

Carroll is full of aggression.

"You bullshit!"

Carol hit a sore spot on Zelinsky's face, and it turned red.

At 10 a.m., Piłsudski attended a press conference accompanied by British Foreign Secretary George Curzon and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand.

Piłsudski first gave reporters a brief introduction to the history of Poland over the past century, and then changed the subject and began to accuse Russia of atrocities.

"Warsaw has never succumbed to the brutal rule of Russia. Since the Imperial Russian era, the people of Warsaw have fought hard for their independence."

Piłsudski's speech lasted for 30 minutes, and then the interview time finally began.

The first reporter to get a chance to ask questions was Zelensky.

Zelensky's question was for George Curzon, asking about the British government's attitude.

George Curzon talked a lot of nonsense and expressed strong sympathy for the Poles.

But apart from sympathy, George Curzon said nothing about the attitude of the British government.

The second person named was also a Polish journalist.

Carol stood up suddenly.

"If we are not given the opportunity to ask questions, what are we doing here?"

The host was stunned and was about to explain when more than a dozen reporters stood up one after another.

"We are not puppets at the mercy of others—"

"You are so disrespectful to us!"

"Mr. Foreign Secretary, could you please answer the question directly?" George Curzon had a sullen face and said nothing.

Say what?

It is said that Britain supports Poland in asking Russia for Warsaw?
Then Russia would have reason to support the Irish in their struggle for independence.

The British government supported the Poles in causing some trouble for Russia.

But if the trouble is big enough to anger Russia, Russia will take action.

The British ran faster than anyone else.

The press conference was hosted by a young man who lacked experience. It was probably the first time he encountered such a situation and he had no idea how to deal with it.

"Anyone who violates the order of the press conference, please leave!"

Piłsudski also overestimated his own deterrent power.

"This is Constantinople. You are driving Russians out on Russian territory. What do you mean?"

Carol suddenly bent down, took off his shoes, and threw them directly at Piłsudski.

Piłsudski didn't expect that a small reporter could be so tough. He was totally unprepared and was hit by the boot.

Several of Piłsudski's guards rushed over and tackled Carol to the ground.

The policeman who was maintaining order suddenly pulled out his baton and hit him on the head.

The police officers who maintained order at the scene were all sent by the Constantinople Police Department.

You dare to attack Russians on Russian territory. I’m giving you face, right?

The order at the scene fell into complete chaos and the press conference ended hastily.

Guchkov reported the situation to George, which was not what he had arranged.

George called Curzon and Bryan over and asked them what they meant.

"Your Excellency, London takes no position on the matter."

Curzon rejected it completely.

"Not taking a stand means that you would rather safeguard the interests of a former ally than the interests of your allies, right?"

George didn't give Curzon any chance to get away with it.

"That's your misunderstanding. That's not what London meant."

Curzon tried his best to defend himself.

"Good. I see."

George stopped talking nonsense to Curzon.

Curzon's expression froze, and he wanted to continue explaining, but George turned to Bryan.

"Mr. Prime Minister, what is France's position?"

Bryan had previously served three terms as Prime Minister of France.

Although the French Prime Minister changes very quickly, there are actually only a few people who change over time, and the circle is very small.

"France hopes that this matter can be properly resolved peacefully—"

Bryan began with diplomatic rhetoric.

"Very good, you don't have to say anything more."

George didn't waste time talking to Bryan and served him tea.

"Your Excellency the Grand Duke, please don't do this. France also has its own difficulties."

Bryan didn't dare to leave. If he left like this, God knew what would happen next.

Curzon didn't dare to leave either. George had a bad temper and was not a barbarian.

"You don't need to explain, I understand, I understand everything——"

George wants to teach the French and the British a lesson on how to get along with Russia today.

"But I also want to remind you that Russia sometimes has its own unavoidable difficulties."

George's words made Bryan and Curzon uneasy.

The next morning, Witte held a press conference, publicly expressing his sympathy for the Irish and showing his close attention to the conflict in Ireland.

Curzon was almost mad and rushed into Witt's office, demanding that Witt take back what he said at the press conference.

"What you are feeling now is exactly the same as what I felt a few days ago."

Witte will not take it back. Just as you British people have the first day of the month, so will Russia have the fifteenth day of the month.

Curzon had no way of defending himself.

It would be fine if Werther just felt sympathy.

If we go further, the Irish's attacks will be more violent.

Russia is not an insignificant small country like Poland and the Netherlands. Witte's public statement will lead to further deterioration of the situation in the UK.

Russia does not even need to give the Irish actual material support. Just showing an attitude will increase the Irish people's confidence.

"I just expressed sympathy for the Poles and did not cause any actual damage to Russia."

Curzon only now realized that he had disturbed the hibernating polar bear.

"I just expressed my sympathy for the Irish—"

Werther wanted to laugh out loud, more happily than ever before.

(End of this chapter)