I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France

Chapter 937 This battle was unavoidable

Charles, in the name of the League of Nations, sent a strongly worded warning to Germany, which was delivered by the Dutch ambassador:

"Your Majesty, we know that the German army is preparing to invade Romania and Italy."

“They are member states protected by the ‘League of Nations’.”

"The League of Nations demanded that German troops immediately cease all armed operations and withdraw to the borders of both countries."

"If this guarantee is not obtained, the League of Nations will take all measures to protect the interests of Romania and Italy, including an invasion of Germany!"

……

William II is strolling through the vineyards in the morning sunlight.

In spring, the grape leaves are just sprouting tender buds. The brown vines, like the sinews of an old man, twist and coil on the iron frame. The cracked bark hides vitality, and the branches silently point to the sky, as if making a powerless accusation and struggle.

Just as Wilhelm II was feeling sentimental, the chief aide-de-camp quickly approached him and said, "Your Majesty, we have received a telegram from the League of Nations."

(Note: The Chief of the Military Service was Wilhelm II's closest military advisor, equivalent to a private secretary, who provided him with military advice.)
Wilhelm II took the telegram and read it carefully twice, looking completely bewildered.

He knew nothing about the League of Nations; when did this organization come into existence?
Wilhelm II then realized that this was the reason why Hindenburg had sidelined his power: intelligence was sent to Hindenburg’s General Staff, while foreign affairs were still being handled by him as usual.

This leads to the situation of "misalignment".

Wilhelm II smiled helplessly and waved the telegram in his hand at the chief military attaché: "What is the 'League of Nations'?"

The military attaché bowed and replied, "I'm not entirely sure, Your Majesty. I've heard it's a new organization established by the French in Paris."

"A French organization?" Wilhelm II frowned.

Why didn't France send him these direct telegrams, but instead issued a warning through the "League of Nations"?

Hindenburg hurried up the steps, looking somewhat panicked: "Your Majesty, have you received a telegram?"

Wilhelm II was puzzled that a telegram from the League of Nations could cause Hindenburg to lose his composure so much.

He handed over the telegram: "You mean this?"

Hindenburg took the telegram, glanced at it, and nodded solemnly: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Wilhelm II didn't ask any further questions; if Hindenburg wanted him to know, he would naturally tell him.

Sure enough, Hindenburg explained the next second: "This 'League of Nations' is an international organization established by Charles, and so far 17 countries have joined, including France, Great Britain, Romania, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries."

France and Great Britain are two important powers.

Romania, Italy, and Belgium are at war with Germany, and two of these countries are central to this warning.

The Netherlands is currently the most important neutral country to Germany.

Wilhelm II gave an "Oh," and could roughly guess what was going on.

"It's tricky, isn't it?" Wilhelm II asked.

For some reason, he felt a sense of pleasure.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Hindenburg looked troubled.

The Netherlands, which has maintained neutrality, may even send troops under the guise of the "League of Nations".

……

Hindenburg privately arranged for Ludendorff to contact Queen Wilhelmina, hoping to convey the message that "Germany does not want the Netherlands to join the League of Nations, otherwise Germany has reason to doubt the Netherlands' neutrality."

Queen Wilhelmina's reply was: "The Netherlands is an independent country. Your Excellency, the League of Nations is an international organization established for world peace, and we have the right to decide for ourselves whether to participate."

Ludendorff also wanted to try further threats, such as increasing troop deployments at the border to put more pressure on him.

But Hindenburg stopped him. "It won't work," Hindenburg said.
"Their judgment was that joining the 'League of Nations' would secure the protection of the Shire, otherwise they would be in danger of being invaded."

"It's not just Germany, but also Britain, which may also 'move into' these countries."

"so……"

Ludendorff suddenly realized.

Charles used the two "catfish" of "Germany" and "Britain" to drive a group of neutral countries into his embrace and accept the protection of France.

This is indeed the case.

From Queen Wilhelmina's perspective, the Netherlands should not have joined the League of Nations, which would have provoked Germany and could have dragged the Netherlands into an unnecessary war in the final stages.

However, the Netherlands faces a triple crisis:
At the last minute, will Germany, driven by resource scarcity, resort to desperate measures and invade the Netherlands?
Will Britain use war as a pretext to "occupy" the Netherlands, just as it did with Greece?
If the Netherlands does not join the League of Nations, will it be isolated by the international community? At this critical moment, does the League of Nations have an excuse not to speak up for the Netherlands or provide it with protection?

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, Queen Wilhelmina ultimately decided to join the League of Nations despite pressure from Germany.

After all, there is no doubt that the French army has become the strongest hegemon on the European continent.

Never offend France!

……

"Your Excellency Chief of the General Staff," Wilhelm II said, raising his head towards the telegram in Hindenburg's hand, "how do you expect my response to the League of Nations?"

Hindenburg replied respectfully:

“Your Majesty, I suggest you explain this to the League of Nations.”

“We were at war with Romania and Italy even before the League of Nations was formed.”

"And without exception, it was Italy and Romania that launched the first attack on Germany, and Germany was only forced to retaliate."

Wilhelm II smiled slightly.

The facts are indeed as Hindenburg said, but it won't be of any use.

Having spent a long time in politics, he understood that this was nothing more than Charles trying to establish the authority of the League of Nations.

He wanted to announce to the world that any country that joined the League of Nations would be protected by France.

Therefore, regardless of whether Germany is right or wrong, it is ultimately wrong.

"Perhaps Charles will reply in this way," Wilhelm II said.

The disputes that occurred before the formation of the League of Nations were unrelated to him.

"Now, we see only the German army igniting the war on Romanian and Italian soil."

"For the sake of world peace and harmony in the international community, Germany should withdraw its troops to the border. This is the basis for further negotiations; otherwise, we will take necessary measures!"

Wilhelm II fixed his gaze on Hindenburg, a smile on his face, and asked, "How will you respond then?"

Hindenburg was taken aback; he hadn't considered this issue, as political matters were usually handled by Ludendorff.

"Prepare for war." Wilhelm II took a deep breath.

"Charles won't give you the chance to fight Romania and Italy before dealing with him!"

“You are a smart man, Chief of the General Staff, you know that this battle is unavoidable.”

"Only by defeating Charles will you have the leverage to reason with him!"

(End of this chapter)