Chapter 47: Last chance
In the aftermath of World War I, the German economy faced severe challenges, leading to significant international intervention to stabilize the situation. By November 1923, the economic turmoil in Germany had reached a critical point, prompting the United Kingdom to advocate for the establishment of two special committees. These committees, both chaired by American banker Charles G. Dawes, were tasked with distinct but crucial objectives. The first committee focused on balancing the German budget and stabilizing its finances, while the second investigated the outflow of German capital and devised strategies for its recovery.
By April 1924, after extensive analysis, Dawes formulated a comprehensive plan known as the Dawes Plan. This plan was pivotal in addressing the issue of reparations, which had been a contentious topic since the Treaty of Versailles. Facing financial distress, the German government had little choice but to accept the Dawes Plan in August 1924. The plan called for the reorganization of Deutsche Bank under Allied supervision and the implementation of currency reform. Additionally, the Allied Powers agreed to loan Germany 800 million gold marks (approximately $190 million) to stabilize its currency system.
The repayment schedule set by the Dawes Plan was progressive, starting with 1 billion gold marks in the first year (1924-1925) and increasing annually, reaching 2.5 billion gold marks by the fifth year (1928-1929). The sources of funds for these reparations included customs duties, taxes on tobacco and sugar monopolies, railway income, and taxes on industrial and commercial enterprises. Furthermore, the plan allowed for the issuance of 11 billion gold marks in railway bonds and 5 billion gold marks in industrial bonds. The financial, railway, and tax systems in Germany were placed under international supervision, effectively limiting German sovereignty in exchange for financial aid.
The acceptance of the Dawes Plan was also influenced by geopolitical events, notably the French invasion of the Ruhr industrial zone. Germany used the withdrawal of French and Belgian troops from the Ruhr as a condition for agreeing to the reparations plan. On August 16, 1924, the plan was formally accepted, and French forces subsequently vacated the Ruhr area. The implementation of the Dawes Plan significantly contributed to the recovery and development of the German economy in the latter half of the 1920s.
Despite the economic benefits, Germany's focus shifted towards military expansion and the signing of the "New Versailles Peace Treaty" in 1925. That year, despite the efforts of German diplomats, Germany managed to pay only 1.1 billion gold marks in war reparations, while securing loans totaling 2.5 billion gold marks from the United Kingdom and the United States. The signing of this treaty significantly benefited Britain and France, prompting Poland to order military equipment from these countries as a countermeasure to the rising German military threat.
The rapid rearmament of Germany alarmed Britain and France, leading to concerns about a resurgent Germany challenging their international status. In response, French Prime Minister Raymond Poincaré, known for his hardline policies, took office in July 1926 and initiated a tougher stance against Germany. This led to increased collection of German war arrears by France and Belgium, forcing Germany to seek mediation from the United Kingdom. The diplomatic skill of German Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann was crucial in negotiating a new treaty under these challenging circumstances.
The negotiations culminated in the Locarno Treaties, signed in London on December 1, 1926. These treaties included a series of agreements aimed at stabilizing Western Europe by guaranteeing the borders between Germany and its western neighbors and setting up mechanisms for peaceful dispute resolution. The treaties marked a significant step towards improving Franco-German relations and stabilizing the European continent, albeit at the cost of not addressing the security concerns with Germany's eastern neighbors.
The Locarno Treaties allowed Germany to gain equal status with its former adversaries and paved the way for its admission as a permanent member of the League of Nations in May 1927. This inclusion was seen as a step towards rehabilitating Germany's international standing and promoting peace in Europe. However, the treaties also imposed new restrictions on the German military, which were viewed unfavorably by nationalist elements within Germany, including Adolf Hitler and his growing Nazi Party.
As Germany navigated these international agreements, internal factions within the country debated the balance between military strength and diplomatic engagement. The rise of the SS and the clandestine activities of the German military underscored the ongoing tension between these approaches. Meanwhile, Hitler's frustration with the Locarno Treaties highlighted the challenges he faced in gaining political traction for his extremist agenda in a momentarily stabilizing Germany.
In summary, the period following World War I was marked by significant international efforts to stabilize Germany economically and politically, with the Dawes Plan and the Locarno Treaties playing pivotal roles. However, these measures also set the stage for future conflicts and the rise of extremist ideologies, illustrating the complex interplay of economic hardship, political diplomacy, and military strategy in the interwar period.
"Are you not going to abide by this convention?" Stresman looked at the man in front with disappointment. "Knowing that we took this opportunity to squeeze and suppress the National Defence Force has already made the chairman dissatisfied! This is our loss."
"Abide by the convention?" The short man, Krupp, waved his hand with a dismissive smile. "We will abide by the convention only when it is favorable, understand? Who told you that I, Gustav Krupp, will obey those boring conventions?"
"Once your factory's production of new howitzers is exposed, you will be sent to the gallows! Are you crazy? You don't want to live?" Stresman asked angrily.
"I'm crazy? Mr. Streisman, if there are no profits, my factory's 100,000 workers will kill me, each of them will drown me with a spit," Krupp snorted and retorted. "Since the National Defense Forces want to purchase this weapon, I will produce it." He glanced at Streisman and continued, "You know that I have lost the arms market in the Far East, and you know what it means to me if I lose the order of the National Defense Forces!"
He looked at the endless crowd of people outside the car window. "Henkel Aircraft Company recently received orders from some Japanese and also produced a batch of fighter jets for the National Defense Force; Mercedes-Benz's civilian production line has occupied the European car market and is developing to the United States. My own business; only my business is shrinking! I can't wait to die! Do you understand?"
"So just after we betrayed the interests of the National Defense Forces, we came to frustrate our master Akado? Rudolph?" Stlesman sneered.
"What do you think President Akado will do to us? Throw us to the wolf dogs of the National Defence Force, and then watch as both of us are eaten, leaving only one bone left?"
"Karl Benz's old and immortal fell to Akado and introduced him to his connections. Now Akado is cunning like a fox, and he has differentiated the merchant group that was originally led by me," Krupp thought as he felt his teeth grit. He hammered the leather armrests of the Mercedes-Benz car and said bitterly, "Now we have to bow our heads to Akado."
"It seems that the Congress is about to be elected. The Deutsche Party must have an advantage in votes. The propaganda work on Fanny's side has been done well. If I pick up the newspaper and look at a few pages, I will choose to support this party," Streisman found that he was in a terrible mood now, and he didn't know which scallion he had eaten the wrong way to follow Krupp in this little action.
"It is obvious that the Grand German Party has gained an advantage in the campaign, and we have not been unfaithful to the actions of the Grand German Party. We are only at best internal power distribution, so Akado will not treat us like that," Krupp seemed to comfort Streisman, and it seemed to comfort himself.
As they spoke, the car was already parked in front of Akado's apartment. This apartment was Krupp's birthday gift to Akado a few years ago. Akado chose to meet them here. The meaning was really profound.
When going upstairs, Streisman and Krupp saw that the staircase was guarded by SS soldiers in black uniforms, and there were two IDF soldiers carrying new submachine guns on their chests — clearly, Akado had prepared for both of them, showing that besides being businessmen and politicians, Akado holds a more loyal force in his hands.
"Strestman, Krupp, sit down, please sit down!" Akado didn't appear ashamed or angry at the meeting but was gentle and elusive. He invited the two men to sit down, then Anna helped each of them to pour coffee, and then sat down on the backrest sofa in front of the two, knocked Erlang's legs, and laughed.
"Oh, first of all, congratulations to Mr. Gustav? Stlesman," Akado chuckled, "I want to congratulate you for being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1926. My intelligence personnel and I said that politicians in several countries are extremely satisfied with the contract you signed. This time you won the Peace Prize."
"Chairman! Please listen to me explain, this time..." Strethman said in a panic. After all, he was more loyal to Akado than Krupp. He was also an old man under Akado. He could not Regardless of how much Akado trusts him, this is a guarantee that he will continue to receive support from the military and other forces.
Reaching out to stop Streisman's explanation, Akado continued: "I trust you, so I sent you to Locarno, but you brought me a treaty that suffered losses for the IDF. Give me a reason why I don't have to tie you to the wheels of my tank and run to death!"
"Akado! Germany needs a breather! We can't always think of revenge and war. Wouldn't it be better if we could achieve our goal through peaceful means?" Streismann said urgently.
Akado snorted coldly, "Huh! Let's squat in front of the Soviets as Polish guard dogs with Poland as two watchdogs. We called twice when they came. They were afraid we would get a steak as a reward?"
"Enough! Akado! The German Party is not alone!" Krupp said angrily.
"So what happened this time is right? If it belongs to me alone, then I don't have to bear the betrayal right?" Akado looked at Krupp and said fiercely: "I give you an infinitely broad future! What you gave me is a shameful betrayal!"
He stood up and stared at the somewhat surprised Krupp, saying one by one: "I have given you countless orders! There are hundreds of millions of bullets sold to the Far East alone! There are thousands of cannons and 100,000 a new type of submachine gun, hundreds of thousands of Mauser 98k! I also gave you the latest self-propelled artillery concept for you to build the future artillery system for the National Defense Force!"
He pointed to Krupp: "I provide you with the most advanced production line theory, and provide you with the most advanced standardized weaponry and equipment design. The popularity of these things is worth hundreds of billions! Do you still feel dissatisfied with these?"
"I just hope that in the new government in the future, there will be voices for us to talk about! What's so excessive? I'm not betraying you! I'm fighting for some rights." Krupp was also annoyed.
"Hum, you don't have to have a voice to speak! You want your voice to override the voice of the military!" Akado sneered before saying.
"Is there anything wrong? You are not going to set up a military government!" Strethman was very sensitive to the military government's affairs and immediately said.
"Gentlemen, I do not want to establish a military government in power, nor do I want a merchant government that easily compromises with foreign governments! I want a strong Germany, not a weak mess!" Akado solemnly said: "On my way to revitalize Germany and make Germany the world's largest power, whoever is against me is my enemy!"
Akado excitedly said: "This world's top power represents the industry's first power and the military's first power. The products it manufactures will be used by all countries in the world. The currency it issues is the world's universal currency. The policy is the world's financial rules! Where its army goes is its territory!"
"People who follow me, I will use all means to make him the richest businessman, the most influential politician, the most powerful warrior! Will you follow me?"
"Do you still trust us?" Streisman looked at Akado who was still angry and asked weakly for a while.
"I will continue to trust you until you betray me again." Akado looked at the two men and said: "At that time, you will become my enemies, crushed by my anger! Turned into the dust of history."
"Thank you!" Streisman suddenly felt a little touched, although his age and his working environment had long made him forget what it means to be touched.
"Will you still give me the order? Continue to hand me the arms order of the Wehrmacht?" Krupp didn't quite believe that after the stormy anger of Akado, he could still get the secret order of the Wehrmacht.
Akado nodded: "Of course, as long as the weapon you provide is the best. I will not abuse the power in my hand, nor will I retaliate against you in private, and I will lead by example to maintain the competition within the Great German Party within a virtuous circle. , I hope you will remember this lesson today! Because you have no chance to make mistakes."
"Thank you, thank you." Krupp finally lowered his head and said weakly. For him, it is his allies that bring him benefits. Even if he tries to obtain power, he serves to gain more benefits.
"Let's stay for dinner at night, I'll treat you." Akado said as if at random: "My name is Anna and I invited a chef to have a good meal here in a while."
"Invite us to dinner? Is there anything to celebrate?" Streisman froze, then blurted out and asked.
"Of course, to celebrate that you are about to win the Nobel Peace Prize." Akado said with a smile: "In addition, to celebrate the new signing of nine new arms procurement contracts by the National Defense Forces."
"We just signed the convention and we intend to violate it?" Streisman felt like a joke. No one wanted to abide by the convention even if he signed it with great pains.
"We will abide by the convention only when it is favorable." Akado and Krupp said in unison, after looking at each other, they glanced at each other, and then laughed together.
"I'll just say, Akado, like I thought, we signed a peace treaty, and we don't forget to prepare for the next war." Krupp said proudly.
"I think Time Weekly's words are more appropriate to describe us." Streismann said, holding up his glass.
"The Germans not only yearn for peace, they also make cannons."
"It's all the same! We make cannons for peace!" Krupp also picked up the glass in front of him.
"We sounded cannons at the enemy and let ourselves bathe in peace." Akado followed up with a glass of wine.
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