Chapter 245: Chapter 323 Ceding India
In the meeting room of the Prime Minister's office in London, Eden, who had returned from the Soviet Union, was reporting the Soviet demands to Churchill and the others.
"These greedy bears!!" The Imperial Chief of Staff, William Edmund Ironside, exclaimed angrily. "We should have strangled them in the cradle back then." He seemed to forget that capitalist countries, including themselves, had jointly besieged the Soviet Union when it was first established, attempting to extinguish the spark in its infancy.
Even before the "October Revolution," Lenin pointed out that the First World War was a war of imperialists vying for dominance, proposing a peace plan of "no annexations, no indemnities," hoping to withdraw from this unjust war.
As members of the Allied Powers, England and France were absolutely unwilling to see such a situation unfold. The pre-revolutionary Russian bourgeoisie provisional government, ruling before the Soviet Union, advocated continuing to participate in the war as a member of the Allied Powers, deepening the hostile sentiments of the Allied Powers towards the nascent Soviet regime.
Within three months of the establishment of the Soviet government, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Francis, suggested that the United States should intervene militarily. The British Foreign Secretary, Coxon, also called for action in Parliament. These hostile sentiments seemed to resonate with the internal opposition forces in Russia.
After the end of World War I, the Allied Powers had the resources and decided to assemble forces to jointly strike the newly established Soviet government. The United States even suggested supporting the establishment of a military dictatorship first. Soviet Russia signed a peace treaty with Germany as a former Allied Power, providing the Allied Powers with a reason for intervention. The Allied Powers openly intervened in Russia, citing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk as evidence of Soviet-German collusion.
At the beginning of the combined military power of the Allied Powers and the domestic opposition, their forces were far superior to the Bolsheviks. However, what the Allied Powers did not anticipate was the formidable organizational capability and fighting spirit of the Bolsheviks. Due to internal conflicts among the Allied Powers and the disparate actions of various White Army factions, the Red Army was able to defeat the White Army on multiple fronts and drive the interventionist forces out of Russian territory.
Now these bastards have grown wings, and they actually have the audacity to demand the cession of British India?! This is absolutely outrageous!!
Churchill lit one cigar after another, and the air in the meeting room had long been polluted beyond recognition. However, the generals and marshals in the room paid no attention, just quietly waiting.
If it were just dealing with Germany, Churchill could grit his teeth and resist, scoffing at the Soviet demands. However, now that Germany, Italy, and Vichy France had formed an alliance, Churchill had to handle the situation cautiously. What was even more problematic was that Italy and Vichy France now harbored deep-seated hatred for Britain, wishing to devour its flesh and sleep in its skin. Especially Italy, the entire military was highly motivated, and a few days ago, the newly appointed young queen officially declared war on the British Empire and issued a wartime mobilization order. Italy was rapidly expanding its military capabilities.
Thinking of this, Churchill felt absurd. Was everyone in Italy a fool? Couldn't they see through such an obvious frame-up and trap?!
But now it was useless to say anything. Churchill extinguished his cigar, looking extremely serious. "We need time now. In times like this, only the Soviet Union can buy us time. We must get the Soviet Union involved!"
Italy, originally intended to be brought in, had become an uncompromising adversary with no room for discussion. There was no clear information from the United States yet. For Britain now, the only hope was the Soviet Union. If the Soviet Union could join in and ignite a war in the East, the Germans would definitely have to deal with the threat in the East, providing Britain with a chance to buffer.
As mentioned earlier, India was quite important to Britain. India had vast territory, abundant resources, and a large population. The fertile land in the Ganges River basin made India not only an important source of cheap raw materials for Britain but also a crucial market for British products. At the same time, India's strategic location was vital, guarding the key passage from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, serving as the forefront for Britain's aggression in Southeast Asia.
However, now it had come to the most critical moment. For the sake of future victory, all colonies could be abandoned; for the preservation of Britain itself, various interests could be sacrificed!
"If Germany takes over the homeland of Britain, what use are those colonies hanging overseas? The British Empire is already gone!" Churchill's words were already quite clear. He was prepared to cede India to obtain Soviet military intervention.
However, just relying on a verbal commitment for military intervention and handing over the Indian colonies to the Soviet Union would never be approved by the Parliament! Fortunately, it was wartime now, according to the Emergency Powers Act of the British Empire, in critical times Churchill could bypass the Parliament. However, at least he needed the support of senior members of the wartime cabinet.
Everyone present naturally knew this procedure, but they looked at each other, and no one took the initiative to express agreement.
For the glory of the empire, giving up the colonies in India is hard to accept. Moreover, if news of this decision gets out, people will definitely accuse us of being traitors. Even if we win in the future, there might be consequences.
Just when the atmosphere became so heavy that it was almost suffocating, a hoarse voice sounded from a corner of the meeting room. "I support the Prime Minister's opinion." The person speaking was Montgomery, who had fortunately survived the German torpedo attack and returned safely to the homeland. Although he was a defeated general, having the experience of fighting against the Germans made him valuable, so he was promoted by one rank.
Montgomery also knew that what Britain needed most at the moment was time, so he supported Churchill's decision. "However, we must take precautionary measures because the Soviets are not in the same trench as us. To prevent the Soviets from taking our India and not going to war with the Germans or only using minor border skirmishes to fool us."
Montgomery considered it thoroughly. Britain could not trust the Soviet Union. Even if Britain agreed to this deal, it would have to wait until the Soviets actually launched a massive attack against Germany!
Otherwise, if the Soviets took advantage of this opportunity to swallow India and then reneged on their agreement, Britain would suffer a huge loss.
Churchill nodded, "Right, we must take these issues into consideration."
Trading India for the Soviet Union to engage in war with Germany was worthwhile for current Britain. However, if India was given to the Soviet Union and they did not send troops, the Churchill government would become a laughingstock worldwide, even a culprit of the British Empire!
"Good, now, I'll sign the Prime Minister's order and vigorously promote this agreement!" Churchill didn't care about the opposition from his subordinates. At this moment, he had to take responsibility for the empire!
If the Soviets were smart, they should know that once Germany completed the annexation of France, it would become a behemoth, and then, it would definitely be a threat to the Soviets!
Launching an attack on Germany while its eastern front was vulnerable was the best choice for the Soviets!
Hopefully, Stalin would make a wise move!
With the order signed by Churchill himself, Eden hurriedly went to the Soviet Union once again.
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