Chapitre 8: chapter 8 What kind of deal. You know a deal, maybe he's a Republican.
Berlin, May 14, 1935
...The British ambassador Sir Phipps.
AH: Oh, come in Eric, have a seat, a coffee or maybe something stronger?
Eric Phipps (EP): Thank you, Herr Fuhrer, for having me on such short notice, and it's always a pleasure to see you again, von Neurath. And please coffee would be nice.
AH: Johanna, please?
So Eric, what can Germany do for Britain today?
EP: If I may, I would like to get straight to the point.
AH: Please, it's been a long day, you know, the cabinet meetings never seem to end.
EP: Oh believe me I understand, I have now been instructed by my government to address the following issue with the German Reich. Namely, his plan for new naval ships, I think he's calling them D-class.
AH: The replacement ships, yes, what about them?
EP: There are those in the admiralty and in the government in general who feel that they are designed to attack our merchant marine.
AH: That's right.
EP: Excuse me?!
KN: What the Führer means is.
AH: I won't explain myself better so that there are no misunderstandings between the ambassador and me.
As you know, the Kriegsmarine is limited by certain treaties, limitations that guarantee that we will never be able to defend our coast. We would have a hard time fighting the Dutch, never mind any larger navy like, say, the Soviets. We also cannot attack the enemy force head-on, since any attack against any enemy navy will be such a one-sided defeat that we might as well sink the ships ourselves. Therefore, I have ordered my Admirals to design a fleet to attack the weak points of any naval power.
Or, in other words, the ship's design is tilted to attack merchant ships. And since the British merchant navy is the primary target and the Royal Navy is the preeminent navy on the seas. We've made plans to take on the Royal Navy, so whoever ends up fighting will be a cakewalk in comparison.
That said, it is understood in Kiel that any departure of our fleet will be a one-way trip. It's just that this way we can take as many bastards as possible with us. Or basically a smaller version of the Risk plan.
EP: You're referring to Tirpitz's Risk plan, which didn't work out so well last time.
AH: Oh, we know, but under the current treaties, it's the best the Kriegsmarine can do.
EP: What if we could adjust those treaties to allow you a more balanced, if somewhat more defensive, fleet?
A.H.: Go ahead.
EP: I have with me a proposal to allow the Kriegsmarine to sign the latest naval treaties. A separate annex, so to speak, between Germany and Great Britain.
AH: Our navy would have to be large enough to take on the Soviets. Otherwise it doesn't make sense.
EP: We were thinking about something like 35% of RN tonnage.
KN: That could work, but we'd prefer a slightly different arrangement than trying to copy the RN in fine print.
EP: What do you have in mind?
AH: We will sell the 3 Deutschland Panzerschiffe, I think both the Dutch and the Argentinians have already expressed their interest. Although they may need help with financing.
We will then begin construction between now and 1939 of a coastal defense force consisting of 4 25,000 ton coastal battleships, with 2 more in 1940 to replace the old battleships. We will now also build 10 10,000 ton coastal cruisers in the same time period. Both boats were designed to compete in the Baltic, but I must warn you that I am a firm believer in fast boats. Now, for ships of 5,000 tonnes and smaller, we will agree to a parity of 35:100 in perpetuity.
EP: Those are generous concessions and will certainly put to rest the Admiralty's concerns. I believe that a note of this length would receive a favorable response from London. But what will you want in return?
AH: Indeed we need something to generate prestige and show that we have gained goodwill. To placate the Admirals over the fact that they are about to become a coastal protection force.
EP: Maybe something like Britain putting forward a motion to approve the Austrian Anschluss under Article 88.
AH: Well, I think someone has been using some informal channels of information, because that was the idea I discussed with Konstantin.
KN: Simply preparing the way.
AH: Him, that's why I keep you around, very helpful. But yes, I think we have an agreement. Konstantin will issue a note on the discussed line tomorrow morning. And Britain will table a motion for Anschluss.
EP: In fact, we have an agreement, Herr Fuhrer. I hope to receive the note from him in the morning von Neurath.
AH: Excellent, I have now made some preliminary plans to take a short vacation in August. Just a couple of weeks in the mountains to recharge the old batteries, maybe you and his lovely wife will accompany Konstantin when he comes to the weekly briefing. That way we can have some informal discussions about the relationship between our two great countries.
EP: It will be a pleasure, I'm sure my wife will love the fresh mountain air.
AH: Well, I think we're done here for today, Konstantin will accompany you. So you can discuss the exact wording of the notes.
EP: Until next time then Herr Fuhrer.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
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