Chapter 191 Germany Is Against Colonization

"Should we support Italy in turning Abyssinia into a colony in the League of Nations?" On the special train from Warsaw to Berlin, German Foreign Minister Neurath objected to the verbal agreement reached between Hersmann and Mussolini.

"This will make Germany the target of international public opinion, and I doubt that the Soviet Union will support us on this issue."

Hersmann shook his head, "No, we cannot support Italy's colonization of Abyssinia... All we want to promote is a resolution that requires Abyssinia to pay reparations to Italy and limit Abyssinia's armed forces. This is beneficial to the people of Abyssinia, because Emperor Haile Selassie cannot implement a dictatorship without an army, and Abyssinia will become a democratic country. I think these can also be written into the resolution of the League of Nations."

If a dictator does not have enough troops to maintain his rule, his country can become a democratic country. What is the reason?

Hessmann paused, then continued: "We should also clearly express our opposition to Italy's attempt to colonize Abyssinia. Moreover, we should also clearly oppose colonialism."

"Oppose colonialism?" Adolf Hitler, who was originally reading the draft of the "German-Austrian Friendship and Mutual Assistance Agreement", suddenly raised his head, "Ludwig, this is the theory of the Bolsheviks!"

"Mr. Prime Minister," Hessmann said to Hitler, "Although we and the Bolsheviks are both opposed to colonialism, our positions are different. The Bolsheviks oppose colonialism based on the interests of the colonial nations. And we, the National Socialists, oppose colonialism based on the interests of the European people."

"Based on the interests of the European people?" Adolf Hitler seemed to have heard a joke. Generally, "It is in the interests of the European people to obtain raw materials and markets from underdeveloped continents."

"It can be obtained through trade," Hersman shrugged and spread his hands, "and not all underdeveloped regions have rich and cheap resources and huge markets waiting for us. For example, there is nothing good in Abyssinia, otherwise it would have been occupied long ago."

He shook his head, "In fact, I sympathize with the Italians rather than the Abyssins... Those fools are still cheering for Mussolini's stupid policies. They don't know how much Italy will pay for Abyssinia in the future."

Historically, fortunately Mussolini lost the world war, otherwise the Italians would have to continue to throw lira into the bottomless pit of Abyssinia... This is completely stupid behavior!

"So we in Germany cannot and should not do such a stupid thing!"

Hersmann smiled and said: "While we support Italy in the League of Nations, we should show the world our position of 'Europe first, anti-colonialism'. Europeans should take care of their own affairs first, build and unite Europe, which is the key to Europe's leadership of the world. For colonies outside Europe, those without owners can be regarded as the second or third Europe, and those with owners should be allowed to make their own decisions. Europe can provide limited help and guidance in exchange for a certain degree of market opening."

The "owned" and "unowned" he mentioned refer to the situation of the indigenous people. Colonies such as Canada and Australia, where there are few indigenous people or they have been eliminated, can become the second or third Europe. But we should also be careful not to let them become the second or third United States...

For places such as India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, where the indigenous population is dozens or hundreds of times more than the local Europeans, there is no need to establish direct rule.

Abyssinia is such a broken place with limited resources, poor land, low value for development, and many indigenous people, and a high level of development. It is difficult to conquer. After conquering, not only is there no money to be made, but also money has to be spent on development and construction.

"Such anti-colonialism..." Adolf Hitler rolled his eyelids, "Should we issue a white paper or declaration to tell the world about this anti-colonial stance?"

"Of course," said Hersmann, "We must now make clear Germany's position: Europe first, national self-determination and opposition to colonialism."

Hersmann carefully thought about the "packaging" art of the two major imperialisms, the United States and the Soviet Union, so he also wanted to "package" Germany, so that the people of the world cannot always regard Germany as a fascist invader.

Moreover, Hersmann felt that Germany in this time and space was not an invader, but a progressive force that could lead Europe and the world.

"I can understand Europe first, and that is also necessary!" Adolf Hitler said, "Europe is the home of the Aryan nation and a sacred land."

Of course, Hitler's proposition includes "Aryan national superiority theory", but under the influence of the two "sources of national socialist thought" of the Army Policy Council and the National Socialist International, Germany's racist thought is not as serious as it was in history.

"As for national self-determination..." Hitler looked at Hersmann.

"All European Germans should live in one country, but that can only be achieved through a referendum." Hersmann said, "Germany can only use force when the referendum cannot be carried out or the results of the referendum cannot be implemented."

This is called "having a legitimate reason to fight a war". You can't fight a war recklessly, which will make Germany's allies feel insecure. Moreover, it will be difficult to govern a lot of Slavic land in the future. It is better to support some agents to rule.

"Then how do we solve the problem of the living space for the Germans?" Hitler immediately asked, "There are already 80 to 85 million people now. This number will exceed 100 million sooner or later. The living space we have is not enough!"

"The British Dominion of Canada is good. After we defeat Britain, we can establish a 'German Canada' there."

Hersmann counted on his fingers and said, "In addition, we can take Lithuania after defeating Poland, and the Czech Republic will also become part of Germany, plus Austria, the Baltic, the Danze City and the Danze Corridor, Alsace and Lorraine, Luxembourg, and some areas of Belgium (Hersmann hopes to take the Wallonia region)... In this way, we can have a land area of ​​more than 800,000 square kilometers.

If possible, I also hope to take Switzerland, but that depends on the wishes of the Swiss people (referendum). If they are willing to join, then Geneva in Switzerland can become the capital of the future European Community."

In fact, Hersmann does not think that Germany does not need to be too large. 850,000 to 900,000 square kilometers is enough - those are the most core and richest lands in Europe, and they can become the center of Europe.

Such a Germany is more than 500,000 square kilometers larger than the unified Federal Republic of Germany in history, and its population is expected to reach hundreds of millions, which is enough to become a strong core of the future European Union.

"What about the land of Russia?" Hitler was still a little unwilling, "Rich Ukraine and the oil of the Caucasus, isn't that what we need?"

"The Soviet Union is a very difficult opponent to defeat!" Hersman narrowed his eyes, "If one day we have to fight the Soviet Union, then we should also maximize the forces against the Bolsheviks. Ukrainians and Cossacks may be such forces. In return, they should have their own independent country... But I don't hope that day will come."

"They may not be as strong as you think," Adolf Hitler shook his head, "Ludwig, do you know the 'Kirov Law'?"

The so-called "Kirov Law" refers to the following amendments to the Soviet Criminal Code made by the Soviet Union after the assassination of Kirov, Secretary W of Leningrad Province, member of the Political Bureau, and Secretary of the Central Committee:

First, all judicial organs should speed up the trial of prisoners accused of planning or carrying out terrorist acts. The investigation of terrorist activities shall not exceed ten days.

Second, the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR will not consider the application for amnesty from such criminals. Once the judgment is made, no appeal or amnesty is allowed.

Third, the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs shall execute such criminals immediately after they are sentenced to death.

After the "Kirov Law" was introduced, large-scale arrests and executions began to occur in the Soviet Union. As the closest friend of the Soviet Union, Germany naturally knew more about the Soviet Union than other countries, and Hitler began to underestimate the combat effectiveness of the Soviet Union.

However, the "Great Purge" has just begun, and only a few hundred thousand people have been arrested, most of whom have something to do with the "Kirov assassination". This level of arrest has not yet damaged the combat effectiveness of the Soviet Red Army.

Mikhail Nikolayevich Tukhachevsky, the Minister of Equipment of the Soviet Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and Deputy People's Commissar of Defense, did not expect that he would become a national sinner two years later.

In fact, even Stalin did not think of eradicating the most outstanding general of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army at this time... Although Tukhachevsky was once Trotsky's old subordinate.

"Mikhail Nikolayevich," Stalin called Tukhachevsky's name affectionately in the Kremlin, "Have you read the documents sent by the Germans?"

"Comrade General Secretary, I have read it several times." Tukhachevsky frowned. Unlike most of the Red Army's "army-level commanders" (the Soviet Union did not implement the military rank system at this time, and the size of officers was defined according to a certain level), Tukhachevsky was not a political worker, but a professional soldier, with a very solid military foundation. So after reading the "Summary Report of the "Iron Fist-1935" Military Exercise", he immediately discovered the shortcomings of the Soviet Red Army.