Chapter 1524 - 47: Joining

Chapter 1524: Chapter 47: Joining

Rhein City.

The United Kingdom’s intention to tinker with an International League is no secret to the world; it’s just that in this war Britain’s performance was far less dazzling than in the previous timeline where it emerged as a victorious power, so many countries are still in a wait-and-see posture.

Take for example those countries that maintain relatively good relations with Germany. Previously, when they considered whether to join the International League, they clearly had to take Germany into account. After all, on the surface Germany and Britain had been enemies; joining the International League might offend Germany or produce some negative impact on their own national interests.

But now, with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Austria all having stated their positions, the establishment of the International League is clearly being put on the agenda, and the pace has accelerated greatly.

Reading the European newspapers, Ernst noted that public opinion across Europe had recently undergone a major shift. He asked, "Can the European public psychologically accept this International League?"

The reason he put it this way was still because of the war. During the war the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Austria belonged to two opposing camps and were mortal enemies; both sides paid sacrifices in the tens of millions. Now they suddenly shake hands and make peace—however you look at it, it seems rather absurd.

Maureen, who was responsible for foreign intelligence, replied, "Your Majesty, judging from current European public opinion, countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany are consciously trying to rebuild a common European consensus."

"Compared with national grudges and blood feuds, the damage the war inflicted on Europe does indeed more easily provoke reflection among the European public. So there is actually a large market within Europe for an International League of this sort, a platform used for communication and the resolution of disputes."

For a "tragedy" like the war, which had dragged almost the entire Europe into a brutal conflict, Europeans naturally engage in soul-searching afterward.

Compared with revenge, it is obvious that peace is where popular sentiment lies. After all, the lower classes in Europe have no desire to go through another world war.

"This so?called International League should in fact be called a European Union, a helpless compromise among the four European powers, and yet one that is conducive to coordinating Europe’s international relations and affairs."

"Before the world war there was no such platform for communication, and this was one of the important reasons that led to the outbreak of the war."

What Maureen said was not without reason. Before the war, the major European powers basically each played their own game and lacked smooth channels of communication, which made it easy for small problems to escalate into big ones.

Take Serbia, the fuse, for example. Back then, if there had been an intelligence-sharing platform among the powers, it is possible that the further escalation of the conflict could have been avoided.

Ernst asked, "Then in your view, for the United Kingdom and Germany to set aside their grievances and promote the establishment of this International League—are their objectives only that simple? And what impact does this have on us?"

Crown Prince Friedrich said, "To make two enemies lay down their hatred and turn to cooperation, it must be because they are facing some other enemy. On this basis, combined with the current conflict between Germany and Russia, I think this is an attempt by Europe to deal with external competition and threats."

"Germany’s primary focus now is dealing with the Russians, while the United Kingdom is facing the problem of declining global hegemony, especially in relation to the United States and us. That is likely the real foundation of cooperation between the two countries."

"Of course, I am not optimistic about this kind of European cooperation. The contradictions among European countries are numerous and complex; everyone harbors ulterior motives. Even if an International League can be established, it is impossible for it to resolve these contradictions."

In Friedrich’s view, the ideas of Britain and Germany are all well and good, but can they really remain immune to provocation and thus cooperate with complete sincerity? The difficulty is extremely high, to say the least.

Finance Minister Logans added, "Europe is the largest consumer market in the world, but its industry is in fact in decline. Today the industrial capacity of East Africa and the United States has already effectively surpassed that of the whole of Europe."

"With industrial capacity falling, Europe can no longer easily conquer territories around the world as it did in the previous century."

"Under these circumstances, with no way to expand outward and make the pie bigger, and with markets potentially shrinking further due to the rise of regions outside Europe, it becomes even less likely for the European countries to unite."

"On the contrary, competition over the internal European market will only intensify, ultimately reigniting contradictions among the countries. Another world war—more precisely, another European war—cannot be ruled out."

The war was in essence a European war; it is only because extra?regional powers such as the United States and the Ottoman joined that it can barely be called a world war. In reality, aside from the Middle East, the main theater of operations was essentially confined to Europe.

Ernst agreed with the others’ views. "For Europe to achieve unity is certainly impossible. This time, with Britain and Germany taking the lead in promoting the International League, it shouldn’t even be called unity; it is more a case of seeking common ground while shelving differences. Britain is tacitly accepting Germany’s expansion into Eastern Europe and even the Middle East."

"Germany, in turn, supports the United Kingdom and countries like us in competing in the ring. The two are merely at a stage where they see no need for conflict; each has its own little abacus."

"Take the United Kingdom, for example: even if it supports Germany’s expansion into Eastern Europe and the Middle East, this is premised on confronting the Russian Labor Party, and it will inevitably touch upon our interests in the Middle East as well."

"As for the premise of German–British cooperation, it naturally lies in the fact that Britain is likewise under pressure from us and the United States. It can be seen that the current international relations really are a tangled mess."

The addition of East Africa as a country has indeed made the direction of the world even more obscure. Many countries may find themselves plagued with choice paralysis even over the simple question of which side to stand on.