Chapter 195: Strange Political Landscape
Two months later.
At a manor on the outskirts of Berlin, Jörg sat by the window and flipped through a newspaper.
The headline reported that the military defense agreement between Italy, Poland, and France had been formally signed in Marseille.
"Interesting."
His fingers paused on the page.
He had originally intended to take more from Ukraine during Soviet Russia's purge, but this military agreement made him realize one thing very clearly.
Germany could not completely break with Soviet Russia for the time being.
Leah, who immediately understood his thoughts, asked softly, "Mr. von Roman, should we withdraw our aid to the Ukrainian rebels and use that to draw Soviet Russia to our side?"
"No rush."
Jörg took a calm sip of black tea.
Outside the window, snowflakes drifted down and blurred the glass in a pale white haze.
"Continue the aid. Publicly declare our support for the Ukrainian rebels through the international media, and reiterate our position that Ukraine should become an independent state."
He put down the cup.
"Mr. Stalin will come to me on his own."
Leah nodded.
"Call Joseph in."
"Yes, sir."
She rose and left the office.
A moment later, Joseph, the Progress Party whip and the throat of Germany's propaganda machine, entered the room and bowed respectfully.
"Führer, all political propaganda is proceeding in an orderly manner. After the New Year, recruitment posters will appear across the streets and alleys of Germany."
He adjusted the file in his hand.
"The Propaganda Department has also recruited a large number of Hollywood producers, actors, and directors according to your instructions. The Empire's Victory is expected to be released in 1935, before the Olympics."
Joseph paused for a moment.
"However, the acquisition of Disney has encountered difficulties. Disney rejected our offer."
Jörg thought for a moment.
"Have Cardolan handle it. If we cannot buy Disney, then poach their people and establish our own Disney."
His tone remained calm, but his words carried certainty.
"The importance of animation and film is no less than war."
Joseph nodded.
In truth, he had already considered contacting Cardolan, but contacting him privately without the Führer's order and contacting him to carry out the Führer's order were two completely different matters.
Although he knew Jörg would not blame him, Joseph believed this was the respect and political awareness he had to possess.
"Also, Führer, there is a minor matter I need to report."
"Speak."
"Two Junkers and several businessmen are attempting to win over newspapers and organize a press campaign against military expansion."
Jörg looked toward the falling snow outside.
In the reflection of the glass, he saw Joseph's gaunt face.
"I understand, Joseph."
His voice softened slightly.
"After you finish dealing with this matter, take a vacation. Look at yourself. You have grown far too thin."
Joseph lowered his head.
"Do not worry," Jörg continued. "There is still plenty of work waiting for you."
He turned back.
"I do not intend to entrust the arrangements and propaganda for the Olympics two years from now to anyone else. Cherish this final period of peace."
As 1934 began, Germany's war machine started to turn.
Moderates within the Army resigned one after another.
Schacht temporarily stepped down from his position as Minister of Economy due to illness.
Several companies that had performed well in 1933 suddenly closed their doors.
No one knew exactly what was happening.
Everyone only knew that recruitment posters had filled the streets and alleys. Advertisements encouraging road trips were replaced by large slogans encouraging childbirth.
They also noticed something else.
Automobile production had decreased significantly.
Even with Saudi Arabia, that hotbed of oil, now within Germany's economic reach, gasoline prices had not fallen. Instead, they had risen considerably.
The impact was most obvious in agriculture.
The prices of sugar, salt, and meat rose, accompanied by signs of limited supply.
The clothing sector also underwent macroeconomic adjustment. Supplies of wool, cotton, and leather products began to contract.
The people's quality of life declined noticeably, though it remained within an acceptable range.
Although the public did not fully understand why this was happening, compared to other countries still struggling under the weight of the economic crisis and mass unemployment, these hardships did not seem impossible to endure.
The government's explanations about economic adjustment were accepted almost uniformly.
Of course, Germany was not truly short of resources.
On the contrary, exporting weapons, exporting medicine, and turning Spain into a dumping ground for German industrial goods brought the country enormous profits.
Orders for wool sweaters and other cold weather clothing were so large that even British children were knitting sweaters. Countless warehouses were filled with purchased leather, food, and preserved supplies.
In Hamburg, an oil refinery spanning more than a dozen football fields operated day and night.
But these materials did not flow into civilian markets.
Cloth became military uniforms.
Food became canned rations.
Refined gasoline was stored separately in military bases.
Rubber became landing gear for countless aircraft.
Iron ore became tank barrels and aircraft carrier decks.
As soon as the multi year expansion plan for key cities was completed, military defense projects such as radar stations and anti aircraft towers began construction.
This vast military expansion created countless jobs.
Factories, cinemas, and restaurants all seemed short of staff.
The labor shortage, in turn, advanced the gender equality campaign that the Propaganda Department had long struggled to promote. Women began entering the workforce on a large scale. By March 1934, more than one hundred thousand female workers had joined military construction efforts.
Of course, Germany's major actions could not be hidden from other countries.
Italy also began expanding its army to more than one million men.
Poland further squeezed its already fragile economy, pushing its army numbers to another peak.
France went even further, though it still suffered from the deep war weariness among men left behind by the Great War.
Pierre Laval, the pro Italy right wing Minister of Foreign Affairs, had already sold Ethiopian territory to Italy. Now, he even considered organizing another White Feather movement to rekindle French men's enthusiasm for enlistment.
This, however, created an even deeper rift between the feminist movement, increasingly influenced by Simone de Beauvoir's ideas, and French men.
In Britain, MI6 and military generals repeatedly urged Chamberlain to increase military spending.
But Chamberlain, who had painstakingly revived the economy, did not want his political achievements dragged down by military expenditure.
London.
Prime Minister's Office.
Churchill stood with his arms crossed, looking as if he would not leave until military spending was increased.
After Baldwin's resignation, Churchill, who had recognized Chamberlain's disdain for him, returned to politics under Baldwin's intentional guidance, carrying the blame for the Middle East War on his back.
"Mr. Prime Minister, everyone is rearming. Germany, France, Italy, even Japan across the Pacific. Why can we not do the same?"
Chamberlain shook his head.
"Then I must ask you, Mr. Churchill, why should we rearm?"
His tone was calm but firm.
"To guard against whom? Soviet Russia is entangled with Germany. Germany is entangled with Italy, France, and Poland. Europe has achieved a perfect balance of power."
Churchill frowned.
Chamberlain continued, "We need only maintain offshore balancing. The shadow of the economic crisis will dissipate in another two years. As long as we avoid being dragged into the vortex of military expansion, Britain will soon reclaim first place in the global economic system."
Churchill pressed his lips together.
"Mr. Prime Minister, with all due respect, you are being far too idealistic."
His voice was heavy.
"Will Germany truly fight Soviet Russia to the end? Will France, Poland, and Italy definitely be able to withstand Germany's iron heel?"
He stared at Chamberlain.
"I do not believe so."
.....
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