Chapter 2001： Change Three (1/2)
”Well, you can make any decision on my behalf, but after you make a decision, you must notify me. That's it, I will arrange your car back to Paris now.” Foch was relieved after speaking. Now, He finally didn't have to think about the annoying rectification issues. Now Foch is a pure soldier to deal with the Germans on the opposite side!
Just as Petain was about to go to Paris, in the French Prime Minister’s Office, French Prime Minister Alexandre Ribeau was exchanging views with a British representative on some issues.
”Are you saying that the British Empire requested that the German ships previously allocated to the French Republic be taken back? The reason?” Prime Minister Ribo asked with a frown.
”The first issue is the transportation of troops. We need to transport a new group of troops from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. As you know, slow merchant ships are easily attacked by submarines. High-speed cruise ships are the fastest and safest option.”
”Secondly, the British Empire lost too many merchant ships in the previous period. We need to supplement the size of the merchant fleet. The French can use American merchant ships to transport supplies, while German submarines generally do not attack, but the British Empire cannot. There are very few American ships that will transport materials to Britain. In this case, we can only solve the problem ourselves.” The British representative said.
”It may be very difficult. The merchant fleet of France has suffered heavy losses. These merchant ships seized from the Germans are very important, especially among the large cruise ships such as the Motherland, Hesse, and the Rhine. Now at least there are More than 40 German ships with a total of more than 500,000 tons are serving France. If we return it to you, it will be very difficult for us. For the sake of our friendship, I hope that your country will not make such a decision.” Prime Minister Ribo said nothing. Talk about American ships.
At the beginning of the war, the Royal Navy across the four seas seized a large number of German ships, and some of these ships were temporarily handed over to the French for use. These ships belonged to the British in terms of ownership, after all, they were grabbed by the British. Therefore, at this time, the British suddenly demanded to take back the ownership of these ships. More importantly, the crews on these ships are all British, and they will execute them immediately after receiving orders from the British government.
”This is just a notification process. We will make up for the loss of return home transportation capacity in the following time, but these ships must return to the UK after performing their last mission.” The British representative is not here to meet with Prime Minister Ribo Talking about this matter, but to fulfill the obligation of notification, tell you that the British have already decided, and the attitude of the French is not important.
“Is it possible to return the large cruise ship used to transport soldiers to you first, but is it feasible for us to postpone the delivery of ordinary cargo ships? We will hand over the ship after your compensation has arrived.” Prime Minister Ribo said.
”I'm afraid this won't work.” The British representative said in a tactful tone as much as possible.
”You are undermining the cornerstone of French-British cooperation! At the most critical moment of the French Republic, when the Germans might reach the outskirts of Paris at any time, what the British did was not to help us fight against powerful enemy forces. All sorts of dismantling! If I'm not mistaken, those so-called compensation fleets are just a lie, right? What do you want to do?” Prime Minister Ribo finally couldn't help but erupt!
”Our army is still fighting side by side with you. Our navy is also blocking the North Sea. Our air force defends the French sky when the capital is bombed. We have done all our duties, but our people have found out in the United States. Some familiar figures have appeared.” The British representative said calmly.