"Minister, 20 billion marks is not enough to compensate for the empire's losses. 100 billion marks is the condition of the empire." Von Kidren Wachter shook his head again and again.
This is a good opportunity to blackmail the French, how can it be easily let go? If I let it go, I'm afraid I won't have such an opportunity again in the future. The emperor's request was to squeeze out as much oil as possible from the French. Even if Germany won the war, it still needs a large sum of money to restore the domestic economy and digest the newly acquired territory.
For example, most of the large tracts of territory that Germany acquired from Russia are places with poor transportation conditions but rich resources. If you want to develop these places and contribute to the strength of Germany, instead of becoming a drag on Germany, you have to invest a lot of money. Germany can't get the money, so it can only find a way from war reparations. It is precisely because of this that Germany will try its best to squeeze these defeated countries and get as much war reparations from them as possible.
"Your Excellency, the war indemnity your country received from Russia is only 20 billion marks in total, right? Why does France have to pay five times as much in war indemnity than Russia?" Théophile Del Casse said.
"Your Excellency, I can answer this question for you. First, the damage and loss caused by Russia to the Empire is far less than that of France. Second, Russia is much poorer than France. Third, although Russia's compensation to the Empire Not much, but compensation was given from other places. For example, territory, Russia ceded a large area of territory to the empire. If France wants to exchange territory for reparations like Russia, I have no problem with this." Wahit said with a smile.
Theophile Del Casey stopped talking immediately. France's mainland is only 500,000 square kilometers in total. How can it be compared with Russia, which has as many as 20 million square kilometers? If the Germans also slaughtered on French territory, their losses would be great.
"Your Excellency, 40 billion marks. This is already twice the war indemnity your country received from Russia. It is eight times the war indemnity your country received in the Franco-Prussian War." Théophile Del Casse bit his teeth Tooth said.
"Four billion marks? Not enough, how about it. Sixty billion marks! The empire has reduced by four billion marks at one time, which already shows the sincerity of the empire." Wahit said.
"Sixty billion marks, this is still too high. The French Republic will not be able to pay so much compensation anyway." Théophile Delcase said. The Germans have begun to make concessions, which is undoubtedly good news for them. He hoped that he could lower the price a little bit again.
The two sides have been haggling for a long time on the price of 60 billion and 40 billion. In the end, the amount of compensation was set at 55 billion marks, which was 5 billion marks higher than Qin Tian's bottom line.
Théophile Delcase felt unwilling, but there was nothing he could do. With Germany's attitude becoming more and more tough, he could only choose to compromise. Otherwise, once the negotiations break down, it will be very unfavorable to France.
"Your Excellency, the amount of 55 billion marks is really too big. I am not sure whether the government will agree. If the French government is not satisfied with this amount, then I have nothing to do." Théophile Del Casey said.
"Of course, I can understand. However, I think your government will definitely agree. After all, this is the bottom line of the German Empire. If your government does not agree, then the German army will continue to attack." Vahi Te said.
Theophile Delcase heard the threatening meaning in Vachter's words. However, he had no way to refute it. Who let Germany now fully grasp the initiative?
"The second condition is that the German Empire requires the French government to transfer all overseas colonies to the German Empire. After the defeat, France no longer needs to own those colonies." Wacht continued.
Germany has long coveted the colonies of France. Although, the colonies owned by France may not be as rich as those owned by Britain. But if you look at it in terms of area, it is no less than the UK. Compared with Germany, which has only a few small, barren colonies, these colonies are already very good.
Before the outbreak of World War I, France owned large colonies, including large colonies in Africa, a small part of India in South Asia and islands in the Indian Ocean, Indochina colonies in Southeast Asia, islands in the Caribbean and part of colonies in South America, and the Pacific Ocean. large islands.
After these colonies are ceded to Germany, Germany will suddenly become a powerful colonial empire. A large number of overseas colonies will provide Germany with a huge source of raw materials and overseas markets, allowing Germany's industry to further take off.
Similarly, these colonies are also very important to France. Of course, they hope to keep these colonies if they can. However, the French government has long had a consensus on this. After knowing the defeat of this war, these colonies obviously cannot be kept.
"Your Excellency, the French Republic is willing to cede our colonies in Asia and America to your country. Can we keep the colonies in Africa? Anyway, most of those colonies are deserts and rainforests, and they are very poor. Even if Germany owns those Colonies are useless." Théophile Delcase said.
Wacht shook his head: "The empire's request is that France transfer all its colonies to the empire. There is no room for bargaining on this point!"
Those colonies in Africa seem to be poor. But Emperor Qin Tian attached great importance to it. For example, the colonies in North Africa and West Africa are rich in oil resources. It may not be mined now, but these resources will be very important to Germany in the future.
"Okay, Your Excellency. Since the German Empire must have those colonies, in order to show our sincerity, we agree to transfer those colonies to Germany." Théophile Delcase said.
Washite nodded, very satisfied with the French's knowledge.
"The third condition is that the French government must cede all the territory north of the Loire River and Corsica to the German Empire. There is no room for bargaining on this one." Wachter once again proposed a condition.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter