I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 694 You old guys have also suffered this day

When Germany requested an armistice, Foch demanded that Germany hand over 5000 cannons, 3000 mortars, 3 machine guns, and 2000 aircraft as a "deposit" for the armistice.

Taking into account the domestic situation in Germany, machine guns were allowed to be retained to suppress domestic resistance in Germany.

In March this year, the Kingdom of Hungary and the Grand Duchy of Bavaria successively established working-class-led republics, sounding the alarm for Europe's rulers.

In 1848, revolutions broke out in various European countries. The Russian Empire put out revolutions everywhere and became the main force in suppression, earning it the reputation as the “European gendarme.”

Now that the Russian Empire is gone, who will maintain peace and stability in Europe?

While revolutions broke out in Austria-Hungary and Germany, Britain and France were also in turmoil.

The British Labour Party was founded by the Trades Congress, originally known as the Labour Representation Committee. In 1906, it was formed by the union of trade unions, cooperative organizations and social groups. After the outbreak of World War I, it supported the government's war policy and joined the coalition cabinet of the Liberal Party.

The French branch of the Workers' International was formed by the merger of the French Socialist Union, the Workers' Confederation, the Workers' Party, etc.

The common point between these two organizations is that they have numerous factions and complex structures. They do not simply represent the interests of the working class, but represent the overall interests of the emerging bourgeoisie.

Sidney Webb and his wife Beatrice were famous British activists and leaders of the Fabian Society, advocating a cooperative approach to reforming Britain.

After the ceasefire was achieved, the British working class launched a new wave of strike movements in order to fight for better welfare benefits. The coal miners fought the most fiercely and were the most combative.

In January this year, the Miners' Union demanded higher wages, a seven-hour workday, and nationalization of the mines.

The British government rejected the Mine Workers' Federation's demands.

The Mine Workers' Union then decided to go on strike.

As an expert from the Mineworkers' Union, Weber participated in the Coal Industry Inquiry Committee, assisting the British government in dealing with increasingly tense labor disputes.

Mrs. Beatrice Webb was the drafter of the famous "Minority Report", which originated from the Royal Commission of Inquiry established in 1905 to investigate the issue of the Poor Law. Mrs. Webb was one of the members of the Commission of Inquiry.

After the investigation, Mrs. Webb submitted a "minority report" recommending the abolition of the Poor Law and its replacement with extensive social insurance.

This proposal clearly reflects the Fabian view of the "welfare state".

The eight-hour workday and minimum wage guarantee system implemented in Russia coincided with the "welfare state" advocated by Fabianism, which resonated strongly with the Webbs.

The day after The Times published Alexander's interview, the Webbs approached their mutual friend, Labour leader Arthur Henderson, to discuss the new policy in Russia.

Arthur Henderson had also read the Times report and was impressed by Alexander's interview.

Unfortunately, however, at least for now, a similar system cannot be implemented in the UK.

"You know, the biggest difference between us and Russia is that we don't have a strong person like Grand Duke Yuriev. If Russia lets the State Duma discuss it, it won't be able to reach a consensus in 100 years."

There was a hint of envy in Arthur Henderson's words.

The situation in Britain is more complicated than that in Russia. If the resolutions passed by the House of Commons, which is mainly composed of the emerging bourgeoisie, do not conform to the interests of the aristocracy, they will be rejected by the House of Lords, which is also composed of the aristocracy.

The British are so easily fooled.

If Nicholas had such political wisdom, he would not have fallen to this point today.

I can't even understand what I'm copying.

"This news has not spread yet. If the workers knew that their Russian counterparts could pursue their hobbies while supporting their families, I don't know what they would do."

Weber reminded Arthur Henderson that everyone has the right to pursue a good life.

"This must be a Russian conspiracy, their purpose is to incite our workers, this is Grand Duke Yuriev's revenge for not taking in the Tsar."

Arthur Henderson was being inconsistent; he had just been praising George's strength.

"No, no, no, this system has been working perfectly in Grand Duke Yuriev's territory for many years. At least they have been doing this since 1892."

Beatrice married Weber in 1892 and visited Vladivostok on their honeymoon.

Beatrice was born into a wealthy family in Gloucester. After her marriage, she and Webber settled in London. Their income came from Beatrice's inheritance and royalties, about 1000 pounds a year.

Don't underestimate this 1000 pounds. Only the top middle class, equivalent to 0.5% of the UK's total population, can reach this income level.

Arthur Henderson hesitated to speak. He had also been to Vladivostok and had even met George in person in St. Petersburg as a member of the British delegation.

Unfortunately, he knew George, but George didn't know him.

"Even if this is a Russian conspiracy, it is an open conspiracy. We must act, otherwise we will be completely passive."

Weber feared that British workers would be incited, causing greater chaos.

"Yes, we should indeed take action—"

Arthur Henderson goes into Yes, Minister mode.

The classic four stages of "Yes, Prime Minister": Stage 1, claiming that nothing happened.

Stage 2: Something may have happened, but no action should be taken.

Stage 3: Perhaps action should have been taken, but nothing can be done. Stage 4: Perhaps something could have been done, but now it is too late.

The Webbs were scholars.

Arthur Henderson was a politician as leader of the Labour Party.

So what the Webbs worried about was exactly what Arthur Henderson hoped for.

It's good for workers to make trouble.

It would be best to make a big fuss until the Lloyd George cabinet falls, and then the Labour Party will have its chance.

Arthur Henderson needs time to take office.

The French in the old revolutionary base areas have already taken action.

During the Imperial Russian era, France was the most desirable holiday destination for Russians. Every winter, countless Russian dignitaries chose to spend the cold winter in France, just like migratory birds, waiting for spring to come and return to St. Petersburg.

The situation in France is actually more serious than that in Russia.

During Nicholas' reign, the Russian army never rebelled. It was not until Nicholas abdicated that the Russian army, having lost its allegiance, became morale-destroying and suffered a crushing defeat.

After the Battle of Verdun, a part of the French army refused to carry out combat orders and was actually in a state of rebellion.

Pétain, who was appointed to the post in a time of crisis, visited all the French troops on the front line, but was unable to restore morale. Ultimately, it was the participation of the US military that saved France.

During the World War, French workers organized strikes many times to fight for better welfare benefits, but were strongly suppressed by the French government.

What’s funny is that the cabinet that was most aggressive in suppressing workers’ strikes was the notorious cabinet of three traitors.

Alexander Millerand, one of the three traitor cabinet members, rose to fame in his early years for defending the workers' movement. After he became successful, he became the politician with the most radical attitude towards suppressing the workers' movement and played the workers in the palm of his hand.

After Nicholas abdicated, many Russian dignitaries fled to France. Paris, as the capital of France, naturally became the first choice for Russian dignitaries.

Long before Le Figaro published Alexander's interview, news about Russia's implementation of an eight-hour work system and a minimum wage guarantee system had begun to circulate widely in Paris.

The shock this news brought to the old revolutionary base areas was subversive.

Isn’t it said that Russia is about to return to the dark and ignorant Tsarist era?

Why does it seem that Russia has become a workers' republic?
France is the real republic, the Third Republic.

In 1919, although the fighting on the front line had ceased, prices in Paris were still unaffordable, the lower-class people were suffering, and the workers were busy all day long. Not to mention pursuing their personal hobbies, it was even difficult for them to support their families.

On March 3, just three days after Le Figaro published Alexander's interview, tens of thousands of Paris workers took to the streets, demanding that the French government improve welfare benefits and follow Russia's example to provide French workers with the most basic living security.

This cannot but make one sigh at the awakening of the old revolutionary areas.

Russia has begun to progress towards a welfare society.

French workers are still struggling to achieve the most basic living standards.

What is the most basic living security?
The bottom layer of Maslow's five-layer pyramid.

In this pyramid, Russian workers are at least at the third level, having met their physiological and safety needs and beginning to pursue spiritual satisfaction.

By noon, more and more people gathered, not only more and more workers came, but also disabled soldiers who had become homeless also joined in.

We have mentioned many times before how the Cossacks exiled themselves after becoming disabled in order not to burden their families.

The situation of disabled French soldiers was not much better than that of the Cossacks. Many disabled soldiers were stranded in Paris, waiting for pensions from the French government and had to live on the streets.

The excited crowd surrounded the Palace of Versailles, the Royal Avenue was packed with people, and the fountain in the square was crowded with people.

Clemenceau urgently dispatched cavalry to maintain order, and the disabled veterans formed a human wall to prevent the cavalry from charging into the crowd.

"Brothers, a month ago, we fought side by side. I lost my leg while protecting my comrades—"

"Look at me, this is my badge, I also served in the Fifth Army, I am your brother Henry--"

"If you don't take action, our today will be your tomorrow—"

The cries of the wounded veterans made the cavalrymen rein in their horses, with expressions of pity on their faces.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the leading officer immediately led his team back.

We can't stay here. If we stay any longer, the cavalry will probably join us.

In the Palace of Versailles, Clemenceau was furious and roared that he wanted to drive the Russians out of the Paris Peace Conference.

Lloyd George desperately sent telegrams to London, asking all newspapers to strictly prohibit publishing any news about Russia.

Wilson appeared calm on the surface, but he was roaring wildly inside.

You old guys have come to this day!
(End of this chapter)