I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 776 No One Should Be Decent

Because Britain is isolated overseas, neither France nor Germany will regard Britain as its first opponent, which gives Britain room to implement continental balance.

Russia has a clear goal and is targeting Britain, which makes Britain very uncomfortable.

Under normal circumstances, facing an aggressive Russia, Britain should work hard to promote the "Russian threat theory" and win over other European countries to jointly fight against the Russian threat.

The current situation is that Germany is cooperating deeply with Russia, France is deeply involved in the Rif War, and other countries such as Italy and Spain can only provide very limited help to Britain. Britain has searched all over Europe but has not found a suitable ally.

Now Britain misses the Austro-Hungarian Empire very much.

There is no need to think about the United States. Not to mention that the United States is another shareholder of the Suez Canal, it is also the initiator of this incident just like Russia.

The role the United States played in the world war also left the British with lingering fears, and they dared not accept so-called "aid" from the United States again.

"In order to safeguard the interests of countries surrounding the Mediterranean, the Mediterranean Fleet must immediately stop its operations and lift the blockade of the canal."

The Greek delegates followed Nicholas the Younger and fired at Chamberlain.

"It turns out that a certain Mediterranean fleet is the main factor affecting regional security. This is really the thief crying thief."

The representatives of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia remained in formation.

"Tony, shouldn't you say something?"

Romania was not willing to be outdone and sent a message to the representatives of the Kingdom of Italy from afar.

"Asia belongs to Asians. We do not need outside countries to dictate our decisions. We support all people in Asia in pursuing independence based on President Wilson's Fourteen Points. This is their due right!"

The position of the Grand Duchy of Yuriev is clear.

"We have not issued an invitation to the Mediterranean Fleet, and we also oppose any intervention by external forces that would disrupt the military balance in East Asia."

The Australian representative's speech dealt a fatal blow to the Royal Navy.

It was not fatal, the real fatal blow came from Egypt.

"We hope that London will respect Egypt's sovereignty and withdraw the Mediterranean Fleet from Alexandria as soon as possible, which is of great significance to maintaining regional peace."

The statement made by the Egyptian representative was supported by the vast majority of countries.

Chamberlain was unable to face the attacks from all sides, and left the table angrily. The seemingly powerful attack was about to come to nothing.

“If we cannot protect the interests of our member states, is there any need for the League of Nations to exist?”

Little Nicholas banged on the table and shouted.

"What do you want?"

Clemenceau was also helpless. The League of Nations was just a decoration and one could not have too high expectations for it.

"We should impose economic restrictions on the UK to punish it for its military actions that undermine regional security."

Little Nicholas finally picked up the trade stick.

Imposing economic sanctions on the UK?

Clemenceau was quite interested.

Everyone is coveting the Commonwealth market. Not only are Russia and the United States eyeing it covetously, but France also wants to get a piece of it.

If the British monopoly on the Commonwealth could be broken, even if France could not eat meat, it would certainly have plenty of broth.

However, this is the first time since the Industrial Revolution that economic sanctions have been imposed on Britain.

Historically, only Britain has wielded the trade stick and imposed economic sanctions on other countries. Russia and France have been victims, but Britain has never been subject to economic sanctions.

In terms of manufacturing alone, Britain's share of the world's total reached 1860% ​​in 19.9.

The second-ranked country is not the United States or Germany, but the Qing Empire, which accounts for 19.7%.

If calculated by GDP, the Qing Empire accounted for 1870% of the world's total in 17.3, while Britain only accounted for 9.1%.

This data changed dramatically in just a few decades. By 1900, the Qing Empire's share was only 11%, Britain was still 9%, and the United States came from behind to reach 15.8%.

If we only calculate the export trade volume, then Britain's advantage is too great. In 1871, it accounted for 60% of the world's total export trade.

That is what the Commonwealth is all about.

Since reaching its peak in 1871, the scale of British industry has gradually shrunk.

In 1894, the US GDP surpassed that of Britain to become the world's largest.

In 1905, Britain was surpassed by Germany and became the third largest economy in the world.

Now the UK is still the third largest country, with the United States and Russia being the first and second largest countries respectively.

If economic sanctions could be imposed on the UK, it would sound exciting, regardless of the consequences.

Just when Clemenceau was about to express his opinion, Chamberlain, who had just left in anger, came back.

"It's really funny. If the League of Nations wants to impose economic sanctions on the permanent members, then there is really no need for the League of Nations to exist!"

Chamberlain was furious and said, "You are trying to rebel."

"If the League of Nations becomes a tool for big countries to bully small countries, then it should be disbanded."

Frederick von Pourtalis, who represented Germany as ambassador to the League of Nations and had served as Germany's ambassador to Russia, looked at Chamberlain with a sinister look and hatred.

It is thanks to Britain that Germany has fallen to its current state.

If the League of Nations could be made to accompany Britain to its grave, it would be killing two birds with one stone for Putales.

"How can you disband the League of Nations at will? Don't forget that our purpose is to resolve international disputes peacefully."

Little Nicholas, who was always breaking up, suddenly turned into a defender of the League of Nations.

Chamberlain was so angry that he laughed. Is there anything more ridiculous than this? It was totally against the will of heaven.

However, the impact of blocking the Suez Canal on the UK is similar to that of economic sanctions.

Among all European countries, Britain was the most dependent on the Suez Canal. Its Mediterranean Fleet's blockade of the canal resulted in a loss of 800 enemies and 1,000 of its own capital.

"Whether you impose economic sanctions on the UK or not, if the Mediterranean Fleet does not lift the blockade of the canal, Russia will transfer the interest it is prepared to pay to the UK to the canal company to compensate for the losses caused to the canal company by the blockade of the canal."

Little Nicholas is fearless and believes that those who owe money are the boss.

"When did you pay the interest?"

Chamberlain roared.

Russia and Britain are still negotiating over debts from the imperial era. The latest development is that Britain has voluntarily waived the interest and only wants the principal.

Russia has demanded that the payment be halved.

This is definitely not surrender and losing half.

"You are talking too loudly. Are you trying to intimidate an old man like me—"

Little Nicholas turned the tables.

"The Grand Duke is right. If the Mediterranean Fleet does not lift the blockade of the canal, the Grand Duchy of Yuriev will stop all trade with Britain."

Alan Gabulov continues to push for sanctions against the UK.

"Unbelievable!"

Chamberlain shrugged.

The reason why Alan was so radical was that the trade between the Grand Duchy of Yuriev and the United Kingdom was almost non-existent. If it was interrupted, it would not have any impact on either the Grand Duchy of Yuriev or the United Kingdom.

"agree!"

Yugoslavia expressed its support for the Grand Principality of Yuriev through actions.

"Second—"

Romania also has little trade with the UK, and all industrial products that the UK can provide have substitutes in Russia.

There are many Russian products that have no substitutes in the UK.

Even if there were, they would not be competitive in Romania because of the shipping costs.

The Greek representative began to play dead.

It's fine for the Greeks to shout slogans, but when the real action comes, Greece is not willing to lead the charge.

The Grand Duchy of Yuriev, Yugoslavia and Romania were either far away in Asia or under the protection of Russia.

Alexandria is right across from the Kingdom of Greece. If a war really breaks out, Greece will be the first to suffer.

“Is this going to enter the voting process?”

Chamberlain's eyes swept across the faces of the representatives of the Commonwealth member states. The representatives either looked up to the sky or lowered their foreheads with their hands in deep thought, not even looking at Chamberlain.

At the critical moment, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, who was visiting Europe and attending the general assembly on behalf of the United States, requested to speak.

During the World War, Hoover established a relief committee in Belgium to provide food for millions of civilians in Belgium and northern France, which earned him a lot of reputation.

In 1919, Hoover served as chairman of the European Coal Council and from 1921 he served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Hoover and Joseph had a very good personal relationship.

"The UK should safeguard its own interests without harming the interests of other countries. Blocking the Suez Canal has gone beyond the scope of safeguarding its own interests. The UK should respect the sovereignty of other countries—"

Hoover's attitude was equally clear. After all, the two major shareholders of the Suez Canal were Rockefeller and Dolgrokov.

"Three days. I will only give you three days. If the Mediterranean Fleet does not lift the blockade of the canal within three days, the League of Nations will vote on whether to impose economic sanctions on Britain."

Little Nicholas issued an ultimatum.

Chamberlain flew back to England that evening.

Little Nicholas ignored Chamberlain and held a welcome dinner for Hoover at his home.

The dinner at the Nikolayevich Palace was the most popular diplomatic occasion in Geneva, and all diplomats stationed at the League of Nations were proud to receive an invitation to the Nikolayevich Palace.

Representatives from Romania, South Africa and Yugoslavia were frequent visitors to the Nikolayevich Palace. Whenever little Nicholas appeared, the representatives from the three countries would always surround him.

As for other countries such as Goryeo and Greece, their relations are still more distant.

After Germany joined the League of Nations, Poutales also became a frequent visitor to the Nikolayevich Palace, and Clemenceau occasionally appeared here.

Due to Chamberlain's sudden return to Britain, Robert George, the British Deputy Ambassador to the League of Nations, did not receive an invitation to the Nikolayevich Palace.

Robert George arrived uninvited, but was stopped by guards when entering the Nikolayevich Palace.

Robert George was furious; his car, flying the British flag, had been allowed to travel freely through Geneva without ever being stopped.

"Excuse me, please show me your invitation."

The guard had a poker face and was unyielding.

"Come in!"

Robert George is going to make a big scene. Since you don't give me respect, no one else can.

(End of this chapter)