Glorious Mission 1937

To this end, Molotov handed over to the Japanese ambassador the draft of the Soviet-Japanese neutrality treaty and the draft protocol of canceling Japan's concession in North Sakhalin Island.The Soviet-Japanese draft neutrality treaty proposed by the Soviet Union includes the following three clauses: "Article 5. The two parties declare to maintain peaceful and friendly relations and respect each other's territorial integrity. Article 5. When one of the contracting parties becomes the target of attack by one or more third countries, The other party remains neutral during the entire conflict. Article [-] This neutrality treaty will take effect immediately from the date of signing and will be valid for [-] years. If either party fails to abolish the treaty one year before the expiration of the treaty, this treaty will be automatically extended for [-] years. "

Due to serious differences between the Soviet Union and Japan on the issue of canceling Japan's concessions in the North Sakhalin Island and the fishery agreement, the negotiation of the Soviet-Japanese neutrality treaty was finally hindered.However, since Japan is preparing to take aggressive actions to the south, it must ensure the safety of its north and keep the Soviet Union neutral.

Therefore, Japan had no choice but to take the initiative and put forward the conditions for adjusting the diplomatic relations between Japan and the Soviet Union, including: "Through German mediation, prompt the Soviet Union to sell the northern half of Sakhalin Island. If the Soviet Union does not agree, it will give up the northern half of Sakhalin Island as a compensation." The right to compensation made the Soviet Union agree to supply Japan with 5 million tons of oil in the next five years."

"The empire recognizes the status of the Soviet Union in Xinjiang and Outer Mongolia, and the Soviet Union recognizes the status of the empire in North China and Mongolia." Of course, all of this must be done under the premise that "the Soviet Union gave up its activities to aid Chiang."Germany was already preparing to fight against the Soviet Union and naturally would not support Japan's plan, but Japan was determined to adjust its relations with the Soviet Union alone, so Japanese Foreign Minister Matsuoka traveled from Tokyo to Moscow in early May.He met again with Stalin and Molotov, expressed the Japanese government's desire to improve the relationship between Japan and the Soviet Union, and once again proposed to conclude a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union.But the USSR only agreed to conclude a neutrality pact.

During the talks, Matsuoka assured that Japan would prepare to attack the Soviet Union only if the Soviet Union and the United States regarded Japan as their common enemy and cooperated with each other.He also expressed that he did not want Japan to join Germany in attacking the Soviet Union. Japan was loyal to its ally Germany, but it must not be concluded from this that Japan would definitely break off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.When Matsuoka suggested that the Soviet government study Japan's proposal on concluding a non-aggression pact, he said that he could postpone his return from Moscow for a few days.

Molotov replied to Matsuoka that the Soviet Union had no intention of signing an agreement with the United States to attack Japan, but of course the Soviet Union would continue to negotiate with the United States and develop relations with the United States based on its own interests.If the Japanese government wants to take a major political step in relations with the Soviet Union, then the two sides can negotiate on the conclusion of a neutrality treaty at the moment. At the same time, the only thing that needs to be negotiated is the cancellation of Japan's oil and coal concessions in North Sakhalin Island, and the incidental repayment There are investment compensation for Japanese concessionaires, and the Soviet Union's obligation to provide Japan with a certain amount of oil in the next few years.

After communicating with the country, Matsuoka agreed to conclude a neutrality treaty when meeting with Molotov again, but firmly opposed the cancellation of Japan's concession in North Sakhalin.At the same time, Matsuoka proposed to sign a secret protocol on spheres of influence during the talks. The protocol would point out that Japan’s spheres of influence were Inner Mongolia and North China, while the Soviet Union’s spheres of influence were the Mongolian People’s Republic and Xinjiang.According to Chikhvinsky's writings, Molotov ignored this provocative suggestion, and the statement must focus on one issue, that is, on the issue of the neutrality treaty and the protocol to cancel Japan's concessions in Northern Sakhalin.Under pressure from the Soviet Union, Matsuoka made concessions on the issue of canceling Japan's concessions in North Sakhalin. On May 1940, 5, the signing ceremony of the "Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Treaty" and the letter concerning the issue of the Soviet-Japanese trade and fishery agreement and the cancellation of the concession in the North Sakhalin Island was held.On the same day as the signing of the contract, the two sides also issued a statement: "The Soviet Union pledges to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of Manchukuo, and Japan pledges to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of the Mongolian People's Republic.

This was obviously an unwarranted interference in China's internal affairs, and a serious violation of the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. Since then, the Soviet Union's aid to China has gradually decreased.

1940年5月17日下午，松冈洋右一行回抵东京，在晚上9时召开的政府大本营联席会议上报告日苏谈判的情况。5月18日，日本抠密院通过苏日中立条约。天皇立即批淮。

the same day.The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR also ratified the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Treaty. On the 19th, representatives of the Soviet Union and the Japanese government exchanged instruments of ratification in Tokyo, announcing that the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Treaty had come into force.

At the same time, ROC Foreign Minister Wang Chonghui issued a statement the day after the signing of the Japan-Soviet Treaty, pointing out that the four northeastern provinces and Outer Mongolia are Chinese territory, and Manchukuo is illegal.The Chinese Government will never recognize the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Treaty.The Chinese government and people will never recognize any decision of a third country that impairs China's territorial and administrative integrity.The joint declaration issued by the Soviet Union and Japan is absolutely invalid for China.

At the same time, the provincial government of Saibei Province also held a press conference in Guisui. Chen Feng, the chairman of Saibei Province who had just been promoted to the first-level general of the Nationalist Army, publicly condemned the Soviet and Japanese governments for violating China's national will.It is immoral to carve up China's territory at will without the presence of representatives of the Chinese government, and it is also a deliberate provocation against China. The entire Chinese nation will not recognize this treaty.In addition, the Provincial Government of Sebei Province and the hundreds of thousands of officers and soldiers of the Eighth War Zone will be on standby, ready to start a bloody battle with the enemy that endangers the integrity of the territory and sovereignty, and will not stop until the enemy is completely wiped out.

Subsequently, the Eighth War Zone held an emergency military meeting in Guisui. All commanders of the group army and the vice chairman of the government had to attend. At the meeting, Chen Feng listened to the work report of the government presidium, and at the same time formulated the work goals and work plans for the second half of the year.Mainly concentrated in the industrial field, especially heavy industry.

According to the statistics of the Provincial Government of Saibei Province, 37 iron and steel enterprises have been built in Saibei Province, with an annual output of 3890 million tons of refined steel and 9765 million tons of pure iron; 727 various mines have been built in the province, mainly focusing on coal and non-ferrous metals There are as many as 120 million employees in mining, stone and other industries; in addition, with the direct intervention and support of the provincial government of Sebei Province, the smelting and processing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, coking and coke, chemicals and chemical raw materials that are related to the development of the national economy , cement, electric power, coal processing, glass fiber raw materials and other industries have been greatly developed;

At the same time, the 4 major heavy industrial zones in the northern Serbia province have made great progress, and more than 4 enterprises from all over the country have directly supported the industry in the northern Serbia province. frame.Secondly, in the first half of this year, the three major agricultural and animal husbandry areas also developed very well.Therefore, Chen Feng decided to allocate another 1700 billion US dollars from the family fund of the Chen family to invest in Northern Serbia Province to carry out industrial construction within the province.

另外这段时间以来，陈锋对第八战区名下的兵工厂进行了全面的整合，共建成24个大型兵工厂，其中包头4个、归绥3个、乌海4个、伊克昭4个临河4个、大同2个、张家口2个、兴和1个。

The integrated arsenal is no longer a single scattered weapons and equipment production unit, but a military department integrating production and scientific research, and according to the geographical location and production capacity of each arsenal, the integrated 24 arsenals Each has its own characteristics.For example, Baotou Arms Factory, although there are only 4 arsenals in Baotou, each of them is a large factory with unique characteristics, which can produce all light and heavy weapons at the same time.

The 4 major factories are respectively named Yibing, Erbing, Yiji, and Erji. Yibing mainly produces guns and ammunition. The products under its name include AK47 assault rifle, Type 79 sniper rifle, Type 75 anti-aircraft machine gun, Mauser 98k rifle, M1911 pistols, Czech light machine guns, Type 47 heavy machine guns and various types of bullets.Due to the integration of all large and small military enterprises in Baotou Heavy Industry Zone, the production capacity of Yibing is extremely strong. Take the ak5 assault rifle as an example, a soldier can produce [-] ak rifles every month. In terms of production capacity, it has far exceeded all the arsenals in Sebei Province.

The second soldier mainly produces various artillery, including 60, 81, 91, 120 mm caliber mortars and m101 heavy howitzers, and also produces various artillery shells, mines, grenades, rifle grenades, etc.Not long ago, Chen Feng handed over the production materials of the German Tekken bazooka to the Second Arsenal, and now it has entered the production stage. The first batch of 320 bazookas for experimentation has been equipped to the frontline troops, and it won't take long for all troops to use them. On this kind of individual killer.

One machine mainly produces various armored vehicles, light and heavy tanks, and automobiles. The models cover Joffre light tanks, t34 medium tanks, and T34 improved armored vehicles, personnel carriers, etc., and are also responsible for agricultural tractors, transport vehicles, Production of locomotives.

The second machine mainly produces various types of aircraft and aircraft spare parts. Due to technical limitations, the second machine now only has the two aircraft production lines that Chen Feng redeemed with points, so it can only produce two types of fighters, J-5 and J-6.However, with the strong support of Chen Feng, a large group of Jewish mechanical experts and its own industrial talents in Northern Serbia are researching the production line of imitating J-5 and J-6, and have achieved gratifying results.

After this large-scale integration of resources, although the number of arsenals in various places has been reduced by three-quarters, the production capacity has increased by nearly 70%. After such a long period of development, the Eighth Theater has completed the replacement of all old troops. At the same time, it also stocks a large number of weapons and equipment, especially fighter planes and armored equipment. (To be continued..)