The Rise Of Australasia

About the quarrel between the Faction of War Advocates and the Dove faction within France, it had been ongoing for decades.

But now, each faction has several key figures, and the squabbles occur among them.

For the French people, the government's decisions also represent their opinions. Yes, if the government decided to firmly resist the Germans' attack, the French Army would still rush to the battlefield in succession.

But if the government decided to retreat in this war, a large number of Frenchmen would embrace peace and abandon the glory that the French had over 100 years ago.

The fact is simply this. The so-called war is just a game among some seasoned political operators and capitalists.

For the common people, war, whether won or lost, only brings endless casualties and grief.

The key figures of the Dove faction include the Minister of the Army, General Bellamy, the Chief of General Staff Gamelin, and the current Prime Minister Reval.

From their positions, it can be seen that they are all at the very top of politics and the military, enjoying high prestige and status in the political realm by virtue of their qualifications.

Looking at France's Faction of War Advocates, the current two most famous figures are the Deputy Minister of Defense, Romon, who is the one pushing France to declare war on Germany, and de Gaulle, who serves as the General of the armored forces defending Paris.

In terms of positions or political status, the two representative figures of the Faction of War Advocates are incomparable with the few representative figures of the Dove faction.

If it had not been for the Germans' overly frenzied offensive, demonstrating the ambition to annex the whole of Europe, perhaps the Faction of War Advocates would not have gained the support of President Albert to wage a major war against Germany.

Now, with France's declining fortune in the war, the Dove faction has regained the recognition of President Albert, and the whole of France may once again tend towards the Dove faction.

In such a climate, what should be most tense is the British Empire, which faces France across the sea.

With France as the first defense line against Germany, the British mainland would not face much danger. But if even France fell, Germany's next target would definitely be the British Empire.

Putting aside whether the Germans could break through the English Channel and successfully land on the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, and Isle of Man, the mere transfer of the war to the British mainland would be enough to give the British Government a headache.

Moreover, once Germany had annexed France, the power combined with Franco-German alliance would be far beyond what Germany alone could match.

If the British Empire faced such a powerful enemy, even with the full support of Australasia, it likely wouldn't stand a chance against Germany, which held sway over most of the European Continent.

Therefore, ensuring France's commitment to this war has become very necessary.

So how can we ensure France's commitment to this war? The focus must be placed back on France's Faction of War Advocates.

On August 2, 1936, Mark, the Australasian ambassador to the United Kingdom, requested an audience with the newly appointed British Prime Minister Winston Schmidt, and proposed a startling suggestion: to control France by force.

Schmidt looked surprised and then asked with heightened interest, "Mr. Mark, do you think we can control the French government by ourselves?"

"Of course not," Ambassador Mark smiled and shook his head, looking meaningfully at Schmidt before saying, "The only ones who can control the French government are the French themselves, and as their allies, our duty is to help the French control their government."

"Go on," Schmidt nodded.

"I trust, Your Excellency, that you are well aware that the dispute within the French government between the advocates of war and peace has not ended. Especially since the French military's successive retreats on the battlefield, the rhetoric has spread, led by General Bellamy and Prime Minister Reval, about ending the war with the smallest possible losses.

Let me say frankly, if the French retreat in this conflict, then the British Empire will become Germany's next target, and the situation will be even more dire than in Germany," Mark said calmly.

"If the French surrender, then perhaps the whole of Europe can hardly be spared, can it?" Schmidt asked, frowning.

"Exactly, which is why we must prevent such a dire situation for Europe," Mark continued, "Only if the French government is pro-war can we ensure Germany does not become too powerful.

Even if this means offending the current French government, we are willing to do so."

"Tell me about your plan, Ambassador Mark," Schmidt pondered for a moment and finally nodded.

Both parties understood each other's thoughts; this matter was in fact a win-win for both Britain and Australasia.

"This is just a contingency plan, of course, I hope it will never have to be executed," Ambassador Mark explained with a smile before turning serious and adding solemnly:

If we detect any actions from the French government to surrender, as France's allies, we are obligated to help France get back on the warpath.

Based on the current military deployments in France, General de Gaulle, the head of the armored forces defending Paris, is a staunch advocate of war and commands a significant force.

If there's any movement from the French government, we can support General de Gaulle to temporarily control the French government, implement militarized management in France, and urge all of France to firmly resist Germany."