Chapter 155: Troublemaker
The moment Jörg entered the conference room, Jack Morgan and Rockefeller visibly stiffened.
A heartbeat later, both men forced themselves to rise. Their faces quickly rearranged into polite smiles, and they extended their hands with practiced humility.
"Mr. Roman... it has been a long time."
Jörg did not even glance at their outstretched hands.
He walked past them as though they were furniture, greeted the representatives of each country in turn, then moved calmly toward his assigned seat.
The seating arrangement itself was quite meaningful.
To his right sat Austrian President Schuschnigg and Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Beneš. To his left was Britain's seat, followed by France and the United States.
Such an arrangement clearly elevated Germany's diplomatic status.
Jörg was not surprised.
This was merely one of the benefits Britain had decided to offer after the dissolution of the German Communist Party. The world was drowning in economic crisis, yet Soviet Russia's industrial and military strength continued to rise steadily. Jörg's suppression of communist influence in Germany had demonstrated his value to London.
To Britain, he was now more than the leader of a revived Germany.
He was also a possible counterweight against Moscow.
Not long after Jörg took his seat, Prime Minister Baldwin entered the room. The scattered conversations around the table immediately died down. Delegates straightened their posture, and translators quietly stepped into position behind their respective representatives.
Baldwin took his seat at the head of the table, swept his gaze over the room, and spoke in a measured tone.
"Gentlemen, I have invited you here today to address the increasingly severe ethnic and political disturbances spreading across the world. I understand that economic decline has caused a sharp deterioration in political stability."
He paused, allowing the translators to follow.
"To preserve public trust, certain sacrifices may be understandable. However, scapegoating whole communities through violence is unacceptable. Arbitrary arrests and massacres of ordinary people will be met with unified condemnation from the League of Nations."
His voice grew heavier.
"This is a provocation against the moral bottom line of humanity. A provocation against international order itself."
Baldwin's remarks set the tone for the conference.
Yet everyone present understood that much of it was diplomatic ceremony. His deliberate emphasis on "ordinary people" revealed Britain's true intention. London did not want the current wave of hatred to expand into uncontrollable mass violence, nor did it want extreme nationalism to spread further across Europe.
Jörg sat with one leg crossed over the other and accepted a cup of black tea from an attendant. The servant, knowing he did not smoke, had thoughtfully replaced the ashtray in front of him with a small plate of chocolates.
After listening quietly, Jörg was the first to break the silence.
He clapped lightly.
"Prime Minister Baldwin is correct," he said. "However, I also believe certain groups should pay a price for their actions. After all, without their reckless manipulation, there would have been no economic crisis. The entire world would not have been dragged into this chaos."
He looked around the table with a faint smile.
"I imagine everyone here understands that point quite deeply."
Several diplomats whose governments had successfully shifted domestic anger toward Jewish financiers immediately nodded in agreement. Others, more cautious, merely lowered their eyes or gave restrained acknowledgments.
In the observer gallery, Jack Morgan clenched his fist.
If one traced the roots of this catastrophe, could Jörg truly claim innocence? The Shipbuilding Act, the Dawes stocks, the frenzy of speculation that followed, which of these had not carried his shadow?
Now he was washing his hands clean in front of the entire world.
A bastard. A magnificent bastard, perhaps, but a bastard all the same.
Jack was about to speak when Rockefeller placed a hand on his arm and shook his head.
"Anger will solve nothing, Jack."
Jörg caught Jack's glare and returned it with a look of cool amusement.
Jack drew two deep breaths and forced himself to swallow his rage.
Baldwin did not directly refute Jörg's words. Instead, he shifted the discussion back toward the solution Britain had already prepared.
"Indeed, a price has been paid. But gentlemen, over the past year, the Jewish community has already suffered greatly. If this continues to spread, extreme nationalism will take root across Europe. What we must consider now is how to provide the public with a final answer."
He folded his hands on the table.
"We must end this crisis before it destroys what remains of the international order. Think of it as binding together a collapsing structure before it falls entirely and drags us into wars none of us are prepared to fight."
The room fell silent again.
Baldwin continued.
"After careful consideration by His Majesty's Government, and in light of proposals put forward by Jewish representatives, we believe the solution must begin at the source. Since a portion of the Jewish people are unwilling to identify as citizens of the countries in which they live..."
His eyes swept across the table.
"Then those people should be gathered, granted land, and permitted to establish their own state. In doing so, we isolate the ethnic conflict and provide a political outlet for the present crisis."
The words were spoken calmly, but their weight was unmistakable.
A new country.
Born not from glory, but from expulsion, panic, and calculation.
Baldwin continued.
"According to a proposal submitted by the Japanese delegation, they are willing to cede a portion of land in East Asia to assist the Jewish people in completing their national restoration. We now invite Mr. Mikikawa to speak."
A short Japanese representative wearing round glasses stood. His posture was formal, and he seemed determined to blend into the European diplomatic atmosphere around him.
"That is correct," Mikikawa said. "Japan is willing to provide land to help preserve peace and reduce international conflict. Naturally, such an arrangement would require a modest return."
The purpose was obvious.
Jörg immediately understood why Japan wanted a place at this table.
They were not moved by sympathy.
They had their eyes on Jewish capital.
Under the economic crisis, Japan's domestic situation was also strained. A massive inflow of funds, combined with Jewish scientists and technical personnel, could substantially improve their national strength. On the surface, East Asia also appeared to be a distant refuge, untouched by the present storm.
It was not strange that some Jewish representatives would be tempted.
But the moment Mikikawa finished speaking, the American representative, whose country held interests across Southeast Asia and had no desire to see Japan strengthened, spoke at once.
"The United States vetoes this proposal. Such an arrangement would disturb the balance in East Asia and create greater instability."
With America taking the lead, Baldwin, who had no intention of allowing Japan to monopolize Jewish wealth, also raised his hand.
"Britain also vetoes it. National restoration should take place in a region where international supervision is practical. East Asia is too remote."
Once two major powers had spoken, the remaining representatives rejected the proposal one after another.
Mikikawa's face stiffened, but he sat back down without protest.
Baldwin then presented Britain's long prepared plan.
"I propose national restoration in the Middle East. Its historical and religious origins are more suitable, and the Jerusalem region has already seen considerable Jewish settlement, making it consistent with the basic requirements."
He turned toward the observer seats.
"However, as the region is currently administered by the British government, Mr. Morgan, you may purchase land according to the proposed price list. The funds collected will be used for economic recovery efforts. In addition, Britain will establish a fifty million pound interest free loan, for which all participating countries may apply."
Baldwin looked around the table.
"Gentlemen, what are your views?"
The representatives remained quiet.
Everyone understood the meaning behind Britain's words. The money was said to be for economic recovery, but how much of it would truly reach their pockets was another matter entirely. Perhaps not even one tenth.
Still, something was better than nothing.
More importantly, they all understood that this storm could not be allowed to continue. If it did, extremist movements like those in Italy would spread further and threaten political stability in every country.
Knowing when to stop was the correct course.
Jack Morgan was the first to nod.
"No objection, Prime Minister Baldwin. However, given the complicated situation in the Middle East, I require military guarantees for the safety of my people."
Baldwin nodded without hesitation.
"Britain will ensure that everything proceeds safely. We will remove the Arab population from designated areas to guarantee the independence and security of the new territory."
Around the table, several representatives exchanged glances.
So that was it.
Britain had not invited them here to debate.
It had invited them to witness.
"President von Roman," Baldwin said, turning toward Jörg. "What is Germany's view?"
Jörg, who had only spoken one sentence since the meeting began, had already eaten half the chocolates on his plate.
Seeing all eyes fall upon him, he slowly placed another chocolate down, wiped his fingers with a napkin, and nodded.
"Prime Minister Baldwin, I believe you and Mr. Morgan may shake hands and celebrate."
His tone was calm, almost wistful.
"After all, from today onward, the world has one more country."
Baldwin received the answer he wanted and nodded in satisfaction.
He did not notice the faint playfulness hidden in Jörg's eyes.
Or perhaps he noticed, but like all men who believed themselves to be moving history, he chose not to think too deeply about it.
.....
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