Berlin Treaty (2): Reparations
"In light of this, our country's position is that the 'treaty is clearly necessary.'"
Dresel spread his hands wide. Unlike the meeting a couple of days ago, this was an official conference between Germany and the United States—essentially just a gathering to sign the treaty.
I nodded at his words.
"Maintaining a state of war has already lost all meaning."
"That's why our Senate desires a separate treaty," Dresel replied immediately. "There are no actual hostile actions between our two nations. But we've gathered here to resolve the formal issues."
Rosen continued quietly. "The United States did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles. But you're saying you acknowledge its contents."
Dresel nodded with a smile. "Precisely."
He slid a single sheet of paper forward. "The treaty is straightforward. This is the treaty text prepared by Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes. Please take a look."
Treaty between the United States and Germany Restoring Friendly Relations
It was a document I'd already reviewed several times. Joachim's body had been illiterate in English, so I'd spent the night wrestling with a dictionary to translate it.
Perhaps to accommodate us Germans while reading the English text, he began reciting it in German.
"Article 1."
Dresel read steadily. "The German government recognizes for the United States the same rights and privileges granted to the Allied Powers that ratified the Treaty of Versailles."
He looked up at me. I nodded.
In the end, the core was that even without signing, they'd take everything they could get. Whether we signed Versailles or this, it amounted to the same thing, so we had no reason to object—and it was a relief that it ended here.
He continued. "Article 2 is supplementary. It separately stipulates the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles applicable to the United States."
Neurath, who hadn't spoken a word in the negotiations so far, quietly asked Dresel. "...Selective application?"
"Yes. There's no reason for unnecessary clauses applied to Britain and France to be imposed on us, is there?"
We nodded at his words and waited for him to continue.
Dresel cleared his throat before proceeding. "Finally, Article 3." His voice remained calm. "Ratification instruments will be exchanged in Berlin."
He set the paper down. "The original is divided into German and English versions. Refer to the originals for more details."
I glanced at the document. Nothing complicated. If anything, it was too simple. It felt like everything was wrapped up before I even had a chance to say the lines I'd prepared.
I looked at him and murmured softly. "For ending a war, it's excessively straightforward."
Dresel gave a faint smile and shrugged. "Wars start in complexity, but they usually end like this."
Rosen nodded at his words, took out his pen, and signed. Dresel did the same.
They each stored the signed documents in their briefcases. Ratification would proceed in their respective parliaments. And on the day those documents reconvened in Berlin, the treaty would finally take effect.
I let out a brief sigh and looked at Dresel. After a moment's hesitation, I spoke. "I apologize for bringing this up after the signing, but... could we discuss reparations with the United States?"
Rosen slowly turned to look at me, and Dresel met my gaze with a smile, as if he'd been waiting.
Neurath gave an awkward laugh. "That sort of matter is best handled with a separate appointment later—"
"No." Dresel cut him off before he could finish. "I'd like to discuss it now. How about a short break before we talk?"
He flashed a light smile and lit a cigarette.
With Rosen and Neurath both looking at me, I stood. "Then let's take a brief rest and discuss it."
After leaving the conference room, we moved to a separate reception area. The moment the door closed, Rosen spoke first. "...Deputy Minister."
His voice was low, but unmistakably strained. "What are you thinking right now?"
I didn't answer immediately. I walked to the window, gazing at the light filtering through the curtains, then slowly opened my mouth. "Germany's current structure is unsustainable."
Rosen's gaze sharpened. "...Structure."
I nodded. "Reparations keep piling up, industry hasn't recovered. Our fiscal leeway has long surpassed its limits."
I turned to face them. "If this continues for just a few more years, reparations payments will inevitably collapse."
I took a breath and continued. "The moment that happens, France will surely move."
Neurath's eyebrow twitched faintly. "You mean military intervention?"
"Yes." I answered without hesitation. "They can fabricate any pretext—reparations, non-compliance, political chaos. The outcome is the same either way."
A brief silence fell. I looked toward the windowsill. "Then the government will lead strikes again. Striking workers will demand wages, and with reparations already unpaid, we'll expand expenditures even further."
Neurath blinked at that. "...Money could become worthless scraps."
Rosen lowered his voice. "So we need America's help?"
I nodded. "Before an invasion from the west, we need to seek shelter under someone's shadow."
Neurath's expression hardened instantly. "...That's no different from treason! What's the difference from becoming a vassal to America?"
The air in the room chilled. I looked at him. "It might look that way."
"It's not just a matter of looks." Neurath's voice dropped. "Placing ourselves under American influence means forfeiting diplomatic independence."
I nodded and countered. "And right now?"
When he didn't respond, I pressed on. "Is it any different now?"
Neurath narrowed his eyes. "...What do you mean?"
I continued slowly. "We don't have the position to choose now. Whether pushed by France or dragged by Britain, the choice will be forced upon us."
I took a step closer. "But America is different."
I spread my arms. "They're not intervening right now."
Rosen asked quietly. "...So we'll hide behind them?"
I replied calmly. "Before we're used, we use them first."
Neurath said nothing. But his expression remained rigid.
I added finally. "We're not choosing now. We're buying time to endure."
They stayed silent. Neurath's face showed confusion and reluctance, but Rosen maintained a steady gaze.
After a moment's silence, Rosen spoke first. "Speak. Deputy Minister."
He looked up at me. "What is your proposed plan?"
"We are in a situation where we need America's assistance regarding reparations payments."
Dresel spread his arms at my words. "I'd like to ask where exactly you need us."
I didn't answer his question right away. I lowered my gaze briefly, steeling myself in the suffocating atmosphere while organizing my thoughts.
The silence stretched short, and I finally spoke. "...The current method cannot continue."
Dresel's eyes shifted ever so slightly. I met his gaze. "Deciding reparations first and squeezing them out—that structure benefits no one in the end."
I paused a beat and added. "So we must change the approach."
"...To what approach?" He chuckled softly.
Still looking at him, I opened cautiously. "It's simple. Create a structure we can endure."
The room fell quiet. Dresel watched me without a word.
I leaned back slowly and added. "...And only America can make that possible."