The Rapallo Treaty (3)
"If the delegations gathered in Genoa find out we are meeting here, they will all go into a frenzy."
"Isn't that the very risk you came here to take?" Chicherin replied with a smile at Rathenau's remark.
Rapallo, a coastal village near Genoa. On April 16th, as the main conference continued to drift along in a sluggish, unproductive flow, the Soviet Russian delegation and the German delegation gathered here. While the primary goal was to mend the diplomatic relations between the two nations that showed no sign of resolution, the reality was a desperate choice to escape isolation by avoiding the prying eyes of the Allied Powers.
Chicherin leaned back in his chair and said, "The West would prefer that we never make contact."
Rathenau answered briefly, "That is why I would like to proceed quickly."
I looked back and forth between the two men. The atmosphere felt less like a negotiation and more like a mutual assessment of how they could exploit one another. Chicherin pushed the documents on the table forward with his fingertips.
"How do you intend to handle the debts related to all the reparations caused by the war?"
Rathenau answered without hesitation, "Let us abandon them entirely. Mutually."
Joffe and Krasin glanced at Chicherin. Perhaps they hadn't expected Germany to concede this much, as Chicherin tilted his head and asked, "Does Germany intend to abandon even the claims for damages suffered by its own citizens?"
"That is correct."
An unwavering answer. Hearing that, I narrowed my eyes. Chicherin asked again, "Including all requisitions, military damages, and civilian losses?"
"Including them all."
A brief silence followed. Chicherin let out a soft laugh. "You are more daring than I thought."
Rathenau replied curtly, "It is a matter of settling the accounts."
Chicherin watched him quietly before asking, "Very well. Then, what do you intend to do about German assets within Russia, and all claims related to them?"
Rathenau did not waver in the slightest. "We abandon them."
This time, Krasin looked up. "...Completely?"
"Completely."
Seemingly stunned by Rathenau's attitude, they exchanged glances, unable to hide their bewilderment. However, even though Wirth and Rathenau were staunchly pro-Western, they had agreed in advance that they must embrace Soviet Russia at all costs in this negotiation. Thus, Rathenau and I were prepared to accept any demand they put forward.
Chicherin watched the reaction for a moment, then opened his mouth again. "...Very well."
He didn't probe further and moved straight to the next point. "What do you intend to do about diplomatic relations?"
Rathenau answered shortly, "Let us resume them immediately."
"Including all consular relations?"
At his question, I answered instead, "...Regarding that part, it would be better to proceed after negotiating the conditions. Let us pass over the complex parts through additional agreements and move on quickly."
At my words, Chicherin nodded lightly. The Russian delegation spoke among themselves again, and this time, Krasin glanced at us and asked, "What about economic relations? We in Soviet Russia look forward to mutual cooperation."
Rathenau answered without turning his gaze, "That is good. Mutual cooperation would be preferable."
"Specifically?"
At Krasin's question, Rathenau tapped his fingers on the desk, looking as if he were in deep thought. I watched quietly from the side and asked, "How about Most-Favored-Nation treatment?"
Chicherin's eyes narrowed slightly. "...Most-Favored-Nation treatment. Germany is demanding more than I thought."
I shrugged at his words and said, "Doesn't that mean we have given you quite a lot as well?"
I kept my gaze fixed on Chicherin. Since Germany had conceded so much first, I had subtly seized the initiative in the negotiation to ensure the Soviets would concede to us in return.
Chicherin's lips curled upward slowly, and his cheekbones rose prominently. "If we are to recognize each other as normal states, we must treat each other accordingly."
He leaned forward. "Do you intend to recognize our system?"
Rathenau nodded. "To be precise, I am not saying we recognize the system, but that we recognize your existence."
Unlike before, Chicherin's gaze now held blatant interest. Since Soviet Russia was being treated as a pariah state globally, the Russian delegation seemed satisfied with just this much.
"Very well. Let us apply Most-Favored-Nation treatment. However, we will not apply it to our internal system."
As the integration of the federation had not yet been achieved, he spread his arms as if asking for understanding on that point. Rathenau simply nodded quietly.
As the negotiation flowed smoothly, I watched the Russian delegation quietly and said, "And regarding military matters..."
When I spoke in a low voice, everyone's eyes widened. Those in key positions all knew. They knew that Hans von Seeckt, the Chief of the Army Command, had signed a secret agreement with Leon Trotsky, the Soviet Russian Defense Minister, and that officers under Seeckt were training in Russia. Everyone in this room knew it, but it was a matter no one dared to voice.
"...It seems it was not authorized."
"Ahem! Regarding that part, approval is required."
Chicherin, who hadn't been overly flustered, showed signs of distress for the first time, his eyes trembling. Rathenau glanced in my direction. Chicherin composed his expression and opened his mouth slowly.
"...That matter is not an official agenda item."
I tilted my shoulder slightly. "That is why I brought it up."
A short silence. Krasin interjected in a low voice, "That is a sensitive matter for both sides."
"I am aware. That is why, even if you do not answer now, it is fine; I simply wanted you to hear it."
Chicherin's gaze sharpened. "...Simply hear it?"
I nodded. "Naturally, it will not be included in this agreement."
Rathenau also seemed to have regained his composure, looking at the Russian delegation peacefully. However, the Russian delegates could not hide their embarrassment as they exchanged glances repeatedly, and eventually, Joffe looked into the distance, pretending not to have heard.
I said quietly, "Our air power and tank technology have stagnated due to the influence of the Treaty of Versailles. However, I believe the Soviet Union can solve this."
"...Specifically, what do you want us to do?"
At Krasin's question, Rathenau answered instead, "Provide airfields and training grounds, and we will dispatch trainees. That is all."
At his words, the Russian delegation did not stop exchanging glances. Krasin was sweating profusely.
"We will... we will inform the authorities. However, even if no answer comes, do not rush us."
It seemed they were not at all pleased with negotiating parts that hadn't been agreed upon. Seeing the strange tension, Rathenau spoke to them quietly.
"Then, shall we sign now?"
Chicherin hesitated for a moment, then nodded immediately. "Let us do that!"
Chicherin stood up as if he had been waiting. Rathenau and I stood up as well. We shook hands with them as a formality, and soon after, Rathenau and Chicherin signed the two completed documents as the lead negotiators.
"With this, Germany and Russia are in the same boat."
"...I sincerely hope it does not sink."
At my words, Chicherin nodded.
"Russia didn't come out too strongly, either." Wirth read through the signed document. As he read, Rathenau added, "They must have needed a means to escape diplomatic isolation. Although, the other delegates will likely find out about this by tomorrow..."
Rathenau looked at Wirth with a troubled expression, and Wirth set down the document he was holding and said to him, "Wasn't that all expected?"
"Expecting it and facing it directly are two different things."
At his words, Wirth remained silent for a moment. Rathenau watched him holding the document quietly before continuing. "...Britain will be flustered. France will come out even stronger. Perhaps Britain might even align with France on this occasion."
I added to this, "And they will bring up the reparations issue again. They have a pretext now, too."
Wirth nodded. "They will pressure us."
Silence. No one continued the conversation. At the moment when the ticking of the clock echoed quietly, Rathenau sighed and said, "...Still, it was something that had to be done."
"No matter how much Britain opposes France, as long as they insist on a return to the gold standard, they are not a country that is particularly welcome to us at this conference."
I looked at the document once more and said, "What about the domestic situation?"
"Ah, the parliament... there will likely be severe backlash, won't there?"
Rathenau and I nodded quietly. It was the only means to break out of isolation, but on the other hand, the complex problems that would arise were not welcome, even if they were expected.
I said to them quietly, "Still, we have bought time. Currency reform, reparations. We need time to endure, don't we?"
Rathenau thought for a moment and nodded. "You are right. But the problem is, how long that time will last."
I looked out the window. The night in Genoa was still quiet. As if nothing had happened yet.
"Anyway, you two focus on diplomacy. Complex politics, parties, parliament—I will take all those problems upon myself."
Wirth showed a strong sense of responsibility. However, his position was far too precarious to show such responsibility, and neither Rathenau nor I could rest easy.
"...Understood."
I felt as if something was about to explode, but I pushed the thought away. I wanted to believe it was just groundless worry.