The Polish Buffer
The reason I maintain a friendly relationship with the Kaiser in East Prussia is simple. Take Hitler, for instance. When his Austria truly wanted to unify Germany and the opportunity finally arrived, after the end of the Second World War, they would send Louise to split Germany in two. That sounds rather entertaining, doesn't it? A different flavor from the East-West division of actual history.
“Yes. Well, let's set that aside for now.”
But here's what I'm even more curious about. There are Bermondt's troops stationed in East Prussia. That must be quite irritating for Poland. Even if Bermondt's Western Russian Army appears somewhat independent, it is still a force that takes orders from Russia. Having such men firmly entrenched in East Prussia would surely leave a rather unpleasant taste in Poland's mouth.
“Poland is being unexpectedly quiet. Isn't it about time they picked a fight?”
“Poland is only surviving now thanks to Britain. Would they really do that?”
“Couldn't they ride on Britain's coattails and provoke us?”
Or perhaps this is the butterfly effect of Britain inheriting the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Since they've gained independence, they probably have no desire to stir up border disputes that are essentially dictated by the British Empire.
Indeed, unless they were fools, would Piłsudski—who receives British support—dare to provoke White Russia? Would a pro-British nation like Poland, positioned within the cordon sanitaire against Communist Germany, go to war with another anti-communist state like White Russia? No.
What if Britain later tries to check Russia again? If they help East Prussia, it would inevitably lead to conflict with Poland. From Britain's perspective, they would likely support Poland over us. After all, it is Poland that directly borders Communist Germany. They must also know that Russia is reaching out to Austria, which would surely make them uneasy.
Perhaps I should have accepted that invitation to London. Would going on an overseas tour with Vera Gedroits' permission be one way to handle this? In the end, it seems Britain is acting as a restraining force.
If, for any reason, Britain withdraws from Poland, the Baltics, Ukraine, and elsewhere... just imagining it is horrifying. Communist Germany would run wild. In that case, shouldn't we improve relations with Poland?
Given Poland's current political system, they will eventually have to confront Communist Germany. Poland probably wouldn't mind that either. If I'm going on an overseas tour, wouldn't Poland be the best place to start?
Józef Klemens Piłsudski. There might be room for dialogue with him. If I offer moderate support to Poland while saying I want to rebuild the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and he tolerates just that much, wouldn't he be willing to get along with Russia? I really dislike unnecessary trouble.
Honestly, whether those places get half-destroyed by Germany later doesn't concern me, but Germany's ultimate goal is to seize the Russian United States, the enemy of the revolution. In that case, the buffer state of Poland must survive. If even Poland is swallowed by Germany, Austria would truly be finished. Romania or the Baltic states wouldn't suffice. On the contrary, it's obvious they would fall under Communist Germany's influence.
Therefore, whether I think about it once or a hundred times, I must maintain friendly relations with Poland to establish the Poland-Austria line as the frontline. After all, it's Poland that borders Communist Germany.
In actual history, if not for the Soviet Union, Poland might have fought Nazi Germany even more fiercely. Or could they have pushed them back? What is certain is that because the Soviets pushed in, Nazi Germany could easily overwhelm Poland.
The current Communist Germany has suffered significant brain drain, with many talented officers and soldiers fleeing to Austria or East Prussia. How many capable people remain in the People's Army they established? Would figures like Manstein or Rommel have stayed in Communist Germany's military?
So once again, it comes down to Poland. Poland must survive to hold Germany back. Could Communist Germany even dare to eye Poland? From the beginning, we need to ensure they cannot invade recklessly. We must show that Poland and Russia are on friendly terms.
“Visiting Warsaw sometime soon might be a good idea.”
“It is very dangerous. During our civil war, they were still fellow Russians. How do you think those Polish bastards view Your Majesty?”
They probably hate Russia. The man currently in power, Piłsudski, is a nationalist who, during the First World War, led the Polish Legions under the Austro-Hungarian Empire and fought against Russia. I don't know what butterfly effects occurred in between, but after Austria's defeat, it seems Britain placed him in the position of Poland's current leader. And he hasn't retired since '22—he's held on all this time.
He was someone who worried about two-front wars, and in the end, he even signed a non-aggression pact with that Nazi Germany. However, with Communist Germany emerging and him forced to join hands with Britain, he has no choice but to improve relations with Russia instead of Germany.
Piłsudski's keen sense of foreign affairs is evident just by looking at Poland's current borders. Rather than provoking Russia, he bows his head to Britain and focuses on governing the territory Poland currently holds.
“When considering Communist Germany, we must acknowledge Poland. To do that, I must go to Poland myself.”
“Germany may have shouted about tearing up the Treaty of Versailles, but that's all it will amount to. Those bastards are no longer what they once were, and the Kaiser is stuck in East Prussia, isn't he?”
The military seems somewhat complacent after the victory in the Red-White Civil War. But doesn't that glaring Communist German state still stand right there? Communism has not ended.
“Rather, considering the grudge Poland holds against us, Your Majesty should...”
Yes. I'm not unaware. Above all, Bronisław Piłsudski, the brother of Poland's Marshal Józef Piłsudski, was arrested for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Alexander III.
But in matters of national interest, there are no eternal enemies or allies. As long as Poland doesn't act out, there is no reason for Russia to reoccupy Poland, which serves as a buffer zone. Russia remains vast even after losing territory. We have even reclaimed the Second Rome.
I will actively promote this while seeking to improve relations with Poland. All for the sake of catching the Reds.
“Nevertheless, I will go. I must go. The terror of the Reds lies not in a powerful army or national strength, but in their propaganda. Aren't Communist Germany and Communist Italy proof of that?”
“That is true, but...”
“We must strengthen solidarity among the surviving nations.”
On the Turkish side, there are Atatürk and Inönü, and since we are watching over them for now, Communist Germany won't be able to touch Turkey if they want to target South Russia. Therefore, we must improve relations with Poland.
Those German Reds will never leave Poland alone. To prove that communism is right, they will try by any means to turn Poland red. Britain will stop them? The Reds will focus their navy on preventing them from crossing the English Channel, so helping Poland with their army would be impossible. Their response will be even more lukewarm than in actual history.
From Britain's view, Communist Germany is just some filthy thing. Not a real threat. Therefore, Poland will eventually find itself in danger.
“And. If I were meant to die, I would have died long ago that day in Yekaterinburg. Until the Reds are eradicated from this world, I will absolutely not die.”
Indeed. I will never allow the Reds to run rampant.
“Then what does Your Majesty think Germany will do?”
“Personally, I believe Communist Germany will first deal with the Rhineland. France, preoccupied with its own internal commune problems, will likely tolerate the red flood overflowing from the Rhineland.”
Like the remilitarization of the Rhineland in original history. If I write the scenario as I please, Poland would come next. From their position, when thinking about the European revolution scenario, the sequence can only flow that way.
Therefore, I must do what I can.
The news that Russia's Tsar and Eastern Roman Emperor, Anastasia Tsarina, would visit Poland was enough to shock the military and Duma members alike.
Kolchak—who had effectively led the Duma since the Red-White Civil War—and the Black Baron of the White Army were both deeply concerned about Anastasia's trip to Poland.
“Is it truly all right not to stop Her Majesty's journey to Poland?”
“She is someone who survived that civil war. If Poland does not wish to go to war with us, they will not be able to touch Her Majesty. It will be fine.”
“Hmm. It seems Her Majesty has become overly sensitive because of those Bolsheviks.”
“That is inevitable. She witnessed the brutal deaths of the previous Tsar, the Empress, and all her siblings right before her eyes. The current Tsarina likely wants to uproot the Bolsheviks from the world by any means necessary.”
Though the previous Tsar's reign had not been particularly good, and the revolution had erupted because of him. Still, if one's entire family is slaughtered like that, it is only natural for one's eyes to turn red with rage.
Even so, Tsarina Anastasia had somehow pulled Russia out of the red tide. She was not one to act rashly. Her decision to go to Poland must also be part of the preparation to isolate communism.
“We simply need to support Her Majesty.”
“It would be good if Poland takes Her Majesty's hand.”
“Since Her Majesty holds Józef Piłsudski, who currently leads Poland, in high regard, she must have already seen the future, wouldn't you say?”
Realistically, it was hard to imagine Poland taking Russia's hand. From the beginning, neither Kolchak nor the Black Baron felt comfortable acknowledging Poland's independence. But if the Tsarina had decided, it must mean that using Poland as a buffer zone was the right choice.
Józef Piłsudski, Marshal of the Second Polish Republic, received news from his close aide and newly appointed Foreign Minister, Gabriel Narutowicz, that made him doubt his own ears.
“Anastasia Tsarina is coming to Poland herself?”
“She said she wishes to discuss the future of Poland and Russia seriously and will come in person.”
“Without bringing an army, directly?”
“On the surface, she claims it is to counter the communist encirclement.”
The Tsarina of Russia wants to come to Poland herself. What could this mean?
To Józef Piłsudski, Russia was an enemy state that had to be pushed back at all costs to secure Poland's territory and right to exist. Until just before the Great War, he had fought against Russia under the Austro-Hungarian army in order to achieve Polish independence.
The fact that he had been betrayed by that same Austria, imprisoned, and only reached this position thanks to Britain was a rather bitter joke. Currently, while following Britain's order and facing Communist Germany across the border, it was difficult to target Russia. But someday, he wanted to expand toward Russia. He harbored such ambitions.
However, as ambitious as he was, he was more sensitive to foreign relations than anyone. In the current situation, Britain would not want Russia and Poland—whom they intended to use as a shield against Communist Germany—to be in conflict. Therefore, he needed to see into Russia's true intentions.
“The Tsarina herself is coming, you say.”
Her parents had ruined the country, yet their daughter had grabbed the collapsing Russia by the collar and pulled it back up. He could not afford to underestimate her just because she was young or a woman. In France, people were already calling her the Russian Joan of Arc. At that age, she had fought on the battlefield herself, and now she was coming to this Poland. Not with an army, but personally, saying let's get along.
“Hmm. What do you think?”
“Well... given the Tsarina's actions so far, it may be sincere.”
“After reclaiming Constantinople and openly showing expansionist behavior?”
Couldn't they be aiming for Poland right now to establish their prestige? An independent Poland must look like something Russia would want to devour. Especially for the sake of the Tsar's authority.