55. Ethiopian War, October 1935
October 1935. The French ambassador visited me to explain that the non-aggression pact with Italy had no intention of forming an encirclement against Greater Germany. But his explanation didn't inspire much trust.
How could I trust a communist?
Of course, for the moment, the so-called Greater Germany encirclement wasn't having any effect. France was still deeply divided internally. According to Foreign Minister Konstantin von Neurath's report on France, ethnic conflicts and left-right clashes had escalated to extremes since Georges Sircson's rise to power. Right-wing parties fiercely opposed the communization of France and, to avoid assassinations, arrests, or political reprisals, had fled to French Algeria to continue their activities.
With the communist regime in place, France's colonies were beginning to demand independence aggressively.
"Voices calling for independence are growing louder in Tunisia, Algeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, Indochina, and elsewhere. They're appealing to the communist regime under the banner of 'the people's right to self-governance,' but President Sircson shows no intention of liberating the colonies."
"That's the true face of communism. They preach equality on the surface while craving dominion over others more than anyone. Why else would they call Sircson the Red Napoleon?"
Indeed. The nickname for French President Georges Sircson was the Red Napoleon. He hadn't yet shown any military achievements like Napoleon, but in his ambition to crown himself emperor, he was no different. It was a derogatory epithet.
"That said, the possibility that France hesitates to provoke Germany is quite high, my Führer."
"Any basis for that?"
"Their internal situation hasn't stabilized yet, and they can't afford the political risks right now—that's my assessment."
"We must consider the opposite too. What if France is designating Germany as the enemy to rally internal unity?"
"My Führer, that's certainly concerning, but France would suffer massive losses in doing so. If I were Sircson, I wouldn't."
Neurath's perspective was that of a perfectly ordinary, common-sense diplomat. But the world doesn't run on common sense. It's swayed heavily by irrationality and emotion. That's why diplomacy matters—it firms up uncertain international relations.
And that's when it happened.
"Führer! Mein Führer!"
"Hess? What is it?"
"Italy has declared war!"
"What?"
"Italy has entered a state of war!"
Rudolf Hess burst into the presidential office clutching a report.
"From now on, Hess, speak subject and object clearly."
"My apologies, mein Führer."
Hess had informed us that the Italian-Ethiopian War had begun. In a way that was very open to misunderstanding...
Anyway, Schacht, Hanfstaengl, Neurath, Speer, and other key staff were already gathered in the presidential office for reports, so I decided to hold an emergency meeting right there. The topic was our diplomatic response to Italy.
Neurath gave a brief briefing first. Mussolini had pretended to be friendly with France externally while preparing for war internally—and now he'd outright declared war. With a force of 700,000, he'd pushed into Ethiopia from Somalia and Eritrea. Ethiopia was retreating inland in an instant, unable to overcome the overwhelming disparity in strength, falling back again and again.
"Thus, our response to Italy can be divided into two main options. One is a stern protest. We could lodge a complaint through the League of Nations about Italy's violent aggression. The second is acquiescence—leaving their problem as their own."
Neurath's briefing ended. A brief silence fell. It was the most productive silence in the world. The staff were each sorting their positions.
"Mein Führer. What do you intend to do?"
"Schacht. In your view, what impact will Italy's war have on our economy?"
"Economically, a neighbor's war is always an opportunity, but this time, there's not much to gain. Just the other day, we raised mutual trade tariffs with Italy, creating a barrier between the Italian and German markets."
"In other words, further deterioration in relations with Italy here wouldn't be a big issue."
"Precisely."
"Neurath. What are France and Britain's reactions?"
"France is staying silent on the matter, while Britain is protesting."
I asked for each staff member's opinion last. Hanfstaengl took a neutral stance: no need to escalate conflict with Italy further, but a protest was necessary. Though he lacked firm conviction in his own view. Hjalmar Schacht advocated aggressively downgrading Italy's credit rating and continuing trade pressure. I agreed with Schacht to some extent. With a leader like Mussolini, it was a risk in itself. We needed to lower Italy's credit rating and warn domestic funds against investing there.
"I've heard your opinions. Neurath, invite the British and French ambassadors."
Having gauged my staff's views, it was time to probe France and Britain's intentions. I moved to the presidential office's reception room and waited for the two ambassadors.
The French ambassador arrived first. He gave me a brief nod.
"Pleased to see you, Ambassador. Please, have a seat here."
"Yes, my Führer."
Shortly after the French ambassador arrived, the British ambassador followed. He approached with a complicated expression and greeted me.
"Pleased to see you, Ambassador. Take the seat opposite as well."
I had both sit across from me.
"It's been quite a while since I've had a conversation like this with ambassadors from both nations. Hasn't it?"
"It has..."
The British ambassador glanced sidelong at the French one. He seemed uncomfortable being summoned alongside him. Of course, both ambassadors were quick on the uptake. They acted as if they already knew what I was about to say.
"You didn't invite the Italian ambassador, my Führer. Odd not to summon the involved party's envoy for such a matter."
"The French ambassador must not realize. My Führer, this is something we should discuss closely among ourselves. No need for the involved party. Isn't that right?"
"I haven't even told you two why I summoned you today..."
As I said that with a hum, the servants belatedly brought tea. Teacups filled with tea, milk, sugar cubes, and cheese were set out.
"How's communist France faring? This sugar must be precious back home, no? My Führer, why not set some aside for the French ambassador? He'd appreciate it as a gift on his way out."
"And you, Mr. British Ambassador—aren't you struggling with the Depression too? Hard to get such flavorful cheese? In France, they have so much cheese they're distributing it free to the people... If it's alright with you, my Führer, I'll pay from my own pocket, so please gift some cheese to the British ambassador."
Just from the ambassadors' exchange, it was clear how badly relations between Britain and France had soured lately. Of course, they couldn't openly brawl in another country's presidential office, so they scratched at each other like this. But I couldn't just watch high-ranking diplomats—trained in international affairs—squabble so vulgarly.
"The reason I summoned both ambassadors is indeed the Ethiopia issue. To declare the Third Reich's position and request your nations' joint response."
"I was curious about Germany's intentions."
"I plan to begin a strong protest against Italy and humanitarian aid to Ethiopia. For that, I need France and Britain's cooperation."
I conveyed my intentions to them. Yes. Until now, I'd moderated to avoid provoking Italy. But now, things were different. In the second loop, in the original history... no, even in the game I loved (Hearts of Steel 4), Italy was useless. I'd decided to break with Italy. And as a bonus, if I could expand it into military support... that alone was a golden opportunity to boost Germany's arms industry openly.
France ultimately stayed mum during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. They merely expressed hope that the extreme situation of war would end soon, taking an ambiguous position without siding with anyone. However, France ultimately acquiesced to Germany and Britain's aid to Ethiopia.
"Our British Empire will also provide humanitarian aid to Ethiopia."
"Our German Third Reich will provide humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, including medical supplies and food."
When Germany and Britain's response was announced at the League of Nations, Mussolini felt a throbbing pain in his forehead.
"Germany... fine. Germany hates seeing us thrive. But Britain? What did we ever do to Britain? Just act a little friendly with France? Ha. These trash..."
"Duce. But aid to Ethiopia has to travel quite a distance along the Nile. And since it's limited to humanitarian aid, not munitions, it shouldn't significantly boost Ethiopia's combat capabilities."
"You idiot... Is that how it looks to you? Not to me. Isn't this openly telling them to conscript more citizens? This isn't a war between Ethiopia and us. This is a proxy war between Italy and Britain—Germany!"
"..."
"The League of Nations or whatever... We never should have joined that crap. It shouldn't exist in this world. Foreign Minister. Withdraw from the League of Nations starting tomorrow."
Mussolini had made an irreversible choice.