Ch.63Tsarina and Poland

# The Reason for Maintaining Good Relations with the Kaiser of East Prussia

The reason for maintaining friendly relations with the Kaiser of East Prussia is simple.

For example, when Hitler’s Austria truly wants to unify Germany, when that opportunity comes.

After World War II ends, we send Luise to divide Germany in half, whether it’s the North German Empire or Federation.

That sounds quite interesting.

In a different way from the East-West division in actual history.

“Yes. Well, let’s say that’s how it is on that side.”

But you know what?

That makes me even more curious about something.

Bermondt’s army is in East Prussia. This must be quite upsetting for Poland.

Even though Bermondt’s West Russian Army seems somewhat independent, they’re still troops under Russian command.

When such forces are firmly established in East Prussia, from Poland’s perspective, wouldn’t that be quite uncomfortable?

“Poland is surprisingly quiet. Isn’t it about time they picked a fight?”

“Poland is currently surviving thanks to Britain, so would they dare?”

“Couldn’t they pick a fight with us while having Britain behind them?”

Or is this a butterfly effect from Britain taking over the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Now that they’re independent, they probably won’t want to engage in border disputes that are essentially determined by the British Empire.

Indeed, unless he’s a fool, would Piłsudski, with British support, pick a fight with White Russia?

Would Poland, a pro-British country that’s part of the encirclement against Communist Germany, fight against White Russia, another anti-communist nation?

No.

Let’s consider what if Britain tries to check Russia’s power again later.

If we help East Prussia here, we could inevitably clash with Poland.

From Britain’s perspective, they would likely support Poland over us.

After all, it’s Poland that directly borders Communist Germany.

And they must know that Russia is extending its reach into Austria, which would make them uncomfortable.

Perhaps I should have accepted an invitation to London.

Maybe getting permission from Vera Gedroits for a diplomatic tour abroad would be one approach.

Ultimately, Britain is acting as a restraining force.

If for some reason Britain withdraws from Poland, the Baltics, Ukraine, and so on.

It’s terrifying just to imagine. Communist Germany would likely run wild.

Perhaps we need to improve relations with Poland as well.

Given Poland’s current political system, they will eventually stand against Communist Germany.

Poland probably wouldn’t mind that either.

If I were to go on a diplomatic tour, wouldn’t Poland be the best first stop?

Józef Clemens Piłsudski. There seems to be room for dialogue with that man.

If we support Poland moderately and allow them to rebuild Poland-Lithuania if they want, wouldn’t they maintain friendly relations with Russia? I don’t want unnecessary trouble.

Honestly, I don’t care if they get torn apart by Germany later, but Germany’s ultimate goal is to take down the Russian Commonwealth, the enemy of revolution.

Then Poland, as a buffer state, must survive.

If Poland falls to Germany, Austria is truly finished.

Romania or the Baltic states aren’t enough.

Rather, it’s clear they would fall under Communist Germany’s influence.

If that’s the case, we need to maintain friendly relations with Poland to establish a front line along Poland and Austria.

No matter how many times I think about it, the conclusion is the same.

After all, it’s Poland that shares a border with Communist Germany.

In actual history, Poland could have put up more of a fight against Nazi Germany if it weren’t for the Soviet Union.

Or could they have pushed them back?

What’s certain is that Nazi Germany was able to easily push into Poland thanks to the Soviet Union’s advance.

Now with Communist Germany. Many talented individuals and soldiers have already fled to Austria or East Prussia.

How many talented people would be left in the People’s Army they’ve established?

I wonder if great men like Manstein and Rommel remain in the Communist German army.

So it comes back to Poland again.

Poland needs to survive to block Germany.

Could Communist Germany covet Poland?

To prevent them from invading recklessly, we need to show that Poland and Russia are on friendly terms.

“Perhaps visiting Warsaw sometime would be a good idea.”

“It’s very dangerous. During our civil war, we were still dealing with fellow Russians. How would the Poles view Your Majesty?”

They probably hate Russia.

Piłsudski, who currently holds power, is a nationalist who led the Polish Legion under the Austro-Hungarian Empire against Russia during World War I.

I don’t know what butterfly effect occurred in between, but it seems that with Austria’s defeat, he became Poland’s leader thanks to Britain.

And he didn’t retire in 1922 but has continued until now.

He was also concerned about fighting on two fronts and eventually signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany.

But with Communist Germany emerging and having no choice but to join hands with Britain, he needs to improve relations with Russia rather than Germany.

Piłsudski’s diplomatic sense being the same as in actual history is evident just by looking at Poland’s current borders.

He’s not picking fights with Russia and is governing Poland internally within its current territory, submitting to Britain.

“Considering Communist Germany, we must recognize Poland. For that, I need to go to Poland myself.”

“Even though Germany has denounced the Treaty of Versailles, that’s all they’ve done. They’re not what they used to be, and the Kaiser is stuck in East Prussia.”

The military seems somewhat complacent after winning the Civil War.

Yet that Communist German red state is standing firm.

Communism is not over.

“Considering the grudge Poland holds against us, Your Majesty…”

Yes, I’m well aware. Above all, Bronisław Piłsudski, the brother of Polish leader Józef Piłsudski, was arrested for his connection to a group attempting to assassinate Alexander III.

But you know what?

In national interests, there are no eternal enemies or allies.

As long as Poland doesn’t act up, Russia has no reason to reoccupy Poland, which serves as a buffer zone.

Russia is still vast even after losing territory, and we’ve reclaimed the Second Rome.

We should actively promote this while seeking to improve relations with Poland.

Even if it’s just to catch the Reds.

“Nevertheless, I will go. I must go. The frightening thing about the Reds isn’t their powerful army or national strength. It’s agitation. Communist Germany and Communist Italy are proof of that.”

“That’s true, but…”

“We must strengthen solidarity among the surviving nations.”

Turkey has Atatürk and İnönü, and since we’re giving them some leeway, Communist Germany won’t be able to do anything to Turkey if they try to attack Southern Russia.

So we need to improve relations with Poland.

The German Reds will never leave Poland alone.

To prove that communism is right, they’ll try to turn Poland red by any means.

Britain is stopping them? They’ll focus more on their navy to prevent the Reds from crossing the English Channel, so there’s no chance they’ll help Poland with ground forces.

They’ll probably respond even more lukewarmly than in actual history.

From Britain’s perspective, Communist Germany is just something dirty, not threatening. So Poland will eventually be in danger.

“And if I were meant to die, I would have died that day in Yekaterinburg. Until the Reds disappear from this world, I will never die.”

Of course. I will never allow the Reds to flourish.

“Then how does Your Majesty think Germany will act?”

“Personally, I think Communist Germany will deal with the Rhineland first. France, with its internal Commune issues, will turn a blind eye to the red flood overflowing from the Rhineland.”

Similar to the Rhineland remilitarization in original history.

If I were to write my own scenario, I think Poland would be next.

From their position, thinking about a European revolution scenario, that sequence seems inevitable.

So I must do what I can.

# * * *

The Tsar of Russia and Emperor of Eastern Rome, Tsarina Anastasia’s trip to Poland was enough to surprise the military and Duma members.

Admiral Kolchak, who had effectively led the Duma since the Civil War, and the Black Baron of the White Army were concerned about Anastasia’s trip to Poland.

“Shouldn’t we stop Her Majesty from going to Poland?”

“She survived that civil war. If Poland doesn’t want war with us, they won’t be able to harm Her Majesty. It will be fine.”

“Hmm. Her Majesty seems too sensitive because of those Bolsheviks.”

“She can’t help it. She witnessed the cruel deaths of the previous Tsar, Tsarina, and all her siblings. The current Tsarina will likely try to eradicate Bolshevism from the world by any means.”

Although the previous Tsar’s reign wasn’t good, and the revolution broke out because of him, it would be normal to be enraged if one’s family died that way.

Yet the Tsarina somehow pulled Russia out of the red tide.

She doesn’t move hastily.

Her desire to go to Poland must be part of her preparation to isolate communism.

“We just need to support Her Majesty.”

“I hope Poland will take Her Majesty’s hand.”

“Given that Her Majesty highly values Józef Piłsudski, who leads Poland now, hasn’t she already foreseen the future?”

Realistically, it’s hard to imagine Poland taking Russia’s hand.

Initially, neither Kolchak nor the Black Baron were pleased with recognizing Poland’s independence. But if the Tsarina has decided, it must mean that using Poland as a buffer zone is beneficial.

# * * *

Second Polish Republic

Józef Piłsudski, the leader of the Second Polish Republic, heard news from his close aide and Foreign Minister Gabriel Narutowicz that made him doubt his ears.

“Tsarina Anastasia wants to come to Poland herself?”

“She said she wants to come personally to discuss the future of Poland and Russia seriously.”

“She’s coming personally, without bringing an army?”

“On the surface, she says it’s for the encirclement of communism.”

The Tsarina of Russia wants to come to Poland personally.

What does this mean?

For Józef Piłsudski, Russia was an enemy nation that had to be pushed back to secure Poland’s territory and right to survival.

Until just before the Great War, he fought against Russia under the Austro-Hungarian army to gain independence from Russia.

It’s an ironic story that he was betrayed and imprisoned by Austria, only to be in his current position thanks to Britain.

Now, following Britain’s order and sharing a border with Communist Germany, it’s difficult to target Russia. But he still harbored ambitions to expand toward Russia someday.

However, as ambitious as he was, he was also keenly sensitive to foreign relations.

In the current situation, Britain wouldn’t want Russia and Poland, which it uses as shields against Communist Germany, to be in conflict.

So, he needs to understand Russia’s true intentions.

“The Tsarina is coming personally.”

Her parents ruined the country, but the daughter pulled Russia up from the abyss.

She shouldn’t be underestimated for being young or a woman.

Even in France, they’re saying the Tsarina is like the Russian Joan of Arc.

At her age, she fought directly on the battlefield, and now she wants to come to Poland.

She’s not bringing an army but coming personally to establish good relations.

“Hmm. What do you think?”

“Well, judging from the Tsarina’s actions so far, she might be sincere.”

“She reclaimed Constantinople and is openly showing expansionist behavior?”

Couldn’t they target Poland just to establish their prestige?

From Russia’s perspective, wouldn’t they want to swallow up the now-independent Poland?

For the sake of the Tsar’s authority.