Ch.74First Air Defense Treaty

* * *

“For now, I’m thinking about Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Turkey. I plan to speak with Britain and France as well.”

It seems Bulgaria is also internally expressing interest in joining the Anti-Comintern Pact through our Foreign Ministry because they’re irritated with Yugoslavia, but I’m not sure how that will turn out.

Well, what can we do when Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania all want to join the anti-communist effort?

Seeing how Greece is still full of discontent, I suspect they might turn red soon too.

Even if they don’t turn red, they could still fight on the other side.

It’s not like America is communist and providing Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union while fighting Germany together, right?

Anyway, Poland is a country of appropriate caliber directly bordering Germany, and though weakened, Austria has Hitler there, so the Anti-Comintern Pact should function properly in case of emergency.

Slovakia is technically independent but appears to be under Austrian influence, so they’ll join too.

At least as long as those two don’t mess things up.

“Is there anything we Germans can help with?”

“Help with?”

What is this one-armed man suddenly talking about?

“We’re on the same side going forward, aren’t we?”

If Germany were in better shape, he wouldn’t be saying such things. I see he’s trying to pull us to his side somehow.

“Well, fleet technology. Yes, that’s it. How could we possibly acquire U-boat technology?”

The navy hasn’t been rebuilt yet, and Russia is somewhat lacking in technology.

Our submarine technology lags behind other countries. Since fleet reconstruction requires a large budget, I thought it would be good to build more submarines at least.

The defeat in naval battles during the Russo-Japanese War wasn’t just because the Baltic Fleet was exhausted after traveling all the way around.

We received fuel and other assistance from our ally France.

And Japan’s fleet, developed with British help, was superior in performance.

Russian submarines are several generations behind other great powers.

So we should get what we can.

“That’s not difficult. Even though there was a mutiny among the sailors, we transferred all technology-related secrets to East Prussia to keep them from the Reds.”

“Oh, that was well done.”

Still, considering that the military was among the first to support Rosa Luxemburg’s or Karl whatever’s revolution…

Even if they smuggled military technology to East Prussia, it’s probably all the same, but whatever.

So there was a sailors’ mutiny too.

“Well, why don’t you rest until President Józef Piłsudski arrives? I’ve already transferred power to the Duma.”

“Ah, I see. I understand what you mean.”

I politely sent the Kaiser away, implying that I’m just a figurehead who needs to be mindful of the Duma.

I have my own people to welcome.

* * *

Józef Piłsudski finally arrived in Moscow.

His face is full of discontent.

He must have received quite a lot of abuse from Russians on his way here.

I made sure he received the best treatment possible.

When crossing the border, for safety’s sake, I had Polish flags hanging all over his car, announcing to everyone “I am the President!”

As a bonus, I hung “Welcome President of Poland!” banners in every city.

Thanks to my efforts and sincerity, Józef Piłsudski looks quite haggard after his ordeal in East Prussia.

“Welcome. Was your journey comfortable?”

I smiled and shook hands with Józef Piłsudski.

Smiling so widely my mouth nearly reached my ears.

Seeing me smile like this, Piłsudski’s eyes trembled.

He must have been cursed at all the way here, so my behavior must seem ridiculous to him.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to Your Majesty’s welcome, I was able to make it here.”

I smiled innocently, pretending to know nothing.

“There’s no risk of terrorism in our Russia, so don’t worry. Since you’re here, why not do some sightseeing?”

Go ahead and look around everywhere.

Russia has actually become quite nice for traveling.

Of course, the Polish Prime Minister might be criticized in many ways while traveling around, but at least there won’t be any bomb attacks.

“No, I’m afraid sightseeing will be difficult.”

“Oh, really? That’s a shame. I even put up huge signs in every Russian city welcoming the President.”

I smiled brightly, like an innocent girl oblivious to social cues, and spoke cheerfully to Piłsudski.

“I’d prefer to refrain.”

“Well, alright. Let’s stop joking around.”

This is, after all, a meeting to form an anti-communist pact.

It’s not a place for playing around, eating, teasing, and laughing together.

Though we should laugh, of course.

Wouldn’t it look nice to see the leaders of both countries smiling at an event where Poland becomes Russia’s meat shield?

Technically, the Prime Minister should be handling this.

But considering Polish history and how they were ruled by the former Russian Empire, I thought the Tsarina should step forward.

The leaders of neighboring countries will know this is all an act.

I want to show a gesture of reconciliation on the surface.

That’s why it’s better for me to take the lead.

Krivoshein decided that if we’re going to accommodate Poland, Russia should show its greatness as a major power.

The White Army opposed this, but I accepted it immediately.

On the surface, it looks like Russia is being very accommodating, and there’s a lot of talk in the military.

But beneath the surface, it’s only Piłsudski who’s burning up inside.

Poland will shed blood for Russia in a predetermined war.

Piłsudski must be the one who wants to cry more than anyone.

Yes, if I had to put it in Eastern terms, Piłsudski’s visit here could be seen as a king’s tribute to the court.

The Polish cabinet probably sees it as humiliation.

Anyway, this puts them in a position where they can’t maneuver against Germany. They’ll have to think about striking Germany fiercely and winning.

And.

I have something prepared to make this absolutely clear.

Journalists from all over the world have gathered here.

Reporters from Britain, France, Austria, Turkey, and so on—countries that are anti-communist.

Communist Germany must also be watching Poland’s moves.

Now comes the important moment that will be reported in newspapers around the world as Russia’s forgiveness and reconciliation between Russia and Poland.

Many journalists swarm like ants, taking notes and photographs of Piłsudski and me together.

And the Russian journalists, appropriately prompted by the Okhrana, record this scene as a historic moment—the day Russia and Poland reconcile.

“The Tsarina of Russia and President Józef Piłsudski of Poland are smiling together!”

“This is a historic moment of reconciliation between Russia and Poland!”

“Ah, to forgive Poland so mercifully even after they committed bomb attacks! Truly our Russian saint!”

In front of the Kremlin Palace, Russians look at us with shock, confusion, anger, and various other emotions, but most praise me for forgiving the arrogant Poland.

I forgave them mercifully?

I’m actually quite the grudge-holder. If the name Poland still exists in the distant future, then you can call me merciful.

Piłsudski should be very tense.

What future awaits Poland after his death?

Perhaps the entire country will be carpeted with bombs.

He might be worried about that.

Piłsudski’s expression sours as he clicks his tongue, clearly displeased with all the journalists taking photos.

“Smile on this good day.”

“Hahaha. Alright.”

Today, January 22, 1924, became the commemoration day of reconciliation between Russia and Poland, with us smiling like this.

It may seem contrived, but it’s the same date as the January Uprising of 1863, when Poland rebelled against Russian Empire rule.

The day the January Uprising began has become the day Russia and Poland reconcile.

Isn’t that interesting?

After the performance of Russian-Polish reconciliation ended, we moved on to the actual Anti-Comintern Pact.

The German Empire was represented by Kaiser Wilhelm II and Foreign Minister Richard von Kühlmann; Russia by myself, Prime Minister Krivoshein, and various ministers; and Poland by Prime Minister Józef Piłsudski and Gabriel Narutowicz, whose surname stood out.

Since we had already discussed everything, there was no need for further coordination.

“Here we declare that Russia, Poland, and the German Empire stand together against communist aggression.”

To put it more directly without euphemisms:

‘Here Poland proclaims that it will be a meat shield for Russia and East Prussia.’

That’s what it amounts to.

On the surface, it looks like three countries forming a limited alliance targeting communist Germany and Italy, all smiles and laughter.

But to summarize this Anti-Comintern Pact meeting simply:

“Sign it now!”

“We. Po.land. are. Ru.ssia’s. dogs.”

Why can I already see the future Pribislinsky Krai?

Józef Piłsudski must already see his future too. Look at him trembling as he signs.

Even if he accepts the anti-communist pact, he probably doesn’t know what future this agreement will create.

The German Empire (East Prussia) and Poland joined the anti-communist pact I created today, as previously discussed. Austria will have no choice since they must fight Germany and Italy.

Today it’s the three countries—East Prussia, Poland, and Russia—and next will probably be Romania, Austria, and Turkey.

Yugoslavia looks like it will become a communist state that will later face Hitler’s revenge. So these three countries will form the first anti-communist alliance?

Britain and France seem too proud—they agreed to jointly respond to communism but showed no interest in my proposed Anti-Comintern Pact.

Those damn pirates and frogs. All pride.

They even dismissed the Ilya Muromets when Russia built it, claiming Russia couldn’t possibly make such a thing.

“Wouldn’t Romania be somewhat problematic?”

“Foreign Minister, what do you mean?”

“Romania took Transylvania, Bukovina, and Bessarabia in the last war. Wouldn’t that create problems with Hungary and Austria?”

The Foreign Minister made a rather surprising point.

Yes, that’s true.

If this were a serious alliance, that would be an issue.

But this is an anti-communist pact, so it’s fine.

“It’s still better to invite them now. What good would it do to isolate Romania? Communist Germany would approach them. Besides, they don’t have any current friction with neighboring countries, do they?”

Austria and Hungary might complain a bit, but they’ll accept it.

Didn’t Hungary even receive help from Romania?

“Yes, when a communist revolution was about to break out in Hungary, Romania provided supplies that helped Horthy’s Hungarian army annihilate the communist forces.”

“But wouldn’t there still be some awkwardness between them?”

Following Foreign Minister Vasily Kharlamov, Deputy Foreign Minister Boris Savinkov also seems negative about Romania.

I think that’s an unnecessary worry.

This isn’t a complete division into sides.

On the surface, it’s clearly an anti-communist pact, but it’s limited to “communist countries.”

Again, it’s just an anti-communist pact.

We can say there will be no interference in issues between the participating countries.

I waved my hand.

“Since we’re only agreeing to stand together against communist countries, it should be fine. Just make the proposal. If they refuse, we can say we clearly made the offer.”

“Then, shall we also include Bulgaria in the pact, as they’ve already reached out to us about it?”

“Bulgaria?”

“Yes. Bulgaria lost territory to Serbia and Greece in the last war. With Yugoslavia now turning red, wouldn’t it be good to invite Bulgaria to the pact to help contain Yugoslavia?”

So the Foreign Ministry is thinking about this too.

Of course, they were our enemies in the last war, but there are no permanent enemies or allies.

In this case, the more allies, the better.

“Go ahead.”

But isn’t this something the Foreign Ministry should handle on its own?

I wish they wouldn’t ask me about such matters.