Chapter 869 Istanbul Peace Treaty

"It's a bad situation."

After Duan Qirui took the telegram from the staff, he handed it to Chen Ping and Tang Shaoyi, who were waiting anxiously: "This is the statistics of the North American Command for three days. More than 30,000 sick soldiers have been found, an increase of 6,700 from five days ago, and 760 soldiers have died in three days!"

"If it can't be effectively controlled, I'm afraid." Before Duan Qirui's words were over, Zhang Zuolin also ran over with a solemn face: "This is the summary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Intelligence.

So far, the number of known deaths in the United States is 47,000!

Britain 28,000, France 50,000, Germany 32,000, Austria-Hungary 39,000, Spain 55,000, Italy.

A series of terrible numbers have made everyone standing around realize the seriousness of the problem. As a leader with a population of 500 million, the population of the control area is as high as nearly 800 million. For leaders with the world's most powerful army, leaving their control also means that the whole country and the world may fall into action again. Swing.

However, Zhang Zuolin's words did not end. He was still reporting a series of terrible statistics. He closed the documents and took a deep breath and said, "This is only a number confirmed by various countries in the past month. Because everyone is currently dealing with post-war matters, Spain and Russia are still in a civil war, France, There are also large-scale crossfires in the Balkans and other regions, and political axes, medical and other departments in various countries have been hit hard and chaotic, so according to our conservative estimates, at least half of them have not been counted in the figures!

The Ministry of Health has issued a warning that according to the fluctuation of the number of mors and deaths, this may be just the beginning, and it does not rule out the possibility of more than one million deaths a month in the future!"

"In addition." Without giving everyone any time to breathe, Zhang Zuolin continued: "We also got a very bad news. The Bombay Naval Station just reported when it was investigated by the military department to investigate whether there were sick people. Three days ago, a cargo ship from Istanbul arrived in India. It is understood that the cargo ship was Ottoman. According to the soldiers As described by Indian workers, about dozens of people on the ship had a fever and cough at that time. They had bought drugs around Mumbai and contacted our naval station for help. It is said that the ship's destination is likely to be Sumatra or Luzon!"

"Fed!"

Hearing the news, Chen Ping patted the table fiercely and said angrily, "The order has been issued for almost two months, and I don't report it no matter how I find it!" Go and remove the person in charge of this naval station!"

No wonder Chen Ping is angry. If the Mumbai Naval Station's report is true, it means that the sailors on the Ottoman cargo ship are likely to have been infected with the flu, and the Mumbai they have moved in will certainly not be safe. What's more serious is that the ship is sailing to Southeast Asia!

You know, now the southeast route is full of all kinds of Xinhua ships. Once the flu enters the hinterland of Xinhua and gets out of control, it is really a big trouble!

"Before I came, I had warned the Navy and Coast Guard to intercept the ship immediately, but we were not sure that we could really stop it." Zhang Zuolin shook his head. Although the sailors on the ship said that they were going to Sumatra or Luzon at that time, it was far more difficult to find a cargo ship than to find a fleet.

"Yuting, you immediately send a telegram to various stations and troops again in the name of the General Staff. From now on, every similar cold symptoms around you must be reported. Anyone who neglects his duty and ignores it will be sent to the military court for the crime of delaying military aircraft!" Chen continued to ask with a face, "Are there enough epidemic prevention materials in the external team?"

Zhang Zuolin replied, "All the supplies are in place to ensure that each soldier and outside the personnel have three masks. All troops have also been ordered. Food and water must be cooked thoroughly before eating. Whether you are on a mission or sleeping, you must wear a mask! And the barracks must be disinfected with lime water every three days.

"It's not enough! Go and tell the army that the materials are not used for decoration. Who dares to send them to the gendarmerie and the military court for handling!" After a series of harsh words made Chen Ping calm down a little anger, he asked, "Is there any news from Lord Lin and the ghost?"

"Not yet, the emperor just called to inquire about this matter. According to Lord Lin Lianhui, from the current clinical trials of Yin Qiaosan and other drugs, the effect of dealing with this flu is very limited. At present, they are already conducting drug combination treatment experiments and are still developing new drugs, but he wants us to be prepared to face the worst!"

Zhang Zuolin's words made Tang Shaoyi and Chen Pingren suddenly hang up. They didn't expect to gather all the elites of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the country. So far, they have not found a way to deal with it. It can be seen how harmful this flu is.

"It seems that we are still not as good as the emperor!" Tang Shaoyi sighed, because most of the current situations were "predicted" by Li Mo and made them prepared. Otherwise, masks and medicines for catching a cold would not be delivered to the foreign army so quickly. Unfortunately, at that time, they still felt that it was a little fuss, but at this moment, it seems that the preparation is still very insufficient!

"Prime Minister, Chief of Staff." Zhang Zuolin comforted: "Although there is no result at present, all our pharmaceutical factories have been notified that they are working overtime to produce cold medicine. The raw materials that may be used for new drugs are also in reserve. Once Lord Lin has news, it will produce at full capacity."

Tang Shaoyi thought for a moment and said, "No matter whether the medicine can catch up or not, we can't rely on it anymore!" The coast guard, police and customs must be ordered to take action immediately to check every ship in and out. If cough and fever are found, they must be reported immediately and isolated for observation! In addition, organizations such as national political axes, hospitals, police, Red Cross and trade unions should also take action.

At present, the troops returning to China should not be disbanded for the time being. All of them are on standby as volunteers. I also hope that the military will strengthen the inspection of the two checkpoints of the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal. If cases are found, they will never be allowed to pass!"

"The Prime Minister is right. In addition to reporting and inspection, I also feel that I can't maintain so many troops outside. Especially in the United States and North Africa, because of the war, the medical and sanitary conditions in the United States and Europe are more than ten times worse. The social and political axes are still basically paralyzed. In addition, many of our soldiers are already unconvinced. If we continue to stay, I'm afraid the situation will be serious. Zhao Long reminded that among the three armies, he was most worried about the army, because the army itself has a large number of people, and most of them are in the most dangerous disease area. Drinking water and sanitation are not guaranteed as the local area. If it is not withdrawn, many people will definitely die.

"But it's not that easy to withdraw now, especially in the North American war zone."

"Lord Duan is right. The North American war zone is maintaining security and collecting weapons all over the United States. What's more, the withdrawal now will be regarded by the United States as powerless."

Chen Ping stretched out his hand to stop the discussion. After thinking about it, he said, "If another order is issued, troops without a mission can begin to retreat, especially in North Africa and the coast of the Indian Ocean. Let the Admiralty and the Logistics Department do everything possible to mobilize ships to bring the troops back. In addition, we must always pay attention to the illness on the journey. Once there is a taxi on the ship. If the soldier is infected, he must immediately stop the ship to report and wait for rescue nearby.

"Yes, Yuanshou, the eldest prince is still in Mumbai." Duan Qirui remembered what had happened just now and quickly reminded him.

"India's environment is too poor, the population is large, and the sanitary conditions and medical standards are worse than those in South America! So I think it's better to let him go back to the Admiralty first to report for temporary avoidance. The number of troops on the Indian side should also be reduced immediately, and all the troops will be withdrawn to Singapore if nothing to do. The same is true for the Persian Gulf coast. If the navy does not have the need, try to avoid docking in dangerous seaports.

"I think it's okay."

"In addition, Asian countries such as Siam, Annan, Japan and North Korea must also say hello immediately to avoid them being caught off guard." Zhao Long said, "That's right, and in the northwest, the cold weather there is easy to get sick. 500,000 troops are distributed along the route from Qiuming to Central Asia. The immigration work has just begun, and we must focus on strengthening it."

Terrible, as people and ships returning from Europe and the United States began to spread to Asia, the flu epidemic made people unable to sit still. Although Xinhua prepared earlier than Europe and the United States, it does not mean that it can do better.

With a dense and huge population, a huge military and civilian population flow, plus a medical and health system and the Red Cross that have been built for more than 20 years, everyone is very nervous in the face of this sudden epidemic of the century.

Just as he hurriedly deployed epidemic prevention methods and work, a series of rapid footsteps came in from outside. Jiang Tianxiu rushed in without even knocking on the door and shouted, "Prime Minister, Chief of Staff. A message came from Istanbul, and they couldn't hold on!" -

The sudden attack of the terrible flu finally made Europe and the United States, which had been using procrastination tactics, finally unable to hold on. On the one hand, the groundless accusation was that Xinhua used terrible new gas bombs to cause the epidemic. On the other hand, the huge number of casualties in China made delegations worried.

The Xinhua delegation solemnly warned that it would punish those countries that spread rumors. If necessary, they would threaten to use new gas bombs and show evidence that some soldiers were also infected. The last line of defense in Europe and the United States completely collapsed!

Because the United Kingdom and the United States are very clear, especially the United States can't wait any longer. Because the war, the United States is basically in a state of no political axe, the social system has collapsed, and more than one-third of the population has become a problem of food and clothing, not to mention medical treatment.

If the epidemic continues to spread, then if the social system is not restored immediately, it can only aggravate the death! What's more, the winter, which is most prone to colds, is coming, so the United States really dares not neglect it this time.

In the end, after internal negotiations, the alliance re-reported the conditions, the most important of which was to strengthen the restrictions on the British, American and French three [***] teams, especially the navy and air force.

According to the new terms, the number of troops of the British, American, French and Spanish countries cannot exceed 100,000, and other countries must not exceed 50,000! In addition, the compulsory military system must be completely abolished from the signing of the agreement, and the length of service of soldiers and non-commissioned officers must be appropriately extended to ensure the security needs of all countries.

Due to the great power shown by the Xinhua Air Force and the consideration of the huge arms market interests after the war, Xinhua has revised the restrictions of some sea and air militaries.

According to the draft, the countries of the treaty are not allowed to develop attack the air force and are not allowed to produce any form of military aircraft. However, for the sake of defending the country, the United Kingdom, the United States and France are allowed to purchase no more than 200 single-engine fighters with a radius of no more than 500 kilometers, and other countries are allowed to purchase 50 aircraft, but they are not allowed. It is not allowed to develop and equip any multiple military aircraft, it is not allowed to equip any bombers, it is not allowed to develop and equip air-drop weapons, and it is not allowed to develop and produce any chemical weapons.

The navy has also been modified to allow the Allies to equip and develop any aircraft carriers, submarines, and capital ships with a caliber of more than 15,000 tons of more than 305 mm (the number of capital ships shall not exceed 6), and shall not be developed and equipped with mines, torpedoes and other weapons that destroy waterway facilities.

The total naval tonnage quotas obtained by the United Kingdom, the United States and France are 150,000 tons (the United Kingdom still has colonies, so there are more), 100,000 tons and 70,000 tons respectively.

In addition to the restrictions on military equipment, and in order to ensure the safety of Germany's access to the sea, in addition to not allowing any troops stationed in Scotland and the north, including naval ships, the United Kingdom also needs to hand over the northernmost Shetland Island to Germany for a time limit of 15 years.

The French navy is even more restricted to its activities in the small Mediterranean region between the Strait of Tunis and the Strait of Gibraltar.

As for the United States, the West Coast is completely prohibited from deploying any military ships. The navy is not allowed to enter Florida and the Caribbean Sea (including the Gulf of Mexico) and allowed to conduct diplomatic activities through the Panama Canal, but the ship, tonnage, personnel and number must be notified at least 20 days in advance.

In addition, all Allied countries must immediately dismantle the defense facilities of all offshore ports (including colonies), dismantle all shore guns with a diameter of more than 150 mm, and clear the mines deployed during the war.

It can be said that if this treaty is implemented, the armed forces of the United Kingdom, the United States and France will be curbed to the greatest extent, and it will also be declared that the three countries will no longer be able to compete for maritime hegemony at least for a long time to come.

After restricting the army, it is the problem of the colony.

On the British side, after agreeing to Yan Fu's proposal to exchange Bermuda for Seychelles, Germany also promised to continue to hand over South Africa to British jurisdiction, and also promised to continue to hand over Gibraltar to British jurisdiction, provided that Britain must dismantle all military and defense facilities and establish Gibraltar within one year after the signing of the agreement. The free zone allows Germany to station an army of no more than 500 people under supervision.

Britain was relieved about this new clause. In addition to the final exemption from cession in the mainland, it also finally saved South Africa and Gibraltar under the mediation of Xinhua, which also made the century-old maritime empire finally keep the last trace of filiality. Although it is impossible to rely on a single force against Germany, at least it will not fight against France. In that way, it immediately transformed into a vassal state.

However, France and the United States are the most injured on the land.

According to the final draft, in addition to ceding half of the Adens-Champaign and not deploying any troops north of Paris, France also needs to hand over all overseas colonies. Africa will be taken over by Germany, while French Polynesia and other islands in the Pacific Ocean, Madagascar, Reunion and other areas in the Indian Ocean will be replaced by new China took over, and the Caribbean and other islands were allocated by Mexico, Ecuador and other countries.

Since the day this draft was introduced, it has been announced that France will completely become a European country, from a major power in the world to a European country!

France is already miserable, but it is nothing compared with the United States. Because the United States only has a few small colonies in the Caribbean Sea, and these places will be handed over to the allies of Central and South America after the war according to the Cairo agreement signed within the alliance, the United States must illegally encroach on the Mexican land during the Mexican-American and Mexican War. In addition to the return of California (Arizona, Texas, New Mexico) to the Mexican political axe, Louisiana will also be entrusted by Mexico as a war reparation, with a time limit of 25 years!

Although Germany has mediated to keep the vital non-division of California, it must be changed to the North American Free Trade Area together with Oregon and Washington, allowing the autonomy of the three states without division, and allowing businessmen of all countries to enter and exit freely!

Because Xinhua did not get any trace of American land when the agreement was discussed, under the threat of leaving the Xinhua delegation led by Yan Fu and Feng Qi and preparing to continue the war, the German political axe finally persuaded the United States to sell Alaska to Xinhua at the price of 45 million blue coins, and the arrears from later Deducted from the war compensation.

In addition to the Yukon Hebei and other areas proposed by Xinhua that Canada has promised to hand over, a new Greater Alaska Province has begun to plan for the establishment in the discussion of the Xinhua Council.

For the U.S. political axe, the sale of Alaska is at least not as important as the area embezzled by Mexico, an upstart. What really scares the United States is that the North-South no-fly zone in Xinhua 28, the three proposals of the Black Florida Autonomous Region and multi-party political participation have been retained.

This means that the United States will be divided into two parts: north and south from now on. Although it is still the same country on the surface, after Germany and Xinhua put forward at the same time that the United States must amend the law to allow more parties to participate in politics, the two-party system is bound to be broken!

Coupled with the existence of the four autonomous regions of the West Coast and Florida, the United States is likely to fall into a long-term division in the future!

But at this time, the United States has no choice. It is impossible for the war to continue, because the number of deaths in the flu is rising every day. If we can't immediately recover after the war and reorganize the country's medical and health institutions, then the paralyzed United States may have a shocking death from the flu. Dead number!

As for Africa and other colonies controlled by Belgium, Portugal and other countries, they were eventually divided up by Austria-Hungary and other allies. It is a little surprising that Italy, which defected at the last moment, actually saved North Africa from Osman under the mediation of Germany. As compensation, Osman and Bulgaria and Austria-Hungarian Emperors If the country divides Serbia together, it will also gain British-controlled Sudan.

It is said that Li Mo was happy for a long time after this news, because what the three countries swallowed was not profit, but a more serious danger of ethnic conflict and national division, especially the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

South Korea got Somalia as they wish, and distributed it according to the dividing line between Britain and Italy before the war. Although there is not much oil here, it has allowed the two countries to enter Africa, not to mention the eye-catching free trade zone interests of the three states on the west coast of the United States, which is the real big head!

As for Siam, it got the Myanmar part, while Ecuador and other countries in South America gave up land requirements outside the Caribbean.

In addition to China and Germany, the biggest gain should be Mexico. In addition to California, all the land lost during the American-Mexico War has been recovered, and there is an extra trusteeship right in Louisiana. Moreover, because of the establishment of the North-South no-fly zone, the United States is not allowed to station troops in the south. Mexico's political axe got An excellent opportunity to infiltrate the southern United States, and Central and North America will break the dominant situation of the United States in the future.

After solving the military and land problems, the amount of war compensation became the biggest obstacle, because the figures proposed by Germany were so amazing that under the shadow of the expanding domestic flu, Germany finally had to reduce the number of compensation.

In the same way, according to the final determination, the last draft of compensation was also adopted by the countries at the meeting and submitted to the parliament and the political axe for final review.

According to this draft compensation, the United States will pay 450 billion blue coins (about 64.3 billion pounds before the war), 400 billion blue coins in the United Kingdom (about 57.2 billion US dollars before the war), France 300 billion blue coins, Spain 120 billion, Portugal 50 billion, Greece 50 billion, Canada 4 2 billion (Russia refers to the Brest contract, Serbia and Australia perish, and New Zealand, India and other colonies are not included).

Because the previous Cairo agreement stipulated that Xinhua will automatically receive 70% of the United States, 30% of France, 30% of the United Kingdom, half of Spain, 20% of other countries, and compensation originally belonging to Italy, Xinhua Zheng Axe will receive a total of nearly 700 billion blue coins (about 100 billion pounds before the war) after the war. The interest rate has reached 400 billion!

In view of the extent of the economic damage of various countries, the draft promises that the Comprorate can extend the payment period to thirty years, but in order to protect the interests of the Allies, the Allies must impose a special tariff of 20% on all exports for compensation. At the same time, the Allies will set up a financial supervision committee to supervise whether customs and political axes of various countries pay compensation in a timely manner.

In addition, after the signing of the contract, the Alliance will establish an international tribunal in Singapore to try and extradite war criminals in the Allies, and establish a world's federation (the League of Nations) in Honolulu to prevent regional conflicts, resolve disputes among countries, and stop the outbreak of war.

Late at night on September 26, after the preliminary consent of delegations, the 450-page Istanbul Peace Treaty was quickly translated into national languages and sent back to countries for adoption by political axes and parliaments...

(to be continued)