Compromise or Destruction

"The fourth condition: France's military strength must be restricted. The total strength of the army must not exceed one hundred thousand men. It may not be equipped with artillery of a caliber greater than one hundred millimeters, nor may it possess tanks, armored vehicles, and so on. The navy may not build warships with a displacement exceeding five thousand tons, nor may it possess submarines, aircraft carriers, aircraft, and the like. The number of Chinese troops such as police forces may likewise not exceed one hundred thousand. Minister, we are doing this entirely for the peace of all Europe. We hope the French government can understand." Wachth once again put forward a condition.

As a defeated nation, it was absolutely necessary to restrict France's military strength. That way, France's threat to Germany would be reduced to the minimum. A France with only one hundred thousand soldiers in its army would no longer pose any threat to Germany. Without heavy weapons, tanks, and armored vehicles, the French Army could be defeated by Germany with ease.

Although this condition was also rather harsh, Théophile Delcassé displayed no reaction at all, surprisingly enough. Perhaps he had already gone completely numb. From the very beginning, the Germans' conditions had been harsher than the last; they were clearly treating France as a defeated nation to be carved up at will. Of course, France now truly counted as a defeated nation. Even if the Germans wanted to carve them up like this, they had no means of resisting.

"Minister, Germany has gone to such painstaking lengths to weaken France's military strength. Is it because you fear France will seek revenge? Because you are afraid we might defeat Germany in the future?" Théophile Delcassé asked.

Wachth nodded. "Indeed, the Empire is naturally concerned about such things. The