Paris
"Mr. President, the Bulgarians intend to support Spain's right-wing bloc. They simply do not wish to act directly; they want to cooperate with us!" French Foreign Minister Yves Thor said.
"Oh? What terms have the Bulgarians offered?" Albert Lebrun asked with interest.
"A pro-French Spanish government. They will not interfere in Spain's internal affairs!" Yves Thor replied unhurriedly.
Clearly, he was very satisfied with these terms. The British attitude was obvious: there was no place for France in the Western European Alliance. To break the strategic encirclement, winning Spain over was essential.
Now that the left-wing alliance had thrown in with the British, the French government had been hesitating over whether to support the right-wing forces. With Bulgaria now willing to provide both money and effort, they could also lighten part of their burden.
"Is there really such a good thing? The Bulgarians aren't plotting something again, are they?" Albert Lebrun said incredulously.
"Mr. President, this is in Bulgaria's interests. Their influence in Spain is too weak. They have no confidence of succeeding by supporting the right-wing forces alone, which is why they want to join hands with us.
"For the Bulgarians, a pro-British Spanish government would also be no small headache. By comparison, a pro-French Spanish government would pose no such problem.
"They are even willing to support a Franco-Spanish alliance. That way, we and the Western European Alliance would be evenly matched. With both sides checking one another, the British would have no strength left to contend with them for the position of world hegemon.
"Compared with that, what are a little money and some weapons worth?" Yves Thor explained.
"Oh, I knew meat-filled pies wouldn't just fall from the sky!
"But I like this kind of cooperation. Since the British chose the Germans, they must pay