novelraw Chapter 608: Is This Still Neutral?
Chapter 608: Is This Still Neutral?
Queen Wilhelmina meets with the German ambassador in the reception room.
The reception room is simple yet exudes a touch of royal luxury, with a few European-style sofas and a coffee table in the center, adorned with small flags of Holland and Germany to signify the friendship between the two nations. The room is filled with the fragrance of tulips, hiding a hint of the Queen’s French perfume.
Unlike usual, the German ambassador Stephen is accompanied by the embassy’s military attaché, Colonel Mark.
(Note: The embassy’s military attaché is a special type of diplomat, representing the armed forces of the country and is also a military aide to the ambassador.)
The two of them stride to Queen Wilhelmina, bow, and after being granted permission, the ambassador sits opposite the Queen, while the attaché stands beside the ambassador, standing tall and firm like a guard.
The Queen glanced at Colonel Mark, understanding the German intent: If diplomacy fails, they would resort to military means. This is a psychological hint and a form of intimidation.
The Queen stays calm, smiling as she says, "Long time no see, Stephen. Your timing is perfect; I was just about to discuss import matters with you. We are planning to increase our oil and arms imports from the United States, as well as other supplies."
Holland is a neutral country and can import supplies from other nations without British restrictions, including oil and arms, which are also major sources for German supplies.
This was the Queen subtly warning the German ambassador that if negotiations broke down, Germany would lose its benefits from Holland, so they should tread carefully.
Stephen could clearly read between the lines.
If it were a different matter, Stephen would have been eager to receive such a promise from the Queen, shelving other issues for the time being.
But now, over two hundred thousand German soldiers are tightly encircled and can’t afford any delay. This cannot be resolved merely with some supplies.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Stephen showed some helplessness. "We deeply appreciate your understanding and assistance to our country, but the war has already reached the Dutch border. We hope your country can extend its humanitarian spirit by opening the borders to allow refugees to enter."
"Refugees?" The Queen looked at Stephen with a meaningful gaze.
"Yes." Stephen leaned forward, adding, "I assure you they are unarmed, not even in military uniforms; they are just refugees."
The Queen hesitated.
This was giving Holland an out; all the Queen had to do was to feign ignorance and agree. Moreover, this could serve as an excuse to England and France:
"We are innocent; we didn’t know; we were deceived as well!"
But the Queen knew deep down that England and France wouldn’t be so easily fooled.
The Queen gently sipped her coffee, her voice tinged with helplessness: "I hope you understand our position, Stephen. We do not want to be dragged into this war, not now, not ever."
As a Queen, she couldn’t say: "We have to consider the opinions of England and France."
That would be ceding sovereignty, yielding to foreign powers, and allowing foreign intervention in domestic affairs.
"I understand, Your Majesty," Stephen replied. "But I believe that this is precisely the only way for Holland to maintain its neutrality. Don’t you think so?"
This was a warning to the Queen that if Holland did not agree to this plan, Germany would be forced to take action.
Before the Queen could respond, Mark, standing beside Stephen, timely added, "Your Majesty, we all respect Holland’s neutral status, and I believe England and France do as well."
This was to remind the Queen that England and France, fearing Holland siding completely with Germany, would not act rashly.
The Queen smiled faintly.
They spoke not a word about the war, yet every word was loaded with tension.
Weighing the options, Holland, if sensible, should acquiesce to Germany and accept "refugees."
After some consideration, the Queen sighed inwardly. It seemed she had no other choice.
The so-called "a weak nation has no diplomacy," Holland, surrounded by Germany on land, seemed to have no choice but to risk accepting German "refugees."
As for England and France, they could only hope they wouldn’t sever relations with Holland over this matter.
Just as the Queen was about to agree, her secretary entered and whispered a few words into her ear, causing the Queen’s expression to change drastically. She then rose and said to the two, "I apologize, I need to step out for a moment and also need some time to consider. Please wait a moment."
"Of course." The two stood and watched the Queen leave.
Mark then sensed something was wrong. Frowning, he said to Stephen, "Your Excellency, what did the secretary say that made the Queen leave? This indicates..."
Stephen nodded. "This indicates she doesn’t need time to consider but is going to meet someone. I suspect it’s the ambassador from England or France."
Mark suddenly understood: "They have also guessed that we intend to use Holland as a passage."
"Of course." Stephen replied, "Since Shire formulated the encirclement plan to penetrate Hasselt, he would certainly foresee this."
"But you..." Colonel Mark asked in confusion, "Why didn’t you stop the Queen earlier?"
"We couldn’t stop her." Stephen lounged back, crossing his legs. "Nor was there any need to stop her; in the end, the Queen has no other choice."
Colonel Mark thought about it and agreed. The threat from Germany was imminent, while the threat from England and France was far off, and might not even materialize.
From this perspective, Holland could only address the immediate danger first and then consider the long-term threat. At worst, they could agree to provide more supplies to the Allies to quell the anger of England and France.
At this moment, a signal officer hurriedly entered and reported to Stephen: "Your Excellency, Shire’s First Armored Army has crossed Hasselt and reached the Dutch border, while the main fleet of the Royal Navy is gathering in the North Sea."
(Note: The North Sea is named by the Dutch, meaning "northern sea," located northwest of the European continent and different from our "North Sea.")
"What?" Stephen jumped up from the sofa in shock.
He understood. Shire not only anticipated this but also made thorough preparations for it.
Now, for Holland, if she agrees to Germany’s demands, she would face not distant threats but immediate and substantial threats from both sea and land.
At sea, it’s the world’s most powerful Royal Navy.
On land, it’s Shire’s First Armored Army, which might take only a few days to reach the capital, and merely ten days to sweep through the entire Holland.
(Note: Holland stretches 300 kilometers from north to south.)
Would Germany’s threat still be effective in this situation?
Sure enough, when the Queen met the French ambassador in another reception room, the French ambassador bluntly said:
"Your Majesty, we respect Holland’s neutral status, and we hope Holland can maintain its neutrality."
"Since Holland is neutral, we have the right to demand that whatever rights Holland grants to Germany, England and France should equally enjoy."
The Queen was stunned on the spot.
This meant that if Holland accepted German "refugees," she would also have to accept English and French "refugees."
Would this still be neutrality?
Wouldn’t Holland become a battlefield?!