Chapter 96: Conservation Act
With that light remark, the tension on the dock eased at once.
Jörg found the whole thing faintly amusing. Here he was, a foreign guest, forced by circumstance to smooth over the domestic political atmosphere of another country.
Coolidge, however, recovered first. His expression softened as he said, "Paris may not like you, Jörg, but I think you will find New York far more agreeable. We have the finest companies in the world, the tallest buildings, and the most open environment."
He then extended an arm and rested it lightly on Jörg's shoulder for the benefit of the cameras.
"Welcome to New York. Welcome to America."
Flashbulbs burst in rapid succession.
Once the photograph had been taken, Coolidge continued in a more casual tone, "There will be a dinner at the White House next week. Some friends from business and politics insisted on hosting a celebration, and I find such occasions are always better when there are a few younger faces present."
His gaze shifted to Lia.
"And this young lady, may I know your name?"
Lia answered with her usual poised smile. "Lia, Mr. Jörg's diplomatic aide, and one of the accompanying members of this inspection delegation."
Coolidge gave an approving nod. "Then bring your beautiful aide with you, Jörg. A proper dinner always requires a beautiful lady in attendance."
With that, he gestured to the secretary behind him, who promptly handed over a dark black invitation.
"I still have matters waiting for me," Coolidge said. "I will not disturb your rest any further. I shall see you in Washington, Jörg. I suspect we will find we have many matters worth discussing."
Jörg signaled for Lia to accept the invitation. Only after Coolidge's Cadillac drove away did Dawes finally guide him toward his own car.
Once the door shut and the window was raised, the Vice President let out a restrained breath and spoke more frankly.
"I am sorry you had to witness that, Jörg. The President's recent conduct has been... difficult to predict."
He had originally intended to say far more, perhaps even pour out several days' worth of grievance. But he checked himself midway. Jörg was a friend, yes, but he was also a foreign envoy, and certain lines could not be crossed too openly.
So Dawes changed course.
"You are not in America merely for inspection, are you? Do not tell me you came all the way across the Atlantic simply to use diplomacy as an excuse for a holiday."
Jörg shook his head. Since Dawes himself had chosen not to speak further about the President, Jörg had no intention of prying into American domestic quarrels.
"Nothing escapes you, Mr. Dawes," he said with a faint smile. "No, I did not come merely to inspect factories and exchange pleasantries. I came to see whether America might offer another vein of gold, one that would allow Germany to keep itself alive a little longer."
Dawes's interest sharpened immediately.
"Is the money from Dawes stock and the loans from the two major financial groups no longer sufficient?"
Jörg declined the cigarette he was offered and answered in an even tone.
"It would have been sufficient under the old circumstances. But the situation has changed. I assume you have already heard that President Hindenburg intends to return a considerable portion of the confiscated aristocratic property."
That part, at least, was true enough.
"The funds were originally meant to be used to revive production across various regions. Now a large share of them will simply return to noble estates, which in turn leaves the government facing another serious deficit. At the same time, unemployed workers are still protesting in the streets day after day."
He spoke with perfect calm, his face unreadable.
The truth, of course, was more selective than complete. The amount involved was not as catastrophic as he made it sound. But he did not need a precise fiscal debate. He needed Dawes to accept the premise of the conversation. Once that was established, the real subject could be raised without seeming abrupt.
Dawes frowned slightly, but he did not answer at once. On the surface, he appeared to be considering how best to assist Germany.
In reality, he was calculating something much simpler.
What, exactly, could Germany offer in exchange?
At last he said, "Jörg, it is not that I do not want to help you. But we have only recently invested a large sum into Germany already. For the moment, there simply is not enough available capital to solve another major German difficulty. And as for large German enterprises, most of them already have American participation in one form or another. It would be difficult for American companies to free up additional funds."
Before he could continue, Jörg interrupted smoothly.
"I understand your difficulty, Mr. Dawes. I did not come here to ask America for charity. I came to ask for an opportunity to support ourselves."
That phrase caught Dawes's attention.
"Support yourselves? By what means?"
"Shipbuilding," Jörg answered at once.
Dawes's expression changed almost imperceptibly.
Jörg continued.
"Among Germany's industries, shipbuilding remains one of the least restored and one of the most in need of revival. If it is rebuilt, it can absorb a great number of unemployed workers and bring in valuable foreign exchange through export orders."
He paused, then added deliberately, "And I am told there is no shortage of skilled American shipbuilding talent looking for profitable work."
Dawes said nothing.
He already sensed where this conversation was going, and he did not entirely like it.
Jörg, however, did not stop.
"I have thought of a solution that benefits both sides. American shipbuilding companies could establish branches in Germany. They could dispatch engineers, overseers, and skilled workers to our yards, where ships would be built under American management and technical standards."
He watched Dawes's reaction carefully, then pressed further.
"That would create work for German labor, revive German civilian shipbuilding, and at the same time allow American firms to expand their output without being directly choked by the limitations imposed at home."
Dawes's face darkened immediately.
He did not bother hiding it.
"What kind of method is that supposed to be?" he asked coldly.
Jörg leaned back, as if merely speaking of commercial logic rather than political dynamite.
"For example, a supplementary arrangement could be created around the Jones Act. American branches operating in Germany, under a special provision, could still build vessels eligible for certain forms of American domestic usage. Not by overturning the law, of course, but by adding a narrowly framed exception in the name of Germany's economic reconstruction."
The answer was immediate.
"Impossible."
Dawes turned fully toward him now.
"Foreign countries cannot participate in the construction of American shipping in any meaningful way. Congress would never accept it. That is a political red line. And President Coolidge would not support altering the Jones Act merely to satisfy Germany."
He paused, then narrowed his eyes.
"And more importantly, Jörg, what exactly could Germany offer in return that would justify helping revive German civilian shipbuilding at American political expense?"
Jörg was not the least bit disturbed by the change in tone.
He had expected it.
"Red lines can move," he said mildly. "And I am not asking you or the President to overturn anything. I am asking for a supplemental clause, a special economic provision, something framed specifically to support Germany's reconstruction."
Dawes's eyes sharpened.
Jörg lowered his voice slightly, letting the argument take on a more seductive cadence.
"Call it the Germany Special Economic Act, if you like. A temporary measure. A limited exception. Publicly, it would be presented not as favoritism toward Germany, but as a contribution to European economic stabilization and long term peace."
He let the idea settle before continuing.
"This is not illegality. It is policy."
He tapped the armrest lightly with two fingers.
"And policy, when presented properly, can be made profitable."
Now Dawes was fully listening.
Jörg pressed the advantage.
"If such a measure were announced, Dawes stock would surge again. The public would regard it as further proof that America's influence over Europe is expanding under your guidance. As for shipyard workers, they would not need to fear job loss from insufficient domestic demand. They could go to Germany, earn American wages under American firms, and continue practicing the trade they know best."
He turned slightly, his blue eyes steady.
"You would gain profit, political prestige, and another lever over Germany's recovery. We would gain industry, employment, and foreign exchange."
He spread one hand.
"That is not a sacrifice by America. It is a transaction in which both parties gain."
Dawes rubbed at his eyelid and fell silent.
He was not entirely unconvinced. Jörg had presented it well, perhaps too well. The logic was dangerous precisely because it was not absurd. Under the right packaging, there might indeed be a way to sell something like it to certain interests.
But Dawes also knew that Jörg was only showing him the bright side of the coin.
There was still a more crucial problem beneath it all.
.....
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