Chapter 47 Wartime Procurement Regulations
The wartime emergency procurement regulations were actually implemented by capitalists who were worried that they had lost their money.
For example, the Germans are marching toward Paris victoriously. If the capitalists are still greedy and force the army to buy equipment at high prices, but the army is unable to buy it, the end result will be that the entire country is occupied by the German army and nothing can be gained.
This is obviously not in the interests of capitalists.
In order to avoid this situation from happening, the capitalists finally "discovered their conscience" and believed that they should be more restrained in a state of war, otherwise it would be of no benefit to anyone, so they delegated some power to the military.
"In short!" Gallieni put away the cigarettes on the table and put them back into the cigarette case calmly: "If the military has needs and the Senate cannot provide other alternatives, they will not be able to The right to interfere with military purchases.”
Gallieni raised his head and looked at the two of them, reminding: "For example, the tricycle you invented is currently unique, and we obviously have a need for it. It has even proven useful in actual combat! I can put it If it is included in the wartime procurement regulations, it can be purchased directly, bypassing the Senate!”
Djoka's eyes lit up instantly. This meant an order from the military, and it was probably a big order!
However, Charles heard the key point in Gallieni's words: "'Currently unique'? What if it is not in the future?"
Gallieni was silent. As expected of Charles, he could grasp the key in the shortest time.
Djoka was reminded by Charles and immediately realized that this was the most important thing.
"General, can you guarantee our rights and interests?" Djoka expanded the question: "I mean industrial property rights, which may be bypassed or copied by capitalists, but we have nothing to do with them! This forces us to have to Sell the property!”
"No, I can't!" Gallieni shook his head.
There was a consensus in France at this time: if a soldier also holds political power, he is no different from an emperor. This can easily subvert the republican government and restore the monarchy. They advocate the separation of the three powers to restrict each other.
So politics is a restricted area for the military and they cannot get involved in it!
"So..." Djoka settled for the next best thing: "When imitations appear, can you guarantee to purchase our products?"
Gallieni hesitated, then shook his head: "No, you can't!"
Djoka glanced at Charles, then turned to Gallieni, his face full of embarrassment: "General, although we want to support you, our rights and sales cannot be guaranteed, but we have to guarantee a low price. In this situation, we may Unable to survive, so... this may not be realistic!"
Gallieni replied unhurriedly:
“If imitations appear, we can apply for testing!”
"I'll take the Hotchkiss machine gun as an example. The specific process is roughly this. We applied to the government to compare the Hotchkiss and Saint-Etienne machine guns in all aspects. The government randomly selected soldiers from the army and tested them under various circumstances. Operate two machine guns and finally get the test data.”
At this time Camille came up with a tray and gave everyone a cup of steaming coffee.
This surprised Djoka and Charles. Their family didn't have the habit of drinking coffee. If they wanted to drink it occasionally, they would buy it from the small store in Osses across the street.
Gallieni thanked him, and after Camille left, he continued: "Once we come to the conclusion that the Hotchkiss machine gun is superior to the Saint-Etienne machine gun, the military can veto the Senate's request that we equip the Saint-Etienne machine gun. Proposal to equip Hotchkiss with machine guns!”
Gallieni picked up the coffee and blew it gently, raised his chin and looked at Charles, with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes: "What I can do is to ensure that every piece of your equipment can enter the war. Procurement Regulations.”
Charles straightened his thoughts and understood what Gallieni was thinking:
Once someone imitates it, let him imitate it. When imitating, some redundant designs will inevitably appear in order to circumvent property rights, just like the Saint-Etienne machine gun. The result is that the imitation is not useful.
At that time, as long as the genuine and imitation products are included in the wartime procurement regulations for comparison and testing, the genuine product will be able to defeat the imitation products and enter the army in a high-sounding manner.
After thinking for a while, Charles asked again: "But the capitalists have more advanced equipment and stronger funds. What if their imitations are better than our genuine products?"
A smile appeared on Gallieni's lips: "Of course we will choose the better one. We are the army, Charles! The army always only looks at the results!"
This is reality, so what if it is genuine?
If you are defeated by a copycat, it just means that the copycat has gone one step further!
The army talks about the law of the jungle of "natural selection and survival of the fittest", especially the army in wartime!
"General!" Charles said again: "So it seems that the military has done nothing! If our product was better, you should have included it in the procurement regulations to compare with imitations. I'm right, right? ?”
"No!" Gallieni shook his head, with a hint of helplessness on his lips: "It's not as simple as you think. Charles, the Hotchkiss machine gun was included in the wartime procurement regulations through my efforts. It cost a lot of money. Don’t worry!”
Ciel was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
Gallieni is not alone in the military. Its top management has been infiltrated by capitalists. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are in cahoots with the capitalists and have a community of interests. This is the terrible equipment of the Saint-Etienne machine gun. The main reason for its popularity in the military.
Gallieni is an alternative in the army. He strives to make the army better and have stronger combat effectiveness.
If it were peacetime, he would have been kicked out by the capitalists long ago, just like he had no choice but to retire.
This is a kind of irony. It is so difficult for the army to obtain better equipment. Even though it has been produced and is close at hand, the soldiers still want to use it in combat, but they are blocked by the capitalists!
Gallieni looked at the expressions of the two people and seemed to understand something. He nodded silently:
"I know this is a bit overwhelming, Mr. Djorka, and Charles."
"This is unfair to you. I ask you to ignore the high price offered by the capitalists. All you can exchange for it is a wartime procurement regulation!"
"But...that's all I can do!"
"I can completely understand if you refuse. After all, if it were me, I would probably make the same choice, so..."
Gallieni spread his hands: "Nice to meet you..."
He stood up to shake hands and say goodbye.
But Charles said:
"I think we can continue the discussion, General. Let's discuss a price acceptable to both parties!"
"What?"
"What!"
Gallieni and Djoka exclaimed in unison, and they cast shocked glances at Charles.
