Reincarnated: Vive La France-Chapter 170: Rome and Berlin form the axis around which Europe shall revolve.
Chapter 170: Rome and Berlin form the axis around which Europe shall revolve.
The skies above Berlin were a pale gray.
Along the wide boulevards from Anhalter Bahnhof to the Reich Chancellery, banners unfurled in the wind.
Red swastikas interlaced with black fasces waved from balconies.
German youth in uniform lined the curbs, standing at perfect attention.
Benito Mussolini descended from his armored train in full ceremonial attire.
Black-gloved hands adjusted the folds of his coat.
Cameras flashed.
The click of typewriters had already begun in the media corner.
Adolf Hitler awaited at the platform’s edge, surrounded by an honor guard from the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.
A military band struck up "Giovinezza" as Mussolini stepped forward.
"Il Duce," Hitler greeted, offering a tight, measured nod.
"Führer," Mussolini replied with a faint smirk, grasping Hitler’s hand.
Their handshake was firm.
"Europe watches."
"Then let it see unity." Hitler returned.
Photographers clustered around them, flashes popping.
Goebbels stood in the background, murmuring orders to the film team.
Ribbentrop hovered nearby, flipping through the finalized draft.
By midday, the two leaders had arrived at the Reich Chancellery.
The hall was polished to perfection marble imperial chandeliers overhead.
Along the corridor, portraits of German emperors had been temporarily replaced by the new symbols of nationalist revolution.
Mussolini turned to Hitler. "You know, once I thought of Berlin as decadent."
"And now?"
"Now I see purpose behind the stone."
They entered the signing chamber together.
Rows of diplomats, military officials, and foreign press waited silently.
The flags of both nations stood on either side of a long, velvet-draped table.
Two chairs faced each other across the agreement.
Goering whispered to a Prussian general beside him.
"This day will be carved into the bones of Europe."
Ribbentrop stepped forward, unrolling the final draft and placing it before Hitler and Mussolini.
"The Protocol of Friendship and Mutual Understanding," he announced, voice clear and strong.
"Shall today be signed between the German Reich and the Kingdom of Italy. This is not a military pact. It is a political and ideological alignment a new axis for Europe."
He began reading aloud, alternating between German and Italian, ensuring every delegate could hear every word.
Italo-German Protocol of Friendship and Mutual Understanding
Signed: November 2, 1936.
Preamble
Recognizing the need for closer political and ideological cooperation between the Kingdom of Italy and the German Reich.
Affirming a mutual commitment to the promotion of order, authority, and national sovereignty in Europe.
Opposing the spread of communism and Bolshevik subversion through international efforts, particularly the actions of the Communist International (Comintern).
The undersigned representatives of the respective governments agree to the following:
Article I: Political Cooperation
The Government of Italy and the Government of Germany agree to consult regularly on all matters of mutual foreign policy interest.
Both states will pursue a common line in international affairs, with particular regard to the maintenance of peace through strength and national sovereignty.
Italy and Germany commit to non-interference in each other’s spheres of influence, particularly in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Article II: Coordination on Spain.
The two parties recognize the legitimacy of the Spanish Nationalist movement, under General Francisco Franco, as a bulwark against communism in Europe.
Italy and Germany will support Franco’s forces through coordinated diplomatic, logistical, and, where deemed necessary, military means.
Both parties agree that the outcome of the Spanish Civil War is of vital importance to the future balance of power in Europe.
Article III: Economic and Military Dialogue.
The two governments agree to expand dialogue on economic cooperation, including trade, industrial exchange, and armament production.
Both parties commit to exploring avenues for strategic military coordination, including future defense policy alignment and officer exchanges.
Article IV: Mutual Recognition and Strategic Interests.
The German Government recognizes Italy’s interests in the Mediterranean and Africa, including its position in Ethiopia and Libya.
The Italian Government, in turn, recognizes Germany’s central European aspirations, including its role in Austria and broader pan-German objectives.
Article V: Ideological Solidarity.
Both states affirm their opposition to Marxist, Bolshevik, and liberal democratic ideologies as threats to national unity and European civilization.
The parties declare their ideological solidarity in support of a new European order based on nationalism, hierarchy, and state strength.
Article VI: Diplomatic Presentation.
The contents of this agreement shall be presented to the public as a declaration of friendship, not as a binding military treaty.
A public statement affirming that Rome and Berlin form the axis around which Europe shall revolve.
When the reading concluded, both leaders picked up their fountain pens.
Mussolini signed first, his stroke wide, flamboyant.
Hitler followed, with sharp, angular precision.
The hall erupted in applause.
After the signing, the leaders turned to the press podium.
Mussolini stepped forward.
"A line has been drawn between Rome and Berlin. This is not a frontier, but an axis. Around this axis, all European states that desire peace and order can align themselves. This marks the beginning of a new era in European civilization."
He waited for silence, then added.
"Those who doubt will be left behind by history."
Hitler followed.
"Europe teeters on the brink of decay. But today, we build a spine. A moral spine. A national spine. With Rome at one end and Berlin at the other, Europe will stand again."
Goebbels whispered to an aide.
"Write that down. He might have said something useful."
An Italian reporter asked, "Is this an alliance against the Soviet Union?"
Mussolini responded sharply, "It is an alliance for Europe. Against disorder, against lies, against rot."
Hitler added, "Let the Soviets interpret it as they will. The truth needs no clarification."
That night, the city glowed with fire torches.
Crowds gathered at Unter den Linden, where loudspeakers played Mussolini’s speech on loop.
Italian anthems mixed with Wagnerian marches.
Inside the Chancellery, over wine and maps, Mussolini turned to Hitler.
"Will Britain blink?"
"They already are," Hitler said. "They just haven’t realized it yet."
They raised their glasses.
"To the axis," Mussolini declared.
"To the new century," Hitler replied.
And in the silence that followed, the shape of Europe had already begun to bend.
