A Shift in Priorities

[J. de Vos]

On the quiet, however, many sailors – and quite a lot of their officers – took the opportunity to buy cheap drugs for profitable resale in Europe.

Damnation!

I hope the lack of Trotsky sleeper cells and disgruntled ex-soldiers will make the introduction of drugs into Europe less dramatic as in the US.

[Expat]

Originally Posted by frozenpredator

a dangerous game the Admiral is playing, this could potentially provoke a response from Europe

I don't imagine the European convoy was designed to do anything less than provoke a response from the Americans, given their low opinion of the American thought process and stated goal of ending the Monroe Doctrine.

Now that the cabinet's reformed and Latin American policy is taking the forefront, it would behoove the Germans (and other Europeans) to think about the exact form post-Monroe might take.

If I were them I'd start drawing shadow emissaries or even governments in exile to Europe and have them start sitting together in a room somewhere and hammering out some kind of treaty organization with a catchy name.

[Monty Burns]

Originally Posted by rast

On March 27th, this convoy steamed for Veracruz, Mexico, accompanied by four cruisers – two German ones, one Spaniard, and one Italian, while the fleets of Germany, Italy and Spain set course for a combined manoeuvre near the Azores Islands.

Quite interesting how Spain is always on the German side in the recent posts.

Originally Posted by rast

Thus, one only could grind one’s teeth, protest loudly – and continue constructing battleships… – This was a humiliation never to be forgotten.

Oh yeah, as if battleships will be that good in a new TAW.

Originally Posted by rast

On the quiet, however, many sailors – and quite a lot of their officers – took the opportunity to buy cheap drugs for profitable resale in Europe.

In many aspects, this world is a much better place than IOTL. But we're heading for a massive international drug problem - or an extremely liberal stand with respect to drugs.

Originally Posted by rast

When this bloody convoy had left, he would have his fleet shell Veracruz again. Perhaps one was able to destroy much of the delivered equipment before it could hurt Americans elsewhere.

If I were in the Mexican - or a European - military, I would expect that. As described, the unloading and loading took quite a while, so the Mexicans had time to prepare for this. Maybe there were even some military advisors on the ships to prepare everything? Some coastal artillery and some FLAK may be prepared in Veracruz (probably not the other harbours, yet those others right now are less important targets for the US anyway). I doubt that the US ITTL would think about the possibility of organized Mexican countermeasures.

Another important point which the dear admiral obviously forgot: the Europeans were payed. Destroying their goods in Mexico might hurt the Mexicans - but they have plenty of drug money to buy more. This may actually become a stimulus package for Europe, based on drug money from the US (and sooner or later drug money from Europe as well): Europe sells plenty to the Mexicans, the US destroy it, the Mexicans sell drugs to the US and buy more from Europe...

[Jotun]

...I would expect a good part of the delivered hardware to be AAA which could be set up directly around the harbor.

Let's just wait and see what Rast has planned

[wietze]

why only landbased stuff? maybe the mexicans also acquired some S-boot type of torpedocrafts or Italian MAS boats?

edit: Or even just torpedos & torpedolaunchers? some fishingboats rigged with some launchers could be a nasty surprise for the yanquis.

[Expat]

Originally Posted by Monty Burns

Quite interesting how Spain is always on the German side in the recent posts

Seems like a lot of people have been curious about this. Didn't the US attack the Canaries in the TAW? Seems like a good enough reason on its own to hold a grudge.

The Germans are also seen as the heroes of the people after their intervention in the Spanish Civil War. Even if the leftist parties are not in the coalition, straying too far from the European consensus is probably the best way for the conservative parties to lose power. And speaking of that, using military action to reinforce a sense of nationalism has long been a tool of the political right. This is their best chance.

Then, as mentioned previously, there's Hispanophone solidarity and probably not a little paternalism for their former possessions.

[Bmao]

Here's one thing that would seem pretty obvious that would severely cripple the Mexicans ability to pay for military hardware. Why don't the US just go after their drug plantations? If they can burn these fields, then the finances of the Mexicans begin to dry up, while the US does a lot to alleviate their own drug problem.

(Ironically, even if the US decides to go through that path, it might make Bradley go off the deep end and make him openly side with the Mexicans in order to preserve his drug business, but then again anything that would possibly help the US in this timeline would quickly rebound into another shitstorm)

In the short term for Europe, I don't see how this won't turn into a massive drug problem. As support for Mexico increases, there will be more and more naval visits, and more and more opportunity for sailors to purchase Mexican drugs. It certainly will become a prominent issue in German politics, and it could be the issue for the German right and the non-interventionists against Luxembourg and the left.

[zeppelin247]

how much of Mexico is under US control and how much is free? and what about the rest of central america

[wietze]

Originally Posted by Expat

Seems like a lot of people have been curious about this. Didn't the US attack the Canaries in the TAW? Seems like a good enough reason on its own to hold a grudge.

The Germans are also seen as the heroes of the people after their intervention in the Spanish Civil War. Even if the leftist parties are not in the coalition, straying too far from the European consensus is probably the best way for the conservative parties to lose power. And speaking of that, using military action to reinforce a sense of nationalism has long been a tool of the political right. This is their best chance.

Then, as mentioned previously, there's Hispanophone solidarity and probably not a little paternalism for their former possessions.

And not to forget its like 35 years since the American-Spanish war, in which the us grabbed the Philippines and Cuba. I am pretty sure that plays a big role too.

[Monty Burns]

Originally Posted by wietze

And not to forget its like 35 years since the American-Spanish war, in which the us grabbed the Philippines and Cuba. I am pretty sure that plays a big role too.

That and Bmao's arguments are all good reasons to have a grudge on the US. But there's a big difference between having a grudge on someone and being willing to go to war against a superior foe only months after a civil war has been fought is remarkable. Furthermore, other European nations may also have a grudge on the US and did not participate.

[wietze]

I doubt if it was ever meant for going to war.
It looks more like gunboat diplomacy/show of force.

[Bmao]

Originally Posted by Monty Burns

That and Bmao's arguments are all good reasons to have a grudge on the US. But there's a big difference between having a grudge on someone and being willing to go to war against a superior foe only months after a civil war has been fought is remarkable. Furthermore, other European nations may also have a grudge on the US and did not participate.

Agreed, I'd think that Spain would devote most of its efforts into rebuilding the country and perhaps sending a token naval force to show solidarity with the Germans than any substantial commitment.

One more thing, while a socialist regime is in power, isn't Spain also still largely a racist society ITTL 1930s? I imagine there would still be a large amount of uneasiness of aiding the 'brown' Mexicans against whites, and also fighting alongside the black Middle-Africans, especially from the Spanish right.

The way I understand it, aside from Mexico and Venezuela, the various right wing US puppets are still in command of the rest of Latin America. While I think they sympathize with Mexico, they probably feel its better not to risk their livelihoods being destroyed.

Furthermore, do remember that many Latin American countries have prejudices against Blacks, and that the ruling elites have traditionally been white. If they support Mexico, then the large black populations (in places like Brazil, for instance) might begin badgering the ruling elites for more rights, which then would invite a Middle African training mission. Siding with the US allows these regimes to maintain the racial status quo.

[Kooluk Swordsman]

I've finally caught up to this TL, and I'm very disappointed. Instead of reading at my own pace, sitting comfortably with the knowledge that more story is ahead of me, now I've hit the end, and will have to wait for you to write more.

I suggest you remedy this, by writing 10 updates every half-hour. At least.

Great timeline by the way.

[Shogo]

Recent events are troublesome in the sense that I don't like Luxemburg and those like her having greater influence over German decision making. You can think me mad, insane, or other words that mean the same thing . . . But in many ways I find her to be just as bad as McAdoo.

I'm sure she's going to keep finding ways to try to provoke America into a war.

[nerdknight01]

¡ Hi ! ¡ EXCELLENT !.

About Ukranie, yep, for one part the poor people can it be having working and more important, food in the table. For other part the elite´s goverment peoples are controlling the more extremist ukranian groups, in short, maybe ukraine´s destiny is to be a part of Russia´s empire, a poor place but with food and peace.

That middleafrican´s prisioner problem changes something the elections in Germany, because this situation maybe will see more "hot heads" with power, and the how to say, equilibrium game by part for the german cancellor it be more dificult, but not imposible.

For one part thanks heaven for the small miracles, the american´s diplomacy play nice and sweet the fact of don´t attack that zeppelin, but the problem is the next attack by part of Bagley, and i wonder what suprises it be doing the mexican´s guerrilla because they now and feel some kind of american attack to Veracruz, in any way, will see something epic situation created by Rast in this magic timeline.

Peace.

[Jotun]

Was Adm Bagley's ship sunk by Hans Rose ITTL as happened IOTL, btw? Did Rose make Admiral and is there a chance of those two meeting again during TTL?

[Bmao]

Originally Posted by Shogo

Recent events are troublesome in the sense that I don't like Luxemburg and those like her having greater influence over German decision making. You can think me mad, insane, or other words that mean the same thing . . . But in many ways I find her to be just as bad as McAdoo.

I'm sure she's going to keep finding ways to try to provoke America into a war.

TTL Luxembourg is like a left-wing Sarah Palin IMO, and the cronies she surrounds herself with subsequently resembling a left-wing Tea Party. She places ideological agenda before facts and pragmatism, and indeed she would do anything in her power to provoke a war regardless of the conditions on the ground.

More dangerous, I think, is her underestimating the USA's capabilities militarily, as well as overestimating those of Germany's and especially Middle Africa. If any naval battle takes place, unlike it being in the east atlantic during the Trans-Atlantic War, the US can choose the time and place of battle, and would probably engage it deep in the Carribbean where the US would have all sorts of advantages.

So, we have the incompetent, grandstanding McAdoo administration on one side, and Luxembourg on the other. Should be fun, in a tragic kind of way...

[Gwalchy]

Originally Posted by Bmao

One more thing, while a socialist regime is in power, isn't Spain also still largely a racist society ITTL 1930s? I imagine there would still be a large amount of uneasiness of aiding the 'brown' Mexicans against whites, and also fighting alongside the black Middle-Africans, especially from the Spanish right.

Spain wasn't as racist as it may seem in that time OTL. You have african troops in OTL SCW (feared as moors, respected as soldiers), so the spanish can left aside their racist views when it is practical.

You must know that the spanish mindset (nationalism/regionalism aside) is of a people in a gathering place where first the celts, then the greek, punic, roman, visigoths and moors passed. We know we are a blend of peoples (and a blend can be a strog alloy ) and perhaps in OTL 1930s Spain was one of the least racist people in Europe. I think this mindset hasn't changed ITTL

For the spanish people mexicans were not brown (at least the mexicans who really have some importance ), they are white descendants of spanish conquistadores . Spanish exiles in OTL SCW went to Mexico thinking there was the place more like Spain.

In Spain is the right spectre (moderate right at least) who more had done to bring down racism OTL from 1836 onwards. There's white supremacy, but not at the levels you can see in other places of Europe

[rast]

За някой сватба, за други брадва.
(For some a wedding, for others an axe. – Bulgarian proverb)

The wedding of Bulgarian Crown Prince Boris with Princess Johanna Isabella Alfonsina Pia Luisa Maria von Bourbon-Parma caused another gathering of the European high nobility.
The Crown Prince, aged thirty-nine, had come under severe pressure by his family to produce a heir to the throne, because the flock of bastards he had already sired with various ‘ladies’ had no claim to his title, rights and property. – The Bride, aged seventeen, a daughter of Elias, Duke of Parma and Piacenza and head of the House Bourbon-Parma, was a nice of both Tsar Ferdinand’s first wife Marie Louise Pia Theresia Anna and Hungarian queen dowager Zita, the last Empress of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Because Boris was a member of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Johanna Isabella, raised in Roman-Catholic belief, was required to convert. The ceremony for this conversation took place in the Saints Cyril and Methodius Cathedral in Sofia on April 13th, 1933, while the wedding ceremony was scheduled for Sunday, April 16th, the date of the Orthodox Easter feast, the ‘Great Day’ and end of the Holy Week.

As habitual, there had been some grumbling among the Hungarian, Austrian, and Italian relatives about this conversion, but in the end everybody had to agree that it was the most sensible thing to do.
Because the Bulgarian Orthodox Church recognised Catholic baptism Johanna Isabella was spared submersion and only had to undergo chrismation, being anointed with Myron oil and receiving the Blessed Sacrament, bread mixed with wine, on a golden spoon.

Tsar Ferdinand I was watching the ceremony from a throne especially erected for him. After his second wife, Eleonore Caroline, had died in 1917, he had had several female paramours, but eventually his gay vein had come out on top. Therefore, the adolescent curvaceous shape of the bride hardly found his attention.
‘Foxy Ferdie’, as he was called in the family, was in his mind’s eye reviewing the guest list.

There were, of course his second son, King Kyril I of Albania, and his wife Maria Francesca, the youngest daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy.
King II. Ottó of Hungary was to arrive on Saturday, when most royal guests we due to come to Sofia. The lad, aged 21, wasn’t married yet; he would be accompanied by his mother Zita, whom Ferdinand couldn’t stand. He always had disliked dominant women.

The German imperial couple, Kaiser Wilhelm IV and his wife Giovanna, would arrive together with the Italian royal couple, Giovanna’s and Maria Francesca’s parents, on Saturday. Ferdinand dreaded another of these pompous Zeppelin descents; the huge dirigibles made people appear so dwarfish. He wondered how Wilhelm and Giovanna had coaxed runtish Vittorio Emanuele and his wife Elena to accept the Zeppelin lift.

The Russian imperial couple, Tsar Kyril I and Tsarina Viktoria Feodorovna, were already in country, relaxing and taking a cure at the spa village of Haskovski Mineralni Bani.

The Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed VII, would also arrive on Saturday, accompanied by a troop of harem ladies. In contrast to same-aged Ottó of Hungary, who was rumoured to be a male virgin still, Mehmed was known to be a philanderer. Ferdinand had heard wild stories about extravagant orgies involving saucy lingerie and leather. Well, hashish was the traditional drug of the Muslims, but Mehmed was said to like alcohol and cocaine as well. Ferdinand had been told that the Sublime Porte entertained a special glasshouse, where coca bushes were grown for the Sultan’s needs.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain was due to arrive alone. His wife Victoria Eugenie was reported to be ill. But Ferdinand was sure that Alfonso just didn’t want her around him. He had never forgiven her that she had transmitted haemophilia to his eldest son and heir – and to his youngest son. Ferdinand thought that a docile mistress certainly was part of Alfonso’s entourage.

King Philippe VIII of France and his young wife Isabel were also due to arrive on Saturday, as was the Belgian royal couple, King Albert I and his wife Elisabeth Gabriele, and the British royal couple, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. With the Belgians and the Brits, Ferdinand could have celebrated a re-union of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Ferdinand mused what the Portuguese were now going to do. Ex-king Manuel II of the line Braganza-Saxe-Coburg and Gotha had died last year without offspring. That the Portuguese were about to re-introduce monarchy was obvious; only Switzerland and such dull countries like Czechoslovakia, Poland or Finland didn’t have monarchs; Europe simply was the continent of monarchies.

The Netherlands were sending the Crown Princess, Juliana, and her consort, Prince Louis Ferdinand, younger brother of Kaiser Wilhelm IV. The Royal Court at Den Haag had just announced that the crown princess was pregnant and expected to give birth to the heir to the throne in November. Ferdinand was intrigued by the pragmatic approach of the Dutch; whether boy or girl, the eldest child would succeed Juliana one day. That would never work in southern countries…

For apparent reasons, the Hetman of the Ukraine would not attend the wedding. The king of Greece would also stay away, protesting Bulgarian ‘occupation’ of Macedonia. – But all Scandinavian royals were to be present, and even the Shah of Persia, Mohammad Hassan, who had succeeded his brother Ahmad in 1930, was sending his oldest son, Crown Prince Soltan Hosein Mirza.

The conversion ceremony was about to end; that was good, because Ferdinand was hungry. There would be no formal banquet today, just a family dinner in the palace. Some roast meat, fowl and fish – nothing special…

[frozenpredator]

wow you just managed to basically inform us how every royal house in Europe is doing as part of an update and i didn't even notice it untill i got to the end