A Shift in Priorities - Sequel

[rast]

I am happy that I shall not live to see the surrender of Québec.
(Louis-Joseph de Montcalm)

The Bélangers were Québécois grandees. The family had come to Nouvelle France in 1627, from Lisieux in Normandy, if the family history, written down in 1831, could be trusted. In Nouvelle France, which later – under British rule – became Québec Province, Bas-Canada, Canada-Uni, and finally Québec again, Bélangers had been everything – or almost: priests, politicians, clerks, lawyers, merchants, craftsmen, fishermen, farmers, trappers, soldiers. However, the family estate had been the centre throughout. One Bélanger was the landowner, residing in Maison Bélanger, and being the undisputed head of the whole clan.

Alphonse Bélanger was the current landowner, the seigneur. He had summoned his brothers, cousins and in-laws to Maison Bélanger. One had to determine how to react to transition of power. Edith Rowly, after some initial irritations, had made her peace with the Franco-Canadians. And the Franco-Canadians had recompensed with spontaneous cooperation. – Rowley had been the sovereign ruler of Canada, had even challenged Westminster over Canadian issues. – Fred Rose had turned out to be Tom Wintringham's puppet, Westminster's submissive mouthpiece, a spineless lay figure. So, what to expect from Wintringham?

There was no doubt in those gathered at Maison Bélanger what had happened in Ottawa. One had plotted all of Westminster's attempts to dispose of Rowley – and Rowley's riposte, which had eliminated Prime Minister Palme Dutt. It had been an epic show. One had been lucky Wintringham hadn't been forced to resort to dropping a nuclear bomb... So, the dog had subdued the tail that had tried to wag him... But what to expect of Wintringham and Rose? Would they continue cosying up to the Franco-Canadians?

Maurice Bélanger was the diplomatist. He worked in Ottawa and was lucky to have escaped the bombing. He thought that the struggle had pushed Wintringham over the rim. The man had gone cuckoo. He was dangerous, was suffering from acute paranoia. Yes, agreed Alphonse, that seemed plausible. But what did that mean for the Franco-Canadians? They had had no part in the power struggle between Ottawa and Westminster. They were just one of the groups profiting from Rowleys policy of pampering the Canadians. Would pampering continue?

Maurice thought it would, at least initially... Rose had been ordered to continue. But he also had been ordered to scuttle the Japanese connection. In future, all consumer goods were to come from Britain again. And all Canadian resources were reserved exclusively for the British industry. – That might appear consistent. But cunning Rowley had used the extra money gained from the Japanese to supplement provisions. Without that, the privileged treatment was going to desiccate sooner or later, because British industry was in decline.

True, concurred Gérard Bélanger, the economist, there had been no investments ever since the BCW, twenty years ago. Machinery was getting old and outdated. There still were some high-tech sectors, mainly in armaments production, but the rest was clearly on the verge of going to seed. With Canada dependent on delivery from Britain alone, one was going to suffer sooner or later – when the system was starting to fall apart...

Bien, summarised Alphonse, one could hope to receive a perpetuated extra treatment, the quality of which was going to decay in some years. But that was going to be accompanied by a complete system failure, which would create an entirely new situation. There was no need for a new policy right now, but one had to plan ahead. And if the British system really was due to bust, there might arise a golden opportunity for Québec...

 

[Uff Da the optimist]

There was no need for a new policy right now, but one had to plan ahead. And if the British system really was due to bust, there might arise a golden opportunity for Québec...

hon hon hon
hon hon hon hon
hon hon hon hon hon

Vive Québec libre!

 

[Bmao]

hon hon hon
hon hon hon hon
hon hon hon hon hon

Vive Québec libre!

And they do have a certain friendly neighbor south of the border who would be more than willing to help them, and France would not doubt be sympathetic as well.

I thought that the hit on Ottawa would be the immediate end, but it actually seems like the calm before the storm, as incredible as it would seem to be. It took an uncommonly cunning and resourceful leader like Rowley just to keep this flawed system going, but now with a dunce like Rose, its all going to go crashing down...

 

[Expat]

And they do have a certain friendly neighbor south of the border who would be more than willing to help them, and France would not doubt be sympathetic as well.

Indeed! There are thousands of French-speaking Canadian families in New England from before the POD, even if the flow stopped with the British Revolution.

As for consumer goods, I'm guessing the cross-border black market could make up any shortfall for a time. That seems like something the US gov't might look the other way on.

Rose could probably militarize the New England-Canada border with a large but manageable effort. Policing the Great Lakes effectively is also expensive and significant, but manageable. Policing the west is just absurd.

It would mean abrogating Rush-Bagot, but that's already abrogated in spirit with troops camped "near" the border, if not on it. I wonder what TTL's longest demilitarized border is if not US-Canada? Heh, it might be US-Mexico!

 

[sloreck]

Militarizing the Great Lakes, for Canada, would be difficult given the disparities in shipbuilding industries ion the Lakes. The N.E. border is different, west of Maine/NH/Vermont land access is limited, and its pretty wild north of Maine. On the other hand a lot of the that border is with Quebec so if Quebec decides to go its own way...

As mentioned, everything west of the Lakes is indefensible except in depth, and the numbers are just not there for the Canadians. MAD is all the UK can do against the USA in case Canada goes to pieces, and nukes are not useful to try and keep Quebec and/or Canada in the red fold. Nuking Canada would simply mean no more goodies to the UK.

 

[rast]

The criminal is the creative artist; the detective only the critic.
(G. K. Chesterton)

David Kirkwood, the MI5 chief, could have been happy: his organisation had regained control over Canada. Rowley's creatures had been purged. Well, those that had survived the bombing... But Kirkwood was worried. One did not have the foggiest notion how many operatives Rowley had sent to Britain. All pertaining records in Ottawa had been burnt by one of Rowley's stalwarts, who had possessed the insolence to commit suicide before one could seize him. – It would be bloody irony to have the PM killed now – by some extant Canadian hitmen, who were executing the will of their deceased mistress.

The PM was deeply entrenched behind several walls of security, but nevertheless a pain in the ass. The bloke was in fear for his life. Rowley had had Palme Dutt killed, who also had been hiding behind multiple layers of security. Well, there was absolutely no assurance that Rowley's death had indeed ended the struggle... Kirkwood could understand the PM's agitation. Yet, his people were already doing what they could; doing more wasn't possible.

No, one had to find the assassins. That was the only way... Heaping up checkpoint after checkpoint didn't solve the problem. – But sniffing the rascals out wasn't easy either. Palme Dutt had been shot by two individuals, who never had been found. One was not fighting a network, but rather small groups – or even lone killers – who did not communicate, but were sitting and waiting... Therefore, it was hard work. One had to sieve the neighbourhoods, look for strangers, people who did not belong there. In a metropolis like London, this was a truly Sisyphean task.

It had to be London, because the PM didn't move. The hatchetmen had to come to him. That was the only facilitation one had. Well, one did find a lot – criminals, Churchillians, vermin... – and that missing female general, who had been in charge of the nuclear programme. Yes, Polly Brown was a major trophy, but she was no killer, rather a victim of Palme Dutt's crazy ideas. Kirkwood had let her discreetly disappear again. No need to make fuss about an escaped internee retrieved.

But he needed to produce results. The PM was extremely itchy. And he, Kirkwood, had been appointed by Palme Dutt... He thus was none of those true acolytes whom Wintringham had deputised. – How long would it take the PM to fantasise that he, Kirkwood, was in league with the enemy?

 

[Expat]

Militarizing the Great Lakes, for Canada, would be difficult given the disparities in shipbuilding industries ion the Lakes. The N.E. border is different, west of Maine/NH/Vermont land access is limited, and its pretty wild north of Maine. On the other hand a lot of the that border is with Quebec so if Quebec decides to go its own way...

As mentioned, everything west of the Lakes is indefensible except in depth, and the numbers are just not there for the Canadians. MAD is all the UK can do against the USA in case Canada goes to pieces, and nukes are not useful to try and keep Quebec and/or Canada in the red fold. Nuking Canada would simply mean no more goodies to the UK.

My guess is that Quebecois privileges are not long for this world. It's been acknowledged that Canada can't afford to maintain benefits for long. They can afford them a little longer if they demonize a segment of the population. They could try the First Nations first, but those populations are highly dispersed and generally poorer, so probably not costing too much to begin with. The French have been enemies in the past, and you get a nice rally-round-the-flag bonus by demonizing them.

So long story short, I think Quebec will see increased military presence anyway, and the US border is likely a first-round target.

I was thinking that the British could use the St. Lawrence Seaway to militarize the Great Lakes, but I forgot that it was only built IOTL in 1954. It's a huge and very provocative project for the British to undertake alone, and without the economic benefits of OTL. It's unlikely it would've been attempted.

But the British could build a lot of small patrol craft and bring them in by rail. If we're just talking about interdicting the black market at this stage, that's all they'd need. They could even disguise it as "beefing up the rescue service," if the Canadians get suspicious.

And forcing US smugglers to use routes west of the Great Lakes decreases their effectiveness. East-west road and rail routes inside Canada can be pretty easily patrolled (as there aren't very many) and more supplies interdicted. Smugglers staying off the beaten path can't carry as much. Of course it would still leave the western half of Canada open to insurgency, but that's unavoidable.

 

[1SaBy]

One had to sieve the neighbourhoods, look for strangers, people who did not belong there. In a metropolis like London, this was a truly Sisyphean task.

Yes, great idea once again! I mean... ugh... just how many people are in the British 'gulags' by now?

 

[Bmao]

Yes, great idea once again! I mean... ugh... just how many people are in the British 'gulags' by now?

Seems like we're seeing the Stasification of London then, where we have like 1 in 5 of the male population of London being an informer.

 

[rast]

Isn't this conception of absolute justice absolutely unjust?
(Thomas More)

Polly Brown had found Ernest Bevin; and not only him, but also a smattering of office holders in Bevin's cabinet: Aneurin Bevan, Clement Attlee, Richard Stafford Cripps, and Albert Victor Alexander. The downside was that she had been put into the same lock-up – where these men were being held since about twenty months... When the MI5 goons had cracked down on her hideaway, she had been surprised in her sleep. At least, the Duck Brothers had been out of town, looking for Bevin... Of course, if they had been caught, they would be kept in arrest somewhere else... So, she couldn't know for sure.

Where this nick was situated, she had no clue; nor had Bevin and his colleagues. Daylight was no feature here. Yard exercises were unknown. There was one corridor, door with guard station in front at one end, a lounge at the other. All windows had been walled up. The rooms had toilets and washbasins. Initially, one had been locked up in solitary confinement, Bevin and the rest were telling her. Since half a year, or so, one was allowed to make use of the corridor and the launch. But: no newspapers, no radio, no books... and the guards were extremely taciturn.

Of course, she had been sucked dry of information. Palme Dutt's death, the Canadian embargo, the Ottawa bombing, all this had been new to the men. She hadn't mentioned the Duck Brothers and their activities. This locality was certainly tightly monitored. – Well, at least she had provided fodder for conversation. Bevin wasn't looking good. Yes, there was a medical attendance; one could report sick. A mute physician would then appear and conduct the examination in-house.

Oh yes, there were many theories. This could be part of a prison, separated and bricked up. The food was like that. – But in a normal prison, there were noises, by day and by night. Here, everything was quiet, deathly silent... – It could be a special MI5 dungeon. These did exist, even if no one present had seen one yet. – It was in London. Well, at least not far from the city. Polly had remained conscious after her arrest, hooded after all, but aware what was going on around her. She had been hiding in East End. Yes, definitely, this had to be London. But London was tremendous...

Okay, Polly said to herself, I'm still alive, contrary to all expectations. Now, I need to find a way out of here. Rescuing this lot here might change a lot... These are civilians, party creatures... I'm a soldier. Perhaps I can find a way past those guards...

 

[Archangel]

Keep it up, rast!

 

[Expat]

Polly's is an entertaining story! It's hard not to root for her. But at the same time, what would it mean if she escaped, or even escaped with her new colleagues? Even if they retook power, wouldn't they maintain the totalitarian state?

But maybe even a small civil war would be enough to topple the system at this stage.

I'm also wondering how long these folks have left to live. Wintringham will likely order Polly's death once he hears about it...why would he keep her alive?

Of course if he doesn't hear about it, that's an interesting sign in itself...

 

[Ciryatur]

Polly's is an entertaining story! It's hard not to root for her. But at the same time, what would it mean if she escaped, or even escaped with her new colleagues? Even if they retook power, wouldn't they maintain the totalitarian state?

But maybe even a small civil war would be enough to topple the system at this stage.

I'm also wondering how long these folks have left to live. Wintringham will likely order Polly's death once he hears about it...why would he keep her alive?

Of course if he doesn't hear about it, that's an interesting sign in itself...

MI5 the Praetorian Guard?

 

[ANARCHY_4_ALL]

Polly's is an entertaining story! It's hard not to root for her. But at the same time, what would it mean if she escaped, or even escaped with her new colleagues? Even if they retook power, wouldn't they maintain the totalitarian state?

But maybe even a small civil war would be enough to topple the system at this stage.

I'm also wondering how long these folks have left to live. Wintringham will likely order Polly's death once he hears about it...why would he keep her alive?

Of course if he doesn't hear about it, that's an interesting sign in itself...

I just want to say that Red Albion under Moseley and company looks almost saintly compared to Bloody Britain under Palme and Wintringham.

 

[rast]

There is no friendship in trade.
(Cornelius Vanderbilt)

The sudden termination of the Canadian contracts came as a real bombshell to those sitting in the executive chairs in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan. But also the chaebŏl bosses in Korea were not amused; and Kim Sŏng-ju was said to have suffered a screaming fit. – Prime Minister Ashida Hitoshi spent a hard time in the Teikoku-gikai, the Imperial Diet, where he first was bawled out in the Shūgiin, the House of Representatives, and thereafter given a roasting in the Kizoku-in, the House of Peers.

After the sacking in the US, one now had been shown the exit in Canada. The white racists obviously were figuring they could treat the Sons of Nippon like cotton-picking Niggers. Well, one had taken sweet revenge for US insolence in the Mesoamerican Bush War. What should one do now, opposite the bloody British? The Gilbert Islands came to mind, of course, – and some other archipelagos... But foreign minister Uehara Etsijiro didn't consider this a good idea.

Simply invading the islands would be seen as unprovoked aggression. That wasn't clever. Britain was a nuclear power – and had just demonstrated that she was sort of vicious. – Encouraging an independence movement might be possible, on the other hand. But did one really want to do that? Nippon had far more scattered possessions in the Central Pacific Ocean than Britain. One certainly had no intention of giving the own native subjects silly notions?

In addition, the British possessions in the Pacific Ocean were pretty much dormant. Singapore was a good example: nominally British, but in effect self-ruling, run by Chinese expatriates – with an open door for everyone. Wasn't it preferable to allow the British holdings to continue drowsing as placid cloud-cuckoo-lands? A quiet Pacific backdoor was of national interest, wasn't it? And no substantial resources could be gained from those tiny isles anyway...

One had to agree here. Raising fuss down there might create more inconvenience for Nippon than for the British. But what else could one do? – Minister of economy Katayama Tetsu thought one should just forget the Canadian venture. It hadn't been the profitable hot deal the economy had been dreaming of, because the term-time had been too short. One hadn't been able to shuttle home all the resources available. But the industry hadn't suffered horrendous losses either.

Granted, Canadian resources had been priceless cheap, but Nippon wasn't dependent on them. One had Borneo, the Philippines, the Banda countries; and Australia was becoming more and more accessible. Thus, the economy wasn't endangered, only the profit margin was going to be a little less than many had hoped for. – And, well, the Korean workers were coming home, a fact that should comfort many personnel managers.

But something had to be done, as a matter of pride. Just to acquiesce in receiving the bitchslap wasn't possible. – Well, one had a good number of obsolete military hardware, ships, planes, tanks, guns, bombs, shells – leftovers from the FEW. Selling a good portion of the stuff at cost price to Argentina should be fair enough. – Were there any other spots where one could create mischief for the British?

 

[Archangel]

Polly's is an entertaining story! It's hard not to root for her. But at the same time, what would it mean if she escaped, or even escaped with her new colleagues? Even if they retook power, wouldn't they maintain the totalitarian state?

That's my worry.

But maybe even a small civil war would be enough to topple the system at this stage.

I hope so.

I'm also wondering how long these folks have left to live. Wintringham will likely order Polly's death once he hears about it...why would he keep her alive?
Of course if he doesn't hear about it, that's an interesting sign in itself...

Yes, Polly Brown was a major trophy, but she was no killer, rather a victim of Palme Dutt's crazy ideas. Kirkwood had let her discreetly disappear again. No need to make fuss about an escaped internee retrieved.

Evidence seems to point that Kirkwood doesn't share the late SUP rulers crazyness, despite being appointed by Dutt,

How long would it take the PM to fantasise that he, Kirkwood, was in league with the enemy?

and may fear Wintringham's madness.

 

[Expat]

Well, it sounds like Japan is in a similar mindset to the US! Maybe there is a window for very limited cooperation. At the very least, they can acknowledge that they both want to fuck over the British and won't get in eachother's way.

Were there any other spots where one could create mischief for the British?

The western Indian Ocean springs to mind. Encouraging independence in Mauritius, the Comoros, and the Seychelles won't get back to Japanese possessions in the Pacific, and it'll threaten Britain's trade links with Kenya. It would mean a costly deployment to suppress the rebellion at the very least, and Mittelafrika might not look kindly on a British fleet with its Arrows arriving off the coast.

And if Japan's really lucky and the rebellion succeeds and MA doesn't resent their presence, they've got a new shiny naval base in another part of the world! Otherwise, Japan should be ready to talk to MA and act like they're doing them a favor by not exerting influence in those island groups; curry some good will.

Japan should also talk to Australia, to see what they're interested in. Now, I wouldn't expect them to be interested in much of anything at the moment! Australia doesn't stir the pot!

But it's got to be clear to the world now that Britain has nothing but enemies right now. Japan should be ready to pounce in the future. And in the interest of keeping Australia friendly, they should definitely include them in discussions.

Finally, I think it's pretty clear that an open Singapore ISN'T in Japan's interests. Singapore is standing directly in the way of an important Japanese revenue stream. If they can change the equation in Singapore- lock the country down or even just destabilize it- more people will take their Kra Canal.

 

[Nerdlinger]

Was "bitch slap" a phrase back then?

As always, doing a great job, Rast.

 

[rast]

He knew how to say many false things that were like true sayings.
(Homer)

Jimbo Owens glanced along the long rows of Koreans who had lined up for embarkation. They didn't look unhappy, but were waiting stoically without making fuss or even noise. Most of them were men, young folks predominantly, but Jimbo could also discern groups of elder men – and even several women. Mister Wonderful had noticed his scrutinising glance.
"Yes, yes, Mister Sir, we bought the contracts of these people. They will now be shuttled to Costa Rica – and help building our new plant at Chacarita. Wonderful, very wonderful."
Mister Wonderful was the local Samsung representative. His real name was Choe Kyung-jae, or something like that, definitely unpronounceable; even his business cards said his name was Joe Wonderful.

The vessel was the Tteunaegi, a passenger ship. Jimbo had been surprised to see a Samsung passenger ship moor in Vancouver harbour.
"I didn't know you were doing line business as well." he had remarked. Mister Wonderful had smirked cheerfully.
"It's a hospital ship, you know. We built it for the navy of our wonderful Japanese overlords, and because they have no real use for it in times of peace, we're allowed to use it for transporting humble workers. But when a war breaks out, we must give it back."
Embarkation had begun, the rows were moving.

"So, you're leaving too?"
"Oh yes, Mister Sir. But not today, I shall be the last to leave."
"Are you sending all workers to Costa Rica?"
"Oh no, not at all. Only this transport – and one other. Most people will return home, which is good, because we need them at home. – Economic boom, you know. Actually, Samsung is happy to have bought all these contracts from Paek-tu Company."

"And what will this plant in Costa Rica poduce?"
"Chacarita? Oh, everything. We make big factory, produce everything. In Costa Rica, inside Havana Pact. No tariffs, no import duty. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful."
"Now come on, you are just assembling stuff you're bringing in from Korea. That's not production."
"Oh no, Mister Sir, we produce on Costa Rican soil. Trust Samsung knows how to do that. – And once Chacarita has been completed, we build another plant at Tahuesco, right in RUM. – Samsung very wonderful company. Want to buy shares? I make special price."

Jimbo scrunched up his nose.
"Shares? I wasn't aware your's is a stock corporation."
"Oh yes, Mister Sir, is. Fifty-one percent always belong Yi family. But wonderful rest can be bought. Want?"
"I'll consult my pillow. – So, you leave Canada and go south. Also to the US?"
"Oh no, Mister Sir, Canada not good for production. Canada only good for resources. – Havana Pact and RUM new market, may become good. But USA groovy. Samsung just got license for Hawaii, will open offshoot at that very place, perhaps build plant later."

Yeah, the USA... Tony Patterson had just come back from a business trip to God's own country. He said the public mood down there was far more belligerent than here in Vancouver – or in British Columbia as a whole. Jimbo only hoped Washington didn't overact. Now that the business dealings with Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela were working – or working again, as Tony used to say – one really didn't need uncalled-for embroilments with the Yankees.

 

[rast]

There is a slowness in affairs which ripens them, and a slowness which rots them.
(Joseph Roux)

Saturday evening in Daressalam, thought Max Sikuku, I should have known better... He was sitting in a shabby hotel room and trying to summarise what he had seen and heard during his recent journey. Outside, the mob was caterwauling. Even worse, a party seemed to take place on the same floor. Construction workers, if his expertise in knowing people wasn't at fault, and their cheap bimbos, folks one better left alone, especially when they were drunk. – Max had visited Utete, where the first Middle African uranium machine was under construction, and Inga, where the initial set of nuclear production units was planned to be erected.

At Utete on the Rufiji River, a small experimental uranium machine was being built – since two years. It was intended as plaything for the scientists of Daressalam University. But, as Max had found out, there were problems, serious problems. Not with the theoretic stuff, but with practical enginering. One obviously wasn't capable of producing certain parts with the required precision. – And that was a phenomenon Max had also noticed somewhere else. The latest products of Siemens, AEG and Telefunken were made with a precision that neither SEM nor any other Middle African producer could match.

Might it be that the Germans had advanced their production methods without that the Middle Africans had got wind of it? – Well, independence had happened six years ago; ever since that time, the two countries were drifting apart. The close ties which once had existed, because of the many trainees and students, were no longer in place. And the German companies certainly were keen on guarding their production secrets. Was Middle Africa falling back? Was it, after all, inept to introduce nuclear technology?

That was an important question, not only in the light of the upcoming national election in October. Max had founded the MALU because none of the then existing parties – neither the socialists, nor the religious muppets, nor the nationalists – had been ready to look for the interests of the Middle African industry. And the ruling parties – socialists and religious gits, who else! – now had indeed neglected technical progress. That frigging Utete project was slogging along since months – because nobody was able to instal a working cooling circuit, and the sops here in the governmental district hadn't even noticed it!

At Inga on the lower Congo River, where a real reactor farm was to be created, nothing had happened at all! Middle Africa wasn't brimming over with untapped energy reserves. One was buying coal galore from the Union of South Africa; that was what was happening. Therefore, producing energy from domestic uranium was a good idea. The Inga reactors were planned to be of the pressurised heavy-water type, which could run with unenriched natural uranium. Thus one could even dispense with an enrichment plant, a blessing for the environment.

But because Utete wasn't moving ahead, the government dopes had stalled development of Inga. And, evidently, nobody was seriously attempting to cure the quality problems at Utete... Damn dunces! Trust a socialist to understand absolutely nothing of quality assurance and progressive technology. And trust his religious colleague to be even worse off...

Yes, this was material for the electoral campaign. The ruling parties were leading the country to decay! Middle Africa was becoming an underdeveloped country! – Someone – or something – was bumping against his chamber door. Max looked up from his notes. Drunken rabble! Okay, as long as nobody took the door for an urinal...