Chapter 27: Next Year in Helsinki!
4th September 1941
“Friends, Romans, Countrymen! My People.
Five years it’s been, since the formation of our Empire. Since the long dream of Classical and Enlightened Peoples for millennia has been met. Since Europe, and her peoples, and Asia Minor and her peoples, have met under one banner, in the name of peace and prosperity for all.
Five years…and what a time it has been. In 1936, fear and terror reigned across the world. Seven Great Powers ruled a fractured and divided world, still in recovery from the American Market Crash. Europe, the centre of good rule of civilization for many centuries, was in chaos as brutal and inept leaders kept their people repressed and poor. So-called democratic shepherds left their nations weak and vulnerable, bleating feebly at the hungry wolves of Nazism and Communism.
Who could have foreseen that in less than have a decade hence, the continent would be at peace? And not simply a peace with honour, but of restoration to greatness? The Empire hath cometh, and the Empire hath giveth. Lives torn apart by war and want have been rebuilt. Countries so similar and yet divided by selfish, prideful leaders, have united. We now all stand shoulder to shoulder, atop the sphere of the world, as the greatest nation to ever exist!
And yet, we have been humble in our success. And we have been charitable in our good fortune. As Denmark, as Germany, as Russia, as the whole of the now freed and prosperous nations of north and eastern Europe can attest! We are liberators as well as unifiers. We come not to oppress but to build. Our brothers and sisters in bondage in Africa were freed from their colonial masters, free to find their own path and follow their own destinies.
But let us not forget our own people in North Africa, who are just as great a part of this Empire as we. The plight of the Egyptian nation is a great sorrow to us all, and one day shall be reckoned with, as the French Imperialists were reckoned with!
However, unlike the False French Pretenders who continue to sit upon a pitiful mess of imprisoned nations, the true French people stand with us as one. And, unlike other foolish would-be world conquerors like Stalin and Hitler, the current British Prime Minister is a reasonable and honourable man with whom the Empire can do business. I hope, as many patriots do, that one day the flag of Rome shall fly high and true across all our rightful territory: in Malta, across Suez and Gibraltar. But I also believe that such things can be brought about with time, patience and diplomacy.
South America is (sensibly) staying well out of this game.
Like many the world over, I respect the British and their own empire. Like many, they respect and admire our achievements. This week, our governments meet once again, in friendship and in trust, to continue to process of bringing peace to the world over. We also welcome those United States, formerly of course of said empire. A reminder that old adversaries can become friends.
Stockholm, Sweden, where the summit shall take place, has been spared many of the horrors of this century. Even as war continues to envelope the last Axis member, despite the efforts of the British Army, Sweden stands strong and independent. We respect and admire this stance, and uphold the right for all neutral countries to remain as such. May there come a time when all nations of the world fear no attack or betrayal, and stand united together, with our combined strength.
I leave you now, with a message of hope. Our wars are as of now over. Our enemies defeated. Our lands and homes, safe. New friends, and old, remain. We now seek to rebuild, and transform, what was once war-torn into a better world. The Golden Age of the Empire begins now.”
The Emperor sat back from the radio and drank quickly from his water.
“Alright lads, let’s go see what Churchill has to say for himself.”
…
The Stockholm Conference concerning Asian Affairs – 17th September 1941
“Remind me Augustus, what was it Winston said to us in Danzig?”
“We shall of course hold the next gathering in Helsinki to celebrate and demonstrate the final fall of Nazism and the Axis Powers to the world.”
“Hmm. Funny that.”
“Oh, shut up,” Churchill said, storming into the room and pouring himself a triple scotch.
“Bad day at the office, dear?”
“Delightful,” the PM replied sourly.
“Ah yes, I hear there is some trouble in Paradise.”
“Oh yes! Remember what he said about Iceland and his expertise of-”
“We have had a difference of opinion,” the PM said. “It shall soon be ironed out. I’m sure.”
“At least it convinced the Danish to go back into the Allies,” the Emperor mused. “Maybe they can help you with Finland.”
“No need old boy, I’ve got the Marines on route to go rescue the British,” FDR assured him.
It's the Americans!
“Oh, that’s delightful. You must be very pleased Winston.”
“Delighted,” the man said again, downing his glass in one. “The press will love it even more.”
“Anyway, on to business,” the Emperor said, “I understand the United States are at war with Japan, but the Allies as a whole are not. So, I understand why he’s here,” pointing at Churchill, “but why me? What have the Romans got to do with this?”
“Good question,” the PM said under his breath. “I also question the inclusion of the Empire, though of course I respect your right to be consulted on such important issues.”
“How gracious of you.”
“Gentlemen! The Pacific is in chaos, the continent is in chaos and the Allies as a whole are soon to be engulfed by it, whether you care to admit it or not Winston. And if you think the Japanese, who have already declared war on the Soviet Union, will not invade a weakened Russian Empire, you are foolish indeed.”
“Bah,” the Emperor said. “It would be simplicity itself to have a border guard along our…regional partners to ensure no Chinese or Japanese army wanders over the border. And as loath as I am to have troops in Siberia, it would be no real trouble to host one there just to ensure no army could successfully invade. The Roman Empire has no interest in the Pacific or Asia. We made this clear to the world when we sold that port back to China. It is perfectly within the rights of those countries to make war with each other, and I see no reason to wade in to protect British and American interests.”
“I agree with Mussolini. They have no business or interest in Southern Asia and that suits my government fine. Yes, the war is coming to us all in the Allies but we must finish our business in Europe first. Our nations, though strong, have no thirst for constant warfare…unlike some.”
“But you are prepared to fight when the time comes?” the President pressed.
“Of course. The Indian Army stands ready at the border, the fleets are being sent eastwards, and we can send more once Finland is subdued…and more if certain other powers respect our waters.”
The Emperor rolled his eyes. “We only claim our own waters, which for your purposes include the Atlantic coast and basically the entire Mediterranean. But no, as we have already agreed multiple times already, we have both signed that we respect each other’s waters, allow free passage for warships and civilian vessels…we have not even attempted to make life difficult for you at Suez or Gibraltar and we certainly could.”
“Yes, we noticed as much in your last speech.”
“Gentlemen, please! We must make a unified front against the Japanese.”
“I will remind you, Franklin, that I have an entire continent to rebuild. The Nazis and Communists have utterly ruined and depopulated large parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. Germany alone has lost millions of people, and they were one of the chief instigators of the whole affair! The Empire is sinking billions into the restoration and revitalisation of many dozens of countries, including our own. Put frankly, we do not care what happens in Asia, we have no concern in Asia, and we are not willing nor able to contribute to yet another gigantic war. Especially one that poses no benefit to us. And I imagine the British have the same problem in Poland, and will have similar problems in Finland and Denmark.”
“What if Russia is attacked?”
“Then we will respond. But I tell you this now gentlemen so there is no mistake. If we do go to war in Asia, we will go to war with Asia. We will tear down and destroy every damn warlord and army in the place, and enforce strict and harsh reparations for our time, blood and money. We are not attack dogs that the British can sic on their problems for free. If we enter the war, expect us to lead it, win it, and gain the vast amount of reward from it.”
The other two men were quiet after that announcement.
“What would it cost?” Churchill asked.
“Excuse me?”
“For your army. What would you want, to go to war and sort all this out?”
“I assume your own personal interests are off-limits?”
“Hong Kong, Singapore and the Raj are. Otherwise…let me hear it.”
“…we would demand any and all land Mongolia and Russia lay claim to, for their own. The dismantlement of the Japanese Empire. Japan and Korea as puppet states paying reparations to us. China to be separated into manageable chunks and also paying reparations, for a while at least. The French Rebellion do not get their colonies back. They can go fuck themselves. And just in general demilitarisation, a removal of Japanese influence or involvement on the mainland, and no other empires or other entities moving in to replace them.”
FDR was noting the demands down. “What happens to French Indochina?”
“Hmm. Perhaps you might serve as its protector as it becomes independent? I do not, respectively, trust the British to not turn it into another colony or give it back to the French Rebellion.”
“And in return?” Churchill prompted.
“The Empire would invade through Mongolia and Russia. We would sweep the continent clean of armies, rebels, malcontents, etc. etc. We would expect at least some support from British India, and the Americans to fight the Japanese in the Pacific, for we cannot.”
“And in the long run?”
“China will be allowed to reform, provided it can do so stably. We reserve the right to enforce a demilitarised zone between them and Russia. Japan may go free after reparations are ended, and the same with Korea. They would not be allowed to reunite nor return to the mainland. The actual pacific empire of Japan will probably be decolonised and let free. We have, as I repeatedly say, little interest other than security in the whole region. Should one of you be willing to take over the expense of running and rebuilding the place, you may, provided our reparation payments keep coming.”
“And this you will do, if Russia is attacked.”
“Yes, otherwise we leave it to you, and will support any measures you make in that part of the world, provided it does not threaten Russia.”
The three leaders sat in silence for a while, before all quietly agreeing to speak on it further at a later date, and taking their leave.
…
“Alan, could you pen a note? I’d like to have a word with Lord Mountbatten…”
