Part V: The Pacific
5.1 "We Need Those Carriers"
President Cerda stood from the main observation station of the "Isla San Felix Foward Navalbase," with him was the leader of his close ally, Getúlio Vargas the President (dictator) of Brazil, and the leader of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Cerda's top naval commander, High Admiral de la Motte was also there to observe this great moment in Chilean history.
The two brand new Carriers of the Chilean Navy, the new flagship, BACH Pacifico, and her sister ship, BACH Los Andes de Chile. Two very modern and very powerful Carriers, and the best part for President Cerda, was the fact that the two ships were entirely of Chilean design. These two ships were not only the crown jewel of the Chilean Navy, but of the Chilean people. And it was because of these ships, that the Allies were indeed now interested in Chilean politics. Cerda couldn't help but note how willing the United States and UK were so willing to leave Chile out in the cold during the Second Saltpeter War, and now how they are so willing bring Chile's new ships into harms way against the Japanese.
"Those are some beautiful ships your people have put together," President Roosevelt mussed, "did ENDESA also design the aircraft for them?"
Cerda turned to the American leader, he had explained to Roosevelt earlier how Chile's lone, but very talented, naval R&D company had been working round the clock designing Chile's new navy. "Yes, they designed an exclusive naval fighter specificly for the "Pacifico" class carriers, the company called them "Halcon de la Guerra" or Warhawks in your english." President Cerda turned to de la Motte to continue.
de la Motte turned to a model of the Aircraft that had been sitting on a nearby table, "Their wings fold upward in stow position and back down for takeoff and combat. They have two 30 millimeter cannons towards the inner portion of the wings, and a total of four fifty caliber machine guns towards the center." de la Motte paused, "the other specs for these planes I would prefer not to disclose until after there is some sort of alliance between us."
President Roosevelt nodded, "Well, in that case, may we begin negotiations?" The three of them turned and went down stairs to the conference room.
While the Bulk of the conference would be between Cerda, Vargas and Roosevelt, there were also observers from the United Kingdom and Paraguay. No one was quite sure how the day would play out. It was well known between the Allies that Cerda was and open minded and well composed man. However, they knew little of the Brazilian Leader.
Cerda was the first to start, "Now, if I'm not mistaken, the Japanese have the upper hand at the moment?"
Roosevelt let out a mild cough, "Yes, while we've succeeded in our operations in the Carolines, we haven't been able to take their last two bases there, and we just recently lost Midway Island to the Japanese army."
"And what of the United Kingdom?"
"They've last all of their territory in the Malaysian islands to the combined forces of Japan and Siam. To put it simply, the Japanese have us on the run."
Vargas looked at the files by his seat, "To be honest, President Roosevelt, I see no reason why I should commit Brazilian troops, to what appears to be a losing battle. The Japanese pose no threat to South American stability, and neither do the Germans, I see no reason for Brazil, or Chile, to be involved."
Cerda too, was looking over the files, and one in particular caught his eye. "What is this?" He asked while pointing to a particular sheet which appeared to be from the Japanese government.
"That, is the threat to South American Stability." Roosevelt said simply.
Cerda picked it up and read it, "The Government of the Empire of Japan, officially makes claims upon every Island in the pacific ocean and the coasts of the Americas..." Cerda stopped, obviously distraught.
Vargas picked up the file as well. "Hm, well, I can not deny that facts on this file, however, Brazil does not have a sufficient Naval force to counter the Japanese. We have a great many destroyers, and even more transports. However, the Japanese carriers could easily pick off our ships one by one, and without effort. We would loose tens of thousands of our soldiers before they even see actual combat, and that is a position I do not want to put them in."
Cerda was still scrutinizing the file, what was more disturbing was Japan's full list of claimed provinces. Midway Island, Hawaiian Islands, The West coast of California, and the Californian Peninsula of Mexico, Panama, and the Panama Canal. But the worst for Cerda was Japan's Claims on Chile, Isla San Felix, Juan Fernando, and the Metal rich Provinces of Antofagasta, La Paz, and Sucre. Japan was being a truly hungry beast. The sheer detail of the claims made Cerda think, "Is this genuine?"
Roosevelt nodded. "They claim all of your nation's metal resources."
Chile was the world leader in Metal mining and refinement, and he also remembered how Japan would constantly ask for a trade of sorts for more metal. He also remembered how he would tell his foreign minister to turn them down.
"Chile will join the war on the side of the allies. The Japanese will never land on Chilean Soil."
Vargas shook his head. "Brazil, can not join you. Unless there will be a direct threat against us, we will not risk our peoples lives on a war that has already consumed so many."
The three men shook hands and left the room.
Hours later, Roosevelt boarded a plane back to the United States from the Santiago International Airport. The talks were not as much of a success as he had hoped they would be. Chile had joined the war on his side. But Brazil's leader proved to be more stubborn than early rumors indicated.
Cerda shook Vargas' hand as the Brazilian President was about to leave on a Brazilian military aircraft. Before boarding he turned back to Cerda, "Don't take our withdrawal as an insult, I would like for our two nations to continue with our earlier civilian endeavorers."
"I do not take it personally, I understand your reservations."
Vargas nodded and entered the aircraft.
Cerda now had a new war to prepare for. He only hoped that his new navy would survive against the Japanese naval superpower.
Next: The War with Japan
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Sorry for the wall of text guys. I promise the next update will have a lot more to look at.
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