Forging Destiny: Sunrise of a new world

[El Pip]

France has been a resolute ally of Britain for nearly a century.

However you cut it that is an utter lie. France has never been a resolute ally of anyone, especially not Britain and definitely not since the mid 19th century.

An especially thick comment from Eden there, I'm somewhat disappointed with him for that. Though I'd have thought Chamberlain would have folded and signed to appease the Empress, after all he did it to everyone else.

Hey ho.

 

[KiMaSa]

However you cut it that is an utter lie. France has never been a resolute ally of anyone, especially not Britain and definitely not since the mid 19th century.

An especially thick comment from Eden there, I'm somewhat disappointed with him for that. Though I'd have thought Chamberlain would have folded and signed to appease the Empress, after all he did it to everyone else.

Hey ho.

True but Eden, Chamberlain, et al are still in the view that "reasonable accommodations" can be made with Germany. Chamberlain at all costs and Eden at least in the nearer term and to accomplish this they feel a United front with the French works better in line with their thinking than antagonizing France and signing up with the Empress (who comes from a far off land and a people they know little of...)

Besides, Especially in her early meetings, Hoshiko did come off as very much the anti-diplomat. Chamberlain in particular fears she will instigate the war he wants to avoid at all costs and from their prospective, better to liberally romanticize the Anglo/French relationship and better to trust the Empire's future to France than to Japan. For Chamberlain, the only worse thing than allying with Hoshiko would be seeing that irksome Churchill become Prime Minister!

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

However you cut it that is an utter lie. France has never been a resolute ally of anyone, especially not Britain and definitely not since the mid 19th century.

Bitter about Fashoda, uh?

 

[El Pip]

Bitter about Fashoda, uh?

Why would any Brit be bitter about that? We won.

 

[trekaddict]

Why would any Brit be bitter about that? We won.

That does not count Trafalgar, Agingcourt and the Penninsula War.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Why would any Brit be bitter about that? We won.

Just joking. It was just a minor nitpick in the long history of the AngloFrenchentente.

 

[El Pip]

Just joking. It was just a minor nitpick in the long history of the AngloFrenchentente.

What long history?

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

What long history?

The century and a half long alliance mentioned by Eden. I'm a bit thick today, methinks...

 

[trekaddict]

The century and a half long alliance mentioned by Eden. I'm a bit thick today, methinks...

According to that math, Britain and France are Allies since roughly 1790. Hmmm.... I seem to remember a certain Corsican....

 

[KiMaSa]

The century and a half long alliance mentioned by Eden. I'm a bit thick today, methinks...

Actually Eden referred to nearly a century... IE since the Crimean War. While Pip is quite correct in his assessment, truth is usually less important in politics than perception and to keep from disrupting their world view, the perception that they and France are established friends would be a convenient view point.

 

[KiMaSa]

Chapter LXI: Winston​

"Rubbish!" The Parliamentary rogue declared stuffing out the remnant butt of his cigar. He lit another and sat back drawing a deep drag and puffed into the air between himself and his guests. He stabbed them with a skeptical glare before breaking the silence again.

"What you really want Anthony, is to have done with me while you and Neville continue to pray to the heavens that the universe will mend itself of its own accord and in that happy event, the Prime Minister will trumpet Herr Hitler's conversion to the side of the angels while taking no small amount of credit for the deed...

"Accomplished no doubt through his saintly virtue and piety in the face of unholy adversity." Churchill noted sourly gesturing with his cigar and pouring himself a brandy.

"Now Winston... Be reasonable will you? This appointment was His Majesty's idea." Eden said in a frustrated and resignedly patient tone.

"Reasonableness has never been one of my vices Anthony." Churchill replied. "Nor has any belief in my own saintly virtue... We; gentlemen, are politicians. Thus inherently are corrupt, arrogant, and driven to seek our own gain." He paused thoughtfully.

"However... however His Majesty has a certain point." He grudgingly admitted.

"France has no undying love of England anymore than does Japan, but at least Japan does not threaten to tie our hands in exchange for their alliance."

Eden leaned forward at Churchill's unwilling if tentative agreement to the offered assignment.

"You understand Winston... Nothing you do can be linked back to the government and that also means you will be fairly well on your own. If you promise anything to the Japanese, nothing promised in writing mind you. As far as Paris and the rest of the world is concerned you are acting fully on your own without our consent or consultation."

"I have been in the wilderness before Anthony, but before I feel compelled to undertake another speaking tour, I should request of His Majesty, a few moments of his time in private so that I may have it clear just how far I may venture without finding the branch cut behind me."

Eden and Halifax looked at each other uneasily and nodded in agreement.

"I will contact His Majesty's secretary and arrange it."

"Very well then!" Winston said raising his glass. "Good day to you." He said and downed it with satisfaction.

 

[trekaddict]

Somehow I was expecting this.

 

[KiMaSa]

Somehow I was expecting this.

But what else would one expect?

 

[El Pip]

But what else would one expect?

Winston to rally the Royal Navy to his cause, sail the fleet up the Thames to shell Parliament into submission, declare himself Prime Minister for life, sign the Japanese alliance before taking the fleet up the Siene to level Paris as punishment for French insolence.

 

[trekaddict]

Winston to rally the Royal Navy to his cause, sail the fleet up the Thames to shell Parliament into submission, declare himself Prime Minister for life, sign the Japanese alliance before taking the fleet up the Siene to level Paris as punishment for French insolence.

Someone hand me my time machine, there is some meddling with history to be done!

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

But what else would one expect?

Not the Spanish Inquisition, for sure

 

[trekaddict]

Not the Spanish Inquisition, for sure

Aren't you Catalonian?

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Aren't you Catalonian?

And proud of it, but I'm one of those poor fellas that got insane beyond hope because of Monty Python sketches...

 

[KiMaSa]

Winston to rally the Royal Navy to his cause, sail the fleet up the Thames to shell Parliament into submission, declare himself Prime Minister for life, sign the Japanese alliance before taking the fleet up the Siene to level Paris as punishment for French insolence.

Oh soooo tempting!

"Now... You were saying? Neville?"

 

[Dead William]

I like this AAR. But if I had been her long suffering body guard, having had one emperor shot from under me would have been enough. That girls would have gotten the spanking she so thoroughly deserves!

Also, ship porn is good. Battleship porn is best.

DW