Indeed, Saint FDR *spits* won't take this insult lying down and I'm not sure that your ally in Atlanta (?) will be able to take the reds alone.
-
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Indeed, Saint FDR *spits* won't take this insult lying down and I'm not sure that your ally in Atlanta (?) will be able to take the reds alone.
Photobucket is free, and hosts.
Imgur is also good, though I'm not sure if or when they delete.
Imgur is also good, though I'm not sure if or when they delete.
- 1
Chapter Seven: Welcome back
A Boeing Model 40 like the one used to evacuate Cárdenas and Zapata
Henry Stevenson was in the sky since midnight, six hours ago. He had take off from a small landing strip about 20 or 30 miles north of the border between Mexico and USSA. He was 20, son of a long standing marxist father, the kind of man that stayed undergroung in the US before 1933. He did not think his mother had real political opinion, all wath she cared about was if everybody in the family was doing well and if everybody was healthy. In his opinion, capitalism was a bad thing, socialism was the good way. But does communism was really better than capitalism, or even, fascism? He wasn't sure about that.
At this moment though the only real thing he cared about was, like his mother, his health. Not that he was sick, he wasn't. It was because he was 3000 feet above the ground and that his fuel gage was getting very low. Hitting the ground at 300 mph wasn't in his life plans, but this option seemed now more and more possible. He was wondering why the men in black didn't give him something a little bit more safer than this old Boeing. What was he supposed to do if he ever met a Mexican fighters? Even the old NiD.62 of the Imperial Air Force was far better than the Model 40. Of course if he met with the new fighters the Confederates had sell to the Mexicans after the disbanding of the Vulture Legion he wouldn't need to ask himself the question, the answer was obvious: burning down in flames.
So it's with a lot of relief that he spotter the small beacon marking the landing strip. He landed easily and instantly called for refueling. If they were caught during the operation, he didn't wanted to be grounded here. After the refueling, he waited. He waited a lot. In his opinion going back to the USSA by daylight was dangerous but, here, his opinion didn't count. Finally, at midday another plane landed on the improvised strip. The plane was a brand new Lockheed Electra, Henry was a little bit surprised of the model, it was not a very discreet plane, not when the plane was bare metal.
- Why those two gentlemen are not using this plane to cross the border? He asked.
- This one will also cross the border senor. One of the red rebels that had refueled his plane tell him.
- I see, the Electra will flight to the USSA but with nobody on board to avoid any unfortunate incident that's it?
- Si senor, that's it, and they will flight very high, so they could be seen from far far away.
- Yeah I got it.
Two men with hand bags got out of the twin-engined Lockheed, Cárdenas and Zapata. Both looked like if they hadn’t slept for days. Indeed, this was probably the case, in his briefing, Henry had heard that the defeat of the Socialist cause in Mexico had been really hard on the morale of both men. He had believed it, but now he saw how much he was underestimating what war had done to them. Cárdenas in particular, seemed totally downcasted. The handsome man that Henry had flew over the border seven months before wasn’t the same one anymore.
Both of they climbed in the small space allowed to passengers, Henry brought back the engine to life and waited the signal. When it came, the young American pilot pushed on the throttle and left the ground for the sky. According to his flight plan he flew under 3000 feet and reached his starting point at 1820. Here, yet another plane was waiting for him and his two passengers. The one was labeled with the yellow star and the red stripes of the USS Army Air Force. Zapata and Cárdenas got out of the old Boeing and climbed into the green giant. Fifteen minutes later the plane take off, bringing the Mexican leaders somewhere Henry didn’t know. Then a USS soldier told him:
- Have you heard about the news?
- No, what’s up?
- The coup in New England succeeded!
- The coup? what coup? I think I need to have a look to the news from world, It’s been a while I haven’t…
A Boeing Model 40 like the one used to evacuate Cárdenas and Zapata
Henry Stevenson was in the sky since midnight, six hours ago. He had take off from a small landing strip about 20 or 30 miles north of the border between Mexico and USSA. He was 20, son of a long standing marxist father, the kind of man that stayed undergroung in the US before 1933. He did not think his mother had real political opinion, all wath she cared about was if everybody in the family was doing well and if everybody was healthy. In his opinion, capitalism was a bad thing, socialism was the good way. But does communism was really better than capitalism, or even, fascism? He wasn't sure about that.
At this moment though the only real thing he cared about was, like his mother, his health. Not that he was sick, he wasn't. It was because he was 3000 feet above the ground and that his fuel gage was getting very low. Hitting the ground at 300 mph wasn't in his life plans, but this option seemed now more and more possible. He was wondering why the men in black didn't give him something a little bit more safer than this old Boeing. What was he supposed to do if he ever met a Mexican fighters? Even the old NiD.62 of the Imperial Air Force was far better than the Model 40. Of course if he met with the new fighters the Confederates had sell to the Mexicans after the disbanding of the Vulture Legion he wouldn't need to ask himself the question, the answer was obvious: burning down in flames.
So it's with a lot of relief that he spotter the small beacon marking the landing strip. He landed easily and instantly called for refueling. If they were caught during the operation, he didn't wanted to be grounded here. After the refueling, he waited. He waited a lot. In his opinion going back to the USSA by daylight was dangerous but, here, his opinion didn't count. Finally, at midday another plane landed on the improvised strip. The plane was a brand new Lockheed Electra, Henry was a little bit surprised of the model, it was not a very discreet plane, not when the plane was bare metal.
- Why those two gentlemen are not using this plane to cross the border? He asked.
- This one will also cross the border senor. One of the red rebels that had refueled his plane tell him.
- I see, the Electra will flight to the USSA but with nobody on board to avoid any unfortunate incident that's it?
- Si senor, that's it, and they will flight very high, so they could be seen from far far away.
- Yeah I got it.
Two men with hand bags got out of the twin-engined Lockheed, Cárdenas and Zapata. Both looked like if they hadn’t slept for days. Indeed, this was probably the case, in his briefing, Henry had heard that the defeat of the Socialist cause in Mexico had been really hard on the morale of both men. He had believed it, but now he saw how much he was underestimating what war had done to them. Cárdenas in particular, seemed totally downcasted. The handsome man that Henry had flew over the border seven months before wasn’t the same one anymore.
Both of they climbed in the small space allowed to passengers, Henry brought back the engine to life and waited the signal. When it came, the young American pilot pushed on the throttle and left the ground for the sky. According to his flight plan he flew under 3000 feet and reached his starting point at 1820. Here, yet another plane was waiting for him and his two passengers. The one was labeled with the yellow star and the red stripes of the USS Army Air Force. Zapata and Cárdenas got out of the old Boeing and climbed into the green giant. Fifteen minutes later the plane take off, bringing the Mexican leaders somewhere Henry didn’t know. Then a USS soldier told him:
- Have you heard about the news?
- No, what’s up?
- The coup in New England succeeded!
- The coup? what coup? I think I need to have a look to the news from world, It’s been a while I haven’t…
Last edited:
- 2
Thanks for the clue with the hosting tools and note that next week it's my spring break so I will not issue new chapters. Again, thank you all for your support!
===
Chapter Eight: Peace and prosperity
Duke of York and Canadian Prime Minister Mackensie King at the Imperial Conference of 1937
In June 1937, when the Mexican Civil War ended, the world was at peace. From the Sandwich Islands to the Pyramids of Cairo, from the Arctic to India. Peace ruled the world. Here's what happened all across the world between January 1936 and July 1937.
In Austria, Adolf Hitler, a WWI veteran, became Chancelor after the assasination of Engelbert Dolfuss. Hitler was leading the National-Socialist Party of Austria and he used the oportunity of the death of his predecessor to quickly impose his views on Austria.
In Febuary 1936, the Ottoman Empire bought new aircrafts to modernize their air force. They asked France to buy new aircrafts. The French accepted, aiming to get closer to the aging Empire...
Later that month, a massacre occured in Portugar when police was ordered to open fire on strikers in the city of Porto. The whole coutry held his breath, fearing that this even would be the spark that may put fire to the powder. Nothing happened immediately but the tensions between nationalists and communists increased a lot.
In March, Serbia, Greece and Bulagaria, determined to finally get rid of the Ottoman Empire, formed the Balkan League. The League was essentially a military alliance, stating that if a member of the pact found itself at war with the Turks, the two other would have to declare war on Ottoman Empire.
In April, the tensions in Portugal finally lead to civil war. The North stayed loyal to the crown and the South rise up in rebellion. Soon, the USSR started to send supplies and armament to the reds but unfortunately the democraties of the world didn't supported the monarchists.
In May, New England, occupied by Canada since the American Revolution, was created as an independant state. The USSA government refused to recognize the new country and started to plot to retake the lost states.
On May 24, a coup occured in Portugal when António de Oliveira Salazar overthrewed the king. Supported by the French government in Paris, Salazar brough back hope in the anti-communism factions, helping them win the war.
Meanwhile in the USSA, the 19th National Convention selected Norman Thomas as successor to himself. Giving to the moderate a second wind and by the way paving the way for a historical third inauguration for an American President.
The athletes of the world went to Brazil for the Olympic Games of 1936 in Rio de Janeiro during the month of August. Forgiving their different for a little while, the nations of the world all worked together to make of this event one of the most successful of the decade.
Later that year, Italy declined the offer made by China to buy two old battleships. Despite the refusal of Italy, the Mexicans admirals began to think that a similar deal might be concluded with CSA...
In December, a referendum occured in Corsia to determine if the island would remain italian or join the Kingdom of France. After the vote, the two allies recognized the outcome and Corsia stayed italian, at least for now.
In January, the USSA bought from Central America the concessions needed to build the Nicaragua canal. The new canal intended to compete with the Confederate Panama canal and to allow the USSA to be able to quickly move the Pacific Fleet into the Atlantic in case of a war with the CSA. The construction began in Febuary.
A year after the signature of the Balkan League, the serbian King decided to go to war with the Ottoman Empire, the Balkan War begun on 5 March 1937. Whole Europe was now watching this conflict with anxious eyes, fearing that it would expand to the North.
Meanwhile in April 1936, the Confederates were showing a lot of love for their black population...
... and in May, the communist rebellion in Portugal was finally crushed. Ending a two-months civil war.
Another short war ended three months later when the Ottoman Empire folded to sign the Armistice of Edirne. The Balkan League has successfully freed the Balkans from the opression of Turkey but after a little while, it became obvious that not everybody agreed with the new borders.
Thanks to the support from Serbia, Greece stayed in control of Thrace, creating at the same time a conflict with Bulagria. For now, the war is avoided but it's sure that in the future Bulgaria will do everything possible to take Thrace from Greek hands. Greece on it's side, will likely try to achieve the Megali Idea of a greater Greek Kingdom.
Finally, in North America, just after the end of the Mexican Civil War, August saw the success of the New England coup. With it, the USSA will began a serie of diplomatic moves in order to bring back the lost States in the Union. You can guess that Canada and the CSA were not very happy of that move and that it did nothing to improve the already cold relations between the USSA and it's neighbors.
===
Chapter Eight: Peace and prosperity
Duke of York and Canadian Prime Minister Mackensie King at the Imperial Conference of 1937
In June 1937, when the Mexican Civil War ended, the world was at peace. From the Sandwich Islands to the Pyramids of Cairo, from the Arctic to India. Peace ruled the world. Here's what happened all across the world between January 1936 and July 1937.
In Austria, Adolf Hitler, a WWI veteran, became Chancelor after the assasination of Engelbert Dolfuss. Hitler was leading the National-Socialist Party of Austria and he used the oportunity of the death of his predecessor to quickly impose his views on Austria.
In Febuary 1936, the Ottoman Empire bought new aircrafts to modernize their air force. They asked France to buy new aircrafts. The French accepted, aiming to get closer to the aging Empire...
Later that month, a massacre occured in Portugar when police was ordered to open fire on strikers in the city of Porto. The whole coutry held his breath, fearing that this even would be the spark that may put fire to the powder. Nothing happened immediately but the tensions between nationalists and communists increased a lot.
In March, Serbia, Greece and Bulagaria, determined to finally get rid of the Ottoman Empire, formed the Balkan League. The League was essentially a military alliance, stating that if a member of the pact found itself at war with the Turks, the two other would have to declare war on Ottoman Empire.
In April, the tensions in Portugal finally lead to civil war. The North stayed loyal to the crown and the South rise up in rebellion. Soon, the USSR started to send supplies and armament to the reds but unfortunately the democraties of the world didn't supported the monarchists.
In May, New England, occupied by Canada since the American Revolution, was created as an independant state. The USSA government refused to recognize the new country and started to plot to retake the lost states.
On May 24, a coup occured in Portugal when António de Oliveira Salazar overthrewed the king. Supported by the French government in Paris, Salazar brough back hope in the anti-communism factions, helping them win the war.
Meanwhile in the USSA, the 19th National Convention selected Norman Thomas as successor to himself. Giving to the moderate a second wind and by the way paving the way for a historical third inauguration for an American President.
The athletes of the world went to Brazil for the Olympic Games of 1936 in Rio de Janeiro during the month of August. Forgiving their different for a little while, the nations of the world all worked together to make of this event one of the most successful of the decade.
Later that year, Italy declined the offer made by China to buy two old battleships. Despite the refusal of Italy, the Mexicans admirals began to think that a similar deal might be concluded with CSA...
In December, a referendum occured in Corsia to determine if the island would remain italian or join the Kingdom of France. After the vote, the two allies recognized the outcome and Corsia stayed italian, at least for now.
In January, the USSA bought from Central America the concessions needed to build the Nicaragua canal. The new canal intended to compete with the Confederate Panama canal and to allow the USSA to be able to quickly move the Pacific Fleet into the Atlantic in case of a war with the CSA. The construction began in Febuary.
A year after the signature of the Balkan League, the serbian King decided to go to war with the Ottoman Empire, the Balkan War begun on 5 March 1937. Whole Europe was now watching this conflict with anxious eyes, fearing that it would expand to the North.
Meanwhile in April 1936, the Confederates were showing a lot of love for their black population...
... and in May, the communist rebellion in Portugal was finally crushed. Ending a two-months civil war.
Another short war ended three months later when the Ottoman Empire folded to sign the Armistice of Edirne. The Balkan League has successfully freed the Balkans from the opression of Turkey but after a little while, it became obvious that not everybody agreed with the new borders.
Thanks to the support from Serbia, Greece stayed in control of Thrace, creating at the same time a conflict with Bulagria. For now, the war is avoided but it's sure that in the future Bulgaria will do everything possible to take Thrace from Greek hands. Greece on it's side, will likely try to achieve the Megali Idea of a greater Greek Kingdom.
Finally, in North America, just after the end of the Mexican Civil War, August saw the success of the New England coup. With it, the USSA will began a serie of diplomatic moves in order to bring back the lost States in the Union. You can guess that Canada and the CSA were not very happy of that move and that it did nothing to improve the already cold relations between the USSA and it's neighbors.
Last edited:
Great AAR, I never knew about this mod before. Keep it up! Silly Canada giving away New England to the American Communists like that. 
Chapter Nine: México, México
The Imperial residency of the House of Iturbide
Castillo de Miravalle, Mexico City September 7th 1937
- Her Imperial Majesty will receive you general, you can come in.
- Gracias.
General Pablo Quiroga Escamilla stood up, walked into the empress's office and knelt down in front of Maria I Empress of Mexico.
- Please stand up general.
- Good morning your Majesty.
- Good morning to you general Escamilla, what can I do for you?
It was not the first interview Escamilla had with the empress, far from it, but this one was particulary important to him. At the end of the enterview, the plans he had worked on since years, his plans, would became reality or would go down in flames. Usually, when he came talk of military questions to the empress he always came accompanied with Major General Domínguez. With the empress's uncle, Augustin II, talking was easier, both men get along very well. Of course at the time, Escamilla had less power, god knows that Augustin was hard to convince! Austin had introduced the new Mexican Constitution, transforming the empire into a constitutional monarchy and bringing stability to central america for decades. But when Maria became empress, Escamilla, (who was still thinking Augustin was hard to convice) discovered how hard it was to deal with the young queen, luckily, Maria wasn't very interested by the army and, step, by step, she delegated more and more power to him.
Coat of amrs of the Casa de Iturbide.
- But now, it's different, I cannot talk of my plans to Domingez as long the plans are not approved by the empress he muttered.
- What did you said general?
- Nothing important your majesty.
Actual Mexican flag, in use since 1865
Indeed, this time, it was too much important, too much big to avoid the acceptance of the head of State. He put his briefcase on the desk and opened it. He took a file in it and handed it to her.
- Here it is, read it and tell me what you think of it.
- Thank you general.
She took the file and opened it, before she began to read he said;
- Your majesty?
- Yes general?
- You and I are the only ones who know the contents of this file.
Her smile faded and she began to read. He watched her as she read, looking for reactions. But during the three quarter hour she took to read it, she had no reaction. Nothing at all. He was flabbergasted, until now he was thinking the empress was only a weary stiff neck. But now he saw that behind her innocent face that had charmed the crowds, she had something else. He thought that maybe she was aware of what was happening around her, maybe she knew that she was his key to control the country and that she accepted her role after all, or was she? Was she really accepting being behind him? Maybe he should not have come alone...
She finally layed the sheets in the file and closed it.
- General Escamilla.
- Your majesty.
- This... this is... this is not right.
- Your majesty I...
- No general, let me finish please.
- I'm sorry.
- What is not right is that you kept those plans for yourself without telling it to anyone else. Have you ever thought that me, major general Domingez and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers should be acquainted?
- I was thinking that it would be easier to avoid leaks if I was keeping the secret for myself.
Now she was shouting.
-For yourself general? For yourself? Don't you think there's enough of yourself in this country? I almost let you the entire control of the country dammit! You should have talk to me!
- Your majesty I'm really sorry...
- General! This is a plan of war! This not only concern you, it concern your country!
- I should not have do it, I will...
- Get out of my office!
- Pardon me?
- Get out of my office!
Augustin II of Mexico, the great reformator of the second half of the 19th century
He placed the file in back the briefcase and locked it. He bowed and started to walk toward the doors. He was humiliated, he had promised himself to not flinch in front of the empress and he had lamentably failed within an hour. He knew he was going to loose his job, he was devastated.
He put his hand on the door handle when...
- General Escamilla?
- Your majesty?
- Come back tomorrow at midday, I'll approve your plans.
The Imperial residency of the House of Iturbide
Castillo de Miravalle, Mexico City September 7th 1937
- Her Imperial Majesty will receive you general, you can come in.
- Gracias.
General Pablo Quiroga Escamilla stood up, walked into the empress's office and knelt down in front of Maria I Empress of Mexico.
- Please stand up general.
- Good morning your Majesty.
- Good morning to you general Escamilla, what can I do for you?
It was not the first interview Escamilla had with the empress, far from it, but this one was particulary important to him. At the end of the enterview, the plans he had worked on since years, his plans, would became reality or would go down in flames. Usually, when he came talk of military questions to the empress he always came accompanied with Major General Domínguez. With the empress's uncle, Augustin II, talking was easier, both men get along very well. Of course at the time, Escamilla had less power, god knows that Augustin was hard to convince! Austin had introduced the new Mexican Constitution, transforming the empire into a constitutional monarchy and bringing stability to central america for decades. But when Maria became empress, Escamilla, (who was still thinking Augustin was hard to convice) discovered how hard it was to deal with the young queen, luckily, Maria wasn't very interested by the army and, step, by step, she delegated more and more power to him.
Coat of amrs of the Casa de Iturbide.
- But now, it's different, I cannot talk of my plans to Domingez as long the plans are not approved by the empress he muttered.
- What did you said general?
- Nothing important your majesty.
Actual Mexican flag, in use since 1865
Indeed, this time, it was too much important, too much big to avoid the acceptance of the head of State. He put his briefcase on the desk and opened it. He took a file in it and handed it to her.
- Here it is, read it and tell me what you think of it.
- Thank you general.
She took the file and opened it, before she began to read he said;
- Your majesty?
- Yes general?
- You and I are the only ones who know the contents of this file.
Her smile faded and she began to read. He watched her as she read, looking for reactions. But during the three quarter hour she took to read it, she had no reaction. Nothing at all. He was flabbergasted, until now he was thinking the empress was only a weary stiff neck. But now he saw that behind her innocent face that had charmed the crowds, she had something else. He thought that maybe she was aware of what was happening around her, maybe she knew that she was his key to control the country and that she accepted her role after all, or was she? Was she really accepting being behind him? Maybe he should not have come alone...
She finally layed the sheets in the file and closed it.
- General Escamilla.
- Your majesty.
- This... this is... this is not right.
- Your majesty I...
- No general, let me finish please.
- I'm sorry.
- What is not right is that you kept those plans for yourself without telling it to anyone else. Have you ever thought that me, major general Domingez and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers should be acquainted?
- I was thinking that it would be easier to avoid leaks if I was keeping the secret for myself.
Now she was shouting.
-For yourself general? For yourself? Don't you think there's enough of yourself in this country? I almost let you the entire control of the country dammit! You should have talk to me!
- Your majesty I'm really sorry...
- General! This is a plan of war! This not only concern you, it concern your country!
- I should not have do it, I will...
- Get out of my office!
- Pardon me?
- Get out of my office!
Augustin II of Mexico, the great reformator of the second half of the 19th century
He placed the file in back the briefcase and locked it. He bowed and started to walk toward the doors. He was humiliated, he had promised himself to not flinch in front of the empress and he had lamentably failed within an hour. He knew he was going to loose his job, he was devastated.
He put his hand on the door handle when...
- General Escamilla?
- Your majesty?
- Come back tomorrow at midday, I'll approve your plans.
Last edited:
Reclaim the rightful Mexican Cession land from those yankees! Viva la Mexico!
- 1
Chapter Ten: Rebuilding
Mexico city rebuilding itself after the air raids of the civil war
After the end of the civil war, Mexican economy, already weak, was about to collapse. The North was especially concern. Destroyed by the fighting, the cities needed help. Lot of people in the South opined that no money has to be spend there because the people of the North bear sole responsibility for the destruction of their countryside. But in her speech of victory after the end of the fightings, Empress Maria I declared that "no revenge actions would be tolerated against the defeated rebels and that despite the civil war, they are still good Mexicans". By acting this way, the central government ensured that no reasons for a second uprising would come up. General Escamilla, who for an unknown reason had became more loyal than ever towards the Imperial authorities... supported this statement and order his soldiers to respect the defeated. Escamilla even shot 37 soldiers of all grades for having disobey his order. Despite all these measures, lynching occured in many small towns where socialist, communist and even social-democrat leader were killed. The infamous Red Hunters became the most known group of lynchers. Traveling along the border whit the USSA, they are suspected of having executed more than 100 red fugitives before being caught and all shot by an american border patrol.
The Red Hunters
Meanwhile, the government adopted some social reforms. Some saw in this move nothing but a political move aming to please the people, maybe they were right but what was sure it's that these refoms really changed the relationships between the lower-class and the crown. Before these reforms, the popular support of the Imperial regime came mostly from the middle and higher classes, but after the rebuilding reforms, more and more poor people began to give up far-left politics in favor of more socialist ones.
But a better redistribution of wealth did not solve all the problems of Mexico. On the contrary, the reforms hurted the treasury of the Empire and economists around the Empress, the General Escamilla and the Chairman of the Council began to sound the alarm: imperial budget will soon fell under the 0. At the beginning, the Empress and Escamilla agreed with the economists and no costly measures were adopted. But Manuel M. Marquez, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers did not agree with them. In his mind, Mexico could afford debts, a lot of debts. For him it was not necessary to save the treasury's money because "if the government did not spend this money right now, soon there will be no more money to spend." He was thinking that only large investments in infrastructures and in industry could give enough jobs with decent salary to the Empire's inhabitants.
The low level of industrialization was Mexico's achilles' heel
Furthermore, he quoted General Escamilla talking of the lack of transportation capacity of the country and pointed out that new railways build by a possible infrastructure program would largely improve the mobility of the Imperial Army. Using these arguments, Marquez convinced Escamilla that the Programa Imperiales de Infraestructura was fundamental for Mexico's future, even if it would ruin the budget.
The Ministry of Economy was in open rebellion against the first plan, but they hasn't yet seen the second one. The second plan Marquez was thinking about was concerning the industry of Mexico. Even if most of the factories in Mexico were owned by foreign private compagnies, Marquez was calling for a ambitious plan: give to private investors money to expand their facilities, and start the construction of large industrial complexes that would be owned by the State.
Talleres Nacionales de Construcciones Aeronáuticas (TNCA) was the only aircraft manufacturer in Mexico, aeronautics was exactly the kind of industry Manuel Marquez wanted to develop in the Empire.
His idea was to counter the rise in popularity of the Unión Nacional Sinarquista, National Synarchist Union in English, that was asking for these kind of economical reform and so cut the grass under their feet. The UNS was founded in May 1937 by a group of Catholic political activists led by José Antonio Urquiza and was now gaining a lot of support among the middle class, even in the Northen part of Mexico because of the will of the organisation to put an end to the capitalism system, described by the party as a "bunch of corrupted old timer thinking only about their pockets".
José Antonio Urquiza
However, Marquez did not succeed to convice Escamilla on this point, he agree to build some State-owned factories and to give money to private compagnies but he did not want a fully nationalized industry. He gave Marquez two choices;
-he could invest the money in the countryside and give it to the farmers
-or he could invest it in the industry but without too much State-owned factories.
Marquez decided to invest it into the industry.
Mexico city rebuilding itself after the air raids of the civil war
After the end of the civil war, Mexican economy, already weak, was about to collapse. The North was especially concern. Destroyed by the fighting, the cities needed help. Lot of people in the South opined that no money has to be spend there because the people of the North bear sole responsibility for the destruction of their countryside. But in her speech of victory after the end of the fightings, Empress Maria I declared that "no revenge actions would be tolerated against the defeated rebels and that despite the civil war, they are still good Mexicans". By acting this way, the central government ensured that no reasons for a second uprising would come up. General Escamilla, who for an unknown reason had became more loyal than ever towards the Imperial authorities... supported this statement and order his soldiers to respect the defeated. Escamilla even shot 37 soldiers of all grades for having disobey his order. Despite all these measures, lynching occured in many small towns where socialist, communist and even social-democrat leader were killed. The infamous Red Hunters became the most known group of lynchers. Traveling along the border whit the USSA, they are suspected of having executed more than 100 red fugitives before being caught and all shot by an american border patrol.
The Red Hunters
Meanwhile, the government adopted some social reforms. Some saw in this move nothing but a political move aming to please the people, maybe they were right but what was sure it's that these refoms really changed the relationships between the lower-class and the crown. Before these reforms, the popular support of the Imperial regime came mostly from the middle and higher classes, but after the rebuilding reforms, more and more poor people began to give up far-left politics in favor of more socialist ones.
But a better redistribution of wealth did not solve all the problems of Mexico. On the contrary, the reforms hurted the treasury of the Empire and economists around the Empress, the General Escamilla and the Chairman of the Council began to sound the alarm: imperial budget will soon fell under the 0. At the beginning, the Empress and Escamilla agreed with the economists and no costly measures were adopted. But Manuel M. Marquez, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers did not agree with them. In his mind, Mexico could afford debts, a lot of debts. For him it was not necessary to save the treasury's money because "if the government did not spend this money right now, soon there will be no more money to spend." He was thinking that only large investments in infrastructures and in industry could give enough jobs with decent salary to the Empire's inhabitants.
The low level of industrialization was Mexico's achilles' heel
Furthermore, he quoted General Escamilla talking of the lack of transportation capacity of the country and pointed out that new railways build by a possible infrastructure program would largely improve the mobility of the Imperial Army. Using these arguments, Marquez convinced Escamilla that the Programa Imperiales de Infraestructura was fundamental for Mexico's future, even if it would ruin the budget.
The Ministry of Economy was in open rebellion against the first plan, but they hasn't yet seen the second one. The second plan Marquez was thinking about was concerning the industry of Mexico. Even if most of the factories in Mexico were owned by foreign private compagnies, Marquez was calling for a ambitious plan: give to private investors money to expand their facilities, and start the construction of large industrial complexes that would be owned by the State.
Talleres Nacionales de Construcciones Aeronáuticas (TNCA) was the only aircraft manufacturer in Mexico, aeronautics was exactly the kind of industry Manuel Marquez wanted to develop in the Empire.
His idea was to counter the rise in popularity of the Unión Nacional Sinarquista, National Synarchist Union in English, that was asking for these kind of economical reform and so cut the grass under their feet. The UNS was founded in May 1937 by a group of Catholic political activists led by José Antonio Urquiza and was now gaining a lot of support among the middle class, even in the Northen part of Mexico because of the will of the organisation to put an end to the capitalism system, described by the party as a "bunch of corrupted old timer thinking only about their pockets".
José Antonio Urquiza
However, Marquez did not succeed to convice Escamilla on this point, he agree to build some State-owned factories and to give money to private compagnies but he did not want a fully nationalized industry. He gave Marquez two choices;
-he could invest the money in the countryside and give it to the farmers
-or he could invest it in the industry but without too much State-owned factories.
Marquez decided to invest it into the industry.
Some of you may have noted that I started suffering delays in the writing of my chapter... It's mainly because during last weeks I did not had a lot of time to dedicate to the AAR and because writing events take time. Also, I didn't wanted to issue a botched chapter so this is why this one is so much late.
Anyway, here it is, I hope you'll enjoy it.
===
Chapter Eleven: From France with love
Mexico-city airport, September 8th 1937
Colonel Pierre Beauchamps was waiting for his taxi since half an hour when the car finally showed up. As the new military attaché to the French embassy he was a little bit disappointed that his taxi was so late. He knew that in France it would have been unacceptable, but he was told that taxis in Mexico were so busy that a one hour late taxi was considered as the standard.
- Au Palacio Nacional s’il vous plaît.
While the 1932 McLaughlin convertible roared through the streets of Mexican Empire’s capital, Pierre was impressed by the size of the city. In the briefing he had received before leaving France, he had learned that Mexico-city had 1.5 million inhabitants. It was less than Paris but the streets here were packed with pedestrians and trucks and motorcycles and so much cars that as far as the eye can see, it was only motorcars. He was told that Mexicans had a high standard of living, but he wasn’t believing it, at least until now. Mexico-city wasn’t an industrial city, it was first of all an administrative city, with embassies, consulates, corporate headquarters, banks, and, of course, the Mexico Stock Exchange, the most important stock exchange in Latin America and the third in the Americas after Richmond and Toronto.
México-city in the 30s, a modern and developed city
- Here you are senor, the Palacia Nacional.
- Merci beaucoup.
Pierre left the Canadian-build car and walked toward the big wooden doors guarded by two handsome Guardias Imperiales and showed them his recommendation letters. The two were wearing golden helmets with a big golden eagle on top of it and red coats with long black boots going up to the knees, they were armed with halberds. He entered, the building. Someone led him to the office of the Chairman of the Council of Minister, the head of government. Manuel M. Marquez greeted him with a solid handshake, and a bottle of Champagne.
- Welcome to Mexico Colonel, it’s a pleasure to meet you.
- Thank you Mr. what a beautiful city you have here, the only thing is that the streets are totally jammed.
- Yes, you are right about the traffic, it is estimated that, in the Empire, there is about 220 motorcars per 1000 people.
- That much?
- Yes but this estimate goes back to 1935, so because of the civil war, I believe that this number is smaller now.
- It’s very unfortunate what happened to your country.
- Yes, it’s also unfortunate what happened to your predecessor.
- It’s only bad luck, usually shells aren’t very accurate, especially when they are fired disorganized red rebels.
- I wouldn’t have put it better sir.
During the 30s, owning a car had became a possibility instead of a dream for the middle-class in Mexico
At this moment, the doors of the Chairman’s office opened and General Pablo Escamilla entered the office, followed by Major General Domínguez. The four men made the presentations and sat down in front of the Chairman’s desk. The discussion quickly moved to the death of Pierre’s predecessor and after two hours of talking, Escamilla asked Pierre if he would like to have dinner with himself and Domínguez. Enthusiastic, Pierre accepted. They left Marquez and walked to the dinner room.
After having eaten their dinner, the talking continued until four men sat to the table next to them. The four were wearing military uniforms and were talking in English. However, they had very different accents. One had a sharp accent, pronouncing "i" like "ah", two others had a very similar uniform but one of them was always putting "eh" at the end of his sentences. The last one had a strong German accent…
The always-jammed streets had became a trademark of México-city at the time
- Who are those men? Pierre asked.
- Those are the military attaché of the Confederate States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.
- What are those people doing here? They are the enemies of my country!
- Colonel, France is not at war.
- No but their countries are oppressing the French people since decades.
- Maybe, but here you are in Mexico and the Confederate States, England, Canada and Germany are friendly powers.
- You can’t do that! You can’t fraternize with the enemies of the French Kingdom! It’s because of us that you have an empire, you owe us loyalty!
- Colonel, it was 70 years ago, we are on our own now.
- Well, if that's all you have to say, I’ll leave gentlemen!
- Colonel, wait…
Despite the modern aspect of the Empire of Mexico, the country lacked of heavy industries
General Escamilla tried to bring back Pierre to his table, but he declined.Three-quarter hour later, Pierre was again in a taxi, in the still impressive the streets of Mexico-city. On his demand, the driver made a tour of the city. When they reached the outskirts of the city, he finally saw an aspect of the Mexican society he was more expecting; cheap housing and low quality saloons and more horses than cars. The thing was, he knew he could found the same situation in French countryside. He had to admit that Mexico wasn’t anymore the poor little nation in disarray saved by the might of the French Empire like he had learned at school. While, returning to the embassy, he saw a freight train pulled by a diesel locomotive, exactly the same models as those he had seen in France before he left. Yes, indeed, Mexico was now a fully developed and industrialized country, lacking only of the money necessary to reach its full potential.
Anyway, here it is, I hope you'll enjoy it.
===
Chapter Eleven: From France with love
Mexico-city airport, September 8th 1937
Colonel Pierre Beauchamps was waiting for his taxi since half an hour when the car finally showed up. As the new military attaché to the French embassy he was a little bit disappointed that his taxi was so late. He knew that in France it would have been unacceptable, but he was told that taxis in Mexico were so busy that a one hour late taxi was considered as the standard.
- Au Palacio Nacional s’il vous plaît.
While the 1932 McLaughlin convertible roared through the streets of Mexican Empire’s capital, Pierre was impressed by the size of the city. In the briefing he had received before leaving France, he had learned that Mexico-city had 1.5 million inhabitants. It was less than Paris but the streets here were packed with pedestrians and trucks and motorcycles and so much cars that as far as the eye can see, it was only motorcars. He was told that Mexicans had a high standard of living, but he wasn’t believing it, at least until now. Mexico-city wasn’t an industrial city, it was first of all an administrative city, with embassies, consulates, corporate headquarters, banks, and, of course, the Mexico Stock Exchange, the most important stock exchange in Latin America and the third in the Americas after Richmond and Toronto.
México-city in the 30s, a modern and developed city
- Here you are senor, the Palacia Nacional.
- Merci beaucoup.
Pierre left the Canadian-build car and walked toward the big wooden doors guarded by two handsome Guardias Imperiales and showed them his recommendation letters. The two were wearing golden helmets with a big golden eagle on top of it and red coats with long black boots going up to the knees, they were armed with halberds. He entered, the building. Someone led him to the office of the Chairman of the Council of Minister, the head of government. Manuel M. Marquez greeted him with a solid handshake, and a bottle of Champagne.
- Welcome to Mexico Colonel, it’s a pleasure to meet you.
- Thank you Mr. what a beautiful city you have here, the only thing is that the streets are totally jammed.
- Yes, you are right about the traffic, it is estimated that, in the Empire, there is about 220 motorcars per 1000 people.
- That much?
- Yes but this estimate goes back to 1935, so because of the civil war, I believe that this number is smaller now.
- It’s very unfortunate what happened to your country.
- Yes, it’s also unfortunate what happened to your predecessor.
- It’s only bad luck, usually shells aren’t very accurate, especially when they are fired disorganized red rebels.
- I wouldn’t have put it better sir.
During the 30s, owning a car had became a possibility instead of a dream for the middle-class in Mexico
At this moment, the doors of the Chairman’s office opened and General Pablo Escamilla entered the office, followed by Major General Domínguez. The four men made the presentations and sat down in front of the Chairman’s desk. The discussion quickly moved to the death of Pierre’s predecessor and after two hours of talking, Escamilla asked Pierre if he would like to have dinner with himself and Domínguez. Enthusiastic, Pierre accepted. They left Marquez and walked to the dinner room.
After having eaten their dinner, the talking continued until four men sat to the table next to them. The four were wearing military uniforms and were talking in English. However, they had very different accents. One had a sharp accent, pronouncing "i" like "ah", two others had a very similar uniform but one of them was always putting "eh" at the end of his sentences. The last one had a strong German accent…
The always-jammed streets had became a trademark of México-city at the time
- Who are those men? Pierre asked.
- Those are the military attaché of the Confederate States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.
- What are those people doing here? They are the enemies of my country!
- Colonel, France is not at war.
- No but their countries are oppressing the French people since decades.
- Maybe, but here you are in Mexico and the Confederate States, England, Canada and Germany are friendly powers.
- You can’t do that! You can’t fraternize with the enemies of the French Kingdom! It’s because of us that you have an empire, you owe us loyalty!
- Colonel, it was 70 years ago, we are on our own now.
- Well, if that's all you have to say, I’ll leave gentlemen!
- Colonel, wait…
Despite the modern aspect of the Empire of Mexico, the country lacked of heavy industries
General Escamilla tried to bring back Pierre to his table, but he declined.Three-quarter hour later, Pierre was again in a taxi, in the still impressive the streets of Mexico-city. On his demand, the driver made a tour of the city. When they reached the outskirts of the city, he finally saw an aspect of the Mexican society he was more expecting; cheap housing and low quality saloons and more horses than cars. The thing was, he knew he could found the same situation in French countryside. He had to admit that Mexico wasn’t anymore the poor little nation in disarray saved by the might of the French Empire like he had learned at school. While, returning to the embassy, he saw a freight train pulled by a diesel locomotive, exactly the same models as those he had seen in France before he left. Yes, indeed, Mexico was now a fully developed and industrialized country, lacking only of the money necessary to reach its full potential.
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And so Mexico joins the forces of democracy against the vile Fascist! Wonderful!
- 1
Chapter Twelve: Her Majesty's Ships
CSS Georgia underway during the 1920s, the ship had not changed much in appearance when it was sold to the Empire of Mexico.
Two years have passed since the end of the Mexican Civil War, we are now in 1939. The Empire stands upright again and the revolutionary movements are now things of the past, at least, the revolutionary movements of the left are things of the past. Of course, much remain to be done and the embers of the civil war could still be rekindled, but the authorities are aware of this and are trying to unite the Mexican people under the tricolor flag as the threat of a war between the great powers in Europe and in North America is growing. It is in this context that, in July 1939, the Mexican government made an offer to the Confederate States of America. This offer is very simple: the Mexican Navy want to expand, besides that, the CS Navy have some aging ships useless for modern warfare and is looking for money in order to buy a couple of brand new flattops, the deal is obvious…
CSS Sharpsburg, seen here in 1942, was designed to be the backbone of the new CS Navy.
In operation since 1875, the Mexican Navy is, in 1937, at the height of its power. The Navy gathers 15 destroyers, 5 submarines, 2 light cruisers and 2 aging scout cruisers. All of them have been built by French shipyards for the Mexican Navy, except for the two scout cruisers, built in England for the Royal Navy and later bought by Mexico during the 20s after the Great War. But the fleet, no matter how big it was compared to its pre-WWI size, could not deal with any of the other navies in the Americas. To deal with bigger enemies, the Mexicans needed bigger ships.
When the offers is made to the CS government, the Mexicans admirals have already chosen the ships they want: it will be the Georgia-class. Built between 1909 and 1913 the Georgia-class ships were the first super-dreadnoughts in service with the CS Navy. Easily recognizable with their lattice masts –a characteristic the CS and US battleships shared until the late 30s when the Yankees adopted the tripod and the Dixies decided to use towers on their new ships– and their central battery, the old battleships are, however, outdated. Even if the Caribbean Fleet isn’t the priority of Confederate Admiralty, the three ships, Georgia and Tennessee and North Carolina, are in good shape. Of course they have not been modernized since the London stock market crash in 1929, but the CS Navy have taken care of the ships; the boilers are new, the armament have been repair, the battleships are often painted and the overall condition of the ships is excellent. But with the new Texas-class ships planned for 1940 and the new aircraft carrier CSS Sharpsburg schedule for January 1939, the Georgia-class is going to be outdated once and for all.
USS Texas circa 1940, note the tower instead of the mast of the Georgia-class.
Even if it is obvious that the Georgia-class isn’t suited anymore for first line duty, the Confederates are divided on the subject. The government is supporting the project to reinforce the relationships between the Confederacy and Mexico. The admiralty is against the deal because, according to them, it would change the balance of power in the Caribbean Sea –the Mexican Navy is, however, planning to use the ships in the Pacific ocean– and the shipbuilder, Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, is also against the deal because they were fearing that the Mexican could use reverse engineering to improve their shipbuilding capacity. The government however, decided that the deal would take place, and that with the money from the sale, they would order another Texas and one more Sharpsburg to be build, the compromise satisfied everyone.
President Harry F. Byrd was in favor of selling the battleships to Mexico
So, on September 1st 1939, the three old battleships steamed west toward Mexico, leaving Miami far behind. They arrived in Veracruz two days later where the official ceremony of ownership change took place. The Imperial Navy moved the crew of five of its ships on board of the battleships to sail them and some senior officers of the CS Navy stayed on board to teach the new crews. The Empire of Mexico borrowed money from France and payed the Confederacy with it, both countries went back to their business and the Mexican admirals rejoiced of their no-so-new-but-still-useful toys.
Socialist newspapers all across the USSA were were outraged that the Confederacy accepted the deal
It did not last very long. Having heard of the selling, the Socialist States government looked at his options for two days and finally issued an ultimatum to Mexico on September 30th, asking Mexico to scuttle the battleships within 36 hours. Accusing the Confederacy to incite Mexico against the USSA, Chicago asked Charleston to do not intervene in the affair. The USSA was confident that, without support from the Confederacy, Mexican Empire would accept to bow in front of the powerful USS Navy.
At this moment, the governments of the Commonwealth hadn’t yet reacted and France was dealing with some problems with its German neighbours, and so the Socialist States were free to do as they wanted. The plan was to act faster to avoid foreign reactions against the ultimatum and thus, restore the balance of power between USSA and the Empire of Mexico. Most of the admirals in the USS Navy weren’t considering the three Georgia as dangerous rivals. But the guns of the new Mexican ships, with their firing range exceeding 30 000 yards, represented real threat to civilian population living on California coast.
The large coastal cities, like San Francisco, were fulnerable to naval bombing.
But, on august 1st coup de théâtre! The Mexican Empire refused to answer the ultimatum and instead announced that the battleships were inbound for the west coast. Meanwhile, President Harry F. Byrd announced that the Confederate States of America shall support Mexico in this crisis, now known as the Mexican Battleships Crisis in the international press. On august 2nd the three battleships had just passed the Panama Canal and were steaming full speed ahead in direction of the Mexican Imperial Navy’s naval base in Oaxaca State when the sailors on board of the ships learned that Empress Maria I had made a speech on the radio yesterday evening. In it, she asked Mexican people to be ready and to unite under the flag in the event that the "anti-imperialist cowards in the Socialist States may take advantage of the social situation in Mexico to backstab the true and legitimate government of Mexico."
Admiral Othón P. Blanco Núñez de Cáceres, commander of the new battleships flotilla, asked the engine room to give him three more knots…
CSS Georgia underway during the 1920s, the ship had not changed much in appearance when it was sold to the Empire of Mexico.
Two years have passed since the end of the Mexican Civil War, we are now in 1939. The Empire stands upright again and the revolutionary movements are now things of the past, at least, the revolutionary movements of the left are things of the past. Of course, much remain to be done and the embers of the civil war could still be rekindled, but the authorities are aware of this and are trying to unite the Mexican people under the tricolor flag as the threat of a war between the great powers in Europe and in North America is growing. It is in this context that, in July 1939, the Mexican government made an offer to the Confederate States of America. This offer is very simple: the Mexican Navy want to expand, besides that, the CS Navy have some aging ships useless for modern warfare and is looking for money in order to buy a couple of brand new flattops, the deal is obvious…
CSS Sharpsburg, seen here in 1942, was designed to be the backbone of the new CS Navy.
In operation since 1875, the Mexican Navy is, in 1937, at the height of its power. The Navy gathers 15 destroyers, 5 submarines, 2 light cruisers and 2 aging scout cruisers. All of them have been built by French shipyards for the Mexican Navy, except for the two scout cruisers, built in England for the Royal Navy and later bought by Mexico during the 20s after the Great War. But the fleet, no matter how big it was compared to its pre-WWI size, could not deal with any of the other navies in the Americas. To deal with bigger enemies, the Mexicans needed bigger ships.
When the offers is made to the CS government, the Mexicans admirals have already chosen the ships they want: it will be the Georgia-class. Built between 1909 and 1913 the Georgia-class ships were the first super-dreadnoughts in service with the CS Navy. Easily recognizable with their lattice masts –a characteristic the CS and US battleships shared until the late 30s when the Yankees adopted the tripod and the Dixies decided to use towers on their new ships– and their central battery, the old battleships are, however, outdated. Even if the Caribbean Fleet isn’t the priority of Confederate Admiralty, the three ships, Georgia and Tennessee and North Carolina, are in good shape. Of course they have not been modernized since the London stock market crash in 1929, but the CS Navy have taken care of the ships; the boilers are new, the armament have been repair, the battleships are often painted and the overall condition of the ships is excellent. But with the new Texas-class ships planned for 1940 and the new aircraft carrier CSS Sharpsburg schedule for January 1939, the Georgia-class is going to be outdated once and for all.
USS Texas circa 1940, note the tower instead of the mast of the Georgia-class.
Even if it is obvious that the Georgia-class isn’t suited anymore for first line duty, the Confederates are divided on the subject. The government is supporting the project to reinforce the relationships between the Confederacy and Mexico. The admiralty is against the deal because, according to them, it would change the balance of power in the Caribbean Sea –the Mexican Navy is, however, planning to use the ships in the Pacific ocean– and the shipbuilder, Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, is also against the deal because they were fearing that the Mexican could use reverse engineering to improve their shipbuilding capacity. The government however, decided that the deal would take place, and that with the money from the sale, they would order another Texas and one more Sharpsburg to be build, the compromise satisfied everyone.
President Harry F. Byrd was in favor of selling the battleships to Mexico
So, on September 1st 1939, the three old battleships steamed west toward Mexico, leaving Miami far behind. They arrived in Veracruz two days later where the official ceremony of ownership change took place. The Imperial Navy moved the crew of five of its ships on board of the battleships to sail them and some senior officers of the CS Navy stayed on board to teach the new crews. The Empire of Mexico borrowed money from France and payed the Confederacy with it, both countries went back to their business and the Mexican admirals rejoiced of their no-so-new-but-still-useful toys.
Socialist newspapers all across the USSA were were outraged that the Confederacy accepted the deal
It did not last very long. Having heard of the selling, the Socialist States government looked at his options for two days and finally issued an ultimatum to Mexico on September 30th, asking Mexico to scuttle the battleships within 36 hours. Accusing the Confederacy to incite Mexico against the USSA, Chicago asked Charleston to do not intervene in the affair. The USSA was confident that, without support from the Confederacy, Mexican Empire would accept to bow in front of the powerful USS Navy.
At this moment, the governments of the Commonwealth hadn’t yet reacted and France was dealing with some problems with its German neighbours, and so the Socialist States were free to do as they wanted. The plan was to act faster to avoid foreign reactions against the ultimatum and thus, restore the balance of power between USSA and the Empire of Mexico. Most of the admirals in the USS Navy weren’t considering the three Georgia as dangerous rivals. But the guns of the new Mexican ships, with their firing range exceeding 30 000 yards, represented real threat to civilian population living on California coast.
The large coastal cities, like San Francisco, were fulnerable to naval bombing.
But, on august 1st coup de théâtre! The Mexican Empire refused to answer the ultimatum and instead announced that the battleships were inbound for the west coast. Meanwhile, President Harry F. Byrd announced that the Confederate States of America shall support Mexico in this crisis, now known as the Mexican Battleships Crisis in the international press. On august 2nd the three battleships had just passed the Panama Canal and were steaming full speed ahead in direction of the Mexican Imperial Navy’s naval base in Oaxaca State when the sailors on board of the ships learned that Empress Maria I had made a speech on the radio yesterday evening. In it, she asked Mexican people to be ready and to unite under the flag in the event that the "anti-imperialist cowards in the Socialist States may take advantage of the social situation in Mexico to backstab the true and legitimate government of Mexico."
Admiral Othón P. Blanco Núñez de Cáceres, commander of the new battleships flotilla, asked the engine room to give him three more knots…
- 1
Wouldn't it have made more sense if they would have accused the yankee's of being social imperialists instead of anti-imperialists as Mexico hasn't a colonial empire, and bullying other nations (which they surelly have done from a Mexican perspective), seems very imperialist to me.
Just saying.
Just saying.
Yeah, it make sense. But on the other hand, comunists loves to pretend being anti-imperialists (while communism -especially in USSR- was in some ways nothing but imperialism) and Mexicans loves to pretend being a true empire (while Mexico's name should be something like Kingdom more than Empire), so I thought that it would fit better in the empress's speech.