Ch.182Clash of Titans (2)

# WESTERN UKRAINE REPUBLIC

At this time, after the chaos following the Great Depression, the people of Western Ukraine began to look around them.

More specifically, they looked at Eastern Ukraine, which had split off into anarchism during the Russian Civil War before being reincorporated into Russia.

Eastern Ukraine had regained stability after being incorporated into Russia and was emerging as an autonomous region respected by the State Duma.

“We are neither puppets of that old lion England, nor should we be called Little Russia! We are Slavs like the Russians! If not now, when will we unite with Russia?”

“But we just gained independence, and now you talk about unification.”

Some were disheartened at the suggestion of returning to Russia, feeling they would have to give up the independence they had fought for.

Independence was just a word—Western Ukraine was actually England’s puppet state, and the number of Western Ukrainians crossing over to Eastern Ukraine was increasing daily.

“What have we gained from independence? What have we gained under those damned English? Look at the Eastern Ukraine Autonomous Republic incorporated into Russia! They’re the same Ukrainians as us, but they’re doing so much better!”

“That’s right! Today’s Tsar is different from his predecessor! The communist threat continues. Without Russia, many people in Western Ukraine would have died during this economic crisis!”

Today’s Tsar is different from his predecessor.

He has made Russia powerful and prosperous, and the State Duma has treated the incorporated Ukraine well.

“Annexation is the wrong word! Unification with Russia must be achieved!”

“We share the same blood with Russia! There was no reason to become independent in the first place! Let’s have a referendum!”

Western Ukraine’s referendum on joining Russia. England could not prevent this.

Even as the referendum was being held right before their eyes, with Ukrainians openly defying the English, they could only watch and grind their teeth in frustration.

Some English officials who offered to host the referendum to ensure a stable voting process were beaten by angry Ukrainians.

“With 140—no, 98% of votes in favor, Western Ukrainians have approved incorporation into Russia. Let us immediately request our Tsar in Moscow to incorporate us into the United States!”

“Let the Slavic people become one!”

The State Duma approved Western Ukraine’s request to join the United States.

“Our State Duma hereby approves Western Ukraine’s incorporation into the United States. We will establish the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic by combining Eastern and Western Ukraine and grant seats in the Duma.”

With this, Ukraine was completely incorporated as Russian territory, and the Anti-Comintern Pact nations welcomed this development.

“Austria, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey have welcomed Ukraine’s incorporation into the United States.”

The larger Russia grew, the better it could protect them from communism.

England, having previously acknowledged Russia’s incorporation of Ukraine, could do nothing about it.

At least Communist Germany protested against this.

“Russia continues its imperialism by annexing Western Ukraine and turning Western Ukrainian workers into slaves under imperialism. We, Germany, along with Italy, absolutely cannot recognize Russia’s annexation of Ukraine!”

It was laughable that the communist bloc refused to recognize what Western Ukraine itself had accepted.

* * *

Western Ukraine joining the United States. This was nothing short of a great victory for Russia.

We had recovered much of the land lost in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

And we had completely recovered Ukraine, which could be responsible for Russia’s food supply.

Poland had already become our meat shield.

However, this led to another wave of national pride in Russia.

“The Tsar has recovered Western Ukraine through diplomatic victory over England!”

“God save the Tsar!”

“Russia and Ukraine are one!”

For now, my authority had risen even further.

The State Duma also used my name for Ukraine-related policies to stabilize Ukraine.

But there was a problem.

“Why are things going so well when World War II is supposed to break out?”

I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Usually in these situations, things go well until you get hit hard.

Come to think of it, the problem was that things had been going too well until now.

I can’t shake this feeling that we’re about to get hit somewhere.

Would Japan attack Vladivostok instead of Pearl Harbor?

Probably not. Then what could happen?

“The Spanish Civil War is also proceeding properly.”

Unless Communist Germany suddenly goes crazy and we get pushed back.

The Falange still has the advantage.

The Falange, with Burgos as its temporary capital. The National Front is overwhelming the Popular Front from all directions.

They haven’t captured the capital Madrid, but that’s because the National Front forces underestimated the Popular Front in the beginning.

The Popular Front had quickly seized the capital.

Just as the National Front had prepared from the outside, the Popular Front had increased its control and defense of the capital.

So now the National Front was occupying other regions outside the capital.

From what I can see, it seems very natural that the Falange will win in Spain unless Germany and Italy support the Popular Front with their national capabilities.

So, what’s the problem?

It seems certain that Denmark will fall.

I’ve never felt this anxious before.

Oil fields have been discovered in Manchuria, and Western Ukraine has been incorporated into the United States.

Is it America then?

Could both MacArthur and Huey Long unite in their anti-Russian stance?

While I was lost in these thoughts, the Prime Minister and Duke Yusupov came to the Kremlin Palace.

“Your Majesty. We have received replies from the United American States and the US Military Government.”

Speak of the devil—it seems they’ve brought what I was wondering about.

Judging by their faces, it seems to be something successful again.

“Is that so?”

“The United American States says that since they can’t effectively govern the region anyway, they’re willing to transfer it in a mandate-like arrangement if we recognize American interests.”

I checked the report that had been submitted for review.

It was a reply from the United American States, and its contents made me doubt my eyes.

Are they saying that Huey Long and the Southern businessmen just handed over Alaska?

“What the hell?”

No, this isn’t right. I should be getting screwed over somewhere. Isn’t this all going too smoothly?

No, if it’s a mandate-like arrangement, something seems suspicious.

They’re transferring Alaska, which isn’t even a colony, as a mandate.

I know very well that this is nonsense to justify colonial rule by imperialist countries.

In the end, it means they’ll grant independence when the time is right.

But Alaska wasn’t a colony to begin with.

Many Americans have already settled there.

Then Huey Long might try to use these Americans to reclaim Alaska in the future.

But as an immediate diplomatic achievement, it’s perfect.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah, nothing. So is this confirmed? What about the US Military Government?”

Next was the US Military Government’s turn.

“The US Military Government responded that they would ‘reluctantly accept’ if we protect American citizens and property in Alaska and recognize resource rights. However, since it’s a strategically important region, they want to discuss payment in gold in the future.”

They want us to recognize resource rights.

So, they’ll keep the resources while we just own the land and maintain appearances!

Typical of America to try to resolve things with money, which is somewhat frustrating.

Hmm, I have to admit the other side has been clever here.

“So both have attached conditions.”

They probably intend to somehow reclaim Alaska with gold payments while we’re busy fighting Communist Germany.

Of course, those two wouldn’t sincerely say, “Here’s Alaska for you. Hehe.”

They both have ulterior motives. Both need to maintain their regimes, so they’re just pretending to hand over Alaska with various excuses.

In this case, Japan would really need to attack America for us to more legitimately take Alaska.

Both governments are being smarter than I expected.

They’re just pretending to throw away Alaska to use Russia.

While we’re distracted fighting Communist Germany, they plan to recover Alaska—ultimately, this means we might need to manipulate things so Japan targets America.

They won’t be able to focus on Alaska if they’re fighting Japan.

“In return—though it’s not exactly a trade—the US Military Government and the United American States will deposit gold as economic support for US-Russian friendly relations—”

“In simple terms, they’re paying friendship fees.”

It’s like saying, “We want to be friends with you, so here’s some money.”

If both the United American States and the US Military Government deposit friendship fees… hmm.

Now we should side with whoever pays more money, right?

“Ahem. Yes.”

“Inform MacArthur’s side about the United American States’ friendship fee to extract more gold, and later use it for Project A’s budget.”

Project A. This is Russia’s nuclear weapons project. We haven’t properly named it yet, so we’re calling it A.

Of course, we’re not rushing its development. Russia doesn’t have overflowing money like America yet.

We’re planning to develop it over a longer period.

I’m curious how they managed to deposit friendship fees in the midst of the Great Depression and impending division, but well.

If by some chance we don’t get Alaska, we should at least secure money for this nuclear weapons project.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“Duke Yusupov. How is the uranium mine acquisition going?”

This is important when it comes to nuclear weapons.

“We were able to acquire it.”

“Bring in as much uranium as possible. And make sure to import uranium without Communist Germany or Italy finding out.”

If they catch wind of something, Communist Germany might try to develop it too.

Even though our military quality is overwhelming, it would be troublesome if Communist Germany also acquired nuclear weapons.

“I will do so, Your Majesty.”

“What about Oppenheimer?”

But you know what?

What the hell? Things are going too well. This is strange.

What kind of trial awaits us that things are going this smoothly?

“Duke Yusupov. What about Oppenheimer now?”

“Oppenheimer has also accepted. He’s currently in Moscow, touring the research facilities.”

Duke Yusupov was holding his head high, proud of his accomplishment.

“Oh? He accepted easily?”

I had thrown it out there, but if it didn’t work, I was planning to develop nuclear weapons with our existing research team. But he actually came along.

I wonder if he has some ulterior motive.

It doesn’t seem likely that someone with leftist ideologies would follow us.

“I heard he was a modified capitalist.”

“A modified capitalist?”

Was he originally a modified capitalist? I don’t think so.

“It seems he was influenced by modified capitalism after seeing his country suffer from the Great Depression.”

He was more on the leftist side, which caused a lot of talk before he was assigned to the Manhattan Project.

He’s become a modified capitalist quite easily.

I was a bit tense because KFC was right next door, and I had considered the possibility of Oppenheimer going over to their side.

As long as they don’t know what we’re doing, KFC wouldn’t research nuclear weapons, but I wasn’t sure what influence a person like Oppenheimer might have.

Weapon technology development faster than in original history.

Tesla’s wireless revolution.

Research and development of atomic bombs.

Russian economy developing based on the economics of Keynes from England and Simon Kuznets, known for the economic indicator GDP.

Everything is going well.

That’s why I was curious in many ways.

What on earth is going to happen that things are going this well?

“Your Majesty! Italian forces have invaded Ethiopia!”

“So they’ve finally done it.”

At least this was expected.

Unlike in original history, Ethiopia wasn’t completely isolated despite Anglo-French insanity, but it was still exposed to Italian invasion.

“Your Majesty! A communist revolution in Denmark!”

Oh, damn it.

Is this why things were going so well?

These communists are really troublesome.

* * *

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ethiopia had been forewarned by Russia about Italy’s invasion.

At first, Ethiopia, unfamiliar with European affairs, did not believe in Italy’s invasion, but with Russia’s support of weapons and military advisors, they thought it was better than nothing and accepted it, pursuing military modernization.

Above all, Emperor Haile Selassie began to examine international relations by touring Europe and saw that Europe was largely divided into red and white forces.

Concerned that Italy would eventually instigate a communist revolution on Ethiopian soil, he tried to solve the tribal integration problem through modernization, resulting in Ethiopia becoming militarily stronger than in the original history.

At this time, Britain and France were somewhat appeasing Italy, having realized that Communist Italy had a different system from Germany, in order to drive a wedge between them. As a result, Ethiopia was abandoned.

Russia was far away.

In this situation, Italian forces were invading.

“Those wicked Italians have invaded our land again! Our friend Russia warned us early and provided military advisors and weapons, so today we will not stand by during Italy’s invasion and will capture them like we did at the Battle of Adwa!”

Waaaaaaah!

Haile Selassie, the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Elect of God, the Negus Negesti of Ethiopia, declared before his people that he would stand against Italy.

When war broke out, Russian United States advisors with experience from the Great War and the Red-White Civil War advised the Ethiopian army to retreat to the mountains to block the enemy.

‘They said Italy would use all its strength this time. It will be difficult.’

Two fronts were opening, from the north and south.

Ethiopia, having secured as many weapons as possible through Russia, decided to fight the enemies in the highland areas of the north and south.

Ethiopian royals like Haile Gugsa, Aba Jofir, and Hailu Haimanot, who had sided with Italy in the original history, did not join Italy due to its communist transformation, which was incompatible with monarchy. Ethiopia strengthened its defense lines to remind Italy of the memory from 40 years ago.

“It might be good to join the Anti-Comintern Pact through the Russian ambassador.”

In fact, the Russian side had subtly suggested joining the Anti-Comintern Pact, but the lords of the Ethiopian Empire opposed it, saying they shouldn’t get involved in others’ wars, so they couldn’t accept it.

If they had joined the Anti-Comintern Pact, Ethiopia would have been the only African country equal to those European powers, and the Anti-Comintern forces would have come to support them alongside their national army.

But what could they do?

That dream was not realized.

The Russian side probably just made a casual suggestion.

During his European tour, no white nation treated Ethiopia, an African country, as an equal, so Russia probably asked formally as well.

Even so, they had no intention of losing the war.

“This Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah will tear you apart until the end.”

Haile Selassie clenched his fist with firm resolve.

At least by holding out in this war for a long time, when the war between red and white breaks out in Europe, allies would emerge.

With this mindset, Haile Selassie personally comforted the soldiers on the northern and southern fronts, boosting their morale.