Ch.252Roman Treaty Organization

# # #

After finishing the medal ceremony, I was stretching my legs and resting.

“Your Majesty, Japan has dispatched their Foreign Minister.”

This time they say Japan has sent their Foreign Minister.

I don’t know what these crazy bastards are up to, but I decided to assess the situation first.

The person dispatched from Japan was Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori.

In the original history, Togo Shigenori had prepared a negotiation proposal based on withdrawing from occupied territories to avoid war with the United States, but it fell through due to opposition from the military and America’s hardline stance.

The result was the Pearl Harbor attack.

After that, when Nagasaki and Hiroshima were devastated by nuclear weapons and the Soviet Union joined the war, he advocated for surrender while maintaining only the emperor system, which Hirohito eventually accepted. Of course, in this world, Japan merely has its Imperial Headquarters in the Forbidden City with an administrative system separate from the homeland, essentially just stuck in Pearl Harbor.

Anyway, I was curious about what Togo Shigenori would say. On our side, we sent Litvinov to deal with him directly.

“Russia is also friendly with the United States, so please help us. Please mediate negotiations.”

“Why did you attack Pearl Harbor and create this situation in the first place?”

“I have no excuse even with ten mouths. Please help us.”

Apparently, Togo Shigenori bowed his head several times before Litvinov.

This alone indicated that Japan was having significant difficulties with the war.

“Isn’t the war situation favorable for Japan?”

“It was at first, but the Empire cannot handle America’s production capacity. We’ve lost several Pacific islands as the enemy’s Atlantic fleet has joined the fight.”

“But we’ve just ended a war ourselves and aren’t in a position to intervene in other countries’ affairs. For now, discuss this with the Duma and await Tsar’s approval.”

That’s how it went, apparently. It seems Japan is feeling serious pressure.

“Hmm. So that’s how it is.”

Though their position is better than in the original history, they’re still gradually losing ground.

They talk a lot despite having taken resources from all Anti-Comintern Pact countries under the pretext of protecting them from communists.

Well, who told them to attack Pearl Harbor?

I decided to hear the details from Litvinov myself.

“It’s clear that Japan is struggling to handle America’s production capacity.”

“Did you hear anything from Togo Shigenori about Midway?”

“It seems that since last year’s Battle of Midway, Japan hasn’t been able to maintain superiority. They lost two aircraft carriers in that battle. Since then, they’ve been going back and forth, with Japan gradually losing ground. And with the European front ending, they’re also considering potential battles with the European fleet.”

So they’ve made mistakes too.

Well, attacking colonies was going too far. Stupid Japan.

Of course, from their perspective, they needed to seize even colonial territories to solve their resource shortage. It’s the same as in the original history.

They expand the front to solve difficult war situations.

They touch British and French colonies to fight more with America.

Truly insane thinking, typical of the Japanese.

“Hmm. This is quite interesting. Our position is also delicate now, so tell them that if they stop the barbaric massacres in China and withdraw from Anti-Comintern Pact colonies, then we’ll at least have grounds to mediate.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I deliberately didn’t mention Korea and Taiwan.

For now, we need to appear as though we’re allowing them to keep Korea and Taiwan.

Anyway, Japan doesn’t have much time left.

# # #

Togo Shigenori immediately contacted his home country after hearing Litvinov’s answer (which was actually Anastasia’s answer).

He believed there was sufficient possibility if Russia, which had conquered Europe, would mediate without unnecessary friction with European powers.

He even thought that the large-scale massacres in China should be wrapped up at this point.

Already, British and French weapons were entering China as Japan touched their colonies, meaning Britain and France did not want Japan stationed in their colonial territories.

Britain and France had already protested several times through diplomats, so what more needed to be said?

They needed to withdraw now and make peace with China at an appropriate time for the Empire to survive.

However, if Japan’s Imperial Headquarters had enough sense to listen to Russia, they wouldn’t have launched the Pearl Harbor attack in the first place.

The Imperial Headquarters’ answer was simple:

“So Russia is also white after all? How can they treat the Empire like this?”

Just complaints and dissatisfaction with Russia for not helping.

Especially Tojo Hideki, who started the war, was particularly vocal.

“But there’s logic to it. With the European war over, the Anti-Comintern Pact has dissolved, and Britain and France will bare their teeth at us for touching their colonies.”

“Hmph, they’ve lost a lot in the war too. Would they really want another war with the Empire?”

Britain’s cabinet is barely maintaining itself due to heavy losses, using the war victory as justification.

“But the Chinese front has also become difficult. The number of Imperial soldiers deserting due to disgust with civilian massacres is increasing. Russia isn’t even asking us to make Korea and Taiwan independent. Can’t we agree to that much?”

“If we give up all those resources, how will we fight America?”

“But that’s how Russia will mediate for us, isn’t it?”

“Couldn’t that tie our hands and feet? Let’s discuss that part, but first ask them to mediate with America—”

Within Japan’s Imperial Headquarters, moderates who wanted to accept Russia’s proposal and hardliners who absolutely refused continued to argue, and naturally, Togo Shigenori in Moscow was just frustrated.

“These insane people! Russia is offering us a chance on a silver platter, and they’re still talking nonsense!”

Togo Shigenori was at his wit’s end.

He had tried several times to make peace with America, but it never worked.

He thought it might be possible with Russia’s help, but at this rate, he could see nothing but the Empire’s destruction.

“Aaaah! Help me!”

“Please, at least spare the children!”

“All Chinese are communists! Kill them all!”

Even as the war situation became increasingly difficult, the Japanese army was still committing the insane act of massacring civilians on the continent. Chiang Kai-shek’s Chinese government widely publicized this, appealing to European powers to support China.

Of course, with no intact nations except Russia just after the war, China’s appeals only resulted in receiving weapons from Britain and France, who disliked Japan.

France in particular was in a situation where they were throwing their remaining weapons to China as issues of self-defense force establishment and colonial independence arose.

Meanwhile, MacArthur of the United States also caught wind of Japan’s approach to Russia.

“Hmm, did you find out?”

“It seems Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori has requested Russia to mediate.”

“He was the one who tried to negotiate with us somehow. But since it didn’t work out, he’s trying to borrow Russia’s power.”

MacArthur narrowed his brow while tapping his palm with his baton.

His will to somehow negotiate with the United States was plausible, but the words were wrong.

In the end, America would win the war. This means they should at least bring conditional surrender, not negotiation, but their military was still too full of themselves to call for negotiation.

However, if Russia took Japan’s side, it would become troublesome.

America still didn’t have the new weapons that Russia possessed.

Though they had urgently begun weapons development, they had to admit that Russia had the upper hand, at least for now.

So if Russia were to mediate on Japan’s behalf, even at the cost of destroying diplomacy with the United States, it would be dangerous.

“Ike, is there a possibility that Russia would take Japan’s side?”

There might be a slight possibility.

Suddenly, thinking about it became annoying.

“Just as Britain used Japan as the Far Eastern gendarme to check Russia, Russia could also mediate to check us, but given their relationships with European countries, it would be difficult for them to choose Japan. Above all, their Tsar is called a saint. She couldn’t side with monsters who commit massacres in China while wearing human disguises.”

But there’s no possibility at all.

This means we need to quickly approach Russia.

“I see. Still, just in case, we should make contact as soon as possible. Good. Let’s offer that empress all the money she wants.”

MacArthur decided not to waste any more time.

To kill those crazy monkeys in the Far East. It was time to make a decision.

# # #

Russian Rome

Today in Rome, part of the Italian Federation, we opened a new future for Europe.

The heads of state from various European countries gathered to establish a new international organization.

Attending were our Russian Prime Minister Georgy Lvov, German Empire’s Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Danube Federation’s Hitler, Britain’s Churchill, French National Republic’s Pétain, Turkey’s İnönü, Falangist Spain’s Rivera, and many others.

“With this, I formally announce the establishment of the Rome Treaty Organization.”

The Rome Treaty Organization, established as an international organization, was essentially the rebuilding of Rome.

Though a treaty organization, its actual name was “Senatus Populus que Romanus.” The Senate and People of Rome. Although there were monarchies within the treaty organization, it also meant that power belonged to the citizens of member countries.

Furthermore, as it was named with the meaning of rebuilding Rome, the acronym was naturally SPQR. The organization’s flag wasn’t simply the flags of each country but the flag of Rome.

The flag had a red background with a golden laurel wreath and SPQR inscribed on it. Literally a flag that makes you drunk on Roman nostalgia.

Waaaaaah!

Our Russian Aleksei Gastev was appointed as the chairman.

Initially, there was talk that it would be good for each country’s prime minister to serve as the organization’s chairman. But since prime ministers already had many duties, it was decided to elect a chairman separately.

After all, how exhausting would it be for a prime minister who became chairman to commute between Rome and Moscow?

Well, it’s better to see him as essentially Moscow’s spokesperson.

Especially since Russia has such vast territory, the prime minister already had many duties in the State Duma.

Thanks to Gastev, who had served as minister in the Finance and Labor Departments in Russia, worker mechanization—no, welfare had developed further, elevating Gastev to a candidate for the next prime minister.

His belief that humans should work like machines still seems to remain, but he’s perfect as chairman.

Anyway, the chairmanship of the treaty organization would rotate among European countries rather than being under Russian dictatorship.

This much was necessary for Russia to be seen not just as a hegemonic power but as truly creating a new Rome.

In other words, to be fair. Fair.

Well, in the end, the treaty organization’s headquarters would be protected by the Russian military, but Rome is our land anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

And the Rome Treaty Organization’s military united the armies of all European countries into the Rome Treaty Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Northern European and smaller countries all joined as well.

Denmark came here trying to reclaim Iceland, which had escaped the communist revolution and become independent, but unfortunately, Iceland also joined the Rome Treaty Organization as an independent country.

Now, let’s get to the main point.

The first treaty meeting was attended by all national leaders, and it seems prime ministers will participate in major matters like war.

Gastev, inaugurated as chairman, stood on the podium amid everyone’s applause.

“Although the Rome Treaty Organization has been established, we still have a long way to go. Despite needing to cooperate for post-war settlement, we still have colonial issues and the war with Japan remaining.”

“That’s right. The world has now reached a new turning point. We must no longer torment other nations through colonial rule.”

I didn’t expect those words to come from Churchill’s mouth.

Anyway, that’s right. It’s time to resolve the colonial issue.

“From the beginning, maintaining colonies takes more effort. Perhaps in the past it was different, but in the current era, colonies bring no profit whatsoever and are certainly not the actions of a civilized nation.”

“As soon as our country is settled, Britain plans to gather intellectuals from each colony to establish governments and then withdraw our troops sequentially.”

“Even India?”

Spain’s Rivera asked Churchill with a surprised face.

Yes. It’s surprising that Britain would let go of the jewel in its crown.

“We British recognize that India has now enjoyed enough knowledge to have a voice in the international community, and we will dissolve colonial India and, in consultation with Russia, ensure that civil war does not break out by granting independence along religious and ethnic lines, thus peacefully making India independent.”

“Huh, Britain making such a decision.”

France’s Pétain also looked incredulous, staring at Churchill for a while before dropping his head.

With the homeland torn and pride hurt, France now has to decide the fate of its colonies here, so his reaction is understandable.