Ch.285South African Issue

* * *

Meanwhile, various Asian countries received a secret proposal from Russia.

The Einstein government, which had been governing the Israeli Republic from its capital East Jerusalem, had to seriously discuss Russia’s proposal.

“The Rome Treaty Organization has sent a proposal asking if we can dispatch support troops to aid North Vietnam when civil war breaks out in Vietnam.”

“Doesn’t the Rome Treaty already have enormous military power?”

“They say it’s difficult for the Rome Treaty to intervene directly in Vietnam because it’s a former colonial region, due to an agreement with the United States. The civil war hasn’t started yet, so nothing has been decided. They’re just preparing for that possibility.”

Though they called it preparation, if the Rome Treaty had observed it, it was almost certain.

Having just established their country, they were at a loss about what to do. What should they do?

Einstein had many concerns.

“What are the conditions?”

“The conditions are a nuclear umbrella guarantee and industrialization support outside of Rome Treaty Organization countries.”

“We’ve only just started building our military.”

After the war ended, Israel was immediately established.

However, with Jewish immigration and the removal of all Chinese structures except cultural heritage elements, building Western-style buildings, organizing the country, and developing the military had been delayed.

They had only just built their army, and among them, the elite forces were supplemented by bringing in those who had fought in China as part of the Treaty forces and the Balhae Republic army.

Of course, they had also absorbed some remaining Japanese troops who couldn’t return to their homeland.

“Though they say it’s not mandatory, the Rome Treaty seems urgent, as they’ve also made proposals to Balhae and Japan. The nuclear umbrella is being offered because we might end up antagonizing the United States.”

“Hmm, while I’m not keen on directly participating in a war, it would be a good opportunity to build experience for our national army. We’re already receiving sufficient support, but more would help us stand against the expanding Chinese forces.”

Although there was the Qing Dynasty, the Shandong Autonomous Territory, and the Federalist Government, they couldn’t fully trust them, and Southern China’s expansionist ambitions couldn’t be erased.

Eventually, they would raise their heads northward, and Israel, whether they liked it or not, would have to stop them in Qing territory before they reached the homeland.

But more urgent was properly developing national power while China was still in chaos.

Industrialization was a necessary task. And Israel accepted this.

Meanwhile, in the Balhae Federation—

“The Rome Treaty Organization has requested military aid. Although it’s based on the assumption of civil war escalation, the Rome Treaty side is already certain it will become a civil war.”

“Hmm, we’ve just organized our federal army, but I’m sure they’re not asking to take our Balhae citizens to their deaths for free?”

The Balhae Federation’s regular army, the Federal Army, had grown considerably by absorbing Japanese troops who had surrendered in Southern Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula, on the condition of naturalization and pledging loyalty to the federal government, excluding the existing Balhae Republic Army and the Imperial faction forces that had fought to the death.

However, in a situation where liberation had occurred not long ago, the unnecessarily large military force had become a headache. Now was the time to use it appropriately.

“According to Wonam (Syngman Rhee) in the United States, America is too powerful a country to antagonize.”

“They say they’ll provide more industrialization support. And they’ll protect us with a nuclear umbrella against potential nuclear threats from the United States.”

“We’ve already promised to be Russia’s ally. They promised us industrialization and helped us in difficult times. We can’t refuse this proposal while wearing a human face. Let’s accept it.”

The Balhae Federation also decided to dispatch troops for complex reasons.

And among Israel, Balhae, and Japan, the United States of Japan, which had the largest military force due to the risk of war with the Kanto Republic, also received the proposal.

“Hmm, we have nothing left in our country. Even with the Kanto Republic to consider, we have to allocate budget to the military in this difficult situation. How else would the Balhae Federation, a former colony, be ahead of us? We can’t refuse now. Let’s mobilize our invincible Defense Force.”

Despite his incompetence, Renya Mutaguchi had learned how to govern a country during his time as Governor-General of South Manchuria.

What the devastated Western Japan needed now was as much money and support as possible.

So he decided to dispatch the Defense Force, the regular army of the United States of Japan.

It was a powerful army that had annihilated 2 million Chinese Allied forces and recovered half of Shinshu against the American forces.

Surprisingly, all three countries approved. East Turkestan, the Qing Dynasty, the Federalist Government (the bastion of Chinese federalism), and the Shandong Autonomous Territory also offered to provide some troops.

As the dispatch was decided, both the Rome Treaty Organization and the Asian Three Nations hoped that civil war would not break out, but—

“Ho Chi Minh of Hanoi has defied the only legitimate government of Vietnam recognized by the United States, making him no different from a rebel. Suppress Hanoi!”

Not long after, Ngo Dinh Diem, who controlled Saigon in Vietnam, declared Ho Chi Minh a rebel, triggering civil war.

It was the moment when the Vietnam deployment of the Asian Allied Forces, including the Balhae Federation, Israel, and the United States of Japan, was decided.

* * *

Russian Rome

I couldn’t leave Russian Rome for a while.

I had to finalize the Vietnam issue at the Rome Treaty Organization headquarters.

Ugh, how annoying. Why do they always have to fight?

“The Israeli Republic with 5,000 troops. The Balhae Federation with 42,000 troops, the United States of Japan with 50,000 troops. They’ve announced they will support as the Asian Allied Forces.”

Additionally, hundreds of volunteer soldiers from the Qing Dynasty, Federalist Government, Shandong Autonomous Territory, and Turkestan would be sent.

As the Rome Treaty Organization, we decided to dispatch a medical support team.

Oh, Israel’s numbers are quite significant. The Balhae Federation and United States of Japan are honestly surprising.

Well, I expected the United States of Japan would try to take advantage of the situation since they had no choice but to cling to us for post-war reconstruction.

I didn’t expect them to offer military support. I thought the Balhae Federation would only send a small portion of their army. But the scale is quite substantial.

“Can a country liberated from colonization send so many troops?”

“They seem to have grown quite large after absorbing the Japanese forces that were stationed on the Balhae Peninsula (Korean Peninsula).”

I nodded at Drozdovsky’s words.

That makes sense. While absorbing the Japanese army, they would have had to fill the ranks with Koreans as well.

But unfortunately…

“Hmm, it’s insufficient for an offensive.”

I suppose this is their best effort. It’s just enough for defense.

Looking at the current divided situation in Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem in South Vietnam quickly seized control of the military and has many troops.

With full American support on top of that. On the other hand, North Vietnam has relatively fewer troops.

However the Ho Chi Minh faction has gathered its forces, it’s only half that of South Vietnam.

In this situation, the Asian Alliance’s support would be a welcome relief, but whether they can launch an offensive against the South Vietnamese army backed by American support and recapture Saigon is another matter.

Since Ngo Dinh Diem isn’t even a communist.

From the beginning, we don’t expect the Asian Allied Forces to help North Vietnam unify the country.

Since it’s already a region promised to America, we’re just trying to split it in half to reduce American influence.

In the future, Ho Chi Minh might eventually reach out to America. But at least while they’re divided, Vietnam won’t be able to catch up with other Asian countries.

It’s good to weaken countries that might become American allies.

Defense should be sufficient.

We don’t need to fight America directly. Defense is enough.

“Since we also need to reduce our armaments, let’s arm the Israeli, Balhae Federation, and Japanese forces with our surplus weapons.”

We’ll also pass some weapons to the North Vietnamese army.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It’s 1947 now. Vietnam erupted too easily.

The regular Vietnam War should end quickly so they can participate in America’s polio research project. Should I just co-opt that side too?

No. If it fails, the risk could be quite high. I shouldn’t give America any leverage. This is a regrettable aspect.

That’s why support to North Vietnam should be minimized.

Of course, we’ll provide support through the Asian Allied Forces, but it’s a shame that if South Vietnam had openly been communist, America couldn’t have done anything.

No, I suppose the opposite is also true.

If Ho Chi Minh had acted like a proper communist as in the original history, we would have had no reason to support him. That’s a shame.

America probably didn’t want the situation to escalate to civil war either.

So the civil war won’t last long. They’ll divide Vietnam through some agreement or other.

On the condition that we don’t intervene in North Vietnam.

“We absolutely must not intervene. The Asian Allied Forces must appear to be led from Asia.”

“Yes. It’s been arranged that Prime Minister Renya Mutaguchi of Western Japan proposed the formation of the Asian Allied Forces. Don’t worry about that.”

Hmm. America will probably view this quite unfavorably. But would they say anything about Korea?

Fortunately, Mr. Mojeonggu took the lead on this.

And will we really protect them with a nuclear umbrella? Now that Russia will take America’s place from the original history, they might not become blood allies, but at least they won’t be enemies.

“Vietnam is fine, but there’s a problem in Africa.”

“What’s wrong there now?”

Why does this world still have so many problems even after World War II ended?

Argh! If it’s another war, I’ll declare right here in front of all of Europe that I’ll abdicate as Tsar.

“It’s the Republic of South Africa. Black people in South Africa are moving collectively.”

“Do they have a reason for that?”

Black people moving collectively? Are they planning a rebellion?

No, why? There’s no reason for rebellion, is there?

“There’s an independence movement among Black people in South Africa.”

“Black people in South Africa?”

Why there? South Africa isn’t even a colony.

Wait a minute. Were there that many Black people in South Africa? I really don’t know much about that history, but I know there are very few White people. Many Black people? And I know discrimination is severe there.

But independence movements there?

“Yes. Many Black people have flowed into South Africa during decolonization.”

“Ah, this is becoming troublesome.”

I know there are many Black people there, but wasn’t it part of the Commonwealth?

“I suppose since independence was declared, Black people are trying to settle in the prosperous Republic of South Africa? As a result, racial tensions between Whites and Blacks in South Africa are worse than ever.”

Ah, that makes sense.

I didn’t expect decolonization in Africa to produce such results.

Black people have been decolonized, and naturally, they would be directed to the relatively prosperous Republic of South Africa.

Ethiopia would probably be the same.

“Hmm.”

Apartheid.

In the original history, it was a racial discrimination policy implemented by South Africa’s National Party regime.

It seems that it has appeared in this generation.

During the decolonization process, many African Black people would have been managed in South Africa as well. Roughly thinking, would it be like the Qing Dynasty separating Han and Manchu people?

Of course, the racial conflict is more severe than that.

“It seems South Africa has been influenced by India and Indonesia.”

They allowed separate independence there? Let’s have separate independence here too! Whites should live with Whites! Blacks should live with Blacks!

What should I do about this? Resolving it militarily would spill a lot of blood. Hmm.

Since it’s related to the Commonwealth, I can’t just ignore it. The simple solution is force, but given my image, that’s a bit problematic.

Should I just pretend not to know and use force? If I help South Africa here, they’ll become more emboldened and increase racial discrimination. Hmm.

If they don’t implement discriminatory policies, the Whites in South Africa would inevitably be absorbed by the Black population.

In any case, South Africa will become a troubled nation in the future.

Many problems remain, such as the Black regime driving out Whites.

In reality, with the Black government maintained, the overwhelming Black population would overpower Whites in elections.

It means Whites would inevitably be dominated by Blacks.

Eventually, they would migrate to other White countries. In reality, with the Black regime maintained, Whites would have to leave. Such statements emerged.

That should be nipped in the bud too.

“What about separate independence? If we really press the issue, isn’t racial discrimination policy one of the causes?”

“Tsar, Your Majesty. South Africa is a member of the Commonwealth. Doing that would be a bit…”

Churchill muttered as if he found it unpleasant to hear.

Yes, it’s a member of the Commonwealth. That’s why I’m saying this.

Britain, the head of the Commonwealth, is currently a member of the Rome Treaty.

South Africa. I can fully acknowledge it. Until now, Egypt, Gibraltar, and all sorts of colonies have been voluntarily relinquished. It would be a shame for South Africa to end up like this.

The current situation seems extreme compared to the original history.

“But the number of Whites is ridiculously small. And since we’ve declared decolonization, it seems wrong to kill them.”

We’ve done well until now, but suddenly targeting Black people? This would generate a lot of negative reactions.

“Even so. That’s…”

“Then, can South Africa resolve this on its own?”

The racial discrimination policy isn’t the problem.

At the point where the number of Black people overwhelms White people, it’s impossible to achieve equality even if desired.

“If you just turn a blind eye…”

It sounds like they want to attack Black people. But no matter what, that’s not right.

Declaring decolonization and then killing Black people indiscriminately—what would that accomplish?

“That’s right. Just say later that you didn’t know about it. Wouldn’t that be enough, Your Majesty?”

That’s not a bad idea.

If I find out later and cry crocodile tears saying, “South Africa, you bastards,” it would appear that I wasn’t involved.

But doing that from the start is too transparent. Besides, everything is connected. So I decided to think of a new approach.

From the beginning, I don’t care about racial discrimination policies.

I wouldn’t shed a tear and could ignore it if any number of Black people died, as long as Koreans weren’t dying.

But from the Rome Treaty Organization’s perspective, this is a headache that erupted in a situation entangled with decolonization.

I need to approach this carefully.

“No. Grant independence but leave nothing behind. The Rome Treaty Organization should help reorganize South Africa with measures like encouraging migration, since Black people have gained independence.”

This is better. Seriously, in the future, South Africa’s public safety deteriorates, murders of White farmers become frequent, and it’s generally not good.

Let’s solve that problem while we’re at it.

“Still, independence is a bit…”

Oh my, I’m telling you independence would be better here.

I’m not thoughtlessly advocating for unconditional independence.