Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 824: Referendum

Several weeks had passed, and by the time the Russian and Alaskan delegations met in Hanseong, Cuba had already fallen into the hands of the Central Powers.

The day felt like it was the longest that Ernest Gruening had ever endured. And it started off poorly.

Tsar Alexei showed up to the meeting dressed in full imperial regalia, surrounded by generals and admirals of his nation’s military forces.

Meanwhile, Ernest showed up with himself, J.P. Williams and a handful of civil servants that worked around his office.

The sheer disparity between the two negotiating parties was enough to make the Korean emperor uncomfortable.

After the end of the German-Japanese war nearly a decade prior, Korea had its independence returned to it, and with it the Joseon Dynasty once more found themselves seated upon the thrones.

For the most part, the nation had minded its own business, staying out of the Second World War entirely, and focusing on rebuilding itself into a modern, industrial, and maritime merchant power.

This made the Korean Empire the best place to mediate a dispute on this side of the world. And while the Korean Emperor had handled several local and small-scale diplomatic summits over the last decade.

He now suddenly felt he was out of his depth as a mediator. Luckily for him, his role was entirely symbolic, as Alexei pressed a folder forward and made his demands clear to the Alaskan delegation.

“Total surrender, and annexation. Without another shot fired… That is what I ask of you and your lands.”

J.P. Williams bristled at the news, and was just about to protest when Ernest raised his hands, and spoke softly, but solemnly.

“Do be aware… If the United States re-emerges from its ongoing constitutional crisis, any agreement we make with you will be null and void, as the Territory of Alaska does not possess the legal autonomy or sovereignty to sign such a peace agreement….”

Zhukov smirked as he looked over at the Tsar who himself nodded silently. He motioned for his aides to bring in a projector, where a film reel was played displaying the ongoing civil war within the streets of Mainland America.

A dozen banners had risen in place of the stars and stripes. Frist there were regional coalitions declaring themselves the true America. Then states, and even counties, dared to declare themselves independent nations.

When Ernest and his delegation saw the sights of American flags being raised, government officials being publicly executed by armed militias, and new, alien flags being raised over state capitals, and county seats they stared in both awe and dismay at what they were witnessing.

Tanks rolled through the streets, taken out by IEDs, and panzerfausts. Aircraft bombed city sectors into oblivion, while American fighters fought one another with makeshift roundels painted on their fuselages and wings that were often indiscernible from those of their adversaries.

All the while Ernest and his people continued to gaze on in horror. Completely unaware of just how bad the situation had become in the mainland.

An awkward silence had overcome the room as the footage came to an end, and the Korean emperor glanced between the two parties.

The man was practically sweating as he had no idea how bad the situation was on the other side of the Pacific. He knew only that trade had completely halted in recent months.

Now he understood why, and yet he could not say anything, as he knew it would be improper.

Finally, Alexei broke the silence as he handed another folder to Ernest, this one not a treaty to be signed but a script. One that he was expected to follow.

“Since the United States has all but collapsed on itself, with your President’s authority only being recognized in the northeastern States, and a dozen other regions have declared their independence. We wish for you to make a public statement to the world declaring Alaska an independent and sovereign republic.”

J.P. Williams looked at Alexei as if the man were absolutely brilliant, fully expecting where this was headed. While Ernest couldn’t quite understand, and was forced to ask for clarification.

“I’m sorry… but Alaska is already occupied by your forces, what would declaring ourselves independent do for you?”

Alexei rolled his eyes at the Governor’s lack of knowledge regarding international diplomacy and treatise.

But, he tried to rein in his disdain when he spoke. Educated the man in the reasoning behind his plans as he did so.

“Because the rest of the world doesn’t know that you are currently occupied by my armed forces. They think Alaska is just sitting nice and dandy up north with no worries other than how they will feed themselves tomorrow. The moment you declare independence, you become a sovereign actor on the world stage with only other splinter states having some unenforceable claim… And then….”

Alexei deliberately left his words lingering as if he were trying to lead Ernest to the answer. But the man just looked even more confused as he tried to verbally think his way through the exchange.

“And then….?”

A great sigh escaped Alexei’s lips as he leaned back in his chair like a parent disappointed with their child who failed to understand a thorough lecture on something that was otherwise simple.

Zhukov was quick to interject and state the answer outright to save them all some time and trouble.

“And then you hold a referendum, which will be a majority-favor decision to join the Russian Empire, and accept annexation… If this happens, Roosevelt, or whoever succeeds him can claim Alaska as their territory all they want. But their claim will be no more valid than your referendum…..”

J.P. Williams shot a glance over at Ernest who finally understood just how deep a grave lay in wait for him and Alaska.

The two men sat in silence along with the civil servants who attended them as an ad hoc diplomatic delegation. As if silently contemplating how they had managed to end up in such a bizarre state of events.