Chapter 210 Busy Whitehall
In fact, Persick Lawrence himself wants to return to his hometown very much now, and it is all because curiosity killed the cat.
Because the local newspapers were guided by some inexplicable reasons, the negative news about British India suddenly increased. This made Persick Lawrence, the Minister of Indian Affairs, also have a certain degree of curiosity.
So last week, Persik Lawrence, who couldn't hold back his curiosity, definitely went to the Ganges. After that, I had an intuitive impression of the British India that I managed in name.
The Minister of Indian Affairs chose a festival and came to the Ganges River. He was deeply impressed by the crowds of people he saw. The dirty river and the mountain of meat bathed in it shocked the honorable Minister of Indian Affairs.
There are many people lying directly by the river, those old people, they come to wait to die, firstly because they have no money to stay in the hotel, and secondly because according to the custom here, as long as they die on the bank of the Ganges, they can scatter their ashes into the Ganges. river.
And if they die on the way after leaving, they will have no fate with the Ganges, so they will not leave here no matter what, they eat and live on the shore every day, just waiting for death to come!
The integrated river bank was stinky, and dense human excrement could be seen in the eyes, which complemented the Indians in the muddy river water. Countless black people were all soaked in the river water, and some people could be seen shivering from the cold.
The men are shirtless and only wear a pair of shorts. They can be of any age, mainly the elderly, very fat or thin, and rarely in between. Women are all wearing saris, only middle-aged and elderly people dive into the water with their gray hair entangled with gauze scarves, drink two sips and come out again. No one smiled, and no one was seen talking. Everyone was soaking and drinking in silence.
Some people dipped their bodies in the Ganges River, scooped up the river water respectfully, and then poured the water over their heads, and some people rinsed their mouths with the Ganges River water. The key point is that there are still people on the bank defecating in broad daylight. .
Clutching his buttocks with his hands, he was doing indescribable behavior. As for the bonfire farther away, Persick Lawrence found out after inquiring that it was a cremation.
The burning continued, and the stench was overwhelming, made even more suffocating by spoonfuls of spiced grease.
The experience this time left a deep impression on the Minister of Indian Affairs, Persick Lawrence, to the British India under his management. Now he just wants to go back to China and does not want to continue to make false acts of being friendly to the people in British India. .
Sir Barron certainly knew about the changes before and after, because Persick Lawrence wanted to satisfy his curiosity and had never been to India, so it was natural for someone to arrange where to observe Indian customs. The person who arranged this,
Sir Barron, of course, who had been working in British India.
Now British India is not worth a penny in the eyes of the Minister of Indian Affairs. Just at this time to send a political achievement, so that Persick Lawrence can return to China with satisfaction, the timing is just right.
Of course, this political achievement must be confirmed. The specific matters are of course the responsibility of the person concerned. Alan Wilson is operating this matter in Hyderabad, but he is too busy.
During the day, he had to deal with the representatives of the major states and put forward various hypotheses and solutions. At night, he had to comfort Vivien Leigh who had crossed the ocean and came to British India alone to serve the empire.
The latter is not an easy job. These days, Vivien Leigh has used insecurity as an excuse to make him not very happy. Vivien Leigh simply compensated from other aspects, so that Alan Wilson, who has been relatively angry recently, regained his calm and enjoyed the services of an international actress.
"When will the matter of the British Indian Film Association be settled? You have to admit it. My husband has never received so much." Vivien Leigh blowing the pillow with a look of resentment, "You are a civil servant of the empire, and you must keep your word .”
"Vivienne, look at what you said. How can I be willing to make you wronged." Alan Wilson seemed to be filled with righteous indignation by Vivien Leigh's words, patted his chest and said, "When the matter is finished, the British-Indian Film Actors Association will be established Life, I will never lie to you, I will try my best to do what you want."
Alan Wilson may not be greedy for money, but he will not renege on women. Many people can prove this, except for Margaret, who may not have time to make up for it, he is very good to women.
Even if he is the future prime minister, he will find an opportunity to make amends. As a man, this is what he must do.
At this time in London, at the meeting of cabinet secretaries, Alan Wilson was being discussed. That complicated and chaotic telegram involved various aspects of the two major religions of British Ceylon, Nepal, Andaman Islands, and British India. Analysis, and the telegram of the state attitude.
There is only one spearhead, the National Congress Party, the largest force supporting independence. In front of the National Congress Party, even the Muslim League, which also supports independence, can temporarily unite.
"This plan needs to be sorted out, it's too messy." Edward Bridges said to Alexander Cadogan, secretary of the Foreign Ministry, with an indifferent look, "Alexander, first of all congratulations on your possible appointment as the representative of the British Empire to the United Nations, But before that, I might want you to do one thing."
"Sir Edward, please give me your instructions." Alexander Cadogan immediately showed respect when he heard this, "Is this a matter of British India? Although I am the permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have no jurisdiction over the Ministry of Indian Affairs."
"Let's put the matter of British India aside. I'm talking about Australia and New Zealand." Edward Bridges corrected him calmly, "I believe you should understand the importance of Australia and New Zealand to the mainland. Of course, now that the two autonomous dominions want to be independent, it is not easy for us to object, but how to maintain our influence over the two autonomous dominions is still a very, very important thing.”
After the First World War, the power of the United Kingdom weakened and the centrifugal force of the Dominion strengthened. The London Imperial Conference passed a series of resolutions, known as the "Balfour Declaration", declaring that the United Kingdom and the Dominions are self-governing communities within the British Empire and have equal status. , independent of each other in all respects of their domestic and foreign affairs, allegiance to the Crown, and members of a voluntary association in the Commonwealth of Nations.
Australia and New Zealand are already de facto independent states, but not yet sovereign states. The Foreign Office of the British Empire is currently dealing with this matter, how to maintain influence over the two dominions before the two countries become sovereign independent states.
"Alexander, now your minister has accepted that the new imperial defense plan is to withdraw from British India. Now how do we maintain our influence in Asia? Allen's telegram looks chaotic, but one thing is very correct It is a one-line connection, from Gibraltar, to the Suez Canal, the Middle East, Ceylon, and finally to Malaya.”
"The importance of the easternmost part of the empire, British Malaya, has been made clear by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. Personally, I think once our colonies in Asia disappear, it will be a matter of time before we lose our influence on Australia and New Zealand , if British Malaya can retain its influence over the two dominions that will become sovereign states, it will always exist.”
"The most important thing is that Australia and New Zealand can see us at any time!" Alexander Cadogan replied.
"Very good!" Edward Bridges nodded in satisfaction, "Now the participating countries of the Brussels Conference are working together for this goal. Then your next job in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to get Australia and New Zealand to accept this to make them understand that the presence of the British Empire in Asia is a protection for two marginal countries."
Seeing Alexander Cadogan nodding, Edward Bridges emphasized emphatically, "I believe Australia and New Zealand will not fight, embarrassing Your Majesty."
Edward Bridges mentioned Australia and New Zealand, but he didn't think about whether British India would fight if it was divided.
Even for cabinet secretaries, it is still too difficult to predict the future. After the Partition of British India, India and Pakistan went to war over Kashmir. The status of the reigning King of England at that time was very embarrassing.
This time, the supreme commander of the Indian and Pakistani armies is the King of England, and the soldiers of both armies are loyal to His Majesty. Therefore, both sides in this war can be said to be fighting for the British Empire. Therefore, the identity of the King of England overlapped, and there was an embarrassing situation where he declared war on himself.
Before Alexander Cadogan set off, Edward Bridges received telegrams from New Delhi one after another. The telegrams stated that the cabinet ministers had completed their tasks, listened to the voices of all walks of life in British India, and were about to return. London.
In another telegram, another matter was indicated. Some sovereigns tried to transfer their wealth under their names. The Minister of Indian Affairs, Persick Lawrence, had agreed to this request.
And in secret, in the name of the Minister of Indian Affairs, signed memorandums with the monarchs of these states.
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This shows that the United Kingdom is willing to help these native states and transfer their legal wealth to the United Kingdom.
Edward Bridges read the telegram and said to himself, "Now the Prime Minister who worries about money every day should be happier."
"This is really good news." Alexander Cadogan also breathed a sigh of relief, "Once the politicians get a sense of satisfaction, maybe some things will be reduced. It would be great if my minister could settle down a little bit."
"It's your job to keep ministers happy. But the Labor Party has been in opposition for a long time, and it's really overexerted now." Edward Bridges, "What a headache for politicians."
"Yes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is now very concerned about various things, full of whimsy." Alexander Cadogan complained bitterly.
"A lot of ideas?" Edward Bridges thought for a while, "How about suggesting that he visit the Soviet Union?"