Chapter 18 – Blade runner
The account of how the little principality managed to outwit a French plot to re-annex it captured the imagination of the public as the news spread swiftly across Europe. The French government emerged from the event with its credibility and integrity in tatters. Prussia and Austria, now disabused of their belief that the fall of the kingdom was imminent, moved swiftly to re-establish political ties with Montuga. Within Montuga, the king’s decision to overlook the role of the Montugan republican plotters was a received by his subjects as a popular and most welcome gesture of goodwill.
The king exploited this wave of goodwill by publishing an edict which warned that any future such acts of treason by Montugan subjects would henceforth be punishable by death. The edict, which might have sparked a fresh wave of protests a few months earlier, drew little or no reaction. This was also attributable to the fact that the failed plot had dealt the republican cause in Montuga a severe body blow.
By contrast, the success of the palace’s military response to the plot served to pour cold water on any rumours that the Montugan monarchy was on the verge of collapse. It had become obvious that Montuga now had an unofficial navy which, together with the newly installed artillery positions in Montuga, put an end to the notion that Montuga was vulnerable to being raided from the sea. Montuga was now in a position to defend itself from small to medium naval attacks. Of course, Montuga still remained vulnerable to any large naval invasion by the French. The only difference was that any such invasion would now be required to include the bulk of the French Mediterranean fleet if its success was to be assured.
A few days after the coup, France requested a meeting in Paris to discuss the return of its frigates and its soldiers. The king refused to agree to Paris as a venue on the grounds that France could not be trusted to ensure the safety of the Montugan delegates.
The meeting was ultimately held in the neutral venue of Geneva. Jason and Duke Le Riche represented Montuga. France was represented by a delegation of three led by Augustine Robespierre, the older brother of the revolutionary leader Maximilien Robespierre. The two delegations were seated opposite each other at a large conference table in the town hall. After a round of less than affable introductions had been concluded, Robespierre immediately turned to the matters at hand.
‘France requires the release of all its captured soldiers and sailors in accordance with the principles of international law governing prisoners of war.’
‘Montuga’s position is that the principles applicable to prisoners of war do not apply to these fighters,’ Jason replied.
‘That is outrageous. Explain yourself!’ Robespierre’s tone was indignant.
‘At the time of the capture of the French soldiers, no declared or actual state of war existed between our two countries. You will no doubt appreciate that one cannot have prisoners of a non-existent war.’ Jason knew that Robespierre was hardly about to contradict him by admitting that the French government had deliberately authorised an act of war against Montuga in flagrant violation of the terms of the treaty of Montuga. It amused him to watch Robespierre’s anxious expression as he as he tried to find a way out of the predicament in which the French delegation now found itself. Not wishing to afford his opponent any respite, Jason continued.
‘Since the soldiers were involved either in an act of piracy or in an illegal coup d’état, our Government is entitled to treat these men as common criminals. They will all face imminent execution.’ The expression of horror on Robespierre’s face was also reflected in the faces of his two compatriots.
‘I require a few moments to discuss the issues you have raised with my colleagues,’ Robespierre said after several moments had past.
‘Take all the time you need,’ Jason responded politely.
The meeting was adjourned as the French delegation left the room. They returned to their seats after ten minutes.
‘Gentlemen, I do not have any authority to admit any involvement of the French government in this matter. But it is surely not unreasonable to presume that these soldiers may be able to show that they were acting under orders from their government.’
‘I fully appreciate your reluctance to make a formal concession along the lines you are alluding to, Monsieur Robespierre. France can hardly admit to violating the Treaty of Montuga, not to mention international law, by colluding with Montugan citizens in order to overthrow the Montugan king. And as for your suggestion, Monsieur, that the French government ordered the invasion to support the alleged suppression of Republican protestors, we know that this is not true. The whole event was staged from within Montuga by Montugan republicans. On the same day their protest started, they sent a message to three French ships located in Nice requesting their assistance. They claimed that the Republicans were being oppressed by the king and that protestors had been shot. Of course, the whole event ended on the same day it started. This was after it was revealed that the claims of violence against the protestors were simply lies intended to justify a French invasion. It is easily demonstrated, therefore, that it was completely impossible for the French fleet to have acted on orders from Paris. Such orders would have taken days. The French fleet sailed within ninety minutes of the alleged violent clampdown on the republican protestors by the king. The whole event was over in less than five hours. So, it remains that the people we are discussing are common criminals who will shortly face execution. We will not entertain negotiations about your soldiers on any other basis.’
‘If you execute these soldiers, it will be seen as an act of war against France,’ Robespierre declared emphatically.
‘Monsieur, if France officially denies that they ordered this attack on Montuga, as indeed it does, then the only remaining conclusion is that the French troops involved were engaged in an illegal frolic of their own. They are thus enemies of Montuga. In accordance with the treaty, France cannot ask for the return of these men, since if it did, France would then be harbouring enemies of Montuga, in clear breach of the treaty. The only option open to France is joint condemnation of this outrage and, in addition, full support of the death sentences of these pirates.’ Jason paused. ‘On the other hand, if France was behind this attack, then this can only mean that France has in fact rejected the treaty and that France was in fact seeking a pretext to invade Montuga. If this is the case, then even if France views the execution of its prisoners as an act of war, it would change nothing, since France would be exposing itself as an aggressor seeking to wage an unjustified war with Montuga in breach of the treaty and international law.’
‘Let us leave the soldiers to one side for now,’ Robespierre suggested. ‘My government seeks the return of its frigates. It is indisputable that these vessels are the property of the French navy.’
‘Unfortunately, a new edict recently promulgated by the king provides for the confiscation of any property utilised in any criminal act. This includes piracy. The ships have been confiscated in terms of this law, and they can no longer be regarded as French property. Given that France cannot admit any involvement in may have had in regard to the raid, the only other option open to France is to concede the piracy and consent to forfeiture of the vessels.’
‘If this is the case, then we have nothing to talk about since you have clearly come to these talks with empty hands,’ Robespierre announced and rose to leave, followed by his colleagues.
‘Not so fast, Monsieur,’ Jason intervened. ‘If you return to France without the ships and without your men, these talks will be viewed by your countrymen as a humiliating failure. Would it not be preferable to hear whether we might be willing to agree to the release of your soldiers subject to certain conditions which France might well be able to live with?’ Jason thought he detected a slight expression of relief on Robespierre’s face.
The latter’s attempt to hide his relief behind a poker face was belated.
‘What is it that you want?’ he asked sullenly without sitting down.
‘Not much. Do sit down.?
?? After the Frenchmen were seated Jason continued. ‘The removal of the restriction contained in the treaty limiting the size of the royal guard in addition to the removal of the restriction preventing Montuga from having a navy. These two conditions should only present a difficulty if France intends to persist with plans to invade Montuga.’
‘Anything else?’
‘France must formally agree to the seizure of its three frigates. France must also pay compensation for all Montugan owned property situated in France which was confiscated or damaged during the revolution. That is only fair. I present you with a short list which includes two properties owned by the Garibaldi family.’ Jason slipped a piece of paper across the table to Robespierre.