Paris Temps

[Borys]

The Austrian observer, Piotrek Taniocha, perked up his ears:
- WTF? Are the Frogs planning same sort of rippoff like those greaseball Colombians? - flashed through his mind

[Korpen]

Well, a Dutch deligation will be pressent.
And if use of Suez turns out to be expensive, the Dutch government might start impose tariffs in our own "canals" to compensate (suppression of piracy is expensive, and ships need pilots so thay do not end up in un-charted sandbanks and minefields).

But we hope it will not come to that, free trade is a corner stone of Dutch foreign policy.

[The Rock Doctor]

"Here I thought matters of a more substantial nature would be discussed", Vincenzo de Soto remarked to Jose Madoz, as the two Gran Colombian shipping magnates watched their peers talk amongst themselves.

"Yes, it seems that the French are merely planning to ape our own canal practices", Madoz replied.  "Why is Herr Taniocha glaring at us like that?"

"Perhaps he is dissatisfied with French cuisine", de Soto suggested.  "Personally, I am of the opinion that we can decline to negotiate transit rights.  Access through Suez only offers an advantage to shipping bound to or from eastern Africa and southwest Asia, where we have minimal business interests."

"I have seen it suggested that Nestor Corporation is contemplating acquiring tea interests in India", Madoz noted.  "A portion of their market is in Europe; access could be useful to him.  I would note, also, that the alternate route to Asia is festooned with Swiss, who tend to be embroiled in war more often than not.  A quieter alternative in case of war may prove beneficial."

"Conceded", de Soto said.  "However, from a political standpoint, the Swiss are less unsavory than the French."

"Touche."  Madoz observed the expectant looks upon the Frenchmen's faces.  "Shall we consider a proposal over champagne and canapes?"

"Very well, and then we can consider whether the French shall even entertain it."

[P3D]

March 07, 1906

Economic and Business section

The Compagnie du Grand Canal Americain S.A., Paris neither denied nor confirmed the  rumors that it is considering to invite investors from a yet undisclosed foreign country. Stocks for the company rose 8 Franc 96 centimes from 783.12 at yesterday's closing.

[maddox]

Le Monde  19 march 1906

" France back to the Dark ages?
Unconfirmed reports do give us, the redaction of Le Monde, all reasons to believe that premier Paixhans is willing to reinstitute slavery, if it furthers the prosperity of France.

The reason. Lack of manpower at the Great Canal. The means, lack of moral of politicians in france and the orange Republic. More information on page 5

"

[Carthaginian]

*Democratic Party Headquarters - Atlanta, Georgia, C.S.A.*

"Roger... hey, ROG! Get your flabby backside in here!"

"David, what is all the hollerin' about? The Republicans can hear you slam over in New Orleans!"

*David hands Roger the copy of Le Monde he got out of the mailbag*

"Well, sakes alive. Had this happened 10 years ago, we coulda made ourselves a tidy profit... AND kept Atlanta from gettin' quite so 'dark.' They've started movin' as far in as Druid Hills... can you BELIEVE that. A whole family of 'em, right up to the grandparents." Roger makes no attempt to hide his disgust.

"Well," David says "what if we make it where we could make a profit off of it NOW..."

"Now David, you know we ain't never gonna be able to re-institute slavery. Hell, keepin' them out of our streetcars is gettin' well nigh impossible these days. Pretty soon, we gonna have ourselves a real, live Darkey right here in these offices, tryin' to get a job sweepin' floor or cleaning the toilets! Probably be spyin' for the Republicans, too... or maybe even the damnable Socialists." This thought sends a genuine shiver of fear down Roger's spine.

David finishes his thought, unruffled by the apparently normal interruption: "by creating a company to work FOR the French on the Canal, hiring every last bloody damn Picknanny we can get to scratch his mark on paper. We'll ship 'em to the Frogs, and they'll work 'em to death down there. If fallin' rocks or dynamite don't do 'em in, then the fever or Malaria will!" David apparently thinks this idea a stroke of genius.

"So... how exactly you plannin' on getting that done, David?" Roger finally asks.

"I ain't quite sure ye, Rog... but I think we can figure somethin' out..."

[Phoenix]

Prince Pu Lun and Admiral Gean boarded the train back to Vienna together. "Better to be seen together and let everybody think what they want," smiled the Prince.
"What did you think of the presentation ? And what do you think of the situation ?" the Admiral asked quietly, as they settled into their coupé.
"Quaint. To use the moving images for propaganda is a good idea. I shall report that to my Empress. Because it certainly had a peculiar effect on those present watching it. I think the sight of a crowd engrossed in rapt attention at something being communicated might please our Government."
The Admiral chuckled. Then, hesitantly: "But the new tariffs... did you really negotiate something ?"
"I met with the résponsable. I guess you should have been there." It was his turn to chuckle, which surprised the Frenchman who knew the Prince to usually not show emotions in public. "I told him why bother ? Chinese merchants rarely venture that far, we prefer to stick close to home. If a merchant junk would grace the Suez Canal with its presence the officers should be so astonished with this clear sign of Celestial Favour they would be grovelling instead of taking cash."
The Admiral guffawed. "Oh yes, to have been a fly on the wall and witness his reaction !"
"His was... interesting. I almost thought a funeral was in order. I really didn't think a man could turn so many colours and live to tell."
They both smiled and sat in silence for a while. Then the Admiral couldn't contain his curiosity anymore: "And how was your meeting with Minister Capet ?"
The Prince smiled broadly: "I find him intriguing. His position is rather unique, given his illustrious ancestors and the way your -his- people treated them. But the situation is not unknown to the Middle Kingdom."
"Oh ?"
"Oh yes, the history books speak of several such occurrences. When a dynasty falls its members, if any survive, live in infamy at first yet can acquire respectable status again. It has happened in the far past. To see it happen here in France... intriguing. Especially so because there is no new dynasty which follows. You have rulers who reign only for a few years. Would your people not tire of that and demand the stability of a sovereign monarch again ?"
"They have. And grew tired of the sovereign monarch again."
The Prince stared at the Admiral with something of disbelief. "They have ?"
It was Geon's turn to beam a broad smile at his fellow traveller: "Actually, the monarch himself didn't want to."
He noticed with satisfaction that this one time his friend -yes, he had to admit it- his friend was struck utterly, completely and totally dumbfounded. Oh what joy. "The man the people chose didn't see it their way. He wanted to reform the whole country and then stop there. Napoleon didn't want to go further than "Impérateur": a temporary ruler in a time of crisis who would abdicate when the situation has gone back to normal. The people didn't believe him at first. Didn't want to. But he was stubborn and claimed a soldier had no business ruling a country." Admiral Geon grinned at that. "I happen to concur."
"Yet," Pu Lun sighed, "why ?"
"Ruling is bad when you're tied hands and feet to a mob of politicians who seek to placate the people and fill their pockets at the same time. A general is used to not be contradicted when he gives an order. Napoleon learned about rule by committee the hard way."
"And what is Capet's opinion do you think ?"
Now it was Admiral Geon who sighed. "He's in a difficult position, as we say it: between hammer and anvil. All he can do if he wants to reign is woo the people, but never hope for a crown."
At that the Prince smiled. "I think that is why I feel he and I are kindred spirits."

[maddox]

Paris Parliament  16 april 1906

Premier Paixhans having the word

Gentlemen, France is regaining her feet again. But now, the rest of the world is looking at us as if France is weakened. I assure you, we aren't, YET.  But if we don't pick up the pace we set in the past in militiary issues, we will be overrun.  And sooner than we even think about it.
The last years most of our military budget was funneled off to the El Dorado project, at the utter insistence of premier Palpaté. That has proven a disaster.  To assure the world of our purpose, our continued excistence we need to give the military the budget they need.

But money alone can't buy more people. Our armies are already siphoning manpower off our industrial and agricultural possibilities. The thing we need is a stronger fleet, more modern, more capable. More hulls in the water, and most important a better way to put our troops where they are needed. Le Magnificent did a great job by ferrying troops  to Brazil and back, but she's only a single ship, and very expensive to operate.

I urge you to accept the naval and arial build up bill. So Glorious France can continue the European Peace and bring the same peace to the whole world.

[Carthaginian]

*add in the morning edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch*

      LABORERS NEEDED!!!
                  EXCELLENT PAY

The newly founded 'Overseas Venturers Cooperation' is looking
       for braves souls to enlist for work on the Grand Canal
                      12-14 hour days, 6 days a week
$1.75 per hour for unskilled labor, $2.00 for experienced hands.

Respond at our office on Semmes St., 2 miles from Forrest Park

[maddox]

7 July 1906

Paris, Premier Paixhans offices

Ah, Admiral Geon, pleased to meet you after al this time.
You asked for this meeting. I'm curious, why?

Simple Premier. I want more control over what the navy orders at the chantiers. In effect, I want total control. I'm tired of the eternal struggles in parliament, the jabbering about Glorious France, the bigger and bigger ships. You and I know we need hulls in the water, not drawings of monsters.
I'll accept Napoleon the Great as my flag ship. I even accept that monster now starting. But that won't be a 4 ship class. That will be the last of the monstrosities.

Aren't you a bit out of line ADMIRAL! The political and money side of the Marine national is not of your concern, We, the governement do that for you. Your concern is to project and maintain the naval power of France, and if we see that this requires bigger ships, or even larger guns, you'll work with those.

Premier Paixhans. We cannot project the power of France with 3 or even 6 monsterships that will attract the attention of all.The only result will that the others will follow and build equaly or even larger ships.
The end result will be that everybody will have 2 or 3 really Big battleships, and equaly large cruisers. but France that is spending to much of the resources trying to trumph that.
I have aquired a design from a young designer. I believe you talked to him 2 years ago. I asked some engineers working on the Amble class cruisers to look at the idea, and they changed the idea a bit to give the ship a huge puch.
I want at least 4 of these ships before 1910. I'll leave the plans with you to looking into.
Who do you think you are?  Admiral Geon, or the convicted traitor? But I aknowledge your experience and capabilities. I will look into the situation. But you are grossly out of line with this . I could let trow you out.

Premier Paixhans, we both know why I served in the mines. Not because I was a traitor. But because a powerhungry religious maniak held the power and betrayed France herself. And I want to avoid that betrayal. Even if I have to hurt your feelings, or worse. I serve France, as do you. But my goals are entirely different it seems. You want Bigger, larger, heavier, more impressive, more intimidating.  Remember what happens when a bear is attacked by a wolf pack.
Also, I'm still not happy with the stunt in the Gibraltar strait.

I believe it's better you go now. You made your point clear, Admiral.  I'll look into those plans.

[maddox]

Paris, offices of Premier Paixhans

Bonjour Minister Capet.  At last finished with the letter to Spain?

Yes premier.

Would you like to read it?

Yes, of course.

To Emperor Carlos of the Iberian Empire,

From the offices of Minister Capet

"Honorable Emperor Carlos,

As minister of Foreign Affaires of Glorious France I feel that a futher Explanation on the Fleet Transfers ,and the Pas de Calais issue.

As your correspondence does have a hard ringing truth to it, France has to point out that the Pas de Calais never was closed off, nor any ship harrased, nor payments asked on the transfer trough this important trade channel.
Unless Your Highness, our your Highness's advicers sees the traditional revenue and customs services in the French coastal waters as piracy.

The Official French view on the UK proposal is that a pilot service is sourly needed, or at least a way and means to regulate the trafffic. The Channel crossing Ferries between France and the UK are running a gauntlet with the ever increasing volume of trafic and increasin speed of steemships, with warships in particular. It is the view of many that the current situation will end up in great loss of lifes, when , not if, a channel ferry and another vessel collide.
The UK frugiality asking for a user payed service was initaly a good plan, but as Your Highness and other heads of state point out, it seems that this initaly good idea was communicated wrongly, interpreted strongly and now is harvesting very sour grapes. UK and French diplomats are working out this potential wrinkle in the ongoing civilisation of our world.

The Fleet transfer, again as your Highness points out ,will go trough the narrow strait of Gibraltar, as it was done during the last decenia. It was as always one of the main French Fleet excersises , and only the current publicity around this gives this whole situation a more grim look as it ever was.

Minister Capet, on behalf of Glorious France

[maddox]

10 August 1906

Paris, Premier Paixhans office.

Premier Paixhans, monsieur ingénieur Gouvique is here. Could you care to see him now?

Yes Desiré, send him in, and get us a nice cup of coffee.

Welcome Ingénieur Gouvique, please be seated

Thank you premier Paixhans, for this meeting about the Grande Canal. I have a lot to explain , but a man like you is already briefed I assume.

Monsieur Gouviqeu, I learned that the ideas from a man grow and get better when the man himself explains the idea in total. I have the time, so please tell me.

Yes premier. The first thing I have in mind, with the experience on the canal, is to change over the railroad tracks. Now we use the gauge Français.  But this limits the capacity of the transported debries. We use the biggest digging machines in the world, we use the most advanced steamshovels man has deviced. But we still are using basic minecars and flatbed cars to transport the debries. When I visited the UK lately, I noticed the big railgauge they use 7 feet. After inquiring, if we replace all the Gauge Français tracks on the Canal, we can double or even trebble the amount of transported debries. With the added benefit that the  coal for the pumping station and concrete for the locks get up faster. Pulling up the cars empty or full, the coal is used.

Ah, interesting point of view. I do agree on the transport issue. I'll forward that part of your Grand Canal plan to the board, your promotor is seating in that one. But I do have questions of my own. Interestingly enough about coal too.
The Great Canal is a huge undertaking, and only thanks to the power of modern enginering we can level mountains, reshape rivers, but those modern marvels eat coal, 100's of tons each periode, each part of the canal. And after when it is finished the pumping stations will demand coal continiously. We tried to get a deal with Gran Colombia to deliver coal, but it didn't go to well. It seems they don't like the idea of a competing canal, to use an understatement. Any recomendations in that respect? 

I do think I have a few idea's. But that they can work is another matter. The area is geologicaly active. If we can find a groundwater lake deep enough hot enough, we can take the steam from that. But meddling with forces that big is not done yet. I suggest that you, premier get a group of geologists on that.
We can't use hydro-electrical power, the rivers there aren't big enough, that's the reason for the pumping stations. Getting enough water in the central lake to operate the locks. A bit of electricity is recovered by the use of small turbines in the culverts. But that's only good enough to operate the lock.
Another power source would be handy. A potential  invention is the solar mirror. The first tests are promising, a large parabolic mirror reflects the sun to a boiler in the focus, a 2 hp steam engine then drives a printing press. But this technology is still in its infancy.
No, a reliable and nearby source of coal would be handy.

And what about manpower?

Premier, that is ridiculous. It would take 100 000's of men, toiling around the clock. Just the logistic nightmare to keep 'm fed, payed and happy is prohibitive. Also, even with the CSA and the UKA pitching in now the Russians don't deliver manpower anymore, we can barely provide the manpower needed to operate and maintain the machines.

But, if the logistics on food and lodging are solved, in theory it is possible to dig the canal with manpower?

Yes , but it will be a bloodbath. You cannot put the population of Paris in that hellhole without getting the plague.

..............................
to be continued

[P3D]

Taking 500,000 coulies to America would take at least a year, depending on the availability of troop transport ships.

[Korpen]

Taking 500,000 coulies to America would take at least a year, depending on the availability of troop transport ships.

Troops transports? Why not stuff them into merchantmen? (ok some will die in transit, but i get a feeling that is not a major concern).

[P3D]

You cannot justr shove them into merchant ships without any facilities to handle human cargo, for a two0-month-long voyage. Canton-Panama 53 days with 10 knots.
And by looking at how crammed troopships were (sleeping is shifts etc), you cannot just board another 10% more just to get them across, and quick.