In Guards We Trust Read online

  ***

  The usher announced the prompt arrival of the Russian ambassador at Court at eleven. The king received him in the Chamber of Knights. After the opening pleasantries had been concluded the King wasted no time in disclosing the reason for the meeting.

  ‘Your excellency is of course aware that France has now declared itself a republic.’

  ‘Of course,’ the Russian replied curtly.

  ‘It will no doubt have occurred to your government that France may breach its treaty with Montuga and that it may attempt to reclaim this principality.

  ‘My government is aware this may happen.’

  ‘You will also be aware that Spain has one or twice in the past acted in the style of a guarantor of Montuga’s security. That Spain has applied pressure on France to adhere to the Treaty of Montuga. This changed yesterday when Spain withdrew its ambassador from Montuga’.

  ‘This I know. I have sent despatch to St Petersburg.’ As always, Alexander Topov’s demeanour had more in common with the Russian winter than anything else. Previous attempts by the king to develop a more than simply cordial relationship with the Russian had not been rewarded with significant success. This had initially been of great concern to the king who prided himself on the good relationships he enjoyed with most foreign ambassadors. Montuga’s size dictated that the kingdom remain on a good footing with as many countries as possible. The king had subsequently learned from other sources that Topov had previously fancied himself as destined for appointment to the court of one of the major European powers. His appointment as an ambassador to this small principality had come as something of a rude awakening.

  ‘It is essential that I know where Russia will stand if France cancels its treaty with my kingdom and attempts to re-annex this territory. It would be appreciated, your excellency, if you might consider sending an appropriate dispatch to St Petersburg.’

  ‘Happily, your majesty, I find myself in position where I already know Russian government’s position.’ Topov’s demeanour underwent no change. The king doubted whether Topov’s understanding of the word ‘happily’ bore any resemblance to its more common meaning. ‘I can state with confidence that if scenario outlined were to transpire, Russia would note objection in strongest possible terms.’

  ‘Might I expect any other action?’

  ‘Yes. Russia would consider breaking diplomatic ties with France.’

  ‘Correct me if I am wrong, your excellency, but Russia presently has no ties with Republican France.

  ‘That is correct. But as your majesty knows, such things are subject to change.’

  ‘Might we expect any other form of support from your country?’

  ‘Unfortunately Russian government is not in position to provide undertakings which exceed what I have already revealed.’

  ‘I thank you for the support that your country is able to offer.’ Although this last statement was not intended to convey anything other than the king’s genuine gratitude, the ambassador’s eyes narrowed slightly. Uncharacteristically, he volunteered information not specifically requested.

  ‘Your majesty understands, I hope, that France is neighbour of Spain. France falls within area of influence of Spain. Russia on other hand finds itself on other side of Europe. I surely do not have to explain dangers and logistical problems involved in conduct of military campaign so far away from own country.’

  ‘Naturally, you may tell your government that my kingdom will be grateful for whatever support Russia is able to provide if the scenario we discussed should arise.’ The king then nodded politely in Topov’s direction and dismissed him by adding, ‘I thank you for your attendance at my court.’

  ‘Of course, and thank you your majesty.’

  As the Russian ambassador departed the king was left to consider the explanation he had been offered. The king smiled wryly to himself as he realised that Russia declined assistance because its location was too far from France whilst Spain’s reluctance to assist Montuga was premised upon precisely the opposite reason. The king decided that the solution lay in finding a country which was neither too far from France nor too near to it. In the words of the fairy tale, the distance had to be just right.

  Lord William Graveny was ushered into the chamber of knights at noon. On this occasion Duke Le Riche was once again present. Lord Graveny chose to open the meeting in an uncharacteristically dramatic style:

  ‘I presume the Russians offered your majesty nothing more than a formal protest and possibly the termination of diplomatic relations.’ He paused and added ‘and then only if such diplomatic relations exist of course.’

  ‘I am not in a position to comment.’ The king was more than a little surprised at the directness of the opening exchange. Whilst Graveny was certainly not one to beat about the bush, he usually participated enthusiastically in the customary pleasantries preceding serious diplomatic exchanges.

  ‘Your majesty must forgive my candour, but it is evident that your kingdom finds itself in a most uncertain position. I presume that purpose of this meeting is to see if Britain might be of assistance. Britain can offer no assistance in the absence of being fully cognisant of the attitudes of other powers towards Montuga. So I must repeat my question. Are my government’s assumptions about Russia’s position correct?’

  ‘They are.’

  ‘May I also presume, your majesty, that since Austria and Prussia are at war with France, you find yourself in a position where any approach to either of those countries, no matter how clandestine, risks discovery which may be seen as a declaration of war on France by Montuga?’

  ‘Correct. No Austrian or Prussian support has been sought...’ The king paused for water and continued: ‘In fact, it is with extreme reluctance that I sent a dispatch to both embassies this morning requesting the withdrawal of both of their ambassadors from Montuga until such time as those countries are no longer at war with France.’

  Lord Graveny’s raised eyebrows revealed that he was surprised by this revelation.

  ‘When you are the sovereign of a country as small as mine, your Excellency, you do whatever you think is necessary to avoid conflict. Montuga cannot afford the slightest suggestion that it is co-operating with France’s enemies. Terminating diplomatic relations sends a clear message to Paris that no avenues of co-operation between Montuga and any of France’s enemies exist.’ The king shrugged.

  ‘If I may be so bold, your majesty, Montuga is unlikely to avoid conflict with France by appeasing its government.’ The ambassador paused briefly before elaborating. ‘Your majesty is probably unaware that several French nobles have been permitted to enter Montuga via its border checkpoint in the mountain pass. It goes without saying that France considers these people as its enemies. I am convinced that it will not be long before France will accuse Montuga of sheltering them. France will demand their return.’ Graveny gazed intensely at the king as he spoke.

  ‘You should know, your excellency, that his majesty closed the border post at the Devil’s Orifice to everyone including the French nobility escaping from France some time ago,’ the duke intervened.

  ‘I am given to understand that this occurred only after a not insignificant number of French nobles were permitted to enter Montuga by that route.’ Graveny’s words were accompanied by a knowing smile.

  ‘We do not admit that any French nobles entered Montuga by that route or that Montuga harbours any refugees from France,’ the duke protested.

  ‘Of course you do not, your grace. However, I think you will find that France will accept it as fact that Montuga is harbouring French refugees. Their names are probably known to French officials. France will require their return. If they are handed over to the French, many of them will face the guillotine. On the other hand, if your majesty were to refuse their request, France will accuse Montuga of harbouring, or still worse, siding with the enemies of France. This will constitute a violation of the treaty and France will thereby establish a pretext to invade.’ Lord Graveny p
aused to study the king carefully. ‘Your majesty, I know what you are thinking. If you could find a way of warning the refugees now, their escape could be arranged on one of the many trading vessels in port.’

  The king allowed a guilty smile to slip. It was exactly what he was contemplating.

  ‘The problem with that, your majesty, is that France has many republican allies in Montuga. It will be simply impossible to alert the French fugitives without at least one republican getting wind of it. If that should happen, your majesty’s position would be infinitely worse. Montuga would be implicated in actively assisting the enemies of France. Your kingdom would face invasion and you, your majesty, would face the guillotine as an enemy of France.’

  The king knew that the ambassador was correct. He would be damned if he complied with any French demands for extradition and damned if he did not.

  ‘Now that the stakes are apparent, I suppose that this would be the appropriate juncture to reveal my government’s proposal,’ Lord Graveny declared.

  The King had little doubt that a high price was likely to be exacted for any assistance offered by the British.

  ‘Britain proposes to guarantee Montuga’s independence. The British fleet will require half of the berths in Monte Vista harbour in peace time. We require full control of the harbour, if necessary, in times of war with France. In addition, in peacetime the British navy must be able to swop its berthing rights with approved civil merchant ships. The profits from any such substitution of ships shall accrue to the British navy or to the party the royal navy permits to trade there. Finally, Britain will take cession of the treaty of Montuga. Montuga will become a principality of Britain and it will revert to Britain if the conditions in the treaty are applicable.’ Lord Graveny paused. ‘And your majesty need not be concerned should Britain permit the berths allocated to it to be used for trade. Any royal navy warships which are displaced will nonetheless remain in the bay to be available to repel any naval attack on Montuga,’ the ambassador explained smugly. ‘If I may say so, I consider this a most outstanding offer.’

  ‘It has not escaped my notice, your Excellency, that the proposal has major benefits for England,’ the king observed. ‘In addition to controlling the entrance to the Mediterranean at Gibraltar, England will now have a second European port within striking distance of one of its main rivals for naval superiority.’

  ‘This is so, your majesty. However, there has to be something in the proposed arrangement to render it worthwhile to my country.’

  The king turned to deal with another aspect of the proposal:

  ‘The mooring fees in the harbour are a necessary source of income for my government. We would lose half of that to Britain.’

  ‘Your majesty’s kingdom will have the guaranteed protection of the finest navy in the world. This protection is not without considerable value. The reduced revenue to your crown will, of course, require certain economies. The British government may even be open to taking over certain administrative functions which your government might no longer be able to handle.’

  The king had little doubt that the British would snatch at any opportunity to expand their influence in the kingdom by assisting with aspects of Montugan administration. He feared, however, that such assistance would be the thin edge of the wedge.

  ‘Your Excellency, all things considered, your government’s proposal is not without merit.’ As he spoke, the king observed Graveny’s left eyebrow lifting slightly. ‘Nonetheless, I shall have to decline it. Firstly, France would surely not suffer an English naval base in a French principality, and which is right on their doorstep. A protracted war with France would surely be inevitable, the outcome of which would be difficult to predict. Secondly, many of my subjects are of French origin. At present, I believe most of them are loyal to me rather than to republican France. But permitting British warships to occupy half of the harbour will probably drive many of them to side with republican France. It could lead to an insurgency campaign which France would be only too happy to support.’

  ‘France is already at war with Austria and Prussia. The British government doubts that the new republic can afford to add another adversary at a time when it needs to attend to bread and butter issues on its home front. It is accordingly not a foregone conclusion that the arrival of the British fleet in Monte Vista will necessarily result in a French declaration of war.’

  ‘France may not declare war immediately,’ the king agreed. ‘However, we both know that France will never tolerate a British naval presence on its threshold. War would be inevitable.’

  ‘In such an event, the British navy is certain that it would eventually prevail,’ proclaimed Lord Graveny. ‘The French have executed many of their experienced naval commanders. It will take years before the French navy is able to threaten the royal navy’.

  ‘Your excellency, the commanders the French executed will ultimately be replaced. The French navy will become stronger and a prolonged war will follow. My subjects may end up paying a high price. The British might be able to rule the waves on the open sea. Fighting an enemy at or near his home is another matter entirely. I think the American Revolution is an apt case in point.’

  ‘I was rather hoping that your majesty would avoid referring to the American Revolution,’ Graveny commented dejectedly. Evidently Britain’s loss of the war of independence was still a sore point.

  ‘Forgive my insensitivity, your excellency. I am simply making the point that my aim is to avoid a war or bloodshed. The presence of British warships on what most Frenchman regard as a part of France will, in my view, guarantee a long and protracted war. I cannot be a party to that no matter how attractive portions of your proposal may be.’

  ‘My government is of course alive to the fact that the proposal involves risks which your majesty may consider unpalatable.’ He rose, and straightened his jacket. ‘Am I to convey your refusal of the proposal to my government or should I rather indicate that your majesty will consider it and revert in due course?’

  ‘The proposal is unfortunately refused,’ the king said quietly, but emphatically. ‘Nonetheless, kindly convey my gratitude to your king and his government for having made it.’

  ‘As your majesty pleases.’

  ‘If the British were to control half the berths in Monte Vista, they would be in a position to close down half the trade which ordinarily passes through the trade centre,’ the Duke pointed out after Lord Graveny had departed.

  ‘Indeed,’ the king replied. ‘From there, it would be a simple matter to redirect the affected ships and their cargoes to a new trade centre they are no doubt planning to set up in London, Portsmouth or the like. Even if the Monte Vista trade centre could survive a competing centre, it would probably not survive any war or the rumours of war which would result from British warships anchoring in what France will see as French territory.’

  ‘Does your majesty suggest that the British offer is aimed at destroying the trade centre?’

  ‘Not necessarily. But I think we both see the British offer for what it is and, more significantly, for the risks which accompany it.’