97 – Episode 97 The shadow of a defeated country
The shadow of war did not bring gloomy results to everyone. For France’s far-left socialists, or communists, France’s defeat was an opportunity and a time for leap forward.
“Let’s get rid of the utterly helpless Second International! “What has the German Social Democratic Party, called Comrade Socialism, done for France?”
The helplessness of the 2nd International was virtually exposed in the wake of the World War, when socialist solidarity virtually collapsed.
The French Communist Party, founded by Ludovic Oscar Frosar, immediately grew in power by absorbing a large number of socialists from the French branch of the 2nd International.
“Look at the results of leaving the country in the hands of the helpless bourgeoisie. The limitations of the bourgeois republic were exposed when it was defeated by a rotten monarchy.
Now we must begin the struggle. We cannot overcome this crisis unless we establish a government representing the workers and people that can truly rebuild the French nation.
Let’s unite! Let’s stand in solidarity. “Let us overthrow the bourgeois dictatorship and rebuild the French nation with the power of the working people!”
The French Communist Party spread its influence everywhere.
The humiliating treaty imposed by Germany and the dissatisfaction with it diminished support for the republic.
In the meantime, the monarchy forces also slightly raised their heads.
Orleanists, Bourbons, Bonapartists, and various monarchist forces came out and attacked the legitimacy of the republic.
“A republic without the support of the people and without the glory of victory is not a country. “We need to return to the French Empire, which has a history of victory.”
“What are you talking about! “It was the Bourbons who fought against all of Europe.”
The French political situation was so chaotic that even the few remaining monarchist forces crawled out.
In the midst of this, when an incident occurred in which disabled veterans were suppressed by force, the Communist Party immediately raised the flag of struggle.
“It’s a struggle! “Let’s overthrow the bourgeois regime that is trying to steal the fair share that the people deserve!”
When the Communist Party staged large-scale protests, the French government did not sit still.
French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau ordered a stern response.
“Mobilize the ‘Republic Corps’.”
The Legion of the Republic was a right-wing militia force made up of volunteers discharged from the French army.
Of course, it was meaningless to discuss the political inclinations of the people belonging to this corps. There were no jobs, but most people were affiliated with the organization to make money.
“You communist bastards. “In this sacred republic, what a shame, what a shame!”
The Republican Legion, wearing only ‘French military uniforms’ and white armbands, appeared at the scene of the Communist Party’s rally and began attacking. They smashed the furniture and kicked out the people who had gathered.
“Are the bourgeoisie crazy?”
When the Republic Corps began its attack, the Communist Party did not stand still. They weren’t gentle enough to sit and be beaten.
“Assemble the Red Warrior Alliance.”
The Communist Party also had weapons to stand against the bourgeois regime. The Red Warrior League was a militant organization under the Communist Party.
This was also a group that gathered young people who returned from the French army by only giving them food.
“Charge!”
A large-scale gang fight broke out on the street.
The French were shocked by the large-scale bloodshed and fighting, but this was only the beginning.
“You damn communist bastards. “It’s not enough to simply knock them out.”
“Then?”
“Let’s kill him.”
The right-wing white terror has begun.
The mere whiff of the Communist Party, or rather, socialism, led to bullets flying.
“We can’t just sit there and suffer.”
The Communist Party also launched the Red Terror in response.
People were beaten to death everywhere and assassinated by bullets.
The streets of the Republic instantly fell into chaos.
“Is this truly the reality of our great country?”
For François de la Roque, who had just taken off his military uniform from the French army and returned to society, the reality of his country was a tragedy itself.
La Roque calmly contemplated the reality of French society.
A regime that is infinitely incompetent in the face of commies and self-indulgence who want power.
All of these were the root of the evil that destroyed our country.
So we had to change it from the beginning.
We had to create a country rooted in a solid ideology that even communists could not shake.
We needed a cause that would unite our country, not an illusionary ideology such as liberal democracy.
La Roque recalled his father’s lap during his childhood.
My father, who supported the monarchy, always said,
A country ruled by a monarch is said to be more capable than a republic that makes short-sighted choices under the influence of voters.
He couldn’t agree with everything he said, but he could agree on one thing.
The fact is that power should not be entrusted to incompetent vote-buyers.
After La Roque opened an office in downtown Paris, he called in his subordinates and colleagues who were familiar with the military.
“Comrades. Have you seen how the world is going these days?”
“I understand that you are afraid to read the newspaper.”
La Roque nodded his head.
“So we must step forward. “Let’s find the fair share that soldiers deserve and defeat the communists.”
“How?”
It was absurd for La Roque, who was still only a small group, to fight against the regime and a large political party.
“We need to bring people together. If we grow our organization and expand our reach, we will be able to fight against them. “There are many people in the world who hate both the regime and communists, right?”
“No matter how you save people, where do you get the money to feed and clothe them?”
“We have to get it from business people.”
“Capitalists won’t give up that much money easily.”
La Roque also had something in mind.
A few days later, La Roque was introduced to several capitalists through the connections of his father, who was a general.
“Welcome, Chairman.”
“I’ll show you my face once as a favor, but I hope the story will be short.”
Capitalists did not like to sit down and talk with a brat like La Roque. If it weren’t for Raymond de la Roque’s name, I wouldn’t have given him time.
La Roque politely invited them to the head table and then revealed his true feelings.
“Chairman. Are there any problems at the factory these days?”
“Well, it’s not quiet. It’s because the communists are setting up a union or something. But why is that?”
“I think we can solve that problem.”
“What?”
In fact, if you ask the Republic Corps to solve these problems, they will solve them, but the unit price is high.
La Roque planned to win the service contract through ‘low-cost orders.’
“But I don’t even know what level the kids you have are at, so how can I trust them and entrust you with their work?”
“Don’t worry. Our organization members are friends with deep roots in the front line. “Would the brave soldiers who didn’t back down even in the face of gas back down from those communists?”
Capitalists were talking among themselves.
After a while, the old chairman spoke as the representative.
“Let me give you a task as a test. “If you handle this matter cleanly, we will trust you and give you work.”
“Thank you.”
“Aren’t you going to ask what’s going on?”
“Isn’t it enough just to know that the job is to catch commies?”
Only then did the capitalists burst into laughter.
“This guy looks just like General La Roque.”
“Refreshing looks like a good job.”
La Roque won a task like that.
Of course, it was not an easy task.
“Nord-Pas-de-Calais coal mine?”
“Isn’t that an area that Belgium has taken over?”
Does that mean that the region has become irrelevant to France?
That wasn’t it again.
Borders are not completed by drawing lines on a map.
A border can only be completed if it has the ability to control it.
The border in the Pas de Calais region is still not controlled.
Belgium, which happened to take over the area, did not interfere with French traffic due to the French government’s negative feelings.
For this reason, Pas de Calais was still functioning as part of the French territory.
Local businesses also continued to be managed by the French.
La Roque was aware of this situation and told his colleagues that there was no need to worry about Belgium.
“As long as the Belgians don’t interfere, there won’t be a problem.”
La Roque’s group immediately began gathering ‘companions’.
Still, I felt like there had to be an organization name, so La Roque came up with a plausible name.
“The Cross of Fire?”
“It smells too religious, doesn’t that just create resistance?”
“It should smell a bit like religion.”
La Roque thought it was foolish to deny France’s Catholic culture. As a result of complete denial of tradition and blind obedience to liberal democracy, the current corrupt republic was created.
La Roque had no doubt that building a foundation on the unique traditions of the French people was the way to rebuild the great country.
Anyway, the Fire Cross quickly gathered people.
Because there was money and work, unemployed people who had been kicked out of the French army quickly gathered there.
Now we have reached the starting point.
La Roque felt his heart swell as he saw the hundreds of soldiers gathered below him.
If we take this step by step, the day will come when we will be able to defeat both the Republic and the communists.
France will become great again in my hands.
La Roque clenched his fists.
The throne of glory, stained with bloodshed and anger, was waiting for him.
“Gentlemen, the communists are waiting for us. “Let’s show them the bitter taste!”
La Roque sent out the Fire Cross with a harsh cry.