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Updated Sunday 15 May, 2011 12:18 PM |
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This Day in Alternate History Blog
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Breakfast
with Sean. The
Irish times: With the
unexpected Illness of Frank Atiken. Sean Lemass the Mister of supplies will tour
the US, Where he will meet President Roosevelt. ************** Sean
Lemass: Mr
President. I would like to thank you on behalf of the Irish people. For inviting
me to the Whitehouse today, I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter in the
old friendship of our people. FDR: On behalf of the American
people. I welcome you to the white house. We are friends of Ireland. We look
forward to Ireland playing her part in the world today, and we’re ready to
help her do so. Sean
Lemas: Thank you Mr president. FDR: The United states is, for
example, the United states is willing to provide Eire with Airplanes to defend
herself against German attack. The
United States will not stand by and do nothing in the face of German aggression. Sean
Lemass: Thank
you Mr president. This is a generous offer. However I do have something I wish
to ask you. Mr president. Ireland is a poor country. People don't have Radio's.
They can only get to the cinema to see the news once in a while or so. A
lot of people don't buy the paper. We're
largely ignorant of the world. People for example are worried about being
attacked by the British. FDR: <Laughing.> Sean
Lemass:
Mr president. You know hearing it said. I can see how ridiculous that
sounds. I think you've set a lot of people minds at rest. In fact the more I
think about it the funnier it sounds. FDR: Not at all Mr Lemass. The
United States has enjoyed a long relationship with Ireland.
Millions of Irish men and women have made a home here.
Helped make this country what it is. FDR <Nods> Lemass: been good enough to vote
democratic too. Like I said Mr president we are a poor country. While the
American peoples gift of Aeroplanes is welcome. It would be a huge white elephant on it's own. Without fuel,
and trained pilots to help our boys fly their aeroplanes. The best they would do
is gather rust on the ground. It rains allot in Ireland. We would have to build
airfields. Radio towers, hangers. It will take a lot of money Mr President. I
would hate to see the gift of American people.
The good will and hard work of the working men in Detroit, and Seattle go
to waste. I know Our President a Is very keen Flier. He will no doubt welcome
this generous gift to Ireland from the American people. Which will keep our
country safe, and provide employment and training for Irish people. FDR: `I think the united states
can arrange that. We have always been friends of Ireland. We committed to
helping free countries around the world. The
United States and it’ allies will not rest until the world is free and
peaceful again. We can send you pilots, and Fuel. To help Ireland protect
herself. Sean
Lemass: That
is a very generous offer Mr President. On behalf of the Irish People. I would
like to thank you. Mr president, for extending me your hospitality. Your offer
of Aircraft is warmly received. I
hope this is the beginning of more fruitful relationship between our countries. FDR :I hope so too.
He’s a good man that Lemass. We must keep an eye on him… ****************************************************************** Basically
the POD of this little exchange is very simple. In OTL,
went to have Breakfast with FDR in the Whitehouse. Dev could not go because he
was still unsure whether he could be indicted. So frank Atiken went. The meal
was a disaster. Atiken. Refused all FDR’s offers of help. Then
embarrassed FDR by asking him to guarantee Ireland against the British. In my little piece Lemass goes. Lemass was smarter
then Atiken. He realizes that
FDR’s polite Laughter . Which was how FDR dealt with the matter. Until Atiken
kept repeating the question, and
FDR got so annoyed he dragged the table cloth away. I think this is inductive of the naivety of the
Irish Political class of this period. Also the damage done during the
Civil war. Notice FDR at no point Guarantees Ireland against
British attack. Lemass plays dumb. Also had a different mindset.
Lemass was an economist first. He saw Ireland, and the Irish. In
pragmatic economic terms. Gruff maybe. But more realistic. Then Dev’s dream of
Comely maidens, and athletic youths. The gift of American Aircraft to Ireland, is more
then what it would seem on the face of it. Eire military could muster about
9 1930’s vintage Aircraft in defence of their Homeland. So Ireland becomes the Warehouse Depot of Freedom.
American Eagle squadrons patrol Irish waters for hostile shipping. Even if
Ireland plays strictly neutral this plays into Allied hands. It assists the
Allies. It pushes German U boats out of Irish waters. Plus brings in the chance
of the Irish getting involved, in a wasp type incident. Ireland gets the Lemass boom early. It might not
join the war, but probably does join the
western alliance. Similar to Spain US
Bases, but not a member of the Alliance. The Cult of neutrality is broken. Hopefully. Lemass break with Dev. Will change Irish
Politics. Lemass will force Dev
upstairs. There is chance that Eire does a little better with Northern Ireland.
Unlikely but possible. Not much of a big difference outside this Island. Rurr2@hotmail.com
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