Chapter 210 A Busy Whitehall

In fact, Pethick Lawrence, himself, was now very anxious to return to the homeland, and it was all the fault of curiosity that killed the cat.

For the native papers, guided by some unaccountable cause, had been steeped in negative news about British India. This has given a certain curiosity to Pethick Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India.

So last week, unable to hold down the curiosity of Pethick Lawrence, absolutely went to the Ganges. Afterwards thoroughly had an intuitive impression of British India, which he nominally administered.

The Secretary of State for India picked a holiday, came to the Ganges River, to see the scene of a mountain of people impressed, dirty river water, as well as bathing in which a mountain of flesh, so that the Honorable Secretary of State for India was shocked.

There were many people lying directly by the river, the old men, who had come to wait for death, firstly, because there was no money for a hotel, and secondly, because according to the custom here, as long as they died on the banks of the Ganges they could scatter their ashes into the Ganges.

And if you leave and die halfway across the river, you will have no connection with the Ganges, so they will not leave here no matter what, and eat and live on the bank every day, just waiting for death to come!

Integration of the riverbanks are stinking, see the dense human excreta, and turbid river water in the Indian mirror, countless small black people are soaked in the river, can see some people due to the cold and shivering.

The men were bare-chested, wearing only a pair of shorts, of all ages, mainly old, very fat or very thin, and seldom in an intermediate state. The women were all draped in sari, only the middle-aged and elderly, diving headfirst into the water, their florid white hair tangled with their sari saris, taking a couple of sips and drilling out again. Not a single person had a smile, nor did we see anyone talking, everyone all dipped and drank without a word.

Some were dipping their bodies into the Ganges, respectfully scooping up the river water and drenching it down over their heads, others were gargling with Ganges water, and crucially, there were people on the banks defecating in broad daylight.

With their hands clasped on their asses, they were performing indescribable acts, and as for the bonfire further down the river, it was only after inquiring that Pethik Lawrence learned that it was a cremation.

The burning never stopped, the stench was overwhelming, and the smell was made even more suffocating by the spoonfuls of spiced grease that people poured over it.

This experience made the Minister for India, Pethick Lawrence, so impressed with British India under his administration that now he just wanted to return home and not continue to make false pro-people moves in British India.

Sir Barron, of course, knows this change before and after, because Pethick Lawrence wants to satisfy curiosity, and has not come to India, so naturally, someone has to arrange to go to where to observe Indian customs, this arrangement of people, of course, has been in British India to work in British India Sir Barron.

Now British India in the eyes of the Secretary of State for India, has a penny are not worth.

The time was considered just right to send a political achievement at just the right time to make Pethick Lawrence return home satisfied.

Of course, this performance must be true, of course, the specific things are the responsibility of the person concerned, Alan Wilson in Hyderabad is operating this matter, can be very busy.

During the day, he had to deal with the representatives of the major states, put forward various assumptions and solutions, and at night, he also had to comfort Vivien Leigh, who had traveled across the ocean and come to British India alone to serve the empire.

The latter is not an easy job, these days Vivien Leigh on the grounds of insecurity, so that he is not very enjoyable.

Fortunately, Vivien Leigh still compensated in other ways, allowing Alan Wilson, who had been on fire lately, to regain his composure and enjoy the services of an international movie queen.

“You can’t disown the British-Indian Film Association when it’s done. My husband hasn’t even gotten this much.” With a sultry look, Vivienne blew pillow air, “You’re an Imperial Civil Servant, you have to keep your word.”

“Vivian, look at what you’re saying. How could I let you be aggravated.” As if he was stimulated by Fei Wenli’s words with righteous indignation, Alan Wilson patted his chest and said, “When we finish the matter, it will be the day when the British-Indian Movie Actors’ Association is established, I definitely won’t lie to you, and I’ll do as much as I can with what you want.”

Alan Wilson could not be greedy for money, but he would not renege in the face of a woman. This is something that many can attest to, with the exception of Margaret, who may be too late in time to make amends, he is good to women.

Even as a future Prime Minister, he will find the opportunity to make amends, as a man this is what he must do.

At this time in London, the Cabinet Secretary meeting, is discussing Alan Wilson, that a thousand things, very messy telegram, involving British Ceylon, Nepal, Andaman Islands, British India, the two major religions of the various analyses, as well as the attitude of the Turkish state telegram.

There was only one target, the Congress Party, the biggest pro-independence force, in front of which even the PML-N, also pro-independence, could be united for the time being.

“This plan needs to be sorted out, it is too disorganized.” With an indifferent look, Edward Bridges rushed to Alexander Cadogan, the secretary of the Foreign Office, “Alexander, first of all, congratulations on your possible role as the British Empire’s representative to the United Nations, but before that, there is one thing I might want you to do well.”

“Sir Edward, at your service.” Upon hearing this, Alexander Cadogan immediately showed deference and said, “Is it the matter of British India? Although I am the permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have no jurisdiction over the Ministry of Indian Affairs.”

“Put the matter of British India aside for a moment, I am talking about Australia and New Zealand.” Edward Bridges corrected unhurriedly, “I believe you should understand the importance of Australia and New Zealand to the homeland. Of course, now that the two self-governing territories want to be independent and autonomous, it’s not good for us to oppose it, but how to maintain our influence over the two self-governing territories is still a very, very important matter.”

After the First World War, when British power weakened and the centrifugal forces of the self-governing territories strengthened, the Imperial Conference in London passed a series of resolutions, known as the Balfour Declaration, which declared that both Britain and the self-governing territories were self-governing communities within the British Empire, with equal status.

They were not subordinate to each other in all aspects of their internal and foreign affairs, they shared a common allegiance to the British Crown, and they were members of a voluntary association in the Commonwealth.

Australia and New Zealand are already de facto independent States, but are not yet sovereign. The Foreign Office of the British Empire is currently dealing with this matter and how to maintain influence over the two self-governing territories until they become sovereign independent states.

“Alexander, now that your minister has accepted it, the new imperial defense plan is to withdraw from British India. Now how do we maintain our influence in Asia. Allen’s telegrams seem rather disorganized, but one thing that is very true is the one-line connection, from Gibraltar, to the Suez Canal, the Middle East, Ceylon and finally to Malaya.”

“The importance of British Malaya, the easternmost point of the Empire, has been made clear by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. As far as I am personally concerned, once our colonies in Asia are gone, it is only a matter of time before we lose our influence over Australia and New Zealand, and if British Malaya can be retained, the influence over the two self-governing dominions that are to become sovereign states, will always be there.”

“The most important thing is to make Australia and New Zealand, able to see us at all times!” Alexander Cadogan replied.

“Very well!” Edward Bridges nodded his head in satisfaction, “The participating countries of the Brussels Conference are now working together towards this goal. Then your next job at the Foreign Office is to get Australia and New Zealand to accept this. Make them understand that the presence of the British Empire in Asia is a protection for two countries on the fringes.”

Seeing Alexander Cadogan nodding, Edward Bridges emphasized, “I believe that Australia and New Zealand will not fight and embarrass His Majesty.”

Edward Bridges mentioned Australia and New Zealand, but did not think about whether British India would fight once partitioned.

Even for a cabinet secretary, predicting the future was still too difficult. After the partition of British India, India and Pakistan went to war over Kashmir. The position of the British King who was on the throne at that time was very awkward.

This time, the supreme commander of the armies of both India and Pakistan was the King of England, and the generals of both armies owed allegiance to His Majesty, so both sides in this war could be said to be fighting for the British Empire. Thus the British king’s identities overlapped, and there was the awkward situation of declaring war on oneself.

Alexander Cadogan had not yet departed, Edward Bridges received another succession of telegrams from New Delhi, which indicated that the Cabinet Secretary had completed his task of listening to the voices of all sectors of British India and was preparing to return to London.

And another telegram indicated something else, that an attempt had been made by some of the Turkish monarchs to transfer the wealth in their names, and that the Secretary of State for India, Pethick Lawrence, had acceded to the request.

And in secret, a memorandum was signed in the name of the Secretary of State for India, with the monarchs of these native states.

This showed the willingness of England to help these native states, to transfer their legitimate wealth to England.

Edward Bridges saw the telegram and said to himself, “The Prime Minister, who now worries about money every day, should be happier.”

“That’s great news.” Alexander Cadogan was equally relieved and said, “Once politicians get satisfaction, they might cut down on things. It would be nice if my ministers could be a little more peaceful.”

“It’s your job to keep ministers happy. But Labour has been in power for a long time, and it does seem to be over-energized now.” Edward Bridges, “What a mind-numbing bunch of politicians.”

“Yes, the Foreign Secretary is just very much on top of things right now, full of whimsy.” Alexander Cadogan complained bitterly.

“Lots of ideas?” Edward Bridges thought for a moment and said, “How about suggesting he visit the Soviet Union?”