Chapter 233 The Wilson Line

Pedro was well aware of the importance attached to Goa at home, and internally, Portugal had adopted Goa as its overseas territory and continued to build and improve its infrastructure.

After Portugal occupied Goa, it gave Goa the same status and privileges as Lisbon and made Goa the capital of Portuguese India.

Portugal stationed troops in Goa for a long time and set up a naval base, while strengthening the fortifications and other infrastructural construction, just like taking Goa as Portugal’s own territory.

Portugal also carried out a large number of immigrants and encouraged intermarriage between Portuguese and locals. In order to strengthen Portugal’s control over Goa, Portugal immigrated to Goa in large numbers and encouraged intermarriage between Portuguese and local women to increase the population.

Thus, Goa had a considerable number of mixed Eurasians, whom Portugal had come to regard as its own inhabitants.

Most importantly, Portugal believed that the local Christian population was already in the majority and that religion, coupled with blood, had become completely irrelevant to the rest of the subcontinent.

“Portugal’s dependence is not really enough, the key is still on British India, and if we explicitly recognize the legitimacy of Portuguese Goa, we can solve most, if not all, of the problems.” Alan Wilson gave a point-by-point rebuttal to Pedro’s argument, “Goa’s population is too small, even if it is Christian, once it is flooded by the neighboring Indians, Goa’s population ratio will easily change. The small population is still secondary to the fact that the area is also too small.”

“I actually have a proposal that seems fairer, it’s up to Portugal to weigh the pros and cons and give a reply.” Alan Wilson wore a difficult face, muttering to himself, “In fact, I’m very difficult to do, I have to say that there is a move to take charge, usually accompanied by non-sense and pressure, I hope that both sides will coexist peacefully, and the possibility that both sides will not appreciate in the end, this is one of the reasons why the general public does not dare to try to solve the problem of Goa so easily.”

Alan Wilson, with his brow furrowed, looked very embarrassed, indicating that this was a very difficult matter. It seemed that a struggle of conscience was going on before the final step was taken, and that it was only by sheer necessity that this was to be done.

Pedro would not be fooled by such a performance, even if Alan Wilson’s acting skills, already under Vivienne’s day and night guidance, had improved significantly. But it still doesn’t fool the Portuguese. A good man would be a civil servant? And run to the colonies?

Finally still have to be the same as countless predecessors of the British Empire, such as McMahon, Duran, Curzon, in history to leave their own mark?

The McMahon Line, the Durand Line, the Curzon Line, and the Wilson Line? Although he was prepared, it was not easy for him to make up his mind, which made Pedro anxious, what did Alan Wilson mean? Is it just calling himself to New Delhi for a cup of black tea.

If the face of the African chief, Pedro absolutely let the other side eat and go, but the face of Allen Wilson and not the same, a gentleman in the consideration of the problem, to weigh the pros and cons, need a little time is very normal, is understandable, is worth waiting for ……

“In fact, Goa’s problems are not completely unmanageable, they just need an opportunity.” In Pedro’s gaze full of wanting to progress, Allen Wilson finally spoke slowly, “This opportunity is very important, history is like this, inevitable with chance, chance is accompanied by inevitable, there is an opportunity in front of us that is fleeting, depending on whether Portugal can seize the opportunity.”

“Please guide Mr. Allen.” Pedro had a question mark on his face, wondering where the opportunity in Allen Wilson’s mouth was, how come he didn’t feel it at all?

“Then Mr. Pedro, I’ll just say it casually, you can consider for yourself if my words have any sense.” Alan Wilson also does not cast words, “Simply put Goa has several disadvantages, the territory is too small, the population is easy to be infiltrated, the solution I will talk about it later, first of all, a little bit of good news for Portugal, that is, the so-called opportunity, that is, …… this year there are signs of drought. Mr. Pedro has also been working in British India for a long time and should know that there was a drought last year.”

“Drought?” Pedro heard a little confused, what is the relationship between Portugal and Goa, but if the drought occurs for two consecutive years, it is a major event for the subcontinent, inquired, “I do not know what the Governor General’s Office’s response is?”

“Of course it’s full relief, we are responsible for hundreds of millions of lives.” Alan Wilson replied with great righteousness, “We will use all the power at our disposal to fight this drought.”

Allen Wilson’s words left a certain amount of wiggle room, the forces that can be used are indeed available, and the forces that cannot be used.

Everyone knew that he was just a small assistant commissioner and actually had little power. In saying that there is currently a window of opportunity for the Governor, how can a civil servant have the right to make too many decisions?

“It’s not how we fight this drought, subjectively of course we’re dealing with it with all our might, but this drought is an opportunity for Portugal to resolve the status of Goa along the way.” Alan Wilson finished, nodded at Pedro and said, “A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

It is not that Pedro was born stupid, but the key is that he has never seen the British Empire’s conscience, British India successive problems, the British Viceroyalty is unheard of attitude, all of a sudden by Alan Wilson to fully relief words to the town, the whole person looks like seeing aliens.

“Bring in a map of Goa!” While Pedro was in a daze, Allen Wilson copied the phone and commanded the secretary outside, immediately the office door was pushed open and a map of Goa was brought in.

It must be said that the Viceroy’s Office’s information reserve is still absolutely sufficient, after all, Portuguese India and French India, although the area is not large, but as long as it exists, it should be made to make preparations, some reasonable preparations should be done.

It was perfectly normal for the U.S. to make plans to go to war with different countries before World War II, which also included attacking Canada.

“I still don’t quite understand the so-called opportunity.” Pedro thought of all kinds of reasons, but just didn’t believe Alan Wilson’s words, the British would be kind? It was impossible!

“This time has changed, the general environment has changed. We certainly have to make some changes according to the specific circumstances.”

Alan Wilson said with a serious face, “The most crucial thing is that one should be able to stand up to one’s conscience.”

When did you get such extravagant ideas? Pedro gave a skeptical look and spoke cautiously, “Please continue.”

“It’s like this, this drought, although we have prepared to fight it with all our might, after all, British India has limited reserves. There may be some such and such problems, plans don’t change fast after all.” Alan Wilson full of concern, “If by virtue of British India’s own strength, top can not go through this big famine, may need some friendly countries’ assistance. This friendly countries, can also include Portugal ……”

Could also include Portugal? Pedro lost his voice at this, “Portugal and the British Empire were the initiators of the Brussels Conference, and we are close allies. To say so offends Portugal.”

“It’s just a matter of words, don’t get too hung up on it.” Alan Wilson signaled a little peace and continued, “Portugal has a wide range of colonies, and in terms of Portugal itself, the population needs are not much, if at this time to divide out a number of appropriate share, to British India to start the relief, then logically put forward a request, I think the Viceroyalty in order to the hundreds of millions of people’s lives in British India, may also be compelled to agree. ”

“Is that so?” Pedro raised his eyebrows and let out a knowing smile; he had understood, and said to himself, “At that point, Portugal would want to raise some legitimate issues, such as determining Goa’s legal status.”

“That certainly won’t be a problem.” Alan Wilson smilingly opened his mouth, put the map just brought in by the secretary in the middle of the two men, casually picked up a pen, scratched a circle around Portuguese Goa, casually drew is now four times the size of the area of Portuguese Goa, at the same time lowered his voice and said, “It can even be more excessive …… ”

“Wow!” Pedro’s eyes showed a greedy gaze, “That looks rather very promising.”

“You can call it the Wilson line, and no surprise, I’ll still be the one negotiating when the time comes.” Alan Wilson said this and turned his words around, “But as you know, many times, although it is for the good of everyone, the person who does something concrete is always to be blamed for something. So it was with Duran, so it was with McMahon, so it was with Curzon, so this thing is going to be done, and it’s bound to take a tremendous amount of courage.”

“Mr. Allen is a friend of the whole country of Portugal, and we will never let a friend down.” Pedro assured with a solemn look on his face, “I will definitely apply to the country to prepare a suitable gift for you, Allen.”

“How is this good?” With an expression of nothing embarrassed, Alan Wilson pretended to excuse himself, “It would be out of place to say so, I hope Mr. Pedro understands one thing, I’m not Portugal’s money, but I use Portugal’s money to do Portugal’s business, the ultimate beneficiary is still Portugal well.”

“That’s right, it’s my negligence.” Pedro apologized with an apologetic face and admitted his mistake, “It’s Portugal’s money to do Portugal’s business. Of course, as friends, we never let our friends do things for nothing.”

Very well! Alan Wilson with a child’s relief, since the big framework is set, we have to discuss the details, there is a saying that the details determine success or failure.

For example, how much food Portugal has to take out to bail out British India without affecting its own supply.