16 May
Belgium’s Economic Minister, Count Jean Charles Snoy et d’Oppuers, publishes a report today that looks into the economic benefits and impacts of joining the proposed Confederation. It argues that closer economic ties would offer further benefits despite PETA already providing an open market. In many ways the Dutch are reliant on Belgian steel and coal and further demand will be lucrative in the forthcoming years and of course the Dutch provide direct trading and investment opportunities in East Asia and Africa that no other European nation can provide.
18 May
Hugo Labiche, a Liberal Party Representative had taken his short lunch break during an interval from the discussions that been going on in the Chamber since ten o’clock that morning. Really he should have been catching up on his paperwork, but he had agreed to meet a business friend. As he stepped into the little bar, he noticed his friend in the corner. He ordered his usual sandwich and beer and joined his friend. “Good day Andre.” “How are you Hugo, I hear you politicians are kept pretty busy these days.” “Ha, all this confederation business, we were in until eleven last night.” The barmaid brought the sandwiches and beers to the table. “The papers say the Chamber will vote today.” Hugo bit into his sandwich and as he spoke crumbs flew out, “Perhaps. Who can tell? Someone will make a speech no doubt. What else is there to say, Roger made it clear last week we would vote no.” His friend put on a sympathetic face, “Would you vote no Hugo?” “Of course, the party expects so.” His friend placed his cards on the table, “Listen Hugo, we’ve done business before.” “Some time ago.” “But we’ve done business; we know how the world works. If this goes ahead it means a lot of money for the economy, for the business man.” Hugo slurped on his beer, “I suppose so Andre.” His friend leaned in and talked in hushed tones, “Listen Hugo, I represent a chamber of commerce, we feel the Confederation is good for business and good for us. We feel a man like you would vote the right way when it comes to it.” Hugo stopped eating, in his mind he was racking up a mental account, if Andre was to bribe him it would be illegal, but his mind was not convicted one way or the other on the issue. Politics is all well and good, but a man needs to eat and he was not averse to making something on the side. “Andre, I have principles.” “Do you Hugo? Like when you signed that deal to build that factory so your constituents had jobs and votes in your back pocket, or when you asked us to spike that grocer who tried to run against you last election? No Hugo, you are a man who knows how the world works and looks after number one. Just like us.” Hugo wasn’t sure if the matter would go the other way and turn into blackmail, but he felt his luck might hold if he fished for the gold well enough. “You raise some good points, enough to almost sway me, but…” “Would a thousand francs be enough to make up your mind?” “Two would be better for balancing the books Andre. You know how these bookmakers work.” Andre smiled and from inside his coat he drew out an envelope, Hugo’s eyes lit up and his fat greedy fingers soon spirited the envelope into his briefcase. “There is half there, you get the rest later. Can we meet tomorrow?” “Most certainly Andre, well I must be going. I will certainly represent your concerns as your representative. I look forward to our next meeting.”
19 May
The vote on the Confederation Plan in Chamber of Representatives went ahead today. This morning the press had widely assumed a ‘No’ vote and it was clear that prediction was accurate.
Yes: 75
No: 124
Abstain/ Spoiled: 3
20 May
Prime Minister Pierlot has formally written to the Dutch Prime Minister Herman Loeder to formally reject the Confederation Plan. Princess Juliaana telephoned the Prime Minister this morning in an attempt to delay his letter until the Senate have voted upon the issue. However, the morning’s newspapers were in favour of the decision and some have called on Pierlot to resign. The leader of the Christian Social Party, August de Schryver, has backed Pierlot but many believe an election will not be far off. Generally, the rumours of a general strike tomorrow have also unsettled the nation.
A Communist Party meeting in Namur has been afflicted with cancellation notices and the Party reports the theft of 50,000 leaflets from a warehouse in Antwerp. Others have been found to be doctored to provide a pro-confederation message.
“My dear Hubert, I have heard about the vote last night. It must be a bitter blow”
“Yes your Highness, we stood no chance against the Left, even with the support of the Flemish parties. I am writing to Herman to officially reject the offer.”
“But Hubert, surely you must wait until the Senate approves the Plan?”
“The Senate will never will approve it. If the Liberals and the Left do the same again, they have enough senators to win it. Even so, it’s the duty of the government to act now. If we don’t trouble will flare. The Unions have threatened a general strike unless we reject the Plan, it would be unconstitutional to ignore the vote.
“It would be unconstitutional to let these Communist thugs dictate what the government does. Get the Senate to vote this week. You have enough support there that if only a few back you, victory is assured.”
“Your Highness, even if that were so, there is no public support.”
“The De Schelde has printed polls clearly in favour of the scheme, even in Walloon provinces.”
“Yes, but VNV run that as a mouthpiece, everyone suspects their motives and we know they print a lot of rubbish. We need a sensible discussion, the voice of the people is clear. They are not ready.”
“You disappoint me Hubert, you used to be stronger and more decisive. Now you let a few Communists push you around and you hide behind the government. You know the Senate must vote on this too. I ask you to have courage and wait before you send any letter to the Dutch Prime Minister. You must act to stop these threats of strikes and take-overs, even now we are attempting to halt them, do not make all our efforts wasted.
“Your Highness, I’ve always served the country in its best interests, I only hope you have faith in me to act as I should for the good of everyone and I will repay the trust you have in me. I will see these threats off and talk to members of the Senate to sound out their opinions. We must be sure of every one of our allies in the Senate before we move.”
21 May
A General Strike has broken out across Wallonia. Many factories, mines and mills have been closed as the major unions walked out demanding the government reject the Confederation Plan immediately. Some disturbances were reported, some begun by men the unions claim were not members but outsiders. Flying pickets have also created mayhem in some areas. The Frontist newspaper De Schelde has decried the strikes and argued they are proof why the Flemish regions should join with Holland. Under pressure, Pierlot sends his letter to Herman Loeder.
The Communist Party of Belgium, with support from Communistische Partij Holland, has proposed their own “People’ Union”, which has been dubbed the Lahaut Plan.
“Pierre says he was attacked by six men. They came into Dinant by car and started picketing outside Pascelles bicycle factory. They had Union flags, but Pierre being the local representative did not recognise them. So, he and Charles went to ask who they were. They turned on him and started a fight, they broke his nose and beat him pretty badly, but Charles was able to get away. He swore they were not local men, nor our men.”
“Who the devil were they Jacques? Government informers or police?”
“Wait until you hear this. Charles spotted the same men this afternoon across town in an anti-Union march too. He is sure it was them.”
“This sounds like government men to me. The question is which one? This is the third group the union has had run-ins with today across the area. It could be the same lot, but there could be several bands of them. Someone is trying to discredit us.”