Disenfrancised
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Note this is a differnet newspaper to before...
Le Parisien, February 17th 1742, Front Page
Interview of the decade: The Kings resolve reassures the nation!
By Xavier Forneret
It is a rare honour to be shown how the world works, be it by a surgeon opening a patient, or a master craftsman demonstrating the inner workings of a clock, and today le Parisien was granted the time to be shown how the great French nation itself works; giving us half an hour of interview time with the noble King Julien-François the First himself!
Arriving at Versailles just past mid-morning I was ushered into the western drawing room of the great palace to come face to face with our great monarch, taking his ease with some tea. The king face was flushed with some exertion; it transpired he had come in from riding, and he wore clothes of a casual nature but of a most superior cut. The king appears younger in person than as he is represented in the stern official portraits; he has a quiet and thoughtful demeanor, and the calm dignity of a man twice his one and three dozen years of age. After a series of pleasantries, we proceeded with the strong questions I had prepared, the King not need to resort to aides or papers no matter how far the subjects ranged.
XF: Your majesty, the recent civil code has been supported by many, but what do you have to say to those arch-liberals, and arch-conservatives who have railed against it going too far, or not far enough?
KJF: Both groups, the arch liberals, and the arch conservatives, are wrong. France cannot simply be stuck in the past nor can we radically alter our way of life, we must simply make adjustments and improvements to those areas which need improving, and the civil code does this. It grants necessary freedoms, yet at the same time, it shall keep France strong and stable.
XF: What is your stance on certain protests being made by the American Colonial assembly over the undue influence of the 'Carolinian Conservatives' who have resisted many a liberalizing measure the provincials, and the French government, have proposed?
KJF: Well, we believe that such is a testament to democracy. We respect the beliefs of the Carolinian conservatives, and we ask that the other parties accept their opinions for what they are, even though they may not agree with them. The colonies have the power to decide their own domestic pathway, but should any extreme measures be voted through, the Royal government retains the right to veto such actions. Just as the colonies of the north must respect the south, the south must equally respect the north.
XF: Many have expressed doubt over the overly militant methods used when dealing with the Basque insurrection. We understand and support that such things may be necessary to secure French interests abroad, but that they should be required in our beautiful land is troubling. Will such methods be used again in the future?
KJF: Not unless our enemies, both inside and abroad, seek to threaten the unity of the French state. France cannot be divided, and those who seek to cause insurrection are traitors to both the nation and its people, and must be treated as such. France, under my watch, will never succumb to such uprisings.
XF: Turning to somewhat more commercial matters; what are the governments long term plans for the settlements on the antipodean continent? Some comments have been raised over the potential damage to commercial interests in Indonesia that a colonial war with the Portuguese could lead to, though eventual French victory is of course assured.
KJF: France seeks to nurture these colonies into stable, successful settlements based upon European values. These islands contain many resources, and if they are properly settled, France shall have at her disposal a whole array of goods from which all of our citizens shall benefit. Furthermore, we do not seek conflict with our Portuguese friends, and will not pursue avenues which will hamper our relationships. No one has claimed these lands, and what we are doing is not against their interests in any way. France simply wishes to expand her colonies, and bring light to peoples which currently live in darkness.
XF: What is your opinion on the recent upheavals in the Mohamadian regions of India, namely the sudden ruthlessness of that formerly peaceful barbaric regime, and the apparent alliance with the Ottomans, do you think the Spanish might be involved somehow? Will our outstanding arrangements with the Mughals change? My Newspaper has received many an anxious letter from investors in the Royal India Company...
KJF: We believe that though the Mughal reforms are in good spirit, the ruthlessness at which they are being carried out is rather disturbing. However, we do not think that the Spaniards are involved in the region, as they have no bases of value and because our outstanding treaty with the Mughals establishes France its supreme trade partner. The alliance with the Ottomans is somewhat disturbing, and we do not see how the Mughals could benefit from such an alliance, especially given the weakness of the Ottoman state.
XF: Speaking on the question of India and Spanish bases, what is your opinion on the talk the retired Admiral de Grasse gave at the naval academy last month; that French interests would best be served by acquiring a stopping station on the African coast between the Niger delta and Madagascar, to secure our route to the orient? And on the expansionary conflicts the Portuguese and the Spanish seem to be undertaking in that very region.
KJF: I believe that such a stopping point would be beneficial to our nation, yet at the same time I do not wish to become embroiled in the 'great game' which is taking place in Africa.
XF: A wise and cautious move your majesty. On the subject of the nations security, will our alliance with the Russians, who have often been noted as an aggressive and expansionist power, keep us out of such 'games'?
KJF: Yes, I believe so. The Russians are strong, faithful allies, and their interests coincide with our interests. Such interests include maintaining the stable balance of power which currently exists within central Europe.
XF: Your esteemed Minster Ernest Daudet spoke recently on that 'Europe is becoming a powder keg of alliances' in Parlement. If war breaks out in the Mediterranean, will France become embroiled in it or will she stay aloof, acting only to secure the nations interests?
KJF: France will protect her interests and the interests of our allies. These alliances have been made to protect France from enemies abroad and we, as good allies, must protect our allies when they come under attack. However, if war between two minor nations breaks out, we will not interfere in such a war if it does not affect France directly - we will only work towards peace.
XF: That is most reassuring to me your majesty; my son is currently serving in the Mediterranean patrols. Leading on from that with my next question; what is your opinion on Spains distasteful treaty with the Mohamadian Turk? Adding to that the odd behaviour of the pope in recent times?
KJF: We believe that such activity is detrimental to the so called "balance of power". By allying with the Turk, Spain has decidedly put itself in conflict with its traditional Christian values, and has sided with a nation which freely oppresses Christians. And as to the Pope, we believe he is doing what he is doing only to assure his own well-being. It is our opinion that the Church is a divine institution, and as such should not interfere in affairs of state. God does not interfere directly, he only dispenses wisdom through his message, and the Church would do well to follow our father's lead.
XF: If we cannot trust the Bishop of Rome, who should we turn to for our spiritual guidance? Unity under a dark cloud, or division among the squabbling protestant sects? Neither seem a pleasant opinion to me Your Majesty...
KJF: I, as a practicing, faithful catholic, trust only in the bible and the advice of our local congregation. However, I no longer put my faith in the Vatican. Religion should not be what others tell you to believe, but what you yourself believe, with the guidance of the Holy Scriptures.
XF: Ending on a somewhat lighter note; by what name would you like history to remember you your Majesty? People are already calling you 'the Just'...
KJF: The Just or the Fair seems quite just to me (The king took a moment to laugh). If I am remembered as a good king, a king which did much to help his people, than I shall be contented in my grave.
XF: Thank you your majesty, both on behalf of myself and le Parisien, for this great honour, and on behalf of the Nation for working so tirelessly to secure our interests.
KJF: Thank you, for asking me to do this interview. It was quite a refreshing experience.
Once more I thank the King and his government, and hope that the nations confidence in our king is cemented!
