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July 7, 1938

Parliament Approves Establishment of U.S. Naval Base in Cardigan Bay
Escalating Japanese Aggression in China Spurs House to Action

BRAELAND CITY, July 7 (BP) – By a vote of 105-14, Parliament gave overwhelming approval today to the establishment of a United States fueling base in Cardigan Bay at Cambria. Declaring it was time to “end Parliament’s vacillation and stand up and be counted”, Braeland Prime Minister Douglas Avery urged all sitting members to ratify the Braelander-American agreement that has been hotly debate since it was introduced in the House two weeks ago.

Citing recent reports of a horrific massacre in Nanking, China’s capital, at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army, and the apparent escalation of the Sino-Japanese war in Kiangsu Province, Prime Minister Avery gave an impassioned speech calling for action at the start of morning sessions.

“The reports by Mr. [John] Rabe of the terrible atrocities committed in and around Nanking horrify us and give us pause; they show the extent to which the Empire of Japan will go to achieve their ends. And make no mistake; Japanese aggression in the Republic of China is merely a staging area for further aggression in the Pacific. Braeland cannot continue deluding itself into thinking that it is too remote to be affected by international conflicts. It is time for action and to take appropriate measures for the defense of Braeland.”

Heeding the Prime Minister’s call to take up the issue of the establishment of an American naval base in Cardigan Bay “without delay”, the lower House immediately agreed to end debate and voted on the accord. Upon leaving the House following the successful vote, Prime Minister Avery praised members for putting Braeland ahead of partisan feelings.

“This wasn’t about a government or a party getting its way; this was about doing what was in the best interests of the country, and that’s what happened in the House today. I applaud all members for taking action at this most crucial time. The South Pacific has been made more secure because of this.”

The agreement between Braeland and the United States to establish a naval fueling base in Cardigan Bay for supporting American naval operations in the South Pacific was primarily the work of Braeland’s Minister of Defence Charles Corry and Claude A. Swanson, United States Secretary of the Navy. The agreement calls for the provision of tank storage for 200,000 barrels of fuel oil and 38,000 barrels of gasoline, a seaplane base, installations necessary for a defense detachment of 3,500 men and suitable harbour facilities. The facility will form a key part in maintaining a line of military defense and communication in the South Pacific, a line that currently stretches 7,800 miles, from Panama to Sydney, Australia.

But the agreement has its critics, who express fears that the measure signals a potential threat to the freedom of Japanese citizens residing and working in Braeland. Braeland is home to about 34,000 citizens of Japanese background. Although that represents just 0.3% of Braeland’s total population, it is significant to a country that has only recently begun to enjoy friendly and open relations with Japan, especially since the re-establishment of the Monarchy.

Observing these developments, both home and abroad, is the United Leagues and its associated minor leagues. The League reports that it currently employs approximately 90 players and 7 coaching personnel who are from Japan. A number of Japanese-born players enjoyed success this past season in the United Leagues, such as Kingston’s SS Okura Ito and Stratford’s SP Kazuhiko Chikafuji. But native-born Braelanders of Japanese descent, such as Queensland’s star player SS Katsunan Chikafuji may also be in the crosshairs if the country succumbs to a war hysteria mentality, a fear that opponents to a United States naval base in Braeland feel can only grow in light of today’s developments.

The government, however, has been quick to try and ease such fears, stressing that this action is not directed at ordinary citizens, but to a potential threat that may or may not transpire. “This is an act of reason, not an act of unreasonableness”, stressed Minister of External Affairs, Gerald Stone.

For his part, United Leagues Commissioner Dr. David Westfall, refused to comment directly on the debate, simply stating that the Leagues will continue to work closely with its players and management to ensure that all are treated with respect and due consideration to any situation they may find themselves in.

“The make-up of the United Leagues reflects the makeup of the country; we have players and coaches and managers from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures, and the Leagues embrace that, just as the country does. And we will continue to embrace it.”

But the Commissioner declined to speculate on the impact a heightened military threat in the Pacific would have on baseball in Braeland.

“Obviously there are more important things in life than baseball”, the Commissioner allowed, “but to comment on hypotheticals would not be productive at this point, and frankly, it would serve no useful purpose. What we do know is that we have just come off a tremendous inaugural season in the United Leagues and we are gearing for another successful season in October. That is our focus.”

Following its successful passage through the Lower House, the agreement is now being sent to the Senate for its approval. However, it is expected to pass easily. Barring any unexpected delays, ground breaking for the new naval facility is slated for the first week in August.