(Collaborative post by AspenIvan, Littlefield, and Zurajai)

[h3]Revolutionary Workers' Congress, Brouges[/h3]

[b]SESSION ON DEREHAM REPUBLIC ASSOCIATION WITH SYNDINTERN[/b]

The day's session was a long-awaited opportunity: Finally the leader of the Dereham Republic would discuss with Congress the terms of his nation's entry into the International as an associate state.  RWC Chair Emma Goossens, naturally, would facilitate the encounter.
Unlike traditional parliaments, the Revoltionary Workers' Congress assembly-chamber was a full circle as opposed to a semicircle, but for a doorway at one end.  Goossens sat in the center, eyes darting attentively from representative to representative for a moment before fixing her gaze on the man sitting just opposite her: Supreme Chancellor Robert Glenshaw of the Dereham Republic.  As guest and center of attention for the meeting, he had a place in the center along with the Chair.

"Comrade Chancellor," she began, "it's a pleasure to finally receive you here after the twenty year wait."  She smiled, hoping the Aenglander wouldn't mind a little teasing.  Discussions in the RWC were less strictly formal than in bourgeois-democratic assemblies; joking was common, though never at the cost of respect.  The delegates also dressed less formally than one might expect in a parliament: Trench coats, brown jackets, everyday shirts and pants and dresses.

"I believe you understand the terms of state entry into the International as an associate state, but I'll go ahead and review them for the sake of procedure, and so we're all on the same page.  The state must arrange for all workers to have free and fair elections to join or form  Syndintern member-unions -if they are not already a part-, preserve and protect the democratic socialist management of all workplaces, facilitate the formation of city and regional Work Exchanges, and adhere to the fundamental principles of the International. In return, the RSI promises to help defend the state's territorial integrity to the best of its ability, allow  it access to the Central Work Exchange and the benefits of the integrated economy of the Revolutionary International Syndicalist movement, and provide development aid to the state as appropriate for its people's needs.

"So what's your take, Comrade Chancellor?" Goossens asked earnestly, curious as to what the famed Dereham revolutionary would have to say.  "Anything you would have us add?"

The Supreme Chancellor shifted his tie slighty, contemplating the words of Ms. Goossens. Mr. Glenshaw stood up and began to speak.
"The terms have been discussed and agreed upon by the Council of Workers, in Amner, with a single additional request on our part." The Chancellor paused for a moment considering the wording of what he was about to say, "The Council of Workers, and the people of Dereham require the aid and attendance of the International to establish a canal joining the Great Northern Ocean in the West, with the Great Middle Ocean in the East." The chancellor continued, "It was a goal for our people to unite East with West when I was first elected Supreme Chancellor. I wish to complete this for the people. That is all I request." As he finished, The Chancellor returned to his seat, prepared to hear the response of the RWC.

Chancellor Glenshaw's request was met with the murmur of countless hushed discussions by the representatives, talking among thesmelves to gather their thoughts on the proposed amendment.  Goossens looked up and around the room with interest, but she did not speak.  She knew when to let the delegates have a little time to chat amongst themselves.

Eventually, a delegate stood and spoke up.

"Representative Johan Groeniger from the Völsung Fishing Federation. Pleased to meet you Chancellor Glenshaw."  The man wore a plaid shirt and a simple linen jacket, and his face was worn wih age.  "I know a thing or two about canals, and people have been talking about just this sort of East-West project for as long as I can remember.  But it's never been done.  We wanna help, don't get me wrong, but how do we know the project is even viable?  We can't just pour our dues into a big ditch that just *might* happen to someday eventually lead to somewhere, if you'll excuse me being frank."

A scattering of fellow delegates nodded and murmured in agreement, but most were looking with great interest to Glenshaw to hear his response.  Did he have actual evidence to support the possibility of such a feat?

Chancellor Glenshaw smiled and spoke softly, "A project of this scale would indeed be a massive undertaking, and cost an immense amount of money, and resources. Even though the cost will be high, the benefits for our people far outweigh them." The Chancellor stood, once more, and buttoned his suit jacket. "I can not say that there will be no risk, doing so would simply be lying to you. But with such a great risk, comes an even greater reward."

It was at this point that the Proletariat General of the NFRU, Erasmus Koen Dreyer, stood and interjected his own words of wisdom, looking out at the delegates after clearing his throat swiftly. 

"Comrades, Chancellor Glenshaw speaks of a universal truth that all of us should know better than any other. Did not all of us 'pour our dues' into revolutions that had only the slightest chance for success? Yet here we are, having prevailed over the decadent oligarchs and the tyrannical monarchs of the old regimes. If your hesitation, Comrades, is based solely on a fear of possible failure than you are hardly the revolutionaries that I once knew. This effort will unify our peoples more than ever before, provide numerous jobs to all those involved, and prove to the world that the Syndicalists are capable of succeeding at efforts no Monarchist nor Bourgeois has ever before."

Chancellor Glenshaw nodded in the direction of his old friend. "Thank you, Erasmus. It would be wise to view this as an opportunity, to show the world that cooperation will always succeed where competition could not. Allow me to ask, Proleteriat General Dreyer, how long does it take for a diplomat from the NFRU to reach the Western continent?" The Chancellor asked, gesturing his hand in the direction of Erasmus Koen Dryer.
"Several months, at most, to get to Alleghany." intoned Erasmus, leaning back into his chair, "Perhaps less."
The Chancellor smiled "Precisely, the experts who we discussed this project with believe that we would be able to halve that if we build this canal."

Another RWC delegate stood.  "Representative Helene Roussellier, Northern Rail Workers United.  I think we all understand the costs and benefits here, but we need an idea of just how feasible this project is.  It's one thing to fight against the odds to free ourselves from intolerable oppression, but shorteninghere we ought to be a little more pragmatic.  Comrade Chancellor, can you give us something to work off of?  A geological report, architectural plans, risk analysis?  And if I can get a little more particular, how are we going to make sure this doesn't kill the rail lines?  Will this canal be able to support a bridge or something, or can a ferry move efficiently from bank to bank?"

"Our current plans, as the Proletariat General has seen, include a moveable bridge. A bascule bridge. The purpose of this bridge is to open when a boat is moving through the area, and to close once the boat has passed." The chancellor put both of his hands together, in such a way that his fingers were touching. He lifted his fingers up, until they seperated, "Like so." The chancellor took a step towards Representative Roussellier, "If a single bridge is not enough, we can build two. Our plan also would also require a two-lane lock system, to offset the differences in sea level. Our preliminary reports show that this is a most feasible project." The chancellor remained standing, and looked around the room where many delegates remained murmuring about the proposal. He was still unable to discern if he had swayed anyone.

"Thank you Comrade Chancellor," Representative Roussellier replied with a respectful nod, before sitting back down.  She seemed satisfied with Glenshaw's response.

Then rose another delegate,  "Representative Amelia Dover, Alleghany Artisan-Syndicalists.  I for one want to express my support for the proposal.  Because first of all I trust that our fellow syndicalist comrades in the government of Dereham know what they're doing.  They've decided they want to join Syndintern, so their grand projects ought to be *all of our* grand projects.  We need to stand together as the Syndicalists of the World.  And here's where it gets more personal. Those of us outside Liberated Territory in the West could use easier supply lines and communication with the rest of you.  The canal isn't just a road to trade and jobs, but a road to reinforcing the revolution, friends.  I can't count how many times funds or messages arrived just a little too late, and I'm sure every other Syndicalist in the West has had similar experiences.  Think of how far we've come already together: How much further can we go if we aren't blocked off from one another by a wall?"

Several delegates clapped or nodded to show respect and agreement.  Representative Dover had a good point.  But the Chair had a point of her own to bring up.

"Well done, comrade Dover!" she began, shining a smile briefly at the representative as she sat.  "Don't let anyone here get complacent when there's still so much work we still need to do in this world.  The moment us in Liberated Territory forget our comrades still fighting for freedom would be the moment Revolutionary Syndicalism dies."

She turned back to face the Supreme Chancellor.  "I do have a concern about the project, though.  It's been twenty years since the masses of Dereham took back the land and the means of production from feudal and bourgeois tyrants.  And I take it there are fields, villages, maybe even towns where the proposed canal would run through.  How can we expropriate and evict people from their homeland less than a generation after they won it back from their oppressors?  If that is the glory of Syndicalism, it seems like a raw deal for those folks."  She eyed Glenshaw keenly, awaiting an explanation.

Glenshaw looked at Goossens, and smiled "Of course, ma'am. Undoubtedly this has been among our primary concerns." The Chancellor returned to his seat, and continued, "We have employed inquirers to conduct surveys the areas in the way of planned construction and inquire if the people would be adverse to selling their property those responsible for constructing the canal. The price at which their land would be purchased is very generous, and if I may interject a bit of my own personal opinion into this, I would imagine that most of the people would be in favor of this. The Chancellor broke eye contact with the Chair and looked around the room at the other representatives there, nodding to Amelia Dover in thanks for her support, before returning his gaze to Goossens to hear her response.

"And what if a village or cooperative declines your offer to buy?" the Chair replied without missing a beat.  "Some people value home more than money."

"The land is sparcely populated, ma'am, and I would wager those living there would be willing to sell their homes for the greater good of the people." The chancellor responded quickly to her inquiry.

"You would wager?" she asked with a hint of skepticism.  "So there's [i]hasn't[/i] been an inquiry on the ground?  Seems proper to me to ask the folks whose land is there [i]before[/i] you come proposing the project to us.  And for my own part, [i]I[/i] would wager that some of these villages would at least like a say in how the canal is done, maybe a stake in the project's returns or consultation rights in water management."

"You misunderstand, Ms. Goossens. Just moments ago, I stated inquirers had conducted surveys of the populace to determine whether or not they'd be willing to allow a canal to be built. The answer is yes." The chancellor continued, "To put it more concisely, they've been asked. As for your personal input, I'm unaware of any water management experts living in the area, however we had considered offering them jobs on the workforce for the construction of the canal."

"Good to hear the inquiry got such positive results.  Was it a simple majority that came out in favor of selling?  A plurality?  Consensus?  And as for water management, I think you misunderstand me.  If a village or a homestead wants to stay put in the vicinity of the canal, they ought to have a say in where some of the water goes since it will affect their livelihood.  Maybe they can get some irrigation, or maybe you agree to build levees to contain the water.  Whatever it is, and however few people don't sell, they are comrade workers of the Revolution with rights to democratic management of their workplace, and that includes however water mixes in with their fields."

"It is a vast majority in favor, the number of people unwilling to sell was no more than five families. I agree that allowing them input on where some of the water goes would be more than acceptable." The Supreme Chancellor said.

"Well I guess we've come to mutual understanding then," the Chair announced with satisfaction.  "As long as we can get that in writing and Congress can send agents to verify that those families are properly consulted, I'm ready to support your amended proposal for state-associate membership in the International.  Any comments or questions from the rest of my fellow congresspeople, or from our NFRU comrades?"
  
Goosens waited for a long moment, but saw no hands raise or representatives stand.

"In that case, how about we bring this to a vote?  That is, if our esteemed Comrade Chancellor has nothing else to add."

"I do believe I've stated my case in a sufficient manner." The chancellor stated with conviction.

"Glad to hear it," the Chair replied with a respectful nod to Glenshaw.  She moved her gaze back around the chamber, scanning the delegates.  "Let's move things along, then.  All in favor..."

Thus began the drawn-out process of counting the numbers for and against, but the conclusion was practically foregone.  Few representatives would dare mess up this opportunity of a lifetime: Dereham joining Syndintern.