AZTECS BEGIN WORK ON NEW ELECTRIC GRID. Oaxaca, Aztlan. The Aztec people have often lived in the dark, both under Spanish and American imperial rule. Only the larger cities have been given electric lights since the dawn of the twentieth century, and that has been lackluster at best. Therefore, when the republic announced the beginning of a new major electrification project, the population has been highly enthusiastic for the advances to come. Foreign press have applauded the Aztec president for his efforts towards modernization, and great wealth has been dedicated towards the development of the program. The president has pledged electric lighting for all of the Aztec people, and that it would be a glorious electrical dawn for the great cities of the Aztecs. The new construction has also begun to provide new jobs and industry, as the efforts are put underway. Conservative estimates say that such an ambitious project is likely to take a number of years, and forecasts put completion of construction around 1920.
EXPULSION OF VINLAND AMERICANS. Sammanström, Vinland. After the growing dissent issued forth by the refugee population in the western parts of Vinland, the government in Nya Stockholm has declared the expulsion of those who have failed to become citizens. Surprisingly, the threat of force has spurred a number of Americans to reluctantly apply for citizenship, but a large number have been removed over the course of the year. A large number have left willingly as well, and despite Vinlander fears of an internal rebellion by the Americans, the affairs has been conducted fairly peacefully. The towns have been emptied for the most part, though there remain a number of majority American areas. The stabilized situation to the south has spurred many of these people in their choice to leave, but some have chosen to continue to make their homes in the north. Thankfully, a surprisingly low number of people had to actually be physically forced to leave by Vinland's army, and it seems that things have calmed substantially throughout the western provinces. (+1 Stability)
FLORIDA HOLDS FIRST ELECTIONS. Dallas, Florida. The new independent nation of Florida held its first elections this year, even as similarly new elections were calculated in Washington and Denver. The Floridian elections have been monitored by a number of sources and were freely held and significant. The elections were hotly disputed between the liberal Progressive Party and the surprisingly strong conservative Reformed Party of the Republic. The agreement with the proletarists after years of fighting caused the Party of the Republic to take a hit as Governor Jeter offered his support for them. The Progressives, however, while promising to maintain the peace, have offered a freer approach towards government and a far more independent society. They have called for substantial new reforms and a radical approach to a free American nation, verging nearly upon proletarist identity themselves. Regardless, they have won the elections in a landslide, as it seems a strong new force has taken the helm of the Floridian nation. (+1 Stability)
INTERVENTION LAUNCHED IN ECUADOR. Quito, Ecuador. In South America's first major local military conflict in decades, the governments of Peru and Colombia have launched an invasion to oust the proletarist government in Quito. The regime of Erick Acero has been seen as mostly popular, despite his naive attempts to compromise with capitalist and members of the old guard. The Colombians and Peruvians have mustered substantial forces to begin an assault into the Ecuadorian nation, to seize control and establish a new republican government. Despite hopes for a rapid and easy campaign, the Colombian and Peruvian armies have found a slog through difficult terrain as local support for the proletarists creates a logistical nightmare. Efforts by the Andean Rangers to push through the interior have been remotely successful, but have not taken anything of value, as most of the land's residents remain hostile against the occupiers. The Peruvians met with further disaster when an attempted amphibious assault went into the waiting guns of Ecuadorian coastal defenses. They were forced to retreat with heavy casualties. The main fighting for all parties took place along the coast, as the Ecuadorians were able to dig in along fortified points, using the mountains and jungles to anchor their flanks against the invaders. The casualties have been heavy among all sides, as the Ecuadorians struggle to maintain their lines against the massive assault.
Casualty Lists
Colombia: 10 Conscript Brigades, 4 Infantry Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Peru: 11 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade (+1 Army Quality)
Ecuador: 19 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
PROLETARISTS CLASH WITH NEW AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. Chattanooga, Tennessee Proletarist Republic. Despite the recent treaties and peaces made throughout the North American continent, some significant fighting has occurred between the proletarists and the new government in Washington. The clashes have been at a much reduced level than in previous years but continue to retain all the ferocity. Though most of the fighting subsided with the withdrawal of the international forces throughout the south, minor skirmishes continued to take place, mostly on a local guerilla level. The first real campaigns took place late in the year as Appalachian forces initiated an attack upon into western Pennsylvania. Due to the events of the "Liberty Summer" purges of the traditional proletarists from the ranks of the United American Republic, the Appalachian armies found ample supporters among the large negro population of western Pennsylvania. Thanks to local support, they managed to punch a number of holes in the American lines, and bring a flow of guns and munitions to the black population of the area, throwing Pennsylvania into chaos. By the end of the year, the chaotic fighting had somewhat stabilized, as the proletarists established control up the Ohio River. The next major battle took place as the American government launched an assault upon New Barcelona, arriving in time to meet the massive forces being pulled out of Florida. Outnumbered and outgunned, the American army was devastated when they attempted to push up the Mississippi. With the army under risk of total loss and destruction, the Rangers held a rear guard action, as the remnants were pulled out under heavy fire. Lastly, heavy action took place in the south, as the American forces attempted to drive a wedge between the Mississippi and Tennessee Proletarist Republics. Outnumbered, the attack quickly turned into a slog in the mountainous terrain, and the Americans bled for every inch, making only the tiniest headway by the end of the year.
Casualty Lists
Appalachian Proletarist Republic: 16 Conscript Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Mississippi Proletarist Republic: 28 Conscript Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Tennessee Proletarist Republic: 9 Conscript Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
United States of America: 28 Conscript Brigades, 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Rangers Brigade, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 5 Artillery Brigades, 4 Rio-class River Boats (+1 Army Quality)
News from Africa and the Middle East
PONTIC ELECTIONS. Trebizond, Pontic Republic. The third elections ever have been held in the Pontic Republic this year, as the small nation underwent a new campaign season. The Party of Might has campaigned upon its domestic successes, including the highly popular electrification program. They have further showcased the fine work being done on the industrialization of the Pontic Republic, and the numerous new jobs and opportunities created. They have pledged that they will leverage these gains into economic and military strength abroad, establishing a strong presence in the Black Sea and beyond. The final nail in the coffin of the opposing Party of Freedom was the inclusion of Turkish representatives into the Party of Might, a long-standing position which the liberals had used in their own campaigns. This successfully undermined the Party of Might's opposition, allowing them to sweep into office on the largest majority yet. This has once more consolidated the party's position and helped even further stabilize the young nation. (+1 Stability)
TURKS LAUNCH FULL REBELLION IN KURDISTAN, WAR ERUPTS. Adana, Turkey. The Young Turks in Kurdistan have led a movement which has sparked a war between Turkey and Kurdistan. The rebellion began in the city of Adana as a Young Turk attack upon the naval yards turned into a full uprising. The Kurdish military responded with an attack upon the city, but seized naval equipment allowed the Turks to repulse the offensive. The Turkish rebels then rallied the people of the countryside, which rose up in full rebellion against Kurdish rule. The Kurds were badly mauled and viciously defeated in battle after battle, but retaliated with some successes of their own. As they seemed to be mobilizing for a counteroffensive which could have destroyed the rebellion, the free Turkish people issued a declaration of war and came to their brethren's aid. The Republic of Turkey thereby issued a declaration of war against the government of Kurdistan, and a new conflict has truly erupted in the Middle East. The surge of new forces pushed the Kurds out of the Turkish majority regions in bloody fighting, and the war has currently stalemated along the Euphrates River, and neither side has managed a crossing.
Casualty Lists
Kurdistan: 3 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade, 1 Harpoon-class Submarine, 1 Zygmunt-class Destroyer
Turkey: 4 Conscript Brigades, 4 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
SULTAN KILLED IN OMANI POWER PLAY. Muscat, Oman. In a move seeming archaic to many European observers, a major power shift has taken place in the Middle Eastern nation of Oman. Abdul bin Sultan, ruler of the nation of Oman for the past twenty-five years, was murdered on the orders of his heir. The move has come as a shock to some of the old guard, but most have backed the coup, as the old sultan was clearly entering his final years of life regardless. Failing health and a failing mind had led to several controversial policies being implemented over the past few years, most of which were selectively ignored by his subjects. The king's ailing mental health was made worse as a number of his advisers continued to plot to maintain the status quo to enrich themselves. Therefore when Mohammed bin Sultan II staged his move for power, he found a number of bureaucrats and nobles anxious to support him. The new sultan has been proclaimed, and the citizens of Oman have let out a universal sigh of relief, hoping that the new ruler will prove to be a better one than his father. (+1 Stability)
KURDS COMPLETE INDUSTRIAL OVERHAUL. Cizre, Kurdistan. A major overhaul to the industrial sector of Kurdistan was completed this year, as the monarchy announced the completion of a dramatic new program to increase production. New factories and industries have been built gearing for a lucrative trading relationship both with Russia and overseas. Unfortunately the rebellion among the Turks has shattered any hopes of this project being even slightly effective. The industrial overhaul was built upon the premise that sea access would be retained, and with the loss of the Turkish territories, the Kurdish project floundered and then utterly failed. With no incoming products or support, the factories were closed nearly immediately after they opened, leaving nothing but a legacy of wasted funds and failed production.
BRITAIN COMPLETES SUEZ RECONSTRUCTION. Suez, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Suez Canal, which laid devastated after the constant combat during the Great War between Spain and the Arabian Empire, has at last been returned to operational status. The massive renovations undertaken by the British after the war have not only cleared the rubble, but have essentially dug an entirely new canal. Rather than using the lock system created by Spanish engineers, the British have chosen instead to allow for the more expensive but reliable construction of a straightly dug canal. The new system not only can allow for more tonnage of shipping, but also requires less upkeep and is less vulnerable to extensive damage or bombardment. The hopes are that this is will allow for a more secure canal in the long run, as well as bringing prosperity back to the Mediterranean Sea.
News from the Far East
ELECTIONS IN GUANGXI. Guangzhou, Guangxi. The British Dominion of Guangxi held their elections this year, as the eligible voters turned out to the polls. The reigning Whig Party has pledged the continued prosperity and wealth dominion status has given the Chinese people of Guangxi, assuring the protection of the status quo and the rights of British businesses. The opposition in the Conservative Party has had a similar pattern on business, but has also advocated a larger military presence and the beginning of efforts to defend or absorb Japanese China and the military Chinese state in the west. The concerns of war however, have not been too appealing to those eligible to vote in British China. The result has been that once more the Whig Party has swept back into office, as the stalwart defenders of the status quo and British dominance in southern China.
FIRST ELECTIONS IN HAWAII. Honolulu, Hawaii. For the first time since gaining its independence from the United States of America and becoming a protectorate of Japan, the nation of Hawaii has held free elections for its newly formed Congress and Presidency. The politics have been dominated by two political parties, the liberal Free Hawaii Party, consisting of the native and American leaders who lead the charge for independence, and the Whig Party, consisting of more moderate leaders who have called for a more neutral stance away from Japanese rule and isolation from the Pacific Concords. There also consists of a significant minority population who back the old Party of the Republic, advocating a return to the rule of the rightful American president, Robert Wallace and the Allied Territories of America. They continue to be a highly outspoken minority and are not taken seriously as a political force. This year the elections have clearly gone to the Free Hawaii Party, which has continued to back increased trade and political relations with the Pacific Concord, in order to build up the defenses of the young nation.
DEATH OF THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN. Kyoto, Japan. To the great distress of the Japanese people, the much beloved Emperor Meiji passed away this year, a titan of a man who lead the nation to ever greater glory. Emperor Meiji has led the Empire of Japan for nearly fifty years, one of the greatest monarchs in the island nation's history. Under his reign, Japan grew exponentially in size and influence, growing across the Pacific Ocean, and conquering almost half of China. The nation's economy has also soared as the wealth and resources of the Pacific has fueled its growing industrial base and platform. Many believe that the emperor's son is barely half the man of his father, but are consoled by his adherence to old Japanese traditions and ways of life. The hopes remain high that the new Emperor Taisho will lead the Japanese people to ever growing heights and empire and power.
CHINESE ORGANIZE AGAINST JAPAN. Beijing, Japan. The Japanese authorities in China have begun to notice an alarming rise in the number of proletarist agitators throughout the coastal and major cities of China. The movement seems to have a stronger and more mysterious leader spearheading its efforts, decrying the Japanese as oppressors of the Chinese people. The proletarists have promised a China free of foreign influences, united under the common bond of the working class. They have begun rallying substantial support among the more oppressed workers, and throughout the countryside, but reports seem to indicate that they have found only cold shoulders among the growing wealthy middle class in the coastal cities. The Japanese have declared this movement illegal, but continued to be stymied at every turn, attempting to track down those responsible for the growth of the proletarist cause. The so called Red Army, known for their symbol of a red banner to mark their rallies, has been clearly identified as a major threat to Japanese rule in China by most foreign observers. (-1 Stability in Japanese China)
MILITARY SEIZES POWER IN NEW ZEALAND. Akarana, New Zealand. The white population in New Zealand has been focused upon the growing influence of the local Maori population, and many have begun to fear the total loss of power and influence. The military, still dominated by people of Portuguese and British descent, has rallied these people, hoping to bring together a united front against the Maori. This came to a head this year, as general Marcus Rocha led the army in establishing total martial law and ousting the elected government. The Maori immediately responded with a limited uprising on the north island, and the army successfully managed to quell this in heavy fighting, and most of the remaining Maori population have been imprisoned. Plans have been put forward to expel these dissidents to the larger southern island, to reservations set aside for the native peoples. The army has begun preparing for such an operation, pledging that the nation of New Zealand will be forever under the reign of the European peoples who have conquered it. (-1 Infantry Brigade)
THE INDEPENDENCE OF INDIA. Delhi, India. In a day long awaited by Indian nationalists, and promised by the Bombay Accords, the Spanish have granted the independence of the United Principalities of India. The new government has been established based upon the Spanish home constitution, as drafted by the Indian National Congress. The Spanish have continued to retain their military forces in the region in order to protect the young nation and their early years of growth and development. The Spanish have continued to retain control of the naval base at Puducherry and continue to reign over the Kathiawar Peninsula. The new nationalist fervor has led to the establishment of this nation, and has begun to undermine, indirectly, British and Dutch imperial rule in other parts of what many perceive to be the Indian nation. The new High Prince of India has pledged that he will oversee a free Indian state, and that the nation will be the new center of Asian civilization. (-1 Stability in British Indochina and Dutch Ceylon)
Financial Section
ANGOLA RAISES EXTRACTION TAXES. Namibe, Angola. The government of Angola introduced a new taxation policy this year, as they raised prices upon the extraction of any natural resources from the soil of the African nation. This has been done to improve the intake of the government of any proceeds from local resource development and growth. The efforts have been done to help finance government programs and development, leading to an improved situation. Unfortunately, the Brazilian mining companies have been less than thrilled with this development, and have begun lobbying to have the tax repealed supporting opponents to the current political party, and making an effort to increase dissent against the government by lowering wages to compensate for lost profits to taxation.
ECONOMIC FLUCTUATION REPORT. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Sports Page
THE 1916 OLYMPIC GAMES. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The gala events of the Olympic Games were held this year in the tropical paradise of Buenos Aires in Argentina. The opening events were said to be the most impressive to date, far outshining even the greatest games held in the past, as cinematic and stage directors from the lauded Argentine theater were hired to create the displays. The Games themselves were a noteworthy affair, with the addition of two new events, balompie, a popular sport in continental Europe, and polo, a sport widely revered throughout the British Empire and South America. The events were only slightly marred by politics this year, in contrast to the 1912 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Russia has continued to boycott the Games among a number of their subject allies. Overall, in the course of the Games, the Germans were seen as the primary winners, dominating events and winning the most Gold medals. Regardless, many fine athletes participated, including the first female contender, a marksperson from Switzerland. Though she did not even place in any of the events, she has been heralded as a hero by suffragettes worldwide for making a great stride for women. As the events closed, three cities were announced as possible choices for the 1920 Olympic Games. The recent reconstruction of Constantinople has brought that city to the Committee's attention, as some have called for the Games to act as a recognition for their achievements. The second choice has been the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, a significant economic center. The third choice offered London, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, offering the heart of the world's greatest empire as a choice for the Committee.
The Cultural Center
The Worker's Canticle
Karl Usterbjorn was a Lutheran minister from Bergen, who motivated and impassioned by the quasi-religious element of some fringes of the Revolutionary movement in Scandinavia, published "The Worker's Canticle" as a prayer book-cum-proletarist Bible interpreting the tale of Jesus Christ as an observation on God's ultimate goal of realizing proletarism as the Kingdom of Heaven. The Worker's Canticle quickly became popular among proletarists who were also devout Lutherans, which although not a particularly influential group within the structure of the Revolution, was large enough to make Usterbjorn a minor celebrity. His Canticle became a landmark tract in the proletarist relationship with religion, and the phrases and chants he coined within it became part and parcel to Lutheran proletarists in Scandinavia.
On the Future of America
On the Future of America is a booklet written by American army officer Ashley Williams, currently serving with the armies of the Allied Territories of America. This new booklet argues the intellectual merits of the government established by General Scott in the nineteenth century over "runaway liberalism" like that practiced by the newly reformed government of the illegitimate United States along the East Coast. The booklet argues that the natural ferocity and barbarism of the negro must be contained, and only a strong army and military can achieve such a goal. Furthermore, the demonstrations of decadence shown by the obscene tangos and music of South America represent a moral threat, that only tradition can combat. The booklet has become required reading for its arguments for a restoration of the old regime, and outlines a future for an American continent dominated by the traditional principles of the Allied Territories of America.
Random Stat Changes and Fluctuations and Minor Technological Advances
Aztec military officers initiate low level reform, dramatically improving army performance: +1 Army Quality.
New Croatian naval officers display competence and skill in wargames: +1 Navy Quality.
Population surge reported to statisticians in Pontic Republic: +8 Manpower
Uruguayan navy demonstrates exception skill in local training exercises: +1 Navy Quality.
Honduran army proves highly incompetent: -1 Army Quality.
Brazil shares construction rights for the Rio-class River Boat with the United States of America.
Brazil designs the new Model P-16 "Arara" Fighter Plane.
Spain establishes the Tizona Special Forces elite force.
Spain designs the new M1916 VB, shares construction rights with Germany, Italy, India, and Japan.
Brittany designs the new Cawr Arfogedig Two, shares construction rights with Occitania.
Serbia establishes the Crna Legija elite force.
Aztlan adopts Pacific Coast Army 1915 Doctrine.
Vinland adopts American Federal Army 1912 Doctrine.
Hungary creates and adopts Magyar Birodalmi Army 1916 Doctrine.
Peru shares construction rights for the
King Juan-class Battleship with Kurdistan.
Appalachian Proletarist Republic adopts Fatherland Proletarist Army 1913 doctrine.
Portugal gives construction rights for the Oporto-class Destroyer to Kongo.
Turkey creates and adopts Turkish National Army 1916 Doctrine.
OOC
@Christos200: There's no such thing as a "communist" party, or indeed, a "communist" at all. See the first page post on terminology. Also, I did not enact any of your reforms because you are being invaded. Such things will have to wait until after the war, assuming you survive.
@Grandkhan: Seeing as the Aztecs were not conquered until much later, I believe Cortez is not a viable name choice for a tank. Therefore, we're just keeping the clinical name for the time being. Perhaps it will earn a nickname through combat, like most weapons. Also you did not have enough EP to design the carrier, and you must have miscalculated how much EP you had to start. Therefore, any left over has been banked. Also, personally I'd suggest having a plane that'd actually go on a carrier before designing one, otherwise it's the world's greatest waste of money. As another thing, you may feel free to select either faction in the Spanish civil war as you choose. Choose wisely.
In relation to the note above, see the naval units post about carriers. Nipping that in the bud, before ya'll start randomly designing ships that you have zero use for. Any money that would have been sent to this has instead been banked.
@Gem_Hound: It didn't seem appropriate to call your new vehicle "1" since it is based off the design you got from the Confederation. Therefore I gave it a "2" instead.
@Lord_Iggy: Free American 1912 Doctrine is no longer available for adoption due to the end of the United American Republic. The proper doctrine you have received is American Federal Army 1912 doctrine.
@J.K. Stockholme: orders are looking good, though I prefer a summary of spending at the top of orders, simply because it makes life easier for me when updating.
Two minor things which will affect the updates in the future. First, I have run out of CFC attachment space, and have deleted all the old update maps that I could bear to part with. Lobbying attempts to get more attachment space failed, so either this update or the next, I will be switching to imgur for posting the maps with the update. Second, due to other space limitations in my PM box, I was forced to delete all orders immediately after doing the update. This is thankfully a one-time thing, hopefully, and apologies for any inconvenience. I took extra time to read over and make sure I didn't miss anything to minimize any problems that may emerge.
@Circuit: Because the war for you is over, the money that would have been spent on Conscripts has been banked.
@SamSniped: I know you would like to talk with the leader of the Young Turks, but he has nothing to say until Kurdish forces withdraw from Turkish lands.
@Agent 89: I see no permission from Spain to allow you to adopt their army doctrine. I'll need that before you can. For the time being, the excess EP has been banked.
@Blue Bacon: There was no confirmation for the unit purchase you mentioned. Therefore the EP has instead been banked.
@Azale: Due to the withdrawal of international forces and other treaties, there were some problems actually conducting your war orders this year. Due to the need to take over the positions previously held by the Confederation and the South Americans, the land offensives were delayed, though the attack on New Barcelona obvious went ahead. Also, I had to adjust the costs of your conscript production, as you were using Federal Doctrine, not Free American, therefore received fewer conscript brigades.
Haseri has been dropped from China due to inactivity.
Don't forget to vote for your choice for the 1920 Olympic Games!
@Bair_the_Normal: The Russian invasion and attacks upon you have destroyed what was built of the electrification project. The price has been included in your stats, but nothing else has been.
@crezth: I want to clear this up before it's added into your stats. Is the new Empire First stuff supposed to be a project, a recurring policy, or neither?
Thanks to luckymoose for teaching me about the timer for the forums. See the front page's first post to see the time until the update is due.
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