Capto Iugulum

OOC: Since they're all destroyer-class with the same base speed, I'm going by EQs '1 engine carries up to 2 points of armaments (guns, ASW, AA)', wherein excess points contribute to higher speed.

Lord_Iggy said:

To: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ; United Netherlands
From: Konungariket Vinland

The Kingdom of Vinland will be dispatching 5 EP of men and supplies to each of your nations to help fund the reconstruction effort after the catastrophic North Sea floods.

Click to expand...

We thank Vinland for their humanitarian aid

No more order revisions will be accepted beyond this point. New sets of orders are still fine however.

Will send orders within the next hour or so. Just got done work.

EDIT: Orders sent!

Distracting things dealt with, orders soon.

SENT BOIIII

University of Lima presents... Military Pageant 1918!
... the University of Lima's opinions do not reflect that of the Peruvian government...
More than one winner has been noted where designs are diverse (Note: Only two heavy cruisers existed which were both less effective than modern battlecruisers and the subclass was thus not noted.)

Patrol Crowns
Most Powerful Patrol Craft: Necessity (2 EPs (3 points (1.5/EP)): +/- 0 speed (1 engines), 2 weapons capacity) - Scandinavia
Fastest Patrol Craft: Riverboat (2 EPs (3 points (1.5/EP)): +6 speed (3 engines)) - Brazil

Submarine Crowns
Most Cost Effective Submarine: Harpoon (10 EPs (12 points (1,2/EP)): +/- 0 speed (4 engines), 4 weapons capacity, 4 range) - Russia

Destroyer Crowns
Most Cost Effective Budget Destroyer: Magicienne (4 EPs (5 points (1.25/EP + torpedoes)): + 4 speed (3 engines), torpedoes, 1 gun, 1 ASW) - Confederation
Most Cost-Effective Balanced Destroyer: Akizuku (12 EPs (16 points (1.33/EP + torpedoes)): + 5 speed (7 engines), torpedoes, 4 guns, 3 ASW, 2 AA) - Japan
Most Cost Effective High-End Destroyer: Ravenous (14 EPs (20 points (1.43/EP)): + 22 speed (14 engines), 6 guns) - The United Kingdom

Cruiser Crowns
Most Cost Effective Light Cruiser: Luther (21 EPs (17 points (0,81/EP)): +13 speed (10 engines), 3 guns, 3 ASW, 1 AA) - Denmark
Fastest (Light) Cruiser: Sicilia (35 EPs (22 points (0,63/EP)): +20 speed (14 engines), 4 guns, 3 ASW, 1 AA) - Italy
Most Cost Effective Battlecruiser: Amagi (42 EPs (31 points (0,74/EP)): +17 speed (16 engines), 12 guns, 1 ASW, 2 AA) - Japan

Battleship Crowns
Most Cost Effective Budget Battleships: Maryland (66 (0,33/EP), armor-speed), King Juan (75 (0,33/EP), guns-speed), Frisia (63 (0,33/EP), balanced) - United Kingdom, Peru, United Netherlands
Most Cost Effective Battleship: Kronos (120 EPs (40 points (0,33/EP)): +2 speed (14 engines), 12 guns, 12 armor, 2 AA) - Brazil

Carrier Crowns
Most Cost Effective Carrier: Atlantico (50 EPs (5 points (0,1/EP)): +3 speed (4 engines), 1 transport capacity) - Brazil

No more orders will be accepted beyond this point.

Will be joining after the next update. Good luck to all of you.

The thunderous choir of crickets sang all around Mariah that night. She could see the lights in the bunk houses all flickering, and their numbers were beginning to dwindle as the evening grew late. Normally she would be turning out the lights as well, at this hour, but tonight she just felt like going for a walk. It wasn't for any particular reason. She simply wanted to feel the cool, refreshing air on her skin, once again, before the oppressive heat of summer began to set in, and not even the darkness of the night would be able to escape it.

She walked by the tack house, where Jackson's bunk was. His lights were on, too, and she could hear the sound of his phonograph, music dancing across the night. It was an Argentine tango, a recent fad for phonograph owners. But then she heard voices coming from his room, and as she got closer, they sounded more and more like Negro voices. She wasn't aware of many other Negro workers on the Ranch, though. As she approached, the voices grew even more clear, and she didn't like what she heard.

"...ain't no one gonna know, Jackson," she heard one say. "And if they did, who'd care? Law says we got the right, now."

"Only blood and misery lay that way," she heard Jackson reply. "I'm stayin' right here. Ain't goin' to no Tennessee Proletarist Republic."

Proles! Jackson was talking with proles! She stood by the window and ducked down low, to keep listening in. Another voice she couldn't identify spoke: "The way da buckrah run this country, it don't matter slavery's legal no more. Deh boogies [BOO-jeez, derived from the word bourgeoisie] make you slaves again, even though you don't wear no chains."

The other voice spoke. "You ever heard of Charles Mathis? Frederick Douglass? Prophets of the People, they was. Good Proletarist thinking men. They'd say we don' the right thing."

"I can read," Jackson said. "Mrs. Hampton let me learn in the schoolhouse. You ain't the first Proles I met, and I read your books."

The news was shocking to Mariah. So much about Jackson, she did not know. He read Mathis and Douglass? There were copies of The Proletarist Manifesto and Working-Class Men on the Hampton Ranch? It was nearly unthinkable! She heard Jackson sigh. "I will admit, some of that stuff make sense. But not all of it. Especially the parts about killing people. Now I can understand why you Proles in Tennessee goin after the white folk, but I ain't leavin' this ranch. I've been here for many, many years. The Hamptons treat me good. It ain't no fancy livin', but it's a fair livin'. And I ain't about to turn on the folks who learned me to read."

There was quiet now, the tango dancing over the air innocent, gaily, oblivious to what was transpiring. Finally one of them said, "Got no conscious, you lousy scab. Betrayed yo' people. Yo' class. Don't come cryin' to me when you a wage slave."

"I don't think I will," she heard Jackson say.

Sammy Walker stared forward into the aged darkness of the South Jefferson alley as he slammed the door of the Jamaican-made automobile shut behind him. It was a dark evening, and the rain was coming down in sheets. The dim lighting in the neighborhood was not helping.

"Nice evening, ain't it," grumbled Rusty Perlman, Walker's old friend and partner, as he stepped out and stared up at the cloudy sky. Walker shrugged, as they turned into the narrow pathway. It appeared deserted, except for a cheap-looking restaurant. There was a circle of policemen catching a smoke, a few nervous-looking reporters, and some locals who had caught wind of the commotion and were trying to get a glimpse of what was going on.

Walker and Rusty walked into the restaurant. Some of the other policemen nodded as they entered.

"Mr. Walker! How does it feel to be the Jefferson Police Department's first negro detective?" shouted an eager-faced young reporter standing in the entrance - no doubt for having been barred from the crime scene itself. Walker ignored him. The reporter then tried to ask a similar question to Rusty, who brushed him off with a grumble. He then caught sight of one of the serving girls, smiled, winked, and tipped his cap.

A young policeman walked up to Walker, "Finally, you're here. What took so long?"

Walker shrugged, I was supposed to be here at eight thirty. It's eight fifteen, last I checked."

Rusty coughed loudly. The policemen sighed and shook his head. "It's past nine, Sammy. Anyway, here it is." He opened the doors to the back room.

The body of a finely dressed negro man lay on the tiled floor. The top of his head had exploded, and blood was spattered throughout the room. Nobody had bothered to clean it up yet. Rusty visibly cringed at the sight, while Walker simply stared.

Walker noticed a leather satchel on a table, resting against the wall. "Anyone check that bag yet?"

"It belonged to the victim," said the young policeman. "but we were waiting for you to show up before we went through it." At that, Rusty walked over and began looking through its contents.

Walker asked the young policemen, "What have you found out so far?"

The policeman replied, "Well, we don't know who he is or where he came from. The staff doesn't know him, he's never been here before, and he didn't talk, just headed straight back here. Also, the suit...it looks nice, but really it's second hand, sold cheap from a West Park merchant. Probably got into the country illegally. We found the receipt on the floor, it had fallen from his pocket."

Walker looked at the body briefly. Something was wrong with this man, but Walker just could not place it.

"Sammy?" called Rusty.

Walker turned his head to look at Rusty. "You're going to love this," he said. Walker stood up and moved closer. Rusty picked up a red-bound book and handed it to Walker.

"The Proletarist Manifesto," read Walker.

"And that's not the end of it, either." Rusty picked up a sheaf of papers and handed it to Walker.

Walker looked at them and whistled, "Oh, the Foreign Office is gonna love this."

News from Europe​

EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTHERN GERMANY. Vienna, Germany. A series of weak earthquakes were reported this year, measuring no more than 4.5 on the Clarke Scale, and have caused some light damage throughout Bavaria and Austria. The earthquakes did cause some resultant damage when disrupting various factory work, and causing several small house explosions from damaged gas lines. The earthquakes cost nearly three dozen lives, and hundreds more suffered varying degrees of injuries. Thankfully, property damages were fairly low, as the local fire brigades responded quickly, providing relief to any problems which emerged. Most of the damage had already disappeared by the end of the year, leaving only a few minor scars across the German towns and countryside.

DEATH OF THE KING OF BRITTANY. Nantes, Brittany. The Breton people mourned the death of the beloved King Claude IV, who has passed on to the heavenly realm. King Claude IV ruled Brittany since the death of his father in 1878, and has done so with great skill and honor, bringing pride to all the people of his nation. Under the King's enlightened rule, more reforms were passed, creating a stronger legislature and a more democratic and free society, gradually without much traditional disruption. Though his policies were not always loved, the king had gained the respect and admiration of virtually all of his people. Upon the king's death, his son has been proclaimed King Henry V, and the reigns of the nation have been passed on to him. The new king has been often stating to be the spitting image of his father, both in physical nature and his ideology. Though many miss the old king, few think that the new one will do much to dishonor his father's spirit.

ELECTIONS IN DENMARK. Copenhagen, Denmark. The nation of Denmark held its constitutionally regular elections this year, as the Danish people turned out to vote for their political parties of choice. As presented over the past two years, the conservative Free People's Party has come under significant attack for their denial of Russian atrocities in Prussia. They have continued to maintain that no systematic elimination of the German population took place, but rather a response against an organized military uprising by the German Brotherhood. The liberal Social Democratic Party has done its best to challenge those assertions, presenting numerous testimony and evidence, and claiming the conservatives to be just as complicit. Furthermore, they have heartily criticized the economic and trade policies of the current government, pledging a new course, focused upon the people, rather than on military growth and foreign entanglements. These platforms quickly won over the Danish people, who have turned out in support for the Social Democratic Party, toppling the old pro-Russian regime. King Leopold II himself has come out and offered support for the new ministers of government, claiming that the elections are a progressive step forward for the Danish people.

FIRST UNIFIED DUTCH ELECTIONS. Antwerp, Netherlands. The government of the Netherlands has brought about the first elections to be held within the newly unified Dutch state, now also consisting of Flanders. The elections have proven to be a fairly awkward affair as both Dutch and Flemish political parties struggled to find their place in the new order. The key issue at hand arose to be the Rhine-Rhone Pact and the outbreak of the new war with Germany. Various liberal and conservative movements for their own ends have supported anti-war organizations, and have denounced the Center Party for remaining loyal to the Confederation and the war effort. They have been unable to create any sort of united front against the Center Party, unfortunately, who has pledged to honor the Netherlands' international commitments at any cost. This lack of organization has allowed the Center Party to once more triumph, winning behind it, the support of the Dutch people, at least for a brief moment. (+1 Stability)

ELECTIONS IN PORTUGAL. Lisbon, Portugal. Despite their overwhelming success in the 1915 elections, the Social Democratic Party in Portugal struggled this year to compete with the rising new King's Honor Party. This conservative movement has appealed to the Portuguese people amid the rising chaos throughout the rest of Iberia. They have suggested that with the impending fall of the Spanish kingdom and empire, that perhaps the time is ripe for the resurgence of the Portuguese over their neighbors. The loss of the Great War has been trumpeted as to blame upon the Spanish, and the Portuguese government has offered little solution to the current economic stagnation. The Social Democrats have done little, if anything, in their term of office, and it seems that the time is ripe for another political shift by the newly elected King's Honor Party. (+1 Stability)

ANTI-RUSSIAN SENTIMENT LEADS TO RIOTS IN ROMANIA. Bucharest, Romania. The continued economic and political dominance of Russia over Romania has not gone unnoticed by the average population of the Balkan state. Over the past few years, growing resentment has led to a number of fringe groups throughout the nation struggling against Russian domination and tyranny. The Russian intervention against republicanism in Serbia has demonstrated that they are willing to use military force to maintain the old order, providing both fear and greater determination against those who would see the bear brought low. This year, they organized several major protests in the hopes of enlightening King Nicholas to the plight of the people with the hope that he could curtail the rampant corruption among Russian business. The Romanian soldiers fired upon the protest, spurring rioting throughout Bucharest, while placing the king under heavy security. The resulting riots were severe, leading to thousands of deaths and even greater property damaged, but ultimately at least some order would be restored with the declaration of martial law and the deployment of reinforcements to the nation's capital.

EMPEROR PHILIP X OVERSEES NEW ELECTIONS. Madrid, Spain. After the republican government held their constitutionally mandated elections last year out of Valencia, the Emperor Philip X has responded in kind. He has declared the opening of new elections in the territories still held by his forces throughout western Spain. Unlike within the republican elections, which had even allowed limited participation by the remnants of the Phoenix Party, Emperor Philip placed limitations upon on the parties allowed to run for office. Only the Comunión Tradicional Española, Falange Española, and the Phoenix Party were allowed to participate in the elections creating a new legislature supportive of the monarch. This in turn has led to a surprisingly low turnout among the population, though many liberals and proletarists turned out to vote against the detested Phoenix Party. This has allowed the victory of the conservative Comunión Tradicional Española, who were the least objectionable, and at least provided a little bit of hope that they could preserve the old traditions. However, despite the election results, the power still rests with the monarchy and an appointed cabinet consisting of members from all three legal political parties. (+1 Stability)

SPANISH CIVIL WAR ESCALATES. Madrid, Spain. What began as a military coup has since escalated into a far larger European war as various foreign nations invest their militaries in fighting for one of the two sides. The Spanish legislature in Valencia has acquired the direct support of Occitania and the Franco-Burgundian Confederation while Germany has stood steadfast between their royal allies in Madrid. The Brazilians have also become involved, backing the Valencia regime, and deploying their own fleet. The war has since spiraled out of just Iberia, as the Germans and French clash along their own border, bringing a new major war to Western Europe. Anti-war activists have been horrified by these developments, and have been doing their best to build up support for political movements to bring the war to an end. In both the Franco-Burgundian Confederation and Germany, a large amount of people wonder why there is a war at all, and to what possible purpose it can serve. Unlike before the Great War, very few have turned out to support the war effort, and there seems to be an increasingly tense atmosphere at home for both of the key players as well as for the other states that have entered the war. As before with major events, a special section has been provided below to cover all elements of this conflict. (-1 Stability for Netherlands, Franco-Burgundian Confederation, Occitania, and Germany)

ROMANIA COMPLETES CAPITAL RENOVATION. Bucharest, Romania. Despite the unrest and extensive damage caused by the anti-Russian rioting in Romania this year, the government has continued to push forward on the urban renewal plan. They even were able to exploit the damages by being able to seize damaged buildings and revamping them to correspond with the new developments being worked on by the renovation project. The project was delayed by the rioting, however, and was pushed back from completion early in the year to instead, late in November. Amid the simmering resentment of the population, King Nicholas dared to go out in public, and officially opened the new buildings and structures established by the renovation. It is hoped that this new project will help improve the lives of the average citizen of Bucharest, bust the resentment quite definitely remains.

SPECIAL: Escalation of the Spanish Civil War​

ITALY BLOCKADES MALTA AND EGYPT. Palermo, Italy. The Spanish Civil War has seen an increase in naval activity this year, as the Italian navy remains in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, blocking off access to Malta and Egypt by the Spanish in Valencia. The garrisons of both colonies remain fairly self-sufficient and the Italians have yet to be challenged by any of the opposing forces, keeping them mostly out of the conflict. The fleets' blockade also remains sparse at best, as the Italians lack the forces to keep up a regular force over Egypt, and have no ability at all to deny access to the Red Sea coastline. The Spanish therefore have maintained some few supply lines to the region, though it remains difficult with the Italians blocking the main overseas route. The Spanish forces on Malta continue to dig in, believing that this could be a precursor to an Italian invasion, and have begun establishing strong firing positions and entrenching their forces to devastate any seaborne attack.

THE NAVAL WAR. Gibraltar, Spain. The war at sea has clearly taken some lessons from the utter devastation caused by decisive combat engagements in the Great War. Instead, it seems that both sides have focused upon skirmishing, and neither have committed to a major fleet battle with capital ships. The Brazilians have sent a major fleet, and have experimented with used carrier-based ships to raid the Spanish coastline, strafing and attacking Spanish ships in the port of Seville. The attacks came as a surprise but did little actual damage, only scratching the paint of the Spanish warships and causing a few dozen deaths. The only real fighting at sea has been a few attacks by German submarines upon the Brazilian ships, both supply and warships. The attacks upon the supply ships have been fairly successful, straining the Brazilian capability of actually maintaining the line of supply to their expeditionary force. Several destroyers have been sunk, while the Brazilians have confirmed only four German submarines have been sent to the bottom of the Atlantic.
Casualty Lists
Brazil: 4 Trovao-class Destroyers (+1 Air Force Quality)
Germany: 4 Tridente-class Submarines

THE FIGHTING IN IBERIA. Valencia, Spain. The war began to escalate with the deployment of Confederate and Occitanian troops to the Iberian peninsula to fight the monarchists, in what has enlarged to a much bigger battle. Though the deployment of these forces led to the German declaration of war and the invasions further east, the involvement of these armies has proven decisive. Throughout the first part of the year, as more troops began being recruited and deployed by both sides, and foreign expeditionary forces moved to assist the republicans, the monarchists feverishly began building massive defenses around Madrid. New trenches, artillery positions, and fortifications were erected by the troops, hoping to stop any republican advance. Unfortunately for the monarchists, only the most minor skirmishing took place around Madrid, as Occitanians assumed Republican positions and otherwise maintained the standing borders. Instead, the first hammer blow came to the north, as the newly arrived French forces pushed into Galicia. The outnumbered Spanish did win some successes by easily smashing the Confederate tanks on the mountain roads, as their slow speeds allowed easy targeting by artillery. The rough terrain was also not ideal for these slow craft, and the Spanish made short work of them whenever and wherever they were used. The Confederates also deployed their new planes for the first time, as the tanks lured out the Spanish guns, allowing the new bombers to drop their ordnance upon the Spanish artillery. Despite the new equipment, the push was a slow slog through rough terrain, as the Spanish made the invaders bleed for every step of land. Unfortunately, it was not enough and the Confederates managed to liberate Galicia for the republican cause. The remaining Spanish forces pulled back towards the south, where yet another critical offensive placed the whole of the monarchist cause in jeopardy. The main republican army was thrown towards the Portuguese border, pushing towards Badajoz and Caceres, hoping to cut Madrid off entirely from the sea. This offensive was backed by numerous planes, which gained experience strafing Monarchist supply lines, and eventually captured Badajoz, splitting off Seville from the rest of the Monarchist territory. This also cut off the entire monarchist southern army, isolating it in Seville. The ensuing advance and a blockade by the republican and Brazilian fleets led to the capture of both Seville and the Monarchist fleet, as the army in Seville was forced to surrender. By the end of the year the Republicans and their allies began moving to totally surround Madrid and push in for the death blow against Emperor Philip X and his allies.
Casualty Lists
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 33 Infantry Brigades, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 2 Tonneau Patriotique I Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades, 1 Vizelle-type Bomber Squadron (+1 Army Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)
Occitania: 2 Infantry Brigades
Spain (Republican): 22 Conscript Brigades, 11 Infantry Brigade, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 M1916 VB Brigade, 4 Artillery Brigades, 1 P-16 Fighter Squadron (+1 Army Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)
Spain (Monarchist): 53 Conscript Brigades, 14 Infantry Brigades, 5 Cavalry Brigades, 17 Artillery Brigades, 1 C-1917 Fighter Squadron (+1 Army Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)

DISASTER IN THE BLACK FOREST. Freiburg, Franco-Burgundian Confederation. Launching the war further east, the Germans attacked towards the Confederate city of Freiburg, hoping to punch their way deep into the Confederation. The superior Confederate forces managed to anticipate this assault, and brought to bear a massive force to block the German army. The Germans were brought into a vicious battle of attrition, slowly pushing their way to Freiburg, before a series of brutal counter attacks led to the bloodying of the entire German army. They suffered immense casualties by the better trained Confederate forces, and their tanks were outnumbered by the Confederate tank corps, leading to an even more tremendous defeat. In the skies, the fight was more disputed, as for the first time, two air corps competed for control. The Germans ultimately won out with their new fighter plane, but once again their various bomber designs demonstrated their worthlessness, being swatted out of the sky. By the end of the year, the Germans had already been pushed all the way out of Confederate territory, and their offensive capabilities on the ground were utterly smashed to pieces.
Casualty Lists
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 45 Conscript Brigades, 46 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Tonneau Patriotique I Brigade, 4 M1916 VB Brigades, 30 Artillery Brigades, 2 Voleur-type Fighter Squadrons, 2 Vizelle-type Bomber Squadrons
Germany: 71 Infantry Brigades, 2 M1916 VB Brigades, 28 Artillery Brigades, 1 Verband FTA1-2 Fighter Squadrons, 2 FrL1 Bomber Squadrons, 1 AdF100 Bomber Squadron (+1 Army Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)

THE RUHR OFFENSIVE. Hamburg, Germany. As the Germans engaged in theaters further south, a large Confederate and Dutch army launched an offensive of their own into the Ruhr Valley, seeking to disrupt the German industrial apparatus. With their armies fully in battle, the Germans were forced to commit their reserve army, which was outnumbered and without any tanks to counter Dutch armored forces. They did manage to inflict heavy casualties upon the Dutch tanks, devastating them with artillery fire, but the efforts were not enough to change the tide. The Confederate and Dutch advance successfully smashed into northwestern Germany, leaving the local industrial base under enemy occupation, and pushing apart the German lines. With the ending of the year, the German interior lays under risk of being totally overrun, as the German armies scramble to establish new defensive lines.
Casualty Lists
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 30 Conscript Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades
Netherlands: 20 Infantry Brigades, 1 M1916 VB Brigade, 4 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Germany: 49 Infantry Brigades, 10 Artillery Brigades

INVASION OF PIEDMONT. Geneva, Franco-Burgundian Confederation. As the fighting was waged further north, the Germans launched their most successful assault using the assistance of their Italian allies. Attacking from northern Italy, the Germans pushed into the Confederate kingdom of Piedmont, launching their assaults from Nice, and pushing inland and along the coast. The Confederate forces were not expecting an attack of the size and scope the Germans mustered, and faced a severe shortage of troops and tanks. Despite these disadvantages, the Confederates conducted a worthy tactical withdraw into the Alps, anchoring a new defensive line in the mountains. The Germans managed to push quickly west, and have secured almost the whole of the local kingdom, and even pushed into the eastern portions of the Duchy of Provence in Occitania. The Confederates new defensive line has managed to solidify the front with decent positions through the Alpine passes and along the Rhone River. Regardless, they remain outnumbered and without tank or air support.
Casualty Lists
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 10 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 3 Artillery Brigades
Occitania: 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Germany: 19 Infantry Brigades, 1 M1911 VB Brigade, 6 Artillery Brigades, 1 AdF100 Bomber Squadron

CONFEDERATES INVADE CENTRAL AFRICA. Douala, Spain. As the great battles were waged in western Europe, the Franco-Burgundian Confederation launched a campaign of its own in Africa, seeking to destroy the broader base of Monarchist support. The garrisons in Central Africa had long pledged support to the monarchy and proved to be one of the most stalwart imperial garrisons globally. In response, the Confederation launched an invasion of Spanish Central Africa, using overwhelming forces from its colonies, and despite the severe financial and logistical strain this represented, managed to overwhelm the enemy. Through sheer numbers, taking a massive toll on the Confederate economy in their mere existence, the Confederate army smashed the Spanish, and the colony has been placed under the Confederation's occupation.
Casualty Lists
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 5 Infantry Brigades, 5 Cavalry Brigades
Spain (Monarchist): 3 Infantry Brigades, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade

REPUBLICANS GAIN THE EMPIRE. Valencia, Spain. The massive setbacks put upon the Monarchist cause throughout the year, with the defeat of Monarchist forces in Galicia and Seville, have led to a severe drop in the Emperor's legitimacy abroad. The fall of Central Africa to the Confederation proved the final nail in the coffin of Emperor Philip X's support throughout the empire. In the so-called Christmas Declaration, the various wayward rebel colonies have united and declared their allegiance and support for the government in Valencia. Their garrisons have pledged loyalty to the legislative and elected government over that of the monarchy, possibly out of fear for their security from ambitious other imperial powers. This has granted the republicans control over the majority of the greater Spanish empire, and could be the death knell for the remaining hopes of the monarchists in Madrid. (+1 Stability for Republican Spain and all colonies, -1 Stability for Monarchist Spain)

News from the Americas​

ELECTIONS IN COLOMBIA. Bogota, Colombia. Elections in Colombia this year proved more like a victory march for the conservative Party of Tradition than an actual political contest. The victory in the war over Ecuador, the annexation of the Panama Canal, and the surging economy have all been attributed to the successes of the reigning party. The Party of Tradition has pledged that if reelected they would continue the successful growth and prosperity that has marked their time in power, providing ever greater wealth and influence to the Colombian people both at home and abroad. The people have turned out in droves to vote for the reelection of their candidates, and the Party of Tradition has consolidated its growing power in the legislature and have established an overwhelming and absolute majority in the Colombian Congress. (+1 Stability)

ANTI-WAR PROTEST LEADS TO RIOTS IN BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The escalation of the Spanish Civil War has led to much anger among the anti-war activists within the Empire of Brazil. Claiming that the government has allowed very little time for peace, and condemned thousands more to die for no purpose, the Brazilian anti-war movement is clearly at its strongest point yet. With cries of "Europe is not our business" and "Bring the fleet home" the protestors marched upon the Brazilian legislature. The local police were essentially trampled by the crowd, and found themselves without enough manpower or equipment to contain the protests within reasonable bounds. Convinced that an armed uprising was underway, a local garrison commander surrounded the legislature with soldiers, and when, the crowd approached, they opened fire. Though the commander was immediately relieved and rebuked, the disaster quickly led to growing riots and a conflagration throughout the commercial district of Rio de Janeiro. The whole affair has been a political disaster for the Brazilian government, and the anti-war movement has gained substantial sympathy among the majority of the population, though they continue to remain a highly outspoken minority.

PROTEST CASTS SHADOW TOWARDS CHILE'S 1919 ELECTIONS. Santiago, Chile. The presidency of Pablo Montoya has remained one of the great controversies of South America, and the Chilean people have had an unusual love-hate relationship with their ruler. Though he has been elected to his office twice, he wields absolute power over his nation and is thus a highly polarizing figure in the local political system. This year a major protest was held in support of the nation's Democratic Party, the liberal movement to restore a freer society and free trade with Argentina and Brazil. They have lobbied against President Montoya's policies tying Chile to the Pacific Concord, which they view as a bulwark against world peace and democracy. Needless to say, these mounting issues and protests throw a sharp light upon the coming and likely heated 1919 presidential election campaigns.

PROTEST AGAINST CULT OF PERSONALITY IN HISPANIOLA. Santo Domingo, Hispaniola. The 1915 elections saw the rise of Lopez Pesado and a conservative political movement which rallied around him. This movement, calling themselves the Pesados, then won the national elections, and installed their favored son as the new President of Hispaniola. The president is an antagonistic figure to many, and the liberals, terming themselves, Anti-Pesados, have been virulent in their activities against him. This year, they launched a new campaign to reduce the president's national influence in preparation for the upcoming elections in 1920. They have charged that the president has been doing his best to build a cabal of supports in the government bureaucracy, taking advantage of the tumultuous time after winning independence from the United States of America. Their platform has failed to win over any new supporters, but they have continued to play to the liberal base of support across the island.

REPUBLICANS RIOT IN NICARAGUA. Managua, Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan government has come under siege this year, as the recent military coup has led to a severe backlash from the civilian population. They have denounced the takeover of the government by General Manuel Cavrera, who they claim has his own interests placed above those of the people. The military of course has not stood for any protests and mobilized immediately to arrest and imprison the ring leaders. This effort has turned into a series of ugly localized riots throughout Managua, as the republicans heavily resisted arrest, and twenty-three soldiers were killed, and over a hundred more injured. Civilian casualties were not estimated from the fighting, but are believed to be in the hundreds. The army continues to maintain control, but these recent acts have had no success, as most of the republican ringleaders remain at large. (-1 Stability)

JAPAN LEASES GALAPAGOS. Piura, Peru. The Japanese have brought a new military presence towards South and Central America this year, with the signing of a new agreement with the Kingdom of Peru. The new agreement features the leasing of the mostly uninhabited Galapagos Islands to the Japanese Empire, allowing them to build and use a naval base there. The new lease is said to be planned to only last ten years, with the possibility of negotiation being brought back in 1928, allowing for the possibility of more long-term ownership. The agreement has raised substantial concern in Colombia and Brazil, which have viewed this has a highly aggressive move towards the Panama Canal, as popular military thought agrees that the base could really only be used in offensive actions to decimate that vital waterway. These military fears have led to an even worse relations between the South American states and the Pacific Concord.

JACKSONIA BEGINS BUILDING AMID REFORMS. Jefferson, Jacksonia. The government of Jacksonia has begun building new efforts to modernize and revitalize the capital of Jefferson, adding the most modern conveniences. This has included a new underground transit system, as well as the construction of a novelty airfield, though it's not expected to receive much use beyond military purposes. The whole program has been hotly disputed, as many of the changes have been considered to be useless and prohibitively expensive, for the new nation. Furthermore, the planned construction could disrupt city life for years, maybe even a decade, also displacing families from their homes and businesses they have maintained for generations. The Progressive Party has come under immense fire for wasting government money on this and their failed economic policies. To make matters worse, a series of new reforms have outraged traditionalists and businessmen, limiting workdays to ten hours, and workweeks to forty hours. They have claimed that the government is crippling Jacksonian competiveness and marketability around the world, and have rallied substantial support as the faltering economy seems to support their claims. Overall it seems that the Progressive Party will face a tough fight to retain their positions in the 1919 elections. (-1 Stability)

NEW GOVERNMENT FORMED IN ECUADOR. Quito, Ecuador. With last year's utter defeat of the proletarist forces of Ecuador, and the death of Erik Acero in prison this year, it seems that a violent chapter in Ecuadorian history has been brought to an end. The Ecuadorian government has been reformed, as a member of the Peruvian royal family has been placed as a new king for the small nation. This is the first king the nation has received since King Simon III had been deposed in 1884, and the rest of the constitution is modeled upon that of Peru. The new government has been forced to pay reparations to both occupied until 1924, though thankfully no territory has been annexed by Colombia or Peru. Both nations have agreed to maintain a military garrison and continue join administration until the first national elections can be held in 1919. New elections are to be held every five years after upon the basis of the Peruvian constitution. The new arrangement has led to the great diminishment of the Ecuadorian state, as it has been effectively established as a commercial and political arena for Peru and Colombia.

COLOMBIAN BEGINS INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION. Bogota, Colombia. With their success in this year's elections, the Party of Tradition has begun an ambitious new program to modernize the national infrastructure. The program includes the construction of new mass transportation in the nation's largest cities, as well as the development of roads and railroads throughout the countryside. Only the most determined critics have been able to speak up against the program, denouncing its massive expense and the amount of time and energy that must be dedicated, as well as the money. The costs have been stated to be fair outweighed by the benefits, and the Party of Tradition has argued that not only will the creation of the new roads and transportation establish new jobs, but will also help Colombia respond to military threats in the future.

DEBATE RAISED WITH PERUVIAN HOUSING PROGRAM. Lima, Peru. The government of Peru has embarked on a new policy this year, establishing free housing for immigrants, starting with those who had arrived from China last year. They have allowed Argentine inspectors to view the housing, which while basic, does provide for most average needs. The housing is not solely meant for the Chinese, however, being open to immigrants as well as temporary homes. The program has met with tremendous backlash from within the Prime Minister's own political party, causing a growing split within the Party of Order. With businesses and landowners outraged with the new free housing policy, the ruling party of Peru seems close to falling apart. It seems more and more likely that the Liberal Party could very well take advantage of this shift in next year's elections. (-1 Stability)

PERU BEGINS WORK ON COASTAL DEFENSES. Chincha, Peru. While the political debate rages over expenses upon free housing in Peru, there is a new program which is disputed by very few. Though some have criticized the heavy cost, a series of new coastal defensive fortifications have begun to be constructed in most of the nation's ports and coastal cities. The emplacements include new heavy guns, which are said to be more than capable of destroying the heaviest warship in existence, even at a range of up to five miles. The guns are being custom made and will be featured in massive protected bunkers, even taking into account an airborne attack. The recent sorties by the Brazilians against Spain have reinforced the need for these structures and very few oppose this assurance of Peruvian coastal security.

ARGENTINE PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT FUND. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Argentine government has worked together with elements from the right and left to begin work upon the newly devised Argentine Public Development Fund. This ambitious new project offers a wide variety of new improvements and work to help improve Argentina as a whole. New investments and subsidies have been included as part of the new program, providing funds to new industry, the arts, and the development of current industries and resources. The money is also being dedicate to a major reconstruction of Argentina's roads and railroads, looking as mass transportation as well as the development of infrastructure to deal with the growing number of cars upon the streets. The car appears to be a growing facet of life in Argentina, and with the expense of refined gasoline rising, many are concerned that the roads will not be up to the task. Rumors have existed that the fund will cover numerous other research and military elements, but details have not been released at this time to the public.

AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN ATA AND USA. Detroit, United States of America. General Robert Wallace and the President of the new United States of America have reached a landmark new agreement which could end the war between the two faction and reunite the whole of the Union. The new policy has had General Wallace recognize the government now in Washington as legitimate and he has begun an effort to build support among his own followers. This has not gone over well with the old guard who have been outraged at this betrayal of their trust. To make matters worse the Bureau of Negro Affairs has been allowed access for the time being, further irritating the local warlords. Various elements of the army have been withdrawn from the total forces of the Allied Territories of America, though some confidence remains as the unification of the two factions is not scheduled to take place until a vague transition phase has been completed. Though the regional military governors have secured substantial autonomy and pulled back their military contributions, the question remains if they will actually challenge Wallace for control of the ATA. (-2 Stability, -1 Army Quality, -35 Conscript Brigades, -15 Infantry Brigades, -8 Cavalry Brigades, -15 Artillery Brigades for Allied Territories of America)

ATA SMASHED IN OHIO CROSSING ATTEMPT. Danville, Tennessee Proletarist Republic. In accordance with the new treaties with the United States of America and the government in Washington, the Allied Territories of America have launched a new offensive against the negro proletarists of the South. The assault was doomed from the beginning, as the proletarists were well informed through a well established network of spies and informants throughout the region. They were able to be fully amassed and prepared, while the ATA was unable to get any intelligence at all upon the enemy forces. When the crossing was attempted, under heavy cover fire, the negroes had already zeroed in upon and prepared fields of fire, devastating the attacking ships as they attempted to cross. It has been stated that over ten thousand lives were lost in the first thirty minutes of the fight, and further attempts to cross were devastated. The few unlucky enough to actually make it to the south bank of the river were devastated by machine gun fire and gunned down before they could even dig in. The assault was a complete disaster, costing tens of thousands of lives, a humiliating defeat for the ATA forces.
Casualty Lists
Allied Territories of America: 12 Conscript Brigades, 5 Infantry Brigades
Tennessee Proletarist Republic: 3 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade

WAR IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH. Chattanooga, Tennessee Proletarist Republic. The fighting in the American South between the proletarists and the United States of America has reached a new peak this year, as two key offensives were launched. In the north, the American forces attempted to push once more into the Appalachian Proletarist Republic, hoping to rely on cavalry and a rapid advance. They encountered a number of problems, though they did manage some successful tactical strikes on artillery. The fighters they deployed have been fairly useless as heavy tree cover has prevented them from spotting negro ambushes on more than one occasion, though they were able to strafe some larger formations. Regardless, the deployment of the negro elite forces led to the decimation of the US Cavalry, who were frequently ambushed, surrounded, and destroyed in the mountainous terrain. This defeat was compounded in the South as the forces of Tennessee and Mississippi launched a major offensive against the American armies in the south. With the amassed forces of nearly seven hundred thousand soldiers, equipped and supplied after years of stockpiling, they were unleashed against the US front in Mississippi. Using human wave tactics and a feverous rage, they poured over the immediate American positions but were immediately slowed as reinforcements were rushed from the north. Continuing to face far smaller forces, the proletarists overwhelmed American positions in East Florida and liberated the peninsula with the support of a small local uprising. Casualties mounted as the negroes pushed into Georgia, and more American forces were brought south, though some were diverted by a minor Tennessee attack further north. Regardless, the offensive has greatly pushed back American lines, as the great metropolis of Charleston grows nearer to the front.
Casualty Lists
Appalachian Proletarist Republic: 6 Conscript Brigades, 7 Artillery Brigades
Mississippi Proletarist Republic: 79 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Tennessee Proletarist Republic: 10 Conscript Brigades
United States of America: 32 Conscript Brigades, 8 Infantry Brigades, 10 Cavalry Brigades, 11 Artillery Brigades

News from Africa and the Middle East​

RIOTS DISRUPT ANGOLAN ELECTIONS. Namibe, Angola. The African nation of Angola underwent its latest elections this year, and they proved to be hotly contested, as the Commercial Development Party came under severe attack. Accused of attempting to place the local Spanish population's economic interests over that of the majority, they have had a backlash from Brazilian commercial interests. They have also found that the Brazilians have built surprising support from among the lower classes, thanks to the merits of using their businesses to raise wages as compared to locally owned companies. With this influence and a spirited propaganda campaign, the Commercial Development Party's position was heavily challenged. Matters were made even worse with a series of highly severe riots in Namibe against the conservative policies and position. Protests turned violent as local soldiers fired upon crowds, spurring outrage and anger towards the current government. Amid all of this, the Liberal Party has emerged, pledging greater accommodation for economic ties with Brazil, and a fair chance at wealth for the whole of Angola's population. This won over most of the electorate, who have brought the Liberal Party in to run the government with their votes.

DEATH OF THE EMPEROR OF SCANDINAVIA. Haraldsholm, Kongo. Amid the constant ebb and flow of tensions between Stockholm and Haraldsholm, it seems that a new chapter may be about to begin. Emperor Harald II, the monarch who will go down in history as the only monarch to lose control of his nation to proletarists, passed away this year. He reigned over Scandinavia beginning with his mother's death in 1899, and had a difficult few years afterword. His time of rule was beset with governmental incompetence, military failure, and eventually, revolution. Voices in Kongo attribute his tolerance and lack of resolve as a key factor in the persistent failure of his regime. His son, Christian, is known to be substantially more conservative and possesses strong ties with the Kongo Colonial Society. It is hoped that he will be the firm hand that will ultimately help restore control to Scandinavia as well as preserve its empire.

ELECTIONS IN TURKEY. Konya, Turkey. This year's elections in Turkey proved to be highly divisive, as the debates were led with the issues relating to the ongoing war with Kurdistan. One of these key issues has been the persistent stationing of Roman forces throughout Turkey's borders, and the risk to national security this represents. The Young Turks have been accused of succumbing to decadence and allowing themselves to become puppets of the Roman Imperator. The Sultan and the reigning party have denied this, claiming that the Romans are only attempting to help prevent the exploitation and oppression of the Turkish people by the Kurds. The Young Turks, despite this effective siege, still managed to win the hearts of enough people that they retained the majority in the legislature. The triumph was hard fought and barely won, but it has clearly shown that at least a majority of the people still continue to support the fight against Kurdistan. (-1 Stability)

REVOLT IN TUNIS. Tunis, Sardinia. After nearly a decade of calm, a new uprising began in the Sardinian colony of Tunis, as the locals began rebelling once more. Spurred forward by religious leaders, the revolt is believed to have been launched prematurely, as rumors of a massive increase in the Sardinian garrison were passed about the rebels. The rebels, hoping to secure freedom before these troops could arrive, launched their bid, but found themselves far outgunned and outnumbered. With the arrival of thousands of fresh soldiers from the homeland, the Sardinian army was more than capable of crushing the uprising outright. The Sardinian government was even able to rejoice in the fact that the rebel had revealed themselves out in the open, allowing for easy defeat and destruction. It is believed that most of the leaders of the movement were killed in the uprising, and it is certain that the colony should be much calmer in years to come. (-4 Infantry Brigades, +1 Stability)

MADAGASCAR NATIONALISTS BUILD NEW SUPPORT. Antananarivo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Though they have been unable to muster any true military threat against British colonial rule in Madagascar since the first few years after the Great War, the Malagasy Nationalist Party has continued its efforts. This has included a growing anti-British propaganda campaign throughout the island's largest towns and cities, emphasizing the neglect of the British empire to their needs. With most of Madagascar living in poverty this has been a resounding message, and the nationalists have been consistently building up new support among the masses. The nationalists now claim that the number of their supporters is now in the tens of thousands, as they rally new strength to their cause against the British government. (-1 Stability)

DUTCH LAUNCH ATTEMPT TO RECLAIM HOLLANDIA. Mombasa, Hollandia. The United Republic of the Netherlands launched an attempt to reclaim the colony of Hollandia which will forever be known for its horrible failure. The initial attacks went badly enough as the small colonial garrison left upon Zanzibar managed to inflict disproportionate casualties against the Dutch, fighting tooth and nail for every scrap of land. The fighting only became more difficult as the Dutch attempted to make landfall north of Mombasa, and found themselves charging into the teeth of the colonials' defense. Suppressing fire from the ships was too light to be of any significance, and despite the lack of support, the Dutch still managed to secure a beachhead at a heavy cost. This victory was short-lived, as they continued to bring more troops ashore. While pushing out from the beachhead towards Mombasa, they ran into a solid wall of enemy forces, which they ran up against time and again, suffering massive casualties. Afterward, the colonials unleashed a massive offensive of their own, utterly destroying the Dutch invasion. Thanks to the efforts of the Republican Guard, the expedition was not a complete disaster, as a rear guard action allowed a few small forces to escape. The remnants of the Dutch force have returned to Zanzibar to recoup after this humiliating defeat.
Casualty Lists
Hollandia: 6 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Netherlands: 10 Infantry Brigades, 1 Republican Guard Brigade, 2 Artillery Brigades

KURD-TURKISH WAR. Cizre, Kurdistan. The war over eastern Turkey continued this year, as the Kurds continued to make the greatest effort possible to reestablish control over the lands they seized during the Great War. Preparations were made to make a crossing of the Euphrates, but the Turks continued to possess far greater numbers and firepower, as well as the continued support of Roman soldiers. The Kurds launched a general offensive across the river, and immediately were met with withering fire and the offensive soon petered out without even making it a mile. The bloodshed was horrific, and the victorious Turks soon counterattacked and once more drove the Kurds across the river. Several Roman regiments also faced attack by Kurdish forces, and suffered heavy casualties, as they seemed to be the focus of particular ill will from the Kurd artillery. Regardless, the Roman and Turk forces relatively easily repelled the Kurdish armies, and once more took up their positions along the Euphrates River.
Casualty Lists
Kurdistan: 21 Conscript Brigades, 5 Infantry Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades
Roman Empire: 1 Infantry Brigade
Turkey: 18 Conscript Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades

PERSIA SPONSORS NEW MOSQUES. Tehran, Persia. The growth of a new era in Persia and the recent domestic and international toil seems to have caused the minds of the Persian government to drift away from religion. Abdul al-din has started an effort to counter this notion, demonstrating his own piety and dedication to Islam with the generous sponsoring of the construction of multiple mosques throughout the nation. These places of worship have been dedicated by the monarchy, and have been mostly focused throughout the more rural and developing nations. This has also been included with an initiative to help spearhead the development of a superior morality among the army, and to imbue the population with a new religious identity. The move has been graciously accepted by Islamic religious leaders, who have continued to build a new rapport with the current government of Persia.

News from the Far East​

URBAN REVOLT IN CEYLON. Colombo, Netherlands. As the conflict in Europe continued to escalate, the colonies of the Netherlands began to tremble with unrest and discontent with Dutch imperial rule. The result was the outbreak of an urban revolt in the city of Colombo on the island of Ceylon. Led by a variety of nationalists, there were significant calls for the overthrow of the government and the establishment of a free state. Unfortunately, the Dutch had deployed substantial new military forces to the island just a month before, and these met the uprising with brute force. The Dutch army managed to quickly restore order, and smashed the uprising before it could extend outside of the city limits. With ruthless efficiency they also managed to round up most of the rabble rousers behind the revolt, and they have since been imprisoned for their treason against the Dutch Republic. This has gutted the local nationalist movement for the time being, and seems to have brought at least a little calm back to Ceylon. (-1 Infantry Brigade, +1 Stability)

RUSSIA CRACKS DOWN UPON KHAZAKS. Astana, Russia. The Russian Empire has begun a major crackdown upon the warring Khazak tribes along the border of Persia. They have begun tracking down these highly mobile forces with the deployment of cavalry as well as new aircraft fighters. They have been using these fighters to locate raiding parties and deploy their forces accordingly to achieve victory. The new Russian Air Corps has also ordered their forces to participate in strafing runs upon Khazak villages in order to build up their own flying skills, as well as to demoralize and destroy their enemy. The Russian cavalry has frequently followed up with large scale attacks of their own, and have clearly begun a major war of suppression. Without registration to the Russian government, the Khazaks have found themselves on the run, and being brutally hunted on both land and from the skies. (-22 Manpower, -1 Cavalry Brigade, +1 Air Force Quality)

Financial Section​

FLORIDA AND JACKSONIA ESTABLISH MONETARY UNION. Austin, Florida. The governments of Jacksonia and Florida have begun building even closer ties this year, by adopting a common currency and establishing a central bank in Austin in Florida. The new Columbian Dollar has been established to ease trade between Jacksonia and Florida, to help the economies of both states thrive and flourish in the current global market. The new currency has begun entering circulation this year, as people exchange old Federal dollars for their new national funds and wealth. There have been a number of disputes in this regard, as some of the dollars from the old days are challenged in validity, leading to a wealth of lawsuits and corporate challenges, causing a brief downturn as the financial interests of both nations attempt to assert their wealth in the new economy.

JACKSONIA OFFERS NEW SUBSIDIES. Jefferson, Jacksonia. The Jacksonian government has begun offering a number of new industrial subsidies, but despite these efforts, have found their funds making very little headway internationally. While they have sponsored the beginning of drilling for petroleum in various parts of the nation, they have had little success in marketing it abroad, and the profits from sale have rarely equaled the expense of bringing it out of the ground. Similarly, money has been given to the local film industry, but beyond some very minor local successes with local stars, no films have gained international recognition or financial success. In fact, it's been reported that a number of studios have opened, received money from the government, and then closed down just as quickly. This fraud has bled the government dry, and the so-called Hollywood scandal, named for the suburb of Leesburg where the studios were allegedly located, has become a issue of disrepute, and thrown up extensive dislike and criticism for the Jacksonian government's financial policies.

SCANDINAVIA COMPLETES FIVE YEAR ECONOMIC PLAN. Stockholm, Scandinavia. The Scandinavian proletarist government announced this year the successful completion of the first Five Year Plan, which has swept away the old economic order. The new prosperity and wealth granted to the Scandinavian worker and people is attributed to the ambitious plan, bringing a new era to Scandinavia. Syndic Mannerheim himself has stated that he is "giddy with success" and that the future will bring only more growth and prosperity to the Scandinavian people. The road has been paved for the introduction of a new plan, this time focusing upon housing and new industry. The main industry focused upon is the rising new film industry, as films from Rosario continue to sweep across the world with immense profitability and success. The Scandinavians have found it impossible to compete on the global market, especially as they continue rely on silent films, while the Argentines release one classic talkie after another. Choosing to instead restrict the import of Argentine films to encourage their own industry glorifying the worker, the Scandinavians hope to encourage the arts and local business.

AMERICANS BEGIN AUTOMOTIVE SUBSIDIES. Boston, United States of America. The government in Washington D.C. has begun offering subsidies to the growing automotive industry, primarily Brandt Motors, based out of Boston. They have offered substantial wealth to the development of the new industry, even as most factories continue to be focused upon the war effort for the preservation of the Union. The normalization of trade with Florida and Jacksonia has helped provide cheap petroleum for the use of the American people, and thus more have begun to buy cars, though mostly still from Brazil and Argentina. It is hoped that with these subsidies and increased production, the American automotive industry can take off and provide the people with jobs and their own home produced vehicles.

ECONOMIC FLUCTUATION REPORT. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain.

The Sports Page​

SWISS HOLD RACE AS ROADS COMPLETED. St Gallen, Switzerland. The Swiss government announced this year the completion of a new series of paved roads across the tiny European nation. These new roads have been designed and built with automobiles in mind, hoping to allow for easy use and transportation of these revolutionary new vehicles. In order to demonstrate the viability of the paved road for automotive use, a race was sponsored by the government, which has attracted the attention of the growing hobby of automobile racing. Enthusiasts from across the globe, including from as far away as South America have come to race their newly designed vehicles and test their schematics. The race went well enough, with only seven deaths among the various drivers. The winner was of course a representative of the Philips Motors Company from Argentina, using their new car, which demonstrates unheard of control and affordability.

The Cultural Center​

The Village in Spain
The Village in Spain represents a new attempt at developing the talking motion picture as a political tool. Financed by the German government, the movie was quickly staffed and released late in the year, and was noted for several production flaws due to he rushed film time. The film is about the titular village in Spain, which is beset by turmoil caused by the ongoing Spanish Civil War. The republicans are blatantly controlled by corrupt French and Brazilian soldiers, who are not much more than criminal thugs. The movie ends with the population rising up in support of the monarchists and throwing out the evil French and Brazilians. The movie has not received popular viewing abroad, and with the events throughout the war, was even considered laughable by the global community, and has already begun slowly dying behind the historical marker of being the first fully propagandized film.

Random Stat Changes and Fluctuations and Minor Technological Advances

Hungarian veterans teach new recruits valuable lessons: +1 Army Quality.

Persian army displays astonishing array of incompetence throughout the ranks of noncommissioned officers: -1 Army Quality.

Croatian navy suffers from loss of old officers from the days of the greater Hungarian kingdom: -1 Navy Quality.

Japan designs Takao-class Heavy Destroyer.

Vinland designs Lodjur-Modell Stridpansar.

Peru shares construction rights for Luther-class Light Cruiser with Japan.

Peru designs Scepter elite force.

Germany updates Ferdinand-Type (FTA1) Fighter Biplane into Verband FTA1-2 Fighter.

Denmark designs new Kystnaere-class Destroyer.

Diplomatic Pouch

To: Those Concerned in the Civil War in Spain
From: Corsica

We currently refuse to be involved in the hostilities between the Spanish factions or the fighting between the Confederation and Germany, and despite our alliance with Sardinia, we will not come to the Confederation's aid. We plead to all the belligerents to step back and call a cease-fire and allow a resolution of disputes by the League of Continental Nations. It was exactly this sort of thing that the League was established to prevent and you are allowing it to fall into decay, while its very building remains uncompleted and vacant in Brussels.

To: Kurdistan
From: Turkey

You will never make it back across the Euphrates River and we will continue to fight you, and clearly have the advantage. If you make peace now, recognizing the rightful return of our territory illegally annexed by your nation during the Great War, we will cease slaughtering you soldiers without demanding any reparations from you. This is the last time we will offer this agreement and future terms, dictated in Cizre, will be much less favorable to you.

OOC

@christos200: I assume that you simply forgot to pay education costs. Therefore, as a one time thing, I deducted the cost from your expense on the infrastructure project. Next time expect an uproar if you fail to pay for education.

@Nailix: You require confirmation from other players to be able to use their army doctrines. I received no confirmation from Hungary, therefore you did not change doctrines. All units were purchased at their original prices.

@Grandkhan: You did not receive the designs for the Russian weapons, rather they were produced in Russia and sold to you.

To Whom it may concern: "Mobilize in secret" is the third most stupid thing I read in orders this update. Mobilization is NOT something a nation can do secretly, just quickly.

IMPORTANT TO ALL: It seems that I must reiterate, I DO NOT read orders until I actually start updating. I just let them sit in my inbox until I am ready to look at them. Also, when I see a PM that says your nation's name and "REVISED" I assume that means that you have included a revised, but full set of orders. Therefore, I immediately delete the older set to keep my inbox clean. If you are not actually providing a full revision of your orders, PLEASE say "Addition" NOT "Revised."

To those randomly giving things to Brazil: Luckymoose had no knowledge of receiving anything from you at all. Therefore any orders regarding your bizarre and vaguely OOC gifts have been completely ignored.

@spryllino: Your orders said to build as many conscripts as Germany did. He did not build conscripts, he built infantry and artillery. I assumed that you probably didn't want to match that, so just built you an equal number of conscripts to his newly built infantry. As for your sales of planes, there was one squadron of each sold to Nicaragua.

@Lord of Elves: You did not receive the foreign EP you expected. This resulted in 7 less EP going to your own foreign friends.

@BILLSIF: Gypsies don't buy land nor do they want to. They travel, rob, and steal. That's their whole culture and identity. They are by far the most justly persecuted people in history. The related section of your orders was ignored.

@TheLizardKing: You never actually said what points you wanted to give to the newly revised aircraft. Therefore, I did what I could with them. This is not subject to change, unless I encounter you on AIM between now and the completion of parts of the update relevant to you.

@ChiefDesigner: You were unable to afford both units you wanted. The leftover EP has been banked.

I certainly hope that some of you have at last learned how stupid you've been for wantonly sharing your designs all over the place. As much as I hate to say this, shame most of you haven't been as intelligent as luckymoose, you'd probably be having far fewer problems at this point.

957 Character too long for two posts! Damn!

World Map

OOC: Great update!
All this and my government still has a 55% chance at winning the next elections. What would I do if it wasn't for wars...
To the-Dright: I spent 30 EPs on the policy this year to disperse the Chinese immigrants (for accelerated assimilation), the 20 EP increase was a one-time expenditure though, which is why it's not noted as a permanent increase.

OOC: And with this I formally admit having just taken charge of Persia.

OOC: Another solid update, EQ. However, I believe that I should have 90 EP banked, not 55, unless 35 of it went somewhere random?

IC:
To: The Empire of Spain
From: The United Principalities of India
CC: Republic of Spain
It appears as though the Spanish people in Egypt, Malta, Gujarat, Pondicherry, and North Africa themselves prefer the Republican government in Valencia over your own imperial government of Madrid. The High Prince has not failed to notice this, and is thus withdrawing his support for the Madrid government and declaring the neutrality of the United Principalities of India in the Spanish conflict.

Nice update, just wondering about my banked EP it's only 126 but adding the 125 for the Doctrine I didn't get + the 120 extra from the troops price - the 17 extra for the Artillery I made I should have 228 banked EP. Unless I missed something can you fix that please?

So you're telling me the proles have actual effective control of Florida? That blob should be a little spottier, unless rasist white people love being ruled by revolutionary black people

I'm also not understanding the motivation for the other generals in the ATA.

To: The United Principalities of India
From: The Kingdom of Persia
Persia is looking to experience a new golden age in its nation, and that is not created through isolationism. Let us open the borders for trade between our nations, and begin attempting to not murder each other for at least a thousand five years!

OOC: No news is good news.

IC:

To: Empire of Scandinavia
From: King Invgar I Gyllensvärd of Vinland

I express my grief and heartfelt sense of loss for the death of Emperor Harald II of Scandinavia. He was a great man, and a very dear friend to me, and the world is lessened with his passing. The Royal Family of Vinland will be traveling to attend the funeral in Haraldsholm, and I should hope to speak a eulogy for my cousin.

To King Kristian I, may your reign be long and blessed. It has been too long since we last met, and I eagerly anticipate my arrival in Kongo.