Capto Iugulum: 1920 - 1939

ChiefDesigner said:

In the interest of peace and goodwill on earth, the UPRA pledges 10 EP towards the reconstruction of Rome.

Click to expand...

The UPRA neglected to add a line item to this year's budget to reflect its donation. The UPRA regrets the oversight, and will promptly remit the funds as soon as we are able to do so.

OOC: Gah, forgot to confirm the sale of Baluchistan again.

@Lokki242: Don't worry, I didn't get any orders from India either.

News from Europe​

ELECTIONS IN CECHY-MORAVA. Prague, Cechy-Morava. The outbreak of a major war between Italy and the Confederation has been one of the main issues of concern among the Czechs of Cechy-Morava. The liberal government of President Jakub Guin has pledged to fight for a policy of neutrality and isolation from the conflict, implying that the Italian allies of Cechy-Morava could be in the moral wrong. The nation's close ties to Germany, and the raging conflict have led many to fear that the government would be forced into the conflict, particularly as Czech arms manufacturers have lucrative contracts with both Germany and Italy. On the other hand, the Traditionalist Party has begun campaigning for further intervention, claiming that as an ally of both the German and Italian people, it is only just to aid them against the backward forces of the Confederation. For the time being, it seems that antiwar sentiment has prevailed, and the liberal Czech National Party has triumphed, and Jakub Guin has be appointed as the nation's President once more.

CORSICAN ELECTIONS HELD. Ajaccio, Corsica. The war between the Confederation and Italy was the main issue of concern among those eligible to vote in the small island nation of Corsica. The regime of Prime Minister Carvelli already pledged itself to support and aid the war effort against the Italians before the elections, sparking outcry from the opposition. The deployment of Corsica's navy to help the Sardinians in the blockade against Italy was a move of substantial concern, as it is Corsica's first true military intervention since securing independence from the Papacy in the 1850s. The backlash was immediate, but proved not nearly enough to trump the substantially enforced position of the conservatives in the Corsican government. With the laws and voting rights on their side, the Party of Tradition has managed to hold onto the majority, and Prime Minister Carvelli has retained his position as the head of government for the nation.

ELECTIONS IN GERMANY. Munich, Germany. The government of Albrecht Meyer came under attack this year much as the German ally of Italy found itself under invasion by Confederate and Occitanian forces. Insidious forces splitting from the conservative Victorious Opposition Party have established the New German Brotherhood, a militaristic movement which has called for a final confrontation to right the wrongs caused by incompetence back in 1918 against the Confederation. The New German Brotherhood, in a campaign waged through biased press throughout Germany, has accused Meyer of flagrant incompetence in the management of the military. They have stated that the affair with the Confederation could have been put to rest in the last fight, and that now the German people must stand up once more. Throughout the first part of the campaign season, it seemed that this platform would be unable to gain much traction, but the tides shifted after the Zell Massacre. The press gleefully reported similar atrocities taking place throughout northern Italy, and the populace was worked up into an outrage. Though this was not enough to secure the New German Brotherhood as a majority, it was able to reduce the holdings of the Victorious Opposition Party substantially. Similarly, the executive election for President resulted in a victory for the New German Brotherhood, as their candidate defeated both Albrecht Meyer from the VOP and liberal candidate Karl Harrer. Anton Drexler, a youthful supporter and outspoken proponent of the New German Brotherhood, has been elected as the new President of the Imperial German Union. (-1 Stability)

OCCITANIAN ELECTIONS HELD. Toulouse, Occitania. The Western European nation of Occitania already found itself at a state of war by the time that the election process began. The liberal government of the Party of Order, headed by Premier Ministre Pierre Durand, has pledged the nation's support to the Confederate war effort. The nation's armed forces were mobilized to aid Confederate forces against the Italians, and have achieved substantial notoriety for their aid to the war effort. The Party of Order was initially besieged with the threat that committing thousands to die could cause a failure of the party in the elections, but it proved just the opposite. Photographs of Occitanian troops leading the march into Genoa and pushing back the Italian troops actually proved to be a boon to the campaign. At this point, the Party of Order now possesses the largest majority it has ever held in the Occitanian Chambre des Députés. (+1 Stability)

ELECTIONS IN SWITZERLAND. St Gallen, Switzerland. Swiss elections were fairly low key this year, as the primary issues were fairly mundane, despite the eruption of a major war so near to the borders. Most have focused upon recent minor trade disputes with merchants from Austria or Italy, and have had little bearing on overall global affairs. The Swiss have also begun discussing the outbreak of the war, and some very few radicals have begun claiming that more active support should be given to Swiss resistance against Confederate rule. Victories in Italy for the Confederates caused much of this fervor to quickly die, though substantial support remains for the cause of Swiss nationalism. The Swiss National Party and President Karl Bauer have continued to promise to keep up diplomatic pressure upon the Confederation to give the Swiss people their deserved independence. They have stated that nonviolence is the way to success and victory, and have managed to once more achieve a substantial electoral victory both for the Presidency and within Congress.

PROTESTS IN DENMARK. Copenhagen, Denmark. Last year's victory of the Frie Folkeparti was not welcomed by a good portion of the liberal population, and many have begun to call the government out upon its policies. A major protest was held against the recent economic reforms and the ongoing government interference in the arts. The protest claimed that the new government is failing to take care of the people as the liberals had and that they are focused on the aristocracy instead of the average man of Denmark. The protests have claimed that the aristocracy is attempting once more to seize power and they have called for new elections and the resignation of Statsminister Boye. The protests, while very public, were not particularly large or extravagant, and despite the coverage of the affairs by elements in the sympathetic media, they do not appear to truly represent the will of the people, and the government has stated as such.

MASSACRE IN THE CONFEDERATION. Zell, Franco-Burgundian Confederation. Prior to this year, the town of Zell was a small primarily ethnic German town along the Moselle River of about two thousand people, but by the end of the year, was a smoldering husk of a community. With the Confederate army focused upon the war with Italy and sent to the south, their Spanish allies were brought in to guard a portion of the border with Germany. A Spanish garrison of approximately two hundred men was stationed to guard the settlement, and to train in the countryside around the community. Though reports on the origin of the arrest are unknown, the Spanish soldiers claimed that local German citizens fired upon their forces while on a routine exercise through town. They returned fire into the nearest building, which unfortunately turned out to be a school, killing half a dozen children. With no German speakers among their forces, the Spanish were at loss at their situation, and more attacks upon them resulted in a full battle erupting in the town. According to escaped German residents, what emerged was a brutal 3-day massacre of the entire community, as the Spanish troops broke under the pressure and committed horrible acts of destruction and rapine throughout the town. According to German papers, of the original population of 1,921 people, only a few dozen survived. The result has been outrage, though of two varieties. Within the Confederation, the German populace has blamed the Spanish rabble for the events, and a major anger has emerged against Spain. In both Germany and the Confederation, some have instead turned their rage towards the Confederates who put the Spanish there, and it seems that this event could very well bring the German nation into the war with Italy.

STRIKE LAUNCHED IN ROMANIA. Ploesti, Romania. The Romanian government has faced a major new problem, as the so-called Christmas Strike began late in the year. The oil workers of the nation have gone on strike, refusing to continue work until minimum safety standards are introduced by the government. Recent injuries have been on the rise among oil workers, who are in one of the nation's most profitable, and dangerous, professions. They have gone on strike, shutting down oil production, and have demanded that the government force better conditions in the installations, as well as recognizing the oil workers' newly formed union. The army has been mobilized, as in prior strikes, but has yet to move in to bust the strikers in their ongoing protest. Staying the government's hand has of course been fear of setting devastating fires and losing the skilled workers who maintain the refineries and wells. Negotiations are at a standstill, and most expect them to continue into 1924.

PEASANT UPRISING IN RUSSIA. Saratov, Russia. The Russian interior has faced the largest peasant uprising in decades as a charismatic leader assembled substantial forces from the great farms and heartland of the Russian nation. Some foreign correspondents claim that this rebellion has been mobilizing in the countryside for the past few years, but Russian authorities deny these claims, stating that it was only a small minority movement at best, well under control. The rebellion mustered the strength to charge into the city of Saratov and take it from the control of the Russian military garrison there. They proclaimed an independent Republic of Saratov, and allegedly garnered the support of the workers in the city. The Russian military responded with its typical approach of overwhelming force, deploying their new tanks and planes to devastated rebel strongholds. With no weapons heavier than hunting rifles, the rebels had very little chance against the best of Russian military technology, but they still managed to inflict a harsh toll, striking behind the lines while fighting in a vicious struggle through the whole of the city. (-11 Infantry Brigades, -3 Artillery Brigades)

RIOTING IN BELGRADE. Belgrade, Serbia. This year several major riots took place in the Serbian capital of Belgrade, against the government's current foreign and interior policies. Resentment is on the rise against Russian dominance of the nation's economics and international policies, as many view the so-called "Forum for Peace" as nothing more than a place for the Russians to tell their puppet kings what to do. The first of the year's riots actually began outside of the Russian embassy as a prominent Russian businessman guilty of a rape of a local woman was vanished away from Serbian justice by the Russian government. The issues only became more vicious as the Serbian army was brought in to restore order, preserving the attacks against Russian interests. The Russian government has begun to threaten to once more send in military forces should the situation continue to destabilize.

THE TRIAL OF PHILIP DE TRASTAMARA. Madrid, Spain. In what many are calling the trial of the century, the Emperor Philip X of Spain has been put up for trial due to his involvement and support for the militarists in the recent Second Spanish Civil War. Having offered his financial and political legitimacy for the militarist coup against the Imperial Congress, the emperor helped sway Madrid to the militarist cause at the onset of the fighting. He has therefore been charged for treason against the state, and many consider him responsible for the deaths of those who had to fight to reclaim the nation's capital. This is the first incident of a monarch being put on trial by a court of the people in the history of Europe, and there has been substantial outrage from the crowned heads of the continent. The crown prince of Russia himself has spoken out against the proceedings, claiming that the monarchies should be above any worldly law. Regardless of the outcry, the Spanish have pushed forward, and the trial was hard fought, as the emperor was found guilty. The Spanish have forced the monarch to abdicate the throne, and place him under house arrest for life for his crimes. His younger brother, while still a conservative, has been selected to be the new emperor of Spain, and has been crowned as Emperor Fernando VI.

ITALO-CONFEDERATE WAR. Milan, Italy. The fighting in northern Italy has become a vicious bloodbath, as the escalation of the conflict begun last year continued throughout this year. Though the Confederation retained air superiority initially, this quickly began to wane as the Italians produced newer aircraft. By the end of the year the Italians had indisputable air superiority, though new Brazilian-built fighters brought in by November helped at least stop attacked on the army's supply lines. The fighting on the ground was vicious, as the Confederates began pushing east towards Milan, and the Italians doggedly dug in every step of the way. Every hill and mountaintop proved a bloody stronghold for the Italian armies, and with their superior artillery, they devastated advancing armor, decimating the armored forces of the Confederates with few losses of tanks of their own. The rough terrain was almost as much of an enemy as the Italians were, bogging down the Confederate forces and creating easy targets for Italian artillery. Initial weight of numbers did allow the Confederates to push the Italians back across the border, as well as cut off the city of Genoa from the rest of Italy. Unfortunately, by the end of the year, what momentum the advance had stalled, as the Italian positions proved too substantial to push back any further, and the Confederates were stopped only a few miles west of Milan. A blockade was enacted as the Italian army fought house to house against the Occitanians, who took up the siege of the city. The Occitanians were bled badly, losing over fifty percent of their expeditionary force to the battle, forcing the Confederates to withdraw from the main front to assist. With a Sardinian naval blockade in effect, it seemed that the city would be forced to surrender. In the early hours of December 6, the Italian fleet sailed out to battle the larger Sardinian and Corsican task force. Though only half of the Sardinian navy was present, the whole of the Corsican fleet was available, and the admirals in charge were confident of a victory against the much smaller Italian armada. Unfortunately, they were not prepared for a flight of several hundred Italian bombers, most of which were so new out of the factory, they had not even been painted. These bombers led the attack against the Corsican and Sardinian ships, most of which had no defense against an airborne assault. The allied ships were devastated, and two Sardinian battleships were sunk before the Italian battle line had even fired a salvo. As the battle itself began, the obsolescent Sardinian and Corsican ships were devastated and routed by the Italian forces, as only two badly listing Sardinian capital ships escaped the massacre along with a handful of screening vessels. Sardinian submarines attempted to make up for the loss of the blockade of the main fleet, but the damage was done, a massive resupply and reinforcement effort kept the Italian army in Genoa fighting into the new year.
Casualty Lists
Corsica: 5 Numancia-class Destroyers, 3 Oporto-class Destroyers, 2 Castile-class Light Cruisers, 1 Eendracht-class Heavy Cruiser, 1 Chasseur-class Battlecruiser, 1 Maryland-class Battleship (+1 Navy Quality)
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 58 Conscript Brigades, 44 Infantry Brigades, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 7 M1916 VB Brigades, 5 Tonneau Victorieux Brigades, 28 Artillery Brigades, 4 Voluer-type Fighter Squadrons, 1 P-21 Fighter Squadron, 2 Vizelle-type Bomber Squadrons (+1 Army Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)
Occitania: 29 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 3 Tonneau Victorieux Brigades, 12 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Sardinia: 6 Nordenfelt-class Submarines, 7 Early Destroyers, 5 Numancia-class Destroyers, 3 Vigilant-class Destroyers, 1 Oporto-class Destroyer, 2 Early Light Cruisers, 1 Castile-class Light Cruiser, 3 Early Heavy Cruisers, 2 Chasseur-class Battlecruisers, 1 Lioness-class Battlecruiser, 2 Dreadnoughts, 1 Conquistador-class Battleship (+1 Navy Quality)
Italy: 71 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 5 CKC-LTP 22 Brigades, 27 Artillery Brigades, 4 Furacão-class Destroyers, 1 Sicilia-class Light Cruiser, 1 Early Heavy Cruiser, 1 Lioness-class Battlecruiser, 4 Verband FTA 1-2 Fighter Squadrons, 4 Aichi Ki-8 Fighter Squadrons, 2 I-1923 Bomber Squadrons (+1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)

BRETON CRISIS RESOLVED. Brest, Brittany. Several years after the tragic explosion which killed over a dozen in Dublin, the crisis between Brittany and the United Kingdom has at last been resolved with the Agreement of Brest. The British blockade of Brittany has been brought to an end as the British Royal Navy withdrew from its positions, allowing the resumption of normal trade. The Bretons have agreed to pay a limited compensation to the British government within the next ten years, and have looked towards the possibility of an early completion of payment. They have managed to reduce British demands considerable, which has led to political backlash back in London. The government of Prime Minister Smith has been harshly criticized by the opposition for his failure to obtain any truly meaningful concessions from Brittany, and it appears that his regime could well fall in the planned 1925 elections. Still, some are just happy that the affair was resolved without the profuse bloodshed that would be the storming of Breton beaches.

NONAGGRESSION PACT EASES EASTERN EUROPEAN TENSIONS. Warsaw, Russia. In a move surprising most European political analysts, the governments of Russia and Germany have made a progressive step towards burying the hatchet. The nations have pledged the enforcement of a ten year nonaggression pact to preserve the peace along the mutual border, an agreement that should last until 1933. Talks have already been suggested about renewing the pact at the end of the time frame, particularly with the lucrative other portions of the latest treaty. Russia has begun an immediate reduction of tariffs upon both Germany and Italy, taking a step back from penalties enacted during the invasion of Arabia. Trade has been fairly low level only since the end of the Great War between the Germans and Russians, and this has started a process of normalization of economy between the two powers. Russian resources and foodstuffs have begun pouring across the border as luxury industrial goods from Germany begin entering into sale throughout western Russia.

News from the Americas​

NICARAGUA ANNOUNCES NEW CONSTITUTION AMID PROTESTS. Managua, Nicaragua. After a lengthy constitutional convention in the wake of the partially successful conference in Nueva Barcelona, the involved Nicaraguan committee at last has put out a document acceptable to the people. Brought into law after a universal vote of eligible Nicaraguan citizens, the new constitution establishes the official Republic of Nicaragua as a entity distinct and separate of the old United States of New Spain. The new constitution has affirmed that the government will no longer seek the forcible subjugation of the former states of Costa Rica and Honduras, but will rather pursue peaceful means if unification will take place. Supported by the Pan-American Democratic Accord and particularly Vinland, the new constitution has restored most democratic rights that had been allowed to wither under the military government. Not all has been well with the new constitution, as the more hardened supporters of forcible reunification marched in protest, claiming that it was an unfair document, forced upon New Spain by oppressive foreign powers. This movement has grown and could easily threaten to bring about a Nicaraguan withdrawal from PADA after the 1924 elections.

CUBAN MILITARY PURGES AMERICAN HOLDINGS. Guantanamo, Cuba. The Cuban government, following the similar actions of Vinland during the peak of the American Crisis, has required citizenship of all those who came from the United States during the hostilities in North America. Those refusing to maintain citizenship or insistent upon prioritizing their identity as Americans over their new home. The militias have mobilized against the threat of the Cuban government, which has vowed to restore control to the areas under the domination of the American militia. The situation was helped with the intervention of the Pan-American Democratic Accord, which has brought in the support of the Floridian government. Florida has provided money and transport for a number of American detainees in Cuba, who have been transported out of the island nation. Unfortunately, most of the American militias chose to fight to the last, and a vicious war emerged on the eastern part of the island. The Cubans, with air support and greater numbers pushed back through the islands, eliminating the American militias in bloody combat. All Americans in the areas of combat were arrested and deported to Florida, removing them from the island, and restoring stability at last to Cuba. (-6 Conscript Brigades, +2 Stability)

AZTEC ELECTIONS HELD. Oaxaca, Aztlan. The Aztec nation held elections this year, and they were dominated by the recent political events which have brought about the attention of the whole of the Pan-American Democratic Accord. The recent border tensions with Florida have given cause for concern that a larger regional conflict could emerge if the situation was not handled delicately. The handling of the situation of Aztec villages within Floridian territories has led to a reunification of the Aztec people, kept apart by the aftermath of the Great War. As discussed elsewhere, the results of the plebiscite brought about new hope and strength to the Aztec government, and the reigning Democratic government of President Esteban Cortéz has been the beneficiary of these boons. Trumpeting their successes in both Venezuela's affairs and along Aztlan's own borders, the Democratic Party has secured themselves yet another electoral victory. Though the results were not the landslide many hoped for, they have been sufficient to secure another term of office for President Cortéz.

ELECTIONS IN CHILE. Santiago, Chile. The elections in Chile were once more expected to be another quick series of votes leading once more to the reelection of President Pablo Montoya, and the campaigns proceeded as such. Unfortunately, halfway through the electoral season, President Montoya suffered a fatal heart attack, leading to his death, and an immediate power vacuum. With no clear successor, the military took charge, though they continued to allow the voting process to go ahead as scheduled, promising to return power upon the election's conclusion. The death of President Montoya allowed for the rise of numerous other candidates from all realms of the political arena. The victor ultimately emerged as a former member of the Catholic clergy, Davros Cruz, pledged a new order of religious responsibility and moralistic government. Elected with a slim majority, the new President Cruz has promised to look towards faith and religion as the means to rebuilding the glory of the Chilean nation.

CUBAN ELECTIONS HELD. Havana, Cuba. The bloodshed brought about by the expulsion of the American refugees and the violence and devastation they left behind them proved to be the main issue of concern in the elections in Cuba. The Democratic Party government under President Calixto Marti has been accused of squandering numerous opportunities to remove the refugees, and causing the situation to become as bad as it did. The conservative Party of the Republic has waged a vicious campaign, blaming any deaths caused by the Americans upon President Marti and his backers. The elections proved heavily divisive, though by the time the smoke had cleared, the Democratic Party continued to retain its bare majority in the nation's Congress. However, President Marti was not as lucky, as his opponent from the Party of the Republic, Adolfo Garcia, was able to gain enough of the vote to be proclaimed president. The new President Garcia now faces a bitter and hostile Congress, as he begins the long road to restoring the losses caused by the recent de facto war with the American expatriates. (-1 Stability)

STRIKE SHIFTS JACKSONIAN ELECTION RESULTS. Jefferson, Jacksonia. The government of Jacksonia faced crisis this year as the elections for both Congress and the presidency loomed overhead. President Edward Seward faced criticism from the press as it was revealed that over seventy percent of the workers who had labored upon the capital reconstruction program had never been paid. Rallying together and gaining support of the nation's unions, these impoverished workers brought about a strike that brought the nation's economy to a temporary halt. Though the strike was quickly broken up by police and internal efforts, the point was made and the Progressive Party was torn apart. The more liberal elements of the party split away to join the rising tide of the Socialist Party, which has pledged no further abuses of the working class. With the support of the masses, Socialist Thomas Stilwell has been elected as the new President of Jacksonia. Unfortunately, Congress remains divided among three parties, the Socialists, the Progressives, and the conservative Party of Order. None of these parties has managed to gain a majority, though the Progressive Party continues to maintain control of the most seats overall.

ELECTIONS IN PARAGUAY. Asunción, Paraguay. President Geraldo Marquez has been the head of state of Paraguay ever since he and his party trounced the National Order Party in the 1911 elections. After winning a comfortable victory in 1917, it has seemed that the Paraguayan prosperity would never end, as they continue to prosper to this day. Most believe that President Marquez would have easily won reelection this year, but he has chosen not to run for a third term of office and has turned the reigns of the Social Democratic Party over to his subordinate, Javier Molina. Despite the endorsement of former President Marquez and the support of the Social Democratic Party, it seems that the tides have begun to shift once more. Recent issues such as moralism and the ideals of the true Catholic faith have led to a noticeable trend away from liberalism, which has been persistently preached against by the advocates of Pope Paul VI. The National Order Party has once more reclaimed control of both Congress and the presidency, under the leadership of the nation's new President Jorge Marcos.

URUGUAYAN ELECTIONS HELD. Montevideo, Uruguay. Though President Roberto Lonzo continues to remain one of Uruguay's most popular presidents for his unwavering faith and dedication, those who support him in Congress have found their own centers of power wavering. The liberal Party of Order, knowing that they would be unable to gain control of the presidency, have instead focused upon more localized elections, hoping to gain a majority in Congress. This approach has proven highly effective, as the Party of Order has pledged a more tolerant government, looking to help those in need both in South America and across the world. They have stated that while Lonzo is a good man, those that follow him do not have the needs of the worker in mind, and thus will continue to allow the horrid state of Uruguayan living and working conditions. Campaigning with labor reform in mind, the Party of Order has regained the majority in Congress, creating a vicious opposition to the policies of President Lonzo.

ELECTIONS IN VINLAND. Nya Stockholm, Vinland. The elections in Vinland this year were initially expected to be a highly contested match between numerous strong political groups. To the surprise of those who rose to challenge the majority of the Socialproletärpartiet in the Riksdag, they were unable to find the support they needed to achieve victory. The continuing prosperity and social wellbeing of the average voter in Vinland has garnered the reigning party the substantial support of the electorate. In fact, the other political parties have begun to lose even more ground to the growing power of the Socialproletärpartiet. The party now possesses a clear and indisputable majority, which some analysts believe could be insurmountable as the current conditions stand. Statsminister Ole Gudrunsson has continued to lead the government, and is flush with support for his policies and the future of Vinland as guided by his hand. (+1 Stability)

COSTA RICA CRACKS DOWN ON DISSENT. San Jose, Costa Rica. In recent years, as Nicaragua and Honduras seem to be nearing the point of reunification, this has made elements within Costa Rica increasingly agitated. Republican forces have begun to embrace the idea of the restoration of a truly democratic and united New Spain, and they have begun to nibble away at the base of the support of the military government. In response, the army launched a major crackdown upon those who would undermine their power and authority over Costa Rica. General de Todos has pledged that such traitorous dissent will be kept at pay and any individuals fermenting rebellion would be charged with treason and executed. As part of the crackdown, a large number of republican leaders have been arrested and executed, and their rudimentary and illegal political parties have been shut down. So far it seems that these operations have been a success and that for the time being, the military has stabilized the situation for the first time since they seized power. (+1 Stability)

ELECTIONS FOLLOW CRISIS IN VENEZUELA. Caracas, Venezuela. The military government of Venezuela, seeing the threat of a major war with all the powers of the Pan-American Democratic Accord as an bloody exercise in futility, has surrendered to the combined powers. Surrender may be incorrect terminology as troops from PADA have not entered mainland Venezuela, and the only occupation was a temporary Brazilian force upon the islands taken last year. The Vinlander government oversaw fair and free elections in these islands, as the population voted upon their fate. To the surprise of many, the various islands from Grenada to St. Lucia have voted to return to the nation of Venezuela, having been the subject of a large migration after the Great War. Very, very few chose to join with Brazil, as there was little to no interest at all in that third option, though a substantial portion of the native population did vote for independence of varying types. The Brazilians have withdrawn their forces, returning home, as the islands were restored to Venezuelan control. In Venezuela itself, Vinlander advisers have arrived, and have been placed under heavy guard by the military to prevent another attack or slaughter. Representatives of the government have begun preparing for the creation of a democratic regime, though the military has continued running day to day operations as they work towards new reform. (+1 Stability)

ARGENTINA PASSES SOCIAL REFORM. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The political process and legislature in Argentina have continued to be the scene of a vicious struggle through the year, as the National Conservative Party has continued to resist various types of reform, with the support of the few Moralists in Congress. Under an unrelenting campaign of pressure from the President and the members of the Democratic Party in Congress combined with a substantial amount of outrage from the media, the Congress has at last caved in and passed new legislation allowing women the right to vote. Some representatives of the National Conservative Party are morbidly optimistic that such a move may actually improve their chances of gaining the presidency in 1925. They have claimed that they have sought only compromise but that the Democratic Party is seeking unreasonable reform and demands of the legislature. They have since begun throwing up bulwarks against any further legislation beyond women's suffrage, using every trick in the book to halt any further proposals by the Democratic Party.

PLEBISCITE COSTS FLORIDIAN TERRITORY. Tenochtitlan, Aztlan. After disputes began rising last year between the Aztecs and Floridians, it seems that the Floridians have caved to the rising protests against American rule over Aztec people. Numerous plebiscites were held throughout the territory seized from Spain during the Great War and it seems that the Floridians have gambled, and lost big. The Aztec majorities throughout most of the southern provinces have all voted to join the Aztec nation. Only in a few scattered northern villages and cities have the Americans created enough of a majority to hold the territory. This has been a tremendous blow to the Floridian economy and status in the Americas, losing some of the wealthier oil wells, as well as a sizeable portion of their population. President Johnston has been all but crucified by his own party, which has disavowed him after this horrendous political defeat. On the other side of the border, the Aztecs have been swept with triumph, promising the beginning of a new age of success and development. (-1 Stability for Florida, +1 Stability in Aztlan)

JAMAICA INVADED. Kingston, Jamaica. War was brought to the peaceful nation of Jamaica, a fairly nonbelligerent member of the Pan-American Democratic Accord. The Portuguese, after failing to acquire naval bases in the Western Atlantic peacefully, have struck in a move to restore the faltering confidence of its people. The Portuguese navy, after sailing across the ocean steamed arrogantly into the harbor of Kingston, surprising and reducing the local fortifications. The Jamaican ships were seized intact, and the Portuguese immediately established control over the capital of the small nation. Most of the fighting took place as Portugal sought to establish control over the rest of the island, pushing inland and along the coastlines. The Jamaicans fought hard, much as they had when the proletarists had attempted to invade after the American Crisis. The fighting was a foregone conclusion, however, as the Jamaicans were outgunned and outnumbered, and the few remaining units at the end of the campaign separated and dispersed into the interior. The Portuguese have declared the annexation of Jamaica as their first step towards rebuilding the lost glory of their empire.
Casualty Lists
Jamaica: 5 Conscript Brigades, 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 2 Artillery Brigades
Portugal: 8 Infantry Brigades (+1 Army Quality)

News from Africa and the Middle East​

ROYAL MARRIAGE BRINGS TOGETHER OLD EMPIRES. Constantinople, Roman Empire. The League of the Three Emperors, established at the turn of the century, continues to remains alive and well among the three imperial houses ruling it. Though the Roman Empire and Scandinavia have had their troubles over the past twenty years, they have come together to show the world that they are still relevant and powerful empires. To do so, the Imperator Panagiotis Danglis, the childless ruler of the Roman Empire, has married his youngest sister to a prince of the Empire of Scandinavia. Young Prince Sven has been proclaimed the heir to the position of Imperator, and the successor of the aging Imperator Panagiotis. To show his commitment to his new way of life and people, Sven has converted to Orthodox Christianity, and displayed a powerful knowledge and fluency in the Greek and Latin languages. With this marriage, and Panagiotis' failing health, it seems that the Roman Empire may soon yet have its first Scandinavian imperator.

DROUGHT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. Christiansburg, Oranjien. Farmers across various states in southern Africa have indicated a worsening drought, causing a severe reduction in agricultural production. Food prices have begun to rise dramatically, and it's clear in the region that local production is not meeting the rising demand of a growing population base. The worst of the drought has been in southern Angola and throughout Oranjien, though British South Africa has suffered along with the freer nations on the coast. The Oranjien government has responded, purchasing a growing amount of food from the lush fields of Argentina, which had a bumper crop throughout the year. The pinch has been much harsher in neighboring Angola, as the rising cost of food and reduced production worsens the already tense domestic situation. Unemployment among large scale agricultural workers has also increased in both Angola and Oranjien, reducing profits of the plantations managed throughout the region.

ELECTIONS IN TURKEY. Konya, Turkey. The outbreak of war in Pontus and the results of that war were the clear elements in the elections throughout Turkey this year. When the crisis began between the Roman Empire and Pontus, most of the Turkish population sympathized more with the Pontic government, which was at least partially Turkish in nature. Their stand against Roman imperialism tugged at the heart strings of the Turkish people, who have long fought against dominion from Constantinople. The Young Turks offered at least some diplomatic support for the Pontic cause, despite the opposition from the new Grand Mandate Party which called for support for the Roman cause. The tides would change though as the Pontic army illegally invaded and used Turkish territory to take the fight to the Romans. This flagrant act of war outraged the Turkish people and led to the Grand Mandate Party being taken more seriously by voters. Having already spoken out against the Pontic government publically, they were seen as more intelligent, allowing their cause to surge. This led to the Young Turks very nearly losing their majority when the election time came. Keeping the majority by a single seat in Congress, the Young Turks now face a far more unstable government backing them. (-1 Stability)

REBELS CRUSHED IN ALGIERS. Algiers, Spain. For what seems like the millionth time, the Spanish have won an apparently decisive victory against those who would wrest away Algiers from the bosom of the empire. This year, Spanish intelligence in Algiers was made aware of an impending open revolt throughout the city and countryside. Thanks to the skilled efforts of the local garrison, and help of a Occitanian intelligence operative, the Spanish were able to identify all of the key rebel armories and leaders. With this intelligence in hand, the Spanish launched a preemptive offensive against the rebel forces, arresting the leaders and raiding the varied arsenals. The attacks were highly successful, though they did provoke a limited rebellion through their actions, causing some heavy casualties among the garrison. Despite the losses, this has been a major victory for the Spanish in North Africa, at last returning some stability and imperial control to the region. (-1 Infantry Brigade, +1 Stability)

GUERILLA WAR CONTINUES IN ANGOLA. Namibe, Angola. The government of Angola has begun taking a more assertive approach to defeating the growing rebellious movement against Brazilian dominion. After last year's ongoing attacks against the Brazilian garrison within Angola, the Brazilians have called for an increase in Angolan forces and their activity against the rebels. The rebels have continued to attack Brazilian facilities and troops, winning several major victories, as well as conducting the assassination of multiple Brazilian businessmen and officers throughout the region. They have continued to demand the withdrawal of the Brazilian army and the end of dominion over Angola. The government has begun attacking rebel strongholds, at last pitting Angolan against Angolan, which has led to the rise of several nasty tribal tensions in addition to the resentment itself. The government has failed to achieve any major successes, having lost far more than they've gained in their attacks upon the rebels. Many believe that virtually every move made by the army is rapidly and efficiently related to the rebels in their ongoing struggle.
Casualty Lists
Angola: 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Brazil: 1 Infantry Brigade

ELECTIONS IN HOLLANDIA. Mombasa, Hollandia. After possessing independence for several years now, it has become a matter of some concern that the coalition government under Stadtsholder Kees van Rijn has not managed to establish a formal constitution for Hollandia. Under pressure from factions within the government, van Rijn has agreed to hold new elections for members of the regime. At the moment, as there is no formal legislature, the elections are simply taking place for members of the constitutional committee. The primary concern for all of the voting class is the formation of a new constitution and what sort of boundaries it should make for voting and all of the other minutiae of governance. The elections were hard fought as rudimentary Liberal, Conservative, and Nationalist Parties fought over the seats and possessions in control of the constitutional committee. By the end of the elections, the Nationalists now hold the largest number of spots on the committee, though until a process is determined for selecting a new head of state is solidified, Kees van Rijn remains the nation's Stadtsholder.

THE REDRAWING OF THE MIDDLE EAST. Jeddah, Hashemite Sultanate. The Arabian Empire has been brought to an end and the coalition that had been assembled against it, now divides the spoils among them. The governments of Persia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy have redrawn the borders of the Middle East and expanded their empires with this new victory. The British and Persians have gained the largest boons, having acquired the most resource rich lands of the mostly barren Arabian Peninsula, though they have acquired a substantial amount of unruly new residents within their empires. Some dispute emerged between the Germans and Italians over the distribution of territory within the Holy Land, as the Italians claimed their contributions to the war effort were more substantial than that of Germany. The Italians have such gained control of the holiest sites within the Holy Land while the Germans were forced to content themselves with rule over the far less lush interior of the region. The Arabians have not been completely stateless as a result of the war, as the British have overseen the creation of the Hashemite Sultanate, as they have placed a sympathetic local ruler on the throne to oversee the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The coalition hopes that with their triumphant victory, will come a new era of dominance for Europe and its empires.

OMAN AND YEMEN BROUGHT INTO BRITISH EMPIRE. Muscat, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The recent Arabian war very nearly brought about the end of the governments in both Oman and Yemen, first by the Sons of Arabia, then by the invasion of actual Arab forces. The true fall of the independence of these two nations came at the hands of the ally they had asked for support in the war. With unruly mobs at the gates, and the army and population devastated by the war and its costs, the government of Oman was closed to complete failure. The British offered to bail them out and protect the throne of Mohammed bin Sultan II in exchange for the concession of independence. With little choice otherwise, the sultan ceded all foreign independence and even the right to set levels of taxation and domestic control. He has in exchange been protected by the British army, and his throne remains intact, if only ceremonial. After the fall of Oman, Yemen was the next to face economic bankruptcy, and with a similar proposal from Britain, they too were forced into subservience within the British Empire. In London, this has been trumpeted as an enormous success, and the Arabian Peninsula is now under the de facto dominion of the British people.

THE INVASION OF PONTUS. Tbilisi, Russia. War has been brought once more to the lands around the Black Sea as the Roman Empire and their Russian allies seek to reclaim the lands of Pontus for the glory of the Roman Empire. The province of Chaldea was lost during the aftermath of the Constantinople Event, and since then has formed a distinct nation state, currently named Pontus. In recent years, the Pontic government has been taking more measures against those seeking to restore the province to rule from Constantinople. The Roman government has responded with an ultimatum which was abruptly refused by the government in Pontus. Realizing that they would be vastly outnumbered by the Russian and Roman forces amassing upon their borders, the Pontic army took the offensive, using Turkey's roads and lands to outflank Roman positions. Unfortunately, the Turks were outraged at the abuse of their sovereignty, and put up a fight against the Pontic move, though they were brushed aside with heavy fighting. The Turkish defense gave the Romans time to shift their forces, meeting the Pontic push, and surrounding and ultimately destroying Pontus' army in heavy combat. With only very few defenders left in Pontus itself, the Russians and Romans easily destroyed what little resistance remained, and the province of Chaldea has once more been restored to Roman rule.
Casualty Lists
Pontus: 31 Infantry Brigades, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 9 Artillery Brigades
Roman Empire: 33 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 T-17 Brigade, 6 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Russia: 2 Infantry Brigades
Turkey: 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade

News from the Far East​

EXPLOSIONS SINK KALINGESE SHIPS. Kakinada, Kalinga. Indian nationalism has once more reared its ugly head against the government of Kalinga, which has been viewed as a state attempting to lead the further oppression of the Indian people by European powers. Specifically this has included the Scandinavian imperial government, now housed in the Kongan city of Haraldsholm. The resistance has taken credit for the bombing of a Scandinavian merchant vessel in Kalinga's harbor of Kakinada, leading to the destruction of hundreds of thousands of riksdalers worth of property. The Kongo Colonial Society has been outraged at the damages and have appealed to the King of Kalinga to crack down further upon Indian nationalist outcries in his nation. The Indian government has denied any involvement in the bombing, stating that they cannot be held responsible for the actions of any single deranged individual.

GUANGXI FINISHES NEW CAPITAL. Xinjing, Guangxi. After nearly six years of labor and construction, the monarchy and government of Guangxi has relocated from the former provincial capital of Guangzhou to the new national capital of Xinjing. Built upon the coast itself south of Guangzhou, Xinjing has been built in an easily navigable grid pattern, surrounding the new Royal Palace. The new city has embraced Western architecture in all of its civic installations, and have focused on integrating the ideas of construction, harkening back to the classical age of the Greeks and Romans. The structures have a uniquely Chinese flair put upon the construction concepts of these old Western civilizations, and also have looked towards London for other influences. The opening of the new port has further encouraged the development of the city as a new center for the nation's economy and commerce, as the government of Guangxi does its best to attract the interest of both local and foreign businesses.

NAVAL MOVE SPARKS BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The outbreak of war between the Japanese and Dutch sparked immense concern about Japanese naval ambitions within the Admiralty. The British Prime Minister immediately ordered the deployment of the fleet from Brittany to Guangxi to prepare to protect the region against Japanese aggression. Though it seemed somewhat military relevant, the move has given extensive ammunition to the opposition in Parliament, which claim that the Prime Minister has effectively deprived Britain itself of all defenses to aid those who had actually nearly destroyed the navy during the Great War. The Union Jacks have been outraged at this development, as the Labour Party has committed themselves around the globe, and left nothing for the British people. This has threatened even more than anything else to lead to a failure of the Labour government, as the Union Jacks have been calling for new elections and the end of the Smith leadership. (-1 Stability)

THE EAST INDIES WAR. Colombo, Netherlands. Blaming last year's bombing of a destroyer in Manila harbor upon the Dutch, the Japanese have declared war and launched an offensive to seize the wealth of the East Indies for their own. The Japanese have rapidly begun their offensive in late January, catching the Dutch East Indies Fleet in harbor in Balikpapan. Forced into an engagement, the Dutch were outnumbered and far outgunned, as the new Japanese battleships possessed over twice the range and firepower of the best of the Dutch fleet. The Japanese submarines effectively cut off any escape, along with their screening warships. In a vicious struggle on the sea, the Dutch battle line was defeated fairly quickly, as their flagship was irreparably damaged in the first salvo by the new Japanese battleships. As the Japanese closed in, the Dutch were able to inflict some losses upon the smaller Japanese warships, and the Dutch destroyers proved especially effective against their Japanese counterparts. Throughout the next month, the remnants of the Dutch fleet sought to escape the closing tendrils of the Japanese Imperial Navy in the Java Sea. Of the whole of the Dutch East Indies Fleet, only two destroyers escaped the nets, fleeing to safer harbors in New Guinea, as those which attempted to get to Ceylon only ran into the prepared trap of the Japanese forces. With the defeat of the local Dutch navy, the Dutch and their allies scrambled to assemble what forces they could, also gaining the support of Brazil, but it would take until late November before these warships would successfully amass at Colombo in Ceylon. Before then, with uncontested superiority of the seas, the Japanese began their campaign agaisnt the islands. They were aided as the desperate Dutch forces broke open the armories to arm conscripted natives, most of whom immediately revolted against Dutch rule on Borneo, Java, and Sumatra. Fighting a local rebellion in a brutal war of attrition, the Dutch were immediately vulnerable to the Japanese attacks. The Japanese crushed the Dutch on land, though the battles were frequently hard fought, despite some support among the natives fighting against Dutch rule. The Japanese successfully secured Borneo and Sumatra, and after heavy fighting, consolidated control over Java as well, also enforcing the surrender of the surrounding islands. Several months later, the coalition fleet was finally assembled in Ceylon and set to regain control of the Java Sea, so that a liberation offensive could take place. The Battle of Malacca Strait began as the combined fleets moved to force the engagement with the Japanese, confident that superior numbers at least would win the day, despite the horrible obsolescence of the majority of the coalition warships and the refusal of the Brazilian fleet to participate in the main battle line. The Japanese immediately put into action their plans, drawing the coalition fleet into the Malacca Strait. They deployed aircraft, including bombers against the coalition, inflicting considerable damage until planes from Brazilian carriers drove them off. Battle lines were formed, and the Japanese, thanks to far superior range, unleashed the first salvos. The Japanese inflicted heavy devastation upon the coalition fleets, tearing apart the older ships before they could enter into range. As the battle was met, the Japanese managed to inflict major casualties upon the coalition forces, while Brazilian planes cleared the skies and dropped their own bombs upon Japan's warships. The Japanese fought well, but were ultimately forced to retreat from sheer numbers, pursued by the Brazilian airborne onslaught. The Japanese fleet was forced to withdraw from the Java Sea, as most ships had to return to Manila for repairs. The victory was close, however, and many of the older ships of coalition were sent to the bottom with their crews. After the battle, the Japanese submarines continued to skirmish with the enemy fleets, striking at the varied coalition fleets throughout the region.
Casualty Lists
Brazil: 3 Ravenous-class Destroyers, 1 Tufao-class Destroyer, 3 P-21 Fighter Squadrons (+1 Navy Quality)
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 2 Early Destroyers, 7 Vigilant-class Destroyers, 17 Magicienne-class Destroyers, 6 Duisburg-class Light Cruisers, 1 Early Heavy Cruiser, 2 Ziemowit-class Heavy Cruisers, 3 Chasseur-class Battlecruisers, 1 Maryland-class Battleship, 1 Frisia-class Battleship (+1 Navy Quality)
Netherlands: 14 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 7 Artillery Brigades, 3 Numancia-class Destroyers, 5 Romanos-class Destroyers, 5 Vigilant-class Destroyers, 6 Magicienne-class Destroyers, 12 Oporto-class Destroyers, 1 Early Light Cruiser, 8 Duisbourg-class Light Cruisers, 9 Eendracht-class Heavy Cruisers, 7 Chasseur-class Battlecruisers, 2 Conquistador-class Battleships, 2 Frisia-class Battleships (+1 Navy Quality)
Spain: 10 Vigilant-class Destroyers, 3 Akizuku-class Destroyers, 4 Castile-class Light Cruisers, 3 Eendracht-class Heavy Cruisers, 2 Conquistador-class Battleships (+1 Navy Quality)
Japan: 24 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 3 Artillery Brigades, 2 Tridente-class Submarines, 6 Harpoon-class Submarines, 19 Akizuku-class Destroyers, 6 Luther-class Light Cruisers, 3 Joao-class Heavy Cruisers, 2 Takao-class Heavy Cruisers, 2 Lioness-class Battlecruisers, 2 Amagi-class Battlecruisers, 1 Maryland-class Battleship, 2 King Juan-class Battlehips, 2 Ki-8 Fighter Squadrons, 2 Ki-2 Bomber Squadrons (+1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality)

Financial Section​

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


Random Stat Changes and Fluctuations and Minor Technological Advances

Italy designs new I-1923 Swift Bomber.

Scandinavia designs new Staaff-1923 Fighter.

Britain designs new Dublin-type Fighter, Oxford-type Bomber, and Westminster-type Close Air Support Plane.

Britain and Brazil develop new highly secret [classified] for using [classified] and then [classified] with big explosions. Code name: BRISDIC/BRASDIC, respectively.

Brazil creates and adopts Brazilian Royal Guard 1923.

Russia designs new C-1293 Fighter.

Japan designs new Shōkaku-class Carrier.

OOC

@J.k. Stockholme: The math in your orders was incorrect, you assumed you had 10 more EP than you actually possessed. Therefore the bank is 1 instead of 11.

@SamSniped: In your orders, there's no specific mention of what stat was supposed to be upgraded. Therefore that element of your orders has been ignored and the EP related has been banked.

@Lokki242: Such a project has already been done, twice, in the span of this NES, therefore the EP has been banked.

@Lord_joakim: How often will elections be held in Hollandia? I'm afraid that I've either missed or haven't seen at all any official constitution or how you want to manage your government. I did the best I could with your orders in relation to the elections this year, and apologies if I've somehow missed the proper stuff relating to your nations elections. Also, there is no fascism yet, anywhere, just militarists, which are quite definitely not the same thing.

World Map

To: Portugal
From: PADA

Withdraw from Jamaica immediately. We will be in contact.

OOC: Actually, if you read my orders it says that the lands which voted to leave are not to be turned over immediately, and Aztlan agreed to this. So if the update went like that, Aztlan broke their side of the agreement, giving me a legitimate casus belli.

@Terrance888: Just read over the orders several times, and Aztecs did not acknowledge that element of the plebiscite in their orders. Furthermore, your orders do NOT say that the terriotry is specifically not allowed to be turned over immediately. Instead you say, turned over when the Aztecs feel the infrastructure is in place. As there is no where any statement of how the territory should be in terms of infrastructure, and considering that Aztec infrastructure is just fine in all elements of the word, I assumed to go ahead with the whole thing.


IMPORTANT TO ALL: Despite what seems to be popular belief, I have not actually moved yet or started my new job, having not completed all of the tests yet. However, the completion of the tests in imminent, hence why we have a 2-week tiem period between now and the next update deadline. This also includes Christmas, so I still do not recommend putting things off to the last possible minute.

OOC: Thanks. I must have forgotten to specify it. Ah well, just an idiot going signing out here.

By the way, I enjoy that Johnston's getting the shaft due to the Progressive Congress's Shenanigans.

EDIT: I just want you to take another look at the stats. Apparently I still pay the same education budget?

TO: Portugal
FROM: Brazil

Withdraw from Jamaica and surrender to PADA forces. If you fail to do this, we will act in defense of our ally with a might never before seen in this world.

@Terrance: I paid the correct amount from you stats this turn but foolishly forgot to update the actual stuff after adjusting things completely. Apologies, assume the correct amount.

Well that went terrific.

EQandcivfanatic said:

Britain and Brazil develop new highly secret [classified] for using [classified] and then [classified] with big explosions. Code name: BRISDIC/BRASDIC, respectively.

Click to expand...

OOC: It's finally here... Scary.

Notes for Portugal:

FIRST. What on earth are and were you intending to do with a Caribbean base?
SECOND. Do you not know that Jamaica is in a defensive alliance with 80% of the New World?
THIRD. Are you familiar with Brazil? It is the largest of these aforementioned allies, and it is an unduly aggressive and interventionist Empire with a claim on your throne.
FOURTH. Seriously, what.
FIFTH. Do you know that PADA exists to prevent exactly this type of thing from happening? How do you expect we'll react?

In conclusion, we expect your immediate withdrawal from the Free Republic of Jamaica. We expect you to fully restorate of Jamaica's fleets to the control of the Free Republic. If you are unable to do this, we expect you to provide modern replacements for every military vessel taken. Finally, we expect you to pay reparations to Jamaica in order to undo every bit of damage that you have caused by your entirely unwelcome presence in this hemisphere.

If you are unable to meet these terms, then we will introduce one final point.

SIXTH. Have you ever heard a castrati sing? I hear it's lovely. I'm sure you'll learn firsthand soon enough.

FROM: The UPRA
TO: Cuba

The government of the UPRA congratulates Cuba on its return to stability. Should the Cuban government require assistance with its reconstruction project, the UPRA is happy to provide technical and financial support.

Should the Cuban government be interested in closer relations, the UPRA is willing to eliminate import duties on Cuban agricultural goods (sugar and fruit), should Cuba be willing to lower its duties on UPRA goods.


FROM: The UPRA
TO: Honduras, Nicaragua

The UPRA thus eliminates import duties on Honduran and Nicaraguan agricultural exports. Honduran and Nicaraguan produce will always find a market in the UPRA.


FROM: The UPRA
TO: Jamaican fighters; Jamaican government-in-exile

Do not lose hope; your struggles are not forgotten.

The Jamaican government, should it choose to seek refuge in the UPRA, is welcome to establish itself in Nueva Barcelona (or any other suitable location).

To: Corsica and Sardinia
From: Italy

For your involvement in the war consider your nations a target for Italy as well as Piedmont. We will win this war and Italy will become even stronger. We thank you for giving us another reason to focus on bringing the Italians within your nations to Italy.

From: The Imperial German Union
To: "The Pact"

You have crossed the line. We are firstly, shocked that the Confederation deemed it appropriate to allow for the Spanish barbarians to garrison a region that is known to be ethnically volatile. To them, we then question, the sensibility of garrisoning the region, with soldiers that did not know the native tongue of the residents of the region. Past that, we can't help but wonder, what had made the Spanish soldiers in question fire and kill over one thousand, nine hundred people. Are we to believe that the Spanish were concerned about being attacked by the women and children of the village? At no point, did the Spanish attempt to either alleviate the situation by not firing on the innocent civilians? Did they attempt to find one soldiers that could communicate with the villagers they were sent to guard, and "protect"?

There is plenty blame to go around here, so don't try pushing one another under the bus yet. We blame the Spanish soldiers for acting upon their cowardice, and massacring the entirety of a village. We blame the Spanish military, for stupidly selecting soldiers to garrison a ethnically German area, with soldiers that had no ability to communicate with the people they were sent to guard. We blame the Spanish government for allowing their military to be used as a glorified police for. We blame the Confederation, in it's entirety, for it's policies on attempting to marginalize it's ethnic groups (which we will point out, was the entire cause of this war, and the war of 1918), we blame the Confederation for allowing a foreign power to occupy and garrison it's own regions, especially one known to be subject to ethnic strife. And lastly, we blame the Confederation for feeling a need to have those soldiers there at all. The German government has made it expressly clear, both in public and private channels that it had no interest in joining the war, for the sake of the general European peace. This is something we had to regrettably inform both our allies Japan and Italy. This is something we had emphasized to both the Confederation, and the Netherlands. So why were the soldiers there? A lack of trust? Did you believe that the Italians would be targeting the little village of Zell for some hair-brained Transalpine assault of the Rhine region?

No, it's quite clear. To add insult to injury, the connotations of Spanish military presence on the border with Germany has shown this government all it needs to see. Had the Confederation trusted the German government, nineteen hundred innocent German people would be alive right now. Instead, the Iberian barbarians mowed down both women and children alike, with little care or consideration. Do not attempt to shrug off the blame, or attempt to refute our arguments. You'll only make yourselves look worse than you already have. Arguing will get you nowhere with us, Meyer is gone. The ethnic abomination that is the Franco-Burgundian "Confederation" cannot keep pretending that is has a right to exist, purely because of it's ability to collude and kill those that oppose the idea of a multi-ethnic empire. The German nation has already made the mistake of turning it's back on one massacre; we shall not do the same a second time. We have demands that we feel, are quite reasonable. Should your wish for peace be as true as you have said both publicly and privately, and should you wish to make it so that no need for conflict between the Confederation and it's neighbors ever exists again, you best consider it. Let us know, when you're ready to talk. Until that point, relations with the entirety of "the Pact", both commercial, domestic and political are to be cut off. We don't care to talk to the Dutch, the Occitanians, the Iberian Baby-killers, or whomever else found it convenient to ally themselves with you. We wish to hear only from the source of these troubles; the Confederation.

To: Russia
From: The Imperial German Union

Change of government or not, we remain committed to easing tensions between our nations, and hope the NAP and good-will of recent times continues into the foreseeable future. We wish you the best on your endeavors in fixing the destruction that the terrorist revolt has caused, and would like to offer aid, in the form of food and medical supplies to any who wish to accept it, with your okay, of course.

To: Italy, Japan
From: The Imperial German Union

We'd like to congratulate you on your respective successes. At this point, we will maintain our composure, and not jump into the war, in the hope that sensibility and good-will on behalf of the Confederation may arise to the top of that bureaucratic mess. We simply wish to let you know that the German government's, and the German people's thoughts are with both of your battered nations, and we wish you and your peoples the best.

To: Portugal
From: The Imperial German Union

Our disputes with Brazil, and general hatred to Brazil not-withstanding, we must make it clear that Germany does not support your aggressive move again the nation of Jamaica. We are appalled that the Portuguese government would sanction such an unlawful invasion.

To: Czechy-Morava
From: The Imperial German Union

Please make note that Germany, nor Italy would wish for you to involve yourself in any conflict we are a part of. This defensive alliance can be viewed as being one-way. We established the nation of Czechy-Morava, with the best interests of the Czech people at heart, and we will continue to act in accordance with that.

EDIT: I'd like to know how my investments went; be it from the bank loans I started subsidizing, or my interest in the Arabian infrastructure? Public opinions on the latter as well. I saw I had gained 4 EP, but I would imagine most of that would come from the entirety of the Russian market being open to German goods. Also, I'd like an update on where my SRPs are at.

From Occitania
To Italy

We're both dug in; the borders aren't moving. Despite (or perhaps in spite of) your air superiority and heavy defenses, we've still put mileage into your territory, but neither of us are pushing in any direction now. May we negotiate a peace which does not involve annexation of Piedmont?

From Occitania
To Germany, the Confederation, Spain
Regarding the Zell Massacre

Though Occitania had no hand in the events which caused the massacre of Zell, which also has damaged good relations of the ethnicities of western Europe, we feel obliged to declare our solemn remorse for what has happened. The bell tolls for all the western European peoples; we in Occitania had so hoped the Pact could bring solidarity to the nations of the Luxembourg Accords, not merely in politics but broadly in commerce, science and culture, but clearly we have much work ahead of us. Most of all we are surprised by the fact that even as small a detachment as two-hundred soldiers could become so furious and confused, though no lack of shock possesses us by the events Germany has elaborated on.

from Angola:
to Brasil:
Building up a military has been far too expensive for our state. It is obvious outside sources are aiding the rebels, and right now we can only say that we cannot fight a rebel force supported by outsiders.
We will not be training new forces this year, and hope Brasil will support our forces more, with more men and more financial aid. We need to support our hungry people who are dying from a new drought instead.

OOC @EQandcivfanatic

Your rendition of the Hollandian election is excellent. (And I'm happy you ask - I was afraid my obtuse buggering had annoyed you a tad too much.) I have no official constitution yet which was questionable as, yeah, you know, the whole rebellion thing was founded upon liberal-conservative ideals. Now I'll see to whatever happens with the constitution. Beside possibly partaking in the Dutch-Japanese war (it depends on the wishes of my overlords) my plan for the next update is to formulate a Constitution by the Nationalists and hold a popular vote, seeing whether they approve of it or not.