Capto Iugulum: 1920 - 1939

Global News Report​

THE TREATY OF LISBON. Lisbon, Portugal. The nations of Brazil, Portugal, and Spain signed a new agreement as a treaty this year, bringing the three countries closer together in their relationships. The treaty has done much to build a new relationship, but has been met with some moribund international criticism for the revocation of the treaty Portugal was forced to sign with the Pan-American Democratic Accord. This references that the naval limitations imposed on Portugal by PADA were voided by the new treaty. The new Lisbon Pact further represents a military alliance, cooperative efforts in international diplomacy, and general assistance in the event of domestic disaster. Lastly, all involved nations have pledged to cooperate technologically and economically, which many are concerned may give the new bloc a strong corner on the arms market. Over recent years both Portugal and Brazil have become well known as sellers of naval and aeronautic equipment, which has proven highly popular among a variety of nations. Beyond limited protests from former PADA members upon the removal of restrictions upon Portugal, there have been the standard complaints from parts of Europe about further Brazilian interference in the politics of the continent.

News from Europe​

REFORM FORGED IN CROATIA. Zagreb, Croatia. True to his word, King Jovan Hrvatinić has called special elections this year to assemble a new national parliament. Working with ideological thinkers and other reformists, a new constitution has been written, creating a legislature to hold most of the power and influence in Croatia. The monarch itself will retain control of the military and some veto power over legislation, but the majority of the power has gone to the new parliament and post of prime minister. The first elections were held throughout the year and focused at first upon foreign affairs, especially considering an increasingly tense border situation with Hungary. Eventually, however, the discussion turned towards working class reform and the establishment of better conditions for the masses. The Free Balkan Movement fully endorsed the new social proletarist Party of Labor, which has promised such reform and changes for all of the working citizens of Croatia. The Croatian Parliament was filled with Labor candidates in a landslide, granting them the first majority. They have selected Ivo Čović as the new prime minister, and he has promised to help bring fair and just legislation to the people of Croatia.

PROLETARISTS BOMB SHIP IN SARDINIA. Cagliari, Sardinia. A single massive explosion rocked the harbor region of Cagliari this year as a bombing attack by a traditional proletarist group brought about over a hundred civilian and military casualties, while causing major damage to a destroyer. The Sardinian destroyer was in for a minor refit and repair after high seas patrol, and security proved to be lax on the docks. Several proletarist agitators struck during family visitation of the crew members, killing many in their attack, while effectively sinking the ship itself with improvised explosives. The explosives ignited the ship’s own munitions, leading to a chain reaction that eventually caused light damage to neighboring vessels and killed the assailants. Sardinia’s government has condemned the attack and vowed full retribution upon those responsible for the bombing. Sardinian representatives have stated that both civil and military law enforcement groups are investigating the attack, and that no stone will be left unturned. Proletarist leaders have celebrated the bombing, pledging that the attack is the first step towards true revolution. (-1 Vigilant-class Destroyer)

PROLETARISTS RESPOND EXPLOSIVELY TO INQUISTION. Rome, Papal States. Last year’s offensive against traditional proletarism by the Inquisition in the Papal States may well have been more successful than initially thought. After promising retaliation for the arrests and purges, the proletarists launched over a half dozen attempted bombing attacks throughout the first half of the year. These attacks varied in success and casualties, and one was actually disarmed before detonation in front of a church in a village outside of Rome. The other five proved more successful, one exploding just within the Vatican itself, killing a Polish cardinal and a number of his aides and other staff. The other attacks took place scattered throughout Rome against the Inquisition and its offices throughout the city. The government has not yet released casualty numbers and has denied any substantial damage to the Papacy’s main intelligence and security service. Throughout the rest of the year there has been silence from the proletarists and it has been speculated that the attacks launched were the last bullets in their gun. Others have theorized that with recent events in Italy, they could be focusing on a new front in their aims for revolution.

POITOU CRACKDOWN YIELDS RESULTS. Poitiers, Poitou. The violence and bloodshed related to the recent proletarist revolt in Poitou seems to be at last dwindling down to nothing. Poitou’s military forces have launched a number of raids on suspected rebel arsenals and strongholds throughout the nation. For the most part, these raids have been successful, and key rebel leaders have been captured or killed in the process. General Gratian Voclain has proclaimed victory in the war against the proletarist insurgents and stated that a return to normalcy can emerge. Military authorities have begun a search for a legitimate heir to the throne, due to the disappearance or death of the known family members during the abortive revolution. Talks are beginning about a restoration of a revised constitution next year, but General Voclain has remained adamant on restoring the monarchy before new elections can be held. Nonetheless, the general has promised that a new legislature will be recalled by 1942, as the search continues for a new king.

PORTUGUESE ELECTIONS HELD. Lisbon, Portugal. Running for his third term, Carmo Abreu remained the leader of the Reclamation Party, despite wavering public confidence. First elected in 1933, Abreu has presided over fairly strong economic conditions in Portugal, although the downturn in the past year has been a black mark on his primary focus on the economy. On the campaign trail, Abreu and the Reclamation Party will be campaigning on the strengths of their past economic performance, and reminding the populace of the economic woes last experienced during the latter part of the prior liberal Serra administration. Against him has been Diogo Silves, who inherited leadership of the Social Democratic Party after the resignation of long-serving, much beloved Prime Minister Martim Serra in 1933. Silves served as Serra’s Chief of Staff throughout his long tenure, and is seen throughout the party as an experienced negotiator. On the campaign trail, Silves was primarily focused on attacking the Occitanian-Portuguese Economic Agreement, and promising to bring Portugal back to a position of prominence on the world stage through diplomacy and economy, rather than military might. The liberal statements managed to win most Portuguese hearts and minds, allowing the Social Democratic Party to achieve a major the support of smaller leftist groups. Diogo Silves has been appointed the new prime minister of Portugal to much acclaim and support from the press.

ELECTIONS IN SWITZERLAND. St Gallen, Switzerland. The elections in Switzerland this year were a continuance upon the recent debates which have emerged over the Greater Haven Project and the dispute between President Heller and the nation’s legislature. Leaders of the Greater Peace Party have stated that the project is finally beginning to wind down and has been an enormous success. They have claimed that not only has the project provided support to troubled Burgundy, but further created jobs and opportunities for the Swiss people. President Heller continued to decry the expense of the program, but has been perceived by the people as an incapable complainer. During the course of his presidency, the legislature has managed to continue on without him, overriding the president at every chance. Seen as impotent, this has made his fight to retain his position an uphill struggle. It was no surprise to anyone when Greater Peace candidate, Lukas Weber was able to triumph in the general election. The Greater Peace Party has further maintained its majority, and once more established full control over the Swiss government.

RUSSIAN TROOPS DEPLOY TO LATVIA AMID UNREST. Riga, Russia. The Russian government has long made its policy on internal dissent known to the larger world, but this has not stopped those seeking revolution. The Latvian dissidents have continued to resist Russian rule this year, launching bombings and attacks upon Russian bases and patrols. The attacks have begun escalating in size and consistency, as the Latvian insurgents continue to proclaim their victories over the Russian military. In response to the escalation of the fighting, the Russian government has deployed substantial elite reinforcements to the region to hunt down rebel bases and camps. The Russian efforts have had mixed results, as a number of rebel camps were destroyed, but the rebels themselves have often escaped before the fighting began. Russian casualties in the offensives have begun to mount, and the Latvians continue to fight on against the best efforts to corral them. (-3 Infantry Brigades)

DEATH OF THE KING OF DENMARK. Copenhagen, Denmark. To the bereavement of the Danish people, King Leopold II passed away this year from natural causes, leaving the nation bereft of his leadership. The king had very few detractors despite the wide variety of crises and disputes during his time of rule. Though the nation had a number of ministers during the years, most of the blame for economic and political trouble fell upon them rather than the beloved monarchy. Even radicals such as traditional proletarists respected the man, who had been injured while personally confronting an angry mob during the attempt at revolution in 1924. Known for bravery and skilled leadership, the King has been portrayed as the savior of liberalism and democracy in Denmark, defusing a number of crises while still retaining strong ties with Russia. Upon the king’s death, the throne has passed to his son, the new King Christian X. The new king has been known as a bit more conservative than his father, and overall known as a moderate diplomat. It is believed that he is a suitable successor to his father, but is a political unknown to most foreign courts and governments.

KIDNAPPING AND MURDER SHOCKS BRITAIN. Marlborough, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The nation of Britain was thrown into shock this year as a high profile kidnapping and murder grabbed headlines both at home and internationally. The granddaughter of famed aviator Winston Churchill was taken from the family manor in Marlborough by unknown abductors, who left a housemaid dead in the course of the abduction. The family and nation awaited a ransom or contact for several months before a police search turned up with the infant’s corpse in the woods not far from the manor. The discovery of the infant’s corpse led to the eventual suicide of both the mother and father, the younger Churchill brother’s son. Churchill himself has withdrawn from the public eye, said to be in mourning, and has sold his controlling stock share in Churchill Aviation to other members of the company. The nation has grieved with the Churchill family, and police found very few leads, though they eventually arrested a Russian migrant who had been working for the household as a cook. The trial was expedited, and the Russian was executed for the murder, though there are some who claim that there was little evidence beyond the migrant being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many have accused the police of succumbing to pressure to find any possible culprit to the crime.

PARTY ILLEGALIZATION ROCKS ITALY. Naples, Italy. Led by representatives of the monarchy and the Republican Party, the government of Italy has once more illegalized political movements expressing traditional or social proletarism. This has included a number of prominent political parties and politicians, some of whom were present to vote against the legislation, though some had wisely fled or hidden. Military and police authorities were on hand to arrest any of those who had been members of the Social Party of Italy following the passing of the legislation, removing them from the legislature. They have been replaced with conservative appointees of the monarch, effectively cementing Republican conservative control of the Italian Parliament. The move has sparked shock and outrage among the Italian people and workers, as the social and traditional proletarists held over thirty percent of the seats in Parliament before the law was passed. Numerous protests have also been made by the smaller liberal Democratic Society Party, which has decried the measure as a dire blow against Italian democracy and freedom. The backlash has been immediate, and the Traditional Proletarist Party of Italy has vowed to fight a total war, as they now know that compromise with any monarchy or old regime is an exercise in futility. Desertions have climbed rapidly in the ranks of the Italian army, and quite a few of the younger and newer officers have expressed discontent with the current regime. Throughout the last half of the year four major bombings took place at Italian government institutions, as the proletarists pledge a new war to oust the corrupt democratic regime and monarchy once and for all.

PAPACY LAUNCHES TELEVISION DEVELOPMENT. Rome, Papal States. The Papacy has had the unique position this year of being one of only two governments in Europe to embrace and support the young new industry of television production and broadcast. Papal representatives have entered into negotiations and agreements with Brazilian manufacturers, bringing new industry to the Papal States, producing television sets for local consumption. Production was well underway by the end of the year, and the majority of new papal focus was turned to the legislation and regulation of broadcast. The Papacy has supported the broadcast of moral and religious oriented entertainment and news, also broadcasting religious services. The broadcasts have the most focus on evangelicalism, but also provide entertainment and news from a single source. Unfortunately, the television has not really caught on with the populace in the Papal States and sales of the new product have been a dismal failure, even at low prices. Similarly, in neighboring Italy little interest seems to exist in purchase of television sets, leaving the production with little to no profit.

A NEW CONFEDERATION IS BORN IN WESTERN EUROPE. Orleans, West Francia. The departure of the Franco-Burgundian Confederation was an event mourned by numerous liberals and leftists throughout Western Europe. The Conference of Paris last year laid out guidelines for the establishment of a new Confederation, which has emerged in its finalized borders. Unfortunately, almost half of the nations which sent representatives to the Conference wanted no part of a new Confederation, leaving only Occitania, Paris, Burgundy, Dauphine, and Orleans to carry the torch. The nations of Normandy and Poitou expressed concerns about the lack of a centralized monarchy and the dominance of liberal governments and thought in a new Confederation. Similarly, Pope Pius X issued a protest of the Conference and its aims, claiming that it was another effort of liberals to undermine the traditional rule of law and morals. The new constitution was announced early this year and ratified by all of the various legislatures in the would-be member states. It has established an executive style republic, with a legislature of an equal number of delegates from all states, and a head of state elected popularly from among the Confederation’s whole population. Each of the member nations has a substantial degree of autonomy, far more-so than had existed under the old Confederation. The new Confederation has been based out of the ancient capital of Orleans and the name harkens back to the administrative days at the height of the Holy Roman Empire, calling the region West Francia. An interim government has been assembled for the Confederation of West Francia, and for the time being, the primary leader of the movement from Occitania, crown prince Maximilien d’Auvergne, has been established as the temporary president and head of state. Elections are slated to be held next year, and localized parties have maintained their efforts into developing Confederation-wide political organizations.

MILITARY REFORM LAUNCHED IN DENMARK. Copenhagen, Denmark. This year the newly elected Danish government began the process of modernizing the bloated armed forces. To start with, Denmark begins by disbanding sections of the obsolete military groups in stages in preparation for modernization. The first stage of the process was disbanding five full divisions from the army, and an assorted number of older aircraft. Half of the independent and autonomous garrison in Iceland was also disbanded, reduced the Danish armed presence on the island to a much smaller police force. Finally, the entire outdated, Danish destroyer fleet has been scrapped to help finance the purchase of far superior Brazilian-built destroyers. Three of the older, locally built light cruisers have also been scrapped in preparation for replacing them with newer light cruisers to be purchased in coming years from Italian shipyards and facilities. The move has been the foundation of the policies of Statsminister Christian Zahle, who has stated that this is a strong step forward in improving the economic growth of Denmark. The statsminister has further declared that a smaller, more efficient force will be far more effective with defending Danish interests in Europe.

DUTCH SUBSIDIZE TELEVISION PRODUCTION. Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Ministry of Culture in the Netherlands has partnered with other government agencies to help spur the production of locally built television sets for sale. They have offered generous subsidies to private companies and individuals seeking to produce television sets for sale throughout Western Europe. Some new factories have been set up with these funds, and many have sought to make their fortune on the craze which has gripped South America. Unfortunately, it seems as though the television boom has not quite made its way across the Atlantic Ocean, and few have gone out to actually purchase the newly produced sets. While the new companies and factories have been established, they have failed to make a profit, even selling the sets at bare minimum pricing. Furthermore, there has been little to no interest in setting up broadcasting sites or stations, and few care to spend the money upon such a risky investment in the current Dutch economy. Some Dutch officials remain hopeful, however of the programs eventual success, as a new wave of prosperity for Europe and the world seems likely in the coming decade.

PRINCE OF RUSSIA AVOIDS ASSASSINATION IN PRAGUE. Prague, Czech Kingdom. Crown Prince Ivan of the United Russian Empire went on a goodwill tour of Eastern Europe this year, dining and meeting with monarchs throughout the region. During the Crown Prince’s visit to Prague, a gunman fired at the motorcade passing through the narrow streets, nearly killing the prince, but barely missing his target, instead wounding the driver. Through quick action and thinking by local police forces, after a vicious firefight, the gunman was apprehended and identified after being badly wounded. He has been identified as a German national who had been forced to vacate his home in Prussia during his youth. Czech authorities have linked the gunman to a number of other criminal related incidents in Prague, and have identified supporters who call for a return of German dominance over the nation. Despite some fears that the failed assassination could spark new tensions in Europe, the Russian emperor has stated that he does not blame Germany for the actions of a clearly deranged citizen. He has continued to vow his commitment to peace, despite the attempt on his favored son’s life in the crowded streets of Prague.

SPAIN LAUNCHES STATE TELEVISION. Madrid, Spain. As with other ambitious nations in Europe, the government of Spain has attempted to control the entry of the television craze into the continent upon its own terms. In cooperation with Brazilian companies, new factories have been opened locally to produce television sets for national consumption. The Spanish have had somewhat more success in introducing television to their people, largely due to the wider availability of Spanish language television shows and movies from the South American markets. The Spanish government has taken a different approach to the regulation of media in Spain, allowing only a single national broadcasting network controlled by the state. They have broadcast on multiple channels, however, offering a variety of entertainment and news programs. Despite the moderate success the Brazilians have enjoyed in Spain and the government’s support for the industry, television still has been slow to take off, as purchases of television sets still remain far below the averages set in South America.

CONFEDERATE AGITATORS HOLD PROTEST IN CAEN. Caen, Normandy. The creation of the Confederation of West Francia has been marked as the major political event in Europe over the past decade. In Normandy, a substantial portion of the population opposed any reunification, as the nation has more or less profited from being separate from the other states of Western Europe. Unfortunately, not all have shared this opinion in Normandy, particularly among the Septembrist leftists of the political system. They have argued that the new Confederation is a vision of the future for both the former members of Franco-Burgundian Confederation and Europe as a whole. The Septembrists have stated that the failure of Normandy to join the new Confederation will haunt the nation for years to come, as they are left in the dust economically and politically. As the Confederation was officially inaugurated in Orleans, a major protest was held in the Norman capital of Caen, as thousands of Septembrists rallied to protest the failure of the government to join in the new confederation. The leadership of the current Norman regime has refused to comment, beyond stating that if the will of the people is so in favor of unification, then the Septembrists would have won the 1938 elections.

FREE BALKAN MOVEMENT ATTACKS RUSSIAN EMBASSIES. Bucharest, Romania. The Free Balkan Movement made two major attacks and several minor ones against Russian establishments in the Balkans this year, targeting embassies throughout the region. The minor attacks included attempted assassinations of Russian ambassadors in Serbia and Bosnia, while the main attacks were bombings on the Russian embassies in Bucharest and Mandrensko. The bombings were carried out with explosives attached to motorized vehicles driven into the embassies’ front entrances. The death toll in both attacks are believed to be in the dozens, mostly consisting of civilians and low level Russian clerks and personnel. The Free Balkan Movement has declared that these are merely the first strikes in seeking freedom for the people of the Balkans from Russian oppression. Investigations in the related nation have confirmed other sources in stating that the bombs were of Scandinavian origin and design, further linking the proletarists to the unrest in the Balkans.

News from the Americas​

NEW ELECTIONS IN URUGUAY. Montevideo, Uruguay. The brief Uruguayan Civil War and the debacles which proceeded it have done little to bolster confidence in either major political group. The Moralists under President Padilla have been strongly discredited, having failed to help restore economic growth, and having persecuted President Duval unfairly, as many believe. There have been numerous accusations of moralist tampering with election results, and these were substantiated by private observers from Vinland. This proved a fatal blow to the Moralist Party for the year’s elections, compounded by a lack of future direction for the nation by any of the party’s leaders. The liberal Party of Order suffered through similar lack of vision, resulting in a number of defections to the Social Proletarist Party. The Social Proletarist candidate, Luis Pichardo, has led the charge by claiming that the moralists look towards the past, and that he and his party present a future. They have promised working class reform, and the repeal of national prohibition. These platforms, combined with constant moralist blundering helped spur the social proletarists to victory. A new government has been formed as President Pichardo took office late this year.

AZTEC ELECTIONS HELD AMID VIOLENCE. Oaxaca, Aztlan. The Aztec people have undergone the process of elections this year, as the nation braced itself for a harsh campaign amid a backdrop of religious violence. While the Catholic Church has officially disavowed those advocated violence against the worshipers of the old gods, it has not stopped a number of devoted Christians. The practices of the others has been viewed as blasphemous and akin to devil worship, and scandal erupted when it was revealed that members of the Democratic Party government practiced the faith in private. Representatives of the old faith have denied the Catholic claims that human sacrifice is still practiced, but this has not stopped the priests from making those claims. The revelation that some liberals were members of the old faith has stirred up support for the conservative politicians. They have decried the fall of believers in the Church, and have mustered considerable support from the religious. The liberals themselves have also come under criticism for allowing the violence to continue, as Christians and old believers continue to clash and violent crime has begun mounting in the cities. President Matlal Banegas has remained a popular individual and has managed to retain his position through a slim majority in the popular vote. On the other hand, the conservative Party of Tradition has made strong strides in the legislature, gaining control of Congress with the support of the growing Moralist Party.

ECONOMIC LOSS SPURS BACKLASH IN NICARAGUA. Managua, Nicaragua. Despite the military victory over Costa Rica, the fortunes of Nicaragua’s people overall do not seem to have improved. The economy continues to worsen and unemployment has begun to climb once more, threatening a rise of a new wave of instability. Several major protests have been held this year, claiming corruption and failure amid the government of President Urbina, which has done nothing to lessen the plight of the poor. The protests eventually spun out of control, turning into rioting and dissent, causing severe property damage and further difficulties for the people. The military has declared martial law throughout the larger towns and Managua, threatening the ultimate penalty for further civil disobedience. As elections are looming next year, so far the military has maintained control of the press and infrastructure, and many doubt that the 1940 elections will be truly free ones under current conditions. Some suspect though that the military will at last give President Urbina the boot, for his current failure to preserve order and control in Nicaragua.

USA DISAVOWS MILITIAS UNDER RANGER PROGRAM. Chicago, United States of America. Despite the ongoing Reclamation War, the United States government has at last turned its attention to truly appeasing the Vinlandic people. In a move which has spurred controversy at home, the Americans have stated that support for the Ranger program is no longer being offered by the military. They have further begun more actively assisting Vinland’s government in the prosecution and capture of militias involved in criminal activity in Vinland or against Vinlanders. Vinland’s status of extraterritoriality in the United States has been a matter of concern in Congress, however, as more radical leaders have decried it as a surrender of sovereignty. The cooperation has at last lead to the belated arrested of those deemed responsible for the massacre of Vinlandskridningpolis in central Vinland. Despite the cooperation, threats of war remained on the horizon, but the very public aid for Vinland’s investigations has helped diminish support for the northern nation’s entry into the larger Reclamation War.

ELECTIONS HELD IN CHILE. Santiago, Chile. The Chilean government held free elections this year, for only the second time since the end of the elected dictatorship. President Viana has continued to claim credit as the savior of Chilean freedom and democracy from tyranny, calling for support for his young Party of Labor. The Moralist Party has had some advantages, due to years of Moralist rule, giving them the positions and influence to initially gain a majority. Over the years they have heavily resisted Viana’s reforms and developments, calling for a restoration of true and moral rule. Thanks to financial support and investment from a large number of backers, Viana has managed to bolster the numbers of the followers of the Party of Labor. He has pledged that through the support of other liberals, true working and national reforms can be passed, helping Chile achieve the same elevated standard of living as the other states of South America. These platforms have helped achieve not only Viana’s personal victory in the polls once more, but the establishment of the Party of Labor as the new majority party.

ELECTIONS BRING CHANGE IN CUBA. Havana, Cuba. Since the Cuban Civil War from 1928 to 1929, the nation has been ruled by an elected dictatorship under President Garcia, backed by a military junta. Elections this year were thrown off by President Garcia’s announced retirement from politics, and an end of his involvement. The military and state have struggled to find an acceptable heir to Cuba’s leadership, and this has shown in their choice, a barely competent administrator known as Isaias Gomez. Chosen from the ranks of Garcia’s lesser employees, he was deemed as easily controlled by the military, despite a lack of popularity among the masses. With little charisma and no presence among the masses, it has been made clear that he exists solely as a puppet of the armed forces. The elections proved to be not much more than a sham, and the public has become increasingly disillusioned with their military overlords. Publically, the new regime has pledged Cuba’s continued neutrality in the Reclamation War, though President Gomez has stated some general statements of sympathy for the allied cause in the fighting in the past.

ELECTIONS HELD IN JAMAICA. Kingston, Jamaica. The frequently troubled nation of Jamaica held new elections this year, as they continue to focus on reconstruction after years of occupation and devastation. The conservative Democratic Party under President Dunlop continues to retain a majority, having been considerably victimized under proletarist rule during the time of the UPRA’s occupation. They have used this reputation to their advantage, being the obvious choice and very definitely not a return to the oppressive old days. Despite this great advantage in the elections, the Democratic Party has begun losing some seats in the legislature, as some concerns of corruption have been raised in the process of reconstruction. Growing Portuguese and Brazilian business influences have been a matter of concern, as the liberal parties have embraced a new nationalism, calling for a more developed home nation rather than the severe reliance upon imports. President Dunlop has retained his post and the Democratic Party has held a majority regardless of minor losses, and continues to preserve their position.

PERUVIAN ELECTIONS HELD. Lima, Peru. Elections have been held in Peru this year as President Spera has come under criticism for apparent inactivity and decadence throughout his term of office. The New Progressive Party has found a substantial portion of its base of support beginning to wane, as it seems the government has not done much to fulfill the promises it made during the 1934 elections. The President had promised new political reform and change that has failed to materialize, despite a strong step forward economically with infrastructure development. The prime minister and his backers have continued to point out the overall recovering economy and the success of what infrastructure improvement has been made. On the other hand, critics have stated that the project has been moving slowly at best, and has been a persistent source of waste and lackluster construction. The mounting criticism has led to the conservatives gaining more support in the legislature and the New Progressive Party lost their clear majority. This has forced them into coalition with more moderate politicians. Prime Minister Spera has thus been removed from office, and a more moderate liberal, Antonio Rabash, has been appointed the new head of Peru’s government.

ELECTIONS IN PUERTO RICO. San Juan, Puerto Rico. The scandal of Puerto Rican ships engaging Jamaican ones may well have done in the Party of Order during the 1933 elections. The opened door for the Liberty Party and President Octavio Iniguez was taken full advantage of at the time, but it seems that the period for unwavering support is at an end. The conservative Party of Order has managed to stage a full political recovery, distancing themselves from former President Gallo and seeking to forge a new identity. The recent economic downturns has led to a decline in tourism which has been the main source of revenue for the island of Puerto Rico. The Party of Order and their candidate for the presidency, Juan Maki, have argued for greater diversification of Puerto Rico’s economic niche, rather than the continued reliance on tourists. Pledging to help return the economy to a booming state, Maki has won over the support of a substantial part of the population, allowing him to handily triumph in the presidential elections. The Party of Order has further managed to stage their own comeback, achieving a majority in the legislature, though only by a margin of a few seats. President Maki has promised new economic changes and exploitation and development of the Puerto Rican interior to a greater degree than ever before.

VINLANDIC ELECTIONS HELD. Nya Stockholm, Vinland. Vinland moved into an election year this year and the stakes have rarely been higher. Tensions with the United States of America have been at an all-time high, and despite recent agreements, a sizeable portion of the legislature, led by the Socialproletärpartiet have continued to lobby and call for intervention in the Reclamation War. The coalition between the Konservativ Industripartiet and Socialdemokratiskapartiet has come to a bitter end, leaving all three political parties vying for political power. For a time it seemed as though the advantage was weighted towards the social proletarists, but the American government has strictly maintained both the word and spirit of recent treaties, allowing full extradition and extraterritoriality to the Vinlandic law enforcement. Furthermore, they have taken great pains to enforce humanitarian behavior among their forces engaged with the UPRA, and with Vinlandic observers present in almost all theaters, there has been very few reports of large scale atrocities such as those that had occurred earlier in the war and in the American Crisis. Some high profile American victories in the war against the UPRA have further diminished support for the social proletarist militarism, as few are eager to back a dying cause. The Konservativ Industripartiet emerged victorious after the bitter election season, gaining the most seats in the Riksdag, though not a majority. Victory has been credited to a more effective public relations campaign, and successfully taking credit for political and crime-fighting successes over the course of the year. Enough other ministers were swayed into supporting the conservatives, who have placed Konrad Franzen as the new Statsminister. So far the new statsminister has pledged neutrality in the ongoing Reclamation War, but has promised to maintain the security of Vinland and the pursuit of criminals across the southern border.

THE RECLAMATION WAR. Chicago, United States of America. The Reclamation War has continued to rage on with no end in sight as both sides achieve victories and suffer defeats. In mid-January, the first true battle of the year took place as Brazilian and American carriers and support ships struck New Barcelona in a massive carrier based air raid. The target was the proletarist navy, but for the most part, the ships were too far upriver to be located, though a few ships were sunk in New Barcelona’s harbor. The most damage was done to the local industry and warehouses, destroying numerous supplies and aid meant for the proletarist forces on the ground in other theaters. The only loss during the raid for the attackers, besides a few aircraft, was a single Brazilian destroyer sunk by a submarine’s torpedoes before the submarine itself was sunk by other ships. Beyond the raid, the first few months of the year were fairly quiet as most armies were forced into winter quarters in the east, and everyone prepared themselves for a vicious summer. The arrival of summer did not disappoint, as the American and Russian militaries were the first to launch a massive combined offensive upon all fronts of the UPRA. They struck across the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, as well as all along the Appalachian theater in large numbers. The strike across the Mississippi proved the most disconcerting, as the UPRA expected attacks further north, however the stalemate and Florida’s shift to the defensive freed up substantial veteran US forces for this attack. The Americans successfully achieved a bridgehead, striking into the industrial heartland of the UPRA. They were slowed somewhat by dogged UPRA resistance, but they still managed to link up with Russian forces pushing west from Chattanooga, cutting the UPRA in half. Attacks through the Appalachian Proletarist Republic and from across the Ohio River also made considerable headway, though all forces involved suffered heavy casualties. Thanks to the cutting in half of the UPRA as a whole however, over half of the proletarist armed forces were eventually either destroyed in detail or forced to surrender. The proletarist armies in the south fared somewhat better, managing to blunt the American offensive along the coast of the Gulf of Florida, and rally the survivors from the northern theaters. The late addition of Jacksonian jet aircraft helped mask some proletarist movements, as they attempt to recover in the southern portions of the Mississippi Proletarist Republic throughout the remainder of the year. These Jacksonians, poorly trained but with superior aircraft, were up against hardened veteran pilots from the United States and Russia. Despite being able to do severe damage, the Jacksonian aircraft were ultimately overwhelmed by larger numbers and forced out of the skies. With the air back in their control, the US and Russia launched one last offensive against the UPRA’s lines, hoping to deal a final fatal blow before Christmas. Despite the determined resistance of the UPRA’s armies and heavy casualties, the American forces emerged triumphant, smashing the lines on all fronts, and pushing south. With the fall of New Barcelona on Christmas Day, it was declared that the UPRA was at an end, as its government was scattered into the hills and the last units of its army were shattered or surrendered. The ships which had avoided destruction by Brazil were scuttled by their crews at very points in the Mississippi River, leaving hulks scattered across the river beds. Meanwhile, further west, the Jacksonians continued their push east after the spring thaw allowed the passage of needed supplies through the mountains. More American forces were put up against them this year, including armor, but the vast disparity of numbers in the fight left the outcome to inevitability. Casualties have grown for the Jacksonians, but Denver has been captured and numerous superplantations across the region have been liberated. Irregular units and engineers have continued to destroy roads and bridges, slowing Jacksonian supplies, but not stopping the advance. Once again, with the fall of winter and strained logistics, the fighting in the Great Plains came to a halt as both sides begin to regroup.
Casualty Lists
Brazil: 1 Tufão II-class Destroyer
Russia: 53 Infantry Brigades, 2 Laelaps Armored Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades, 2 S-100 Fighter Squadrons (+1 Air Force Quality)
United States of America: 201 Conscript Brigades, 9 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 3 Lejon-Modell Armored Brigade, 1 T-20 Armored Brigade, 1 CKC-LTP 34 Armored Brigade, 8 Artillery Brigades, 2 RM-24 Fighter Squadrons, 3 Sim27 Fighter Squadrons, 1 S-100 Fighter Squadron (+1 Army Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)
Florida: 5 Conscript Brigades
Jacksonia: 11 Conscript Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Rodvjur-Modell Armored Brigade, 4 AndAer JF-1936 Fighter Squadrons (+1 Air Force Quality)
United Proletarist Republics of America: 211 Conscript Brigades, 17 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 5 Equality-class Armored Brigades, 36 Artillery Brigades, 2 Nordenfelt-class Submarines, 1 Lundeburg-class Submarine, 3 Dogfish-class Destroyers, 3 Zygmunt-class Destroyers, 3 Patrick-class Destroyers

UNREST BUILDS IN NEW ENGLAND. Boston, United States of America. The Reclamation War has continued to raise new agitation throughout New England, especially as the year’s heavy casualties make their way home. Due to the bloodshed of the spring offensive against the United Proletarist Republics, a large number of people have lost friends or families in the continuing conflict. The ultimate victory against the proletarists did manage to somewhat ease nerves, but throughout the year a growing number of strikes and demonstrations were launched across the American northeast. Proletarist unions and other pacifists have called for an end to the war at any cost, and a conclusion of the conflict. Others have simply begun advocating secession from the union, claiming that the interests of New England no longer align with that of the greater United States. These advocates have denounced the war as a tyrannical war of oppression seeking to subjugate the entire continent under a corrupt president. The recent employment reforms have taken some of the luster out of the strikes, but local police forces have become too overwhelmed or sympathetic to fully contain the growing separatist or pacifist unrest in the region.

NEW LABOR LAWS PASSED IN UNITED STATES. Chicago, United States of America. With new political capital emerging in the wake of triumphant victories over the United Proletarist Republics of America, President Harris was also able to announce a victory on the home front. After heated negotiations with union leaders, new agreements have been made with a number of unions, despite the walkout of proletarist unions. Under the jurisdiction of the new Department of Labor, the American government has fully recognized all unions, assuming that their members swear an oath of loyalty to the United States of America. About half of the involved unions walked out on the demands made by the president’s negotiators, but the others accepted the terms, and with it, posts within the new Department of Labor. Thanks to the position of the nation in a wartime gearing, the President has further passed new legislation ensuring a minimum wage for all workers, with no exceptions being granted for the workers on superplantations. The new head of the Department of Labor has pledged that it will be his personal crusade to improve working conditions for the negro population across the United States. Furthermore, a new act now prevents businesses from working their employees over sixteen hours a day, giving more rights to the average factory worker. These have been heralded as a major success for the liberal cause in the United States, while being demonstrated as a symbol of American unity against the aggression of Jacksonia and Florida.

ELECTIONS IN JACKSONIA. Jefferson, Jacksonia. The ongoing Reclamation War has been the only issue of any real importance to the people of Jacksonia in this year’s elections. The catastrophic defeats suffered by the United Proletarist Republics of America have shaken the confidence of much of the electorate, despite continued victories in the field. The Party of Order has continued to maintain its support for the war effort, calling for a new America under the guidance of the principles of Jefferson and Jacksonia. Against them the liberal Progressive Party has been calling for a negotiated peace while the nation is still standing victorious over a number of conquests, hoping for an end to the bloodshed. They have ramped up some new support, but failed to achieve enough of a growth spurt to topple the Party of Order in the legislative elections. Similarly, the presidential elections pitted President Boden’s chosen successor for the Party of Order, former military officer Brian James, against a lackluster Progressive opponent. As the Party of Order maintains its control, it seems that support in Congress remains solidly behind the war effort against the United States.

PAPACY EXCOMMUNICATES “THE OLD CHURCH”. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Outraged at the recent display of animosity towards the Catholic Church in Argentina, Pope Pius X has officially excommunicated the pope the Old Church appointed last year. The excommunication has further included any followers of this separated branch of the Catholic Church and demanded their reconciliation with the Papacy. The new pope appointed by the Old Church has responded with his own excommunication of Pope Pius X and the various members of what is viewed as a corrupt and decadent institution. They have stated that this marks the full separation of the Old Church from those who defile the very name of Christianity in the name of Rome. The Old Church continues to gain momentum in Argentina, though it has found a few followers in Paraguay, it has not moved much outside of the borders of Argentina. This has been mostly attributed to the larger Protestant presence in Argentina, which has a greater influence and is more entrenched than in any other South American nation.

BRAZIL LAUNCHES TELEVISION SUPPORT AND REGULATION. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The exponential rise of the market of television and related industry has attracted government attention this year in the nation of Brazil. A committee was held this year to organize and sell broadcasting licenses to television corporations in Brazil, including those already de facto extant from previous years. The government has further integrated itself into the new media by becoming a founding participant in the Imperial Broadcasting Corporation, which hosts news broadcasts, official announcements, and educational shows. This committee has set regulations on what can be broadcasts on television, effectively cutting out forms of pornography, drug use, alcohol use, and proletarist propaganda. Otherwise, the networks formed under the new regulation are allowed to broadcast television shows and movies to their hearts’ content, so long as they pay the appropriate fees and follow restrictions. The committee has consolidated the number of networks down to a level that will work on our television sets, due to the theoretically limited number of broadcast channels available, allowing all Brazilians to have access to the same quality networks.

PERU EXPANDS GOALS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Lima, Peru. President Antonio Rabash announced ambitious plans to expand the scope of the currently planned infrastructure project. The current project goals simply include the creation of new highways and thoroughfares for the larger cities. Furthermore, for the time being the project has also included mass transportation and improved commercial airfields. The project has come under criticism in recent years for failing to progress beyond some rudimentary improvements, and most of the efforts have sat idle since the proposition of the effort. The new efforts for development of the program include a census and updating of property records and files, making sure that all national deeds and ownership are legitimate and approved. Most have approved of this new measure, though business leaders have expressed concern that these could prove unneeded hindrances to the development of the Peruvian economy.

News from Africa and the Middle East​

ISLAMIC CLERICS RILE DISSENT IN LIBYA. Tripoli, Libya. The Libyan government has faced a rising wave of dissent from religious leaders throughout the nation. The reformation of the nation from theocratic rule has not been wildly support with a dissident minority, which advocated a government based on the tenets of traditional Islam. The leaders of this movement have decried the democratization, claiming that it threatens to destroy the moral fabric of the Libyan people and to invite further domination by other powers. They claim that democracy in its very nature is compromised to foreign interests, and are concerned about empires such as Italy, Spain, and Britain with a large presence in the region. These leaders have led a number of protests calling for more religious involvement in government, and the reduction of secular influences in the army and national media. There have been threats of violence, and a number of arrests were made at the protests, as the government has denounced the leaders of the movement as violent radicals.

PROTESTS ON BENIN’S COAST. Eko, Benin. The government of Benin remains highly decentralized and the new state relies heavily on local leaders to help preserve the integrity of the nation. This has proven to not be enough for a number of representatives from the coastal cities, which had been greatly favored under Confederate and Burgundian rule. A number of high profile and large protests were launched in the coastal cities, which have been benignly viewed by local leadership. They protests have called for even greater freedom and autonomy for the large port and coastal cities which act as the source for the nation’s main imports. The demands have been compiled and issued to the capital in Lokoja, calling for new changes, and supported by a number of local leaders. They have called for specific cities such as Eko to be treated as separate and distinct economic and political zones, granting the citizenry the right to vote for local administration and leadership. They have also called for no tariffs and freer access to businesses based in the Confederation, Normandy, and Poitou. Other demands have been made, but they ultimately boil down to a request for essentially full autonomy for Benin’s largest shipping centers.

ATTACKS CONTINUE IN MESOPOTAMIA. Baghdad, Iran. Despite the continuing Sunni Plan, the people of Mesopotamia continue to steadfastly resist Iranian rule and domination from Tehran. The local religious and national leaders have vowed to overthrow the tyrannical Shia government and restore local rule. This year the attacks have subsided somewhat, but continue to persist throughout the entire region. They have come in numerous forms and sizes, from outright attacks on Iran’s military outposts to more subtle assaults against Iranian morale. A rising degree of brutality has emerged in the poorer sections of the region, and some areas have been declared off limits to Iran’s soldiers at certain times of day. Regardless, there has been reports that the overall security situation in Baghdad and other areas has begun to improve, and the number of attacks have grown sparser and less organized as the year has progress. Still, the Arabs remain a threat to local rule, and remain highly dedicated to their cause of killing Iranians. (-1 Infantry Brigade)

DEATH OF THE RULER OF GABON SPURS CHANGE. Moanda, Gabon. Rule over Gabon has been under the same hand of General Ekene Mba since the collapse of Franco-Burgundian rule. Unfortunately, no successor to the general was ever picked, and his death has led to an abrupt power vacuum in this young African nation. The general had led the fight against the Confederate garrison, and has been widely viewed as a hero among his peers. With his death, a number of would-be successors have taken control of elements of the population and country, leading to a brief but bitter civil conflict. Substantial casualties were sustained among the population, but eventually out of the fighting a new government emerged under Augustin Makaya, one of General Mba’s colonels. He has been known as a young idealist, and has sought to establish a democratic regime in Gabon, calling for the creation of a new republic. With the assistance of the meager intellectual community in Gabon, he has begun discussing the beginnings of a new republic for his nation. (-1 Infantry Brigade, -8 Manpower)

CROP BLIGHT IN BOTSWANA. Maun, Botswana. The government of the young African nation of Botswana has reported this year a new blight which has decimated the agricultural yield of the heartland of the nation’s farming. The blight has essentially negated months of hard work and labor, spoiling the crop which kept the nation afloat. Thanks to the blight, there has been an acute food shortage throughout Botswana, though support from the Red Crescent and other international organizations has proven useful. Starvation has taken a place in Botswana’ poorer communities, leaving many without sustenance as food shipments from around the world are slow to arrive. Thankfully, what has arrived has prevented any large scale deaths or devastations, and the government has effectively distributed food aid to the villages and towns in more rural areas. The crisis has been contained, and farmers are predicting a rapid recovery, and a productive year for 1940.

DEATH OF THE MONARCH OF IRAN. Tehran, Iran. This year has seen the passing of the most powerful man in the Middle East, High Shahansha Abdul al-din of Iran. Having ruled the Iranian Empire for almost thirty years, the passed absolute monarch oversaw the greatest addition to Tehran’s power since the early nineteenth century’s conquest of the Durrani Empire. The Great Arabian War led to the addition of Mesopotamia to the control of Tehran, bringing almost complete political influence and dominance to the region. The growth in demand for petroleum and refined products has further built up Iran’s influence, sponsored by the moving guidance of the passed shahansha. The son of the old ruler has become the new High Shahansha, Nasar al-din II. He has been fairly well known for his service in the army of Iran, serving in the Great Arabian War and in various minor tribal conflicts among the Kazakhs in the northeast. Far more secular than his father, the new ruler of Iran is still a definite conservative politically, and remains firmly aligned in the same political routes as his predecessor.

ELECTIONS HELD IN TUNISIA. Tunis, Tunisia. The nation of Tunisia held its constitutionally mandated elections this year, and the reigning National Freedom Party suffered through a tough challenge from its opponents. These have been only the second elections in the nation’s short history since gaining independence and turned quickly into a debacle. The National Freedom Party has been criticized for wasteful spending and a lack of effort made into improving the regional economy. It has been alleged that the economy and corruption has been worse than it was under Sardinian colonial rule. The National Liberal Party has pledged a strong push for economic development and expansion, rather than wasteful spending on military growth. They have promised new economic and infrastructure developments, as the Tunisian people are put back to work from the downturn and aftermath of the war. These platforms have proven to be just the words the people needed to hear, causing them to turn out en masse to the polls to vote for the National Liberals. The National Liberals achieved a definitive majority, and have appointed politician Ziad Marouk as the new prime minister of Tunisia.

ZULU ELECTIONS HELD. Bulawayo, Zululand. The 1935 elections in Zululand were notable because they were the first, and they were almost completed dominated by the Party of Tradition. With the establishment of a Zulu democracy and free press, the opponents to the Party of Tradition have sought to undermine the overwhelming influences of the old guard of the aristocracy. The efforts this year were directed at grass roots development of a power base for the liberal Party of Progress, which has called for new expansion and reform, seeking to develop the local economy. They have further called for a more active role in international politics in Southeast Africa, seeking to establish a role as a leader rather than an isolated nation. The Party of Tradition, assured in their past victory, did very little active campaigning, and this proved to cost them dearly. The Party of Progress triumphed on all fronts, allowing them to achieve a great majority upon a wave of popular support. They have appointed populist minister, Credo Khumalo as the new prime minister of the Zulu.

BAPELA CONTINUES TO ELUDE CHOKWE MILITARY. Luau, Chokweland. The armies and military forces of the Chokwe leadership have continued to struggle to find the former ruler of the Burundi nation, Imamu Bapela. He and his growing guerilla force have continued to wage a guerilla war against the Chokwe regime throughout both Burundi and Chokweland. Due to the size of the nation and the small amount of forces available to the Chokwe, Bapela has easily evaded the best efforts to corral his troops, striking at numerous targets throughout the country. Operations began to build new bases and roads came under attack constantly, delaying the program and often destroying the resources dedicated to it. Dense jungles and forests have allowed the forces of Bapela to constantly evade airborne reconnaissance, which has proven worthless in most respects. The army he has mustered always appears in greater strength than the Chokwe have at any given point either overwhelming them or withdrawing before air support can be called. Casualties have mounted, even among the Chokwe civilian population as Bapela continues to raid villages and towns as the armies struggle to search for his bases. (-2 Infantry Brigades)

BENIN ESTABLISHES FEDERAL BANK. Lokoja, Benin. This year saw the creation of a National Development Bank in Benin. Rather than being a strictly government agency, the new bank is a private-public partnership with government oversight but independent operations. The Development Bank will provide capital for domestic investment at low interest rates to communities and individuals with plans for development. Examples for valid loans include; a local village that wants to build a bridge, a provincial government with plans for a railway linking several towns, or an individual who wants to develop their private property. They could receive the loans, invest in the projects, and pay them back with low interest, allowing the bank to continue operation in the future. This has been a new expansion on the policies of decentralization launched from Lokoja, hoping to spur local interests to develop the economy and infrastructure of the region. Foreign companies have begun to express an interest in the new setup, and negotiations have begun for their own investment into local infrastructure and resources. The new policy has proven to be very business-friendly and is widely popular with the wealthier elements of the nation, and has gone a long way to building more friends in the less enthusiastic coastal cities and provinces.

SOUTH AFRICA PASSES ENVIRONMENT ACTS. Cape Town, South Africa. The South African government made history this year with the passing of the world’s first environmental protection acts. Legislation with its root in the development of national parks in a number of nations, including South Africa, the new acts set standards for industrial pollution and clean air. They have argued that the current smog filled skies over the larger cities are detrimental to the health and well being of the people. Further acts have also been passed hoping to spur cleaner water and better treatment of the nation’s water supplies, the first such act ever passed by a government. These acts have been well received among the more intellectual classes of South African society, but have been viewed with vehemence by the business and commercial community. They claim that the new restrictions are detrimental to the economic development and modernity of the South African nation, and have begun throwing more money and support behind the conservatives, hoping that a new government elected in 1940 will overturn these laws.

BRAZILIANS WITHDRAW FROM ABYSSINIAN AIRBASE. Addis Ababa, Abyssinia. The outbreak of the bitter war between Abyssinia and Sudan has led to military ramifications for the government of Brazil. Though the Abyssinians have continued to guarantee the safety of the Brazilian personnel and the facilities at stake, the Brazilians have gauged the situation to be direr than Abyssinia claims. They have withdrawn their forces from the position, marching them overland to Port Sudan to the northeast, crossing the front lines of the raging war. There were numerous concerns among Brazilian politicians about the safety and protection of these soldiers on the move, but both sides agreed to a temporary cease-fire to allow the Brazilian troops to depart amicably. It seems unlikely that the Abyssinians will welcome or even allow the Brazilians to return upon the conclusion of the war, as many acknowledge the Brazilian gesture as implicit support for the Sudanese in their war of aggression.

ABYSSINIA-SUDANESE WAR COMES TO AN END. Khartoum, Sudan. The fighting between Sudan and Abyssinia was brought to an end this year after a few final months of battle and warfare. The Sudanese, after spending several months mustering their forces, launched a major new offensive, dramatically outnumbering the Abyssinian armies. Through use of overwhelming numbers and might, the Sudanese smashed Abyssinia’s defenses and quickly routed the remaining forces opposing their advance. The defeat of the Abyssinian army opened the door to Addis Ababa, as the Sudanese marched into the capital city, and Sultan Zaman Karim led the triumphant arrival of his armies. The sultan has dictated a number of demands upon the Abyssinians, calling for half of Abyssinia’s agricultural produce to be delivered each year to Sudan free of charge. Further reparations have been demanded, as compensation for Abyssinia’s negligence and hostility which worsened the famine of 1937 in Sudan. Sudanese armed forces have been given full right of passage through Abyssinia, as well as basing rights for aircraft. With the armies scattered and Sudan’s armies threatening to pour throughout the rest of the nation, Abyssinia has had little choice but to accept this humiliating new peace.
Casualty Lists
Abyssinia: 10 Conscript Brigades, 1 Infantry Brigade, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 4 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Sudan: 9 Conscript Brigades, 6 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 2 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)

KURDISTAN COMPLETES FORTIFICATIONS. Cizre, Kurdistan. The Kurdish government announced the successful completion of its ultimate security measure this year, designed at protecting the nation against any external threat. The new fortifications consist of the most modern designs and entrenchments, seeking to pose a threat to both armored and airborne attack. The new fortifications, unlike the Mannerheim Line of Scandinavia, are less densely concentrated, but still enough to protect the passable entries into the nation. The new forts have been mostly built along Kurdistan’s southern border, seeking to deter Iranian aggression in recent years. A number of forts have further been built along the Roman Empire’s border to the north, as the intent of the Empire has always been unclear towards the Kurdish people. The construction has put many to work, and has given the Kurdish armed forces confidence that any attack against their nation can be repelled with ease.

News from the Far East​

ELECTIONS HELD IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, Australia. Prime Minister Clay and the Social Democratic Party came under harsh criticism during this year’s election cycle, as the opposition parties began mass criticism of the ongoing irrigation program. Despite the scaled back efforts and different emphasis on the program, it was argued that the whole project was a major waste of funds and resources, better left in the hands of private enterprise. This put the prime minister and his cabinet squarely upon the defensive, leaving them constantly besieged and the political narrative in the hands of his opponents. Thankfully, the good of the current legislature prevented a major electoral disaster, as the Social Democrats reminded the people of the pension and healthcare laws passed under their leadership. Unfortunately, this was not enough, and a considerable number of voters were swayed away, causing the Social Democrats to lose their majority. This has forced the establishment of a new coalition between the social proletarist Social Democratic Party and the liberal Labour Party. They have together managed to retain control of the government in the hands of the left, but the Social Democrats had to make numerous concessions to the more influential Labour representatives, including a new prime minister, George Martin, a known liberal activist minister, with some sympathies towards social proletarism.

THE FIREWORKS WAR COMES TO AN END. Peking, Japan. The bitter and devastating Red Army rebellion against Japan and Guangxi has at last come to a bloody end, with the final rounds of fighting taking place. The Red Army did its best to maintain the front lines throughout the beginning of the year, holding its own in a number of major engagements. Unfortunately, the determination proved to not be enough as they remained outnumbered and outgunned by their enemies, who have at last adapted to local tactics and fighting. The Yellow River line was lost to Guangxi’s armies, while they maintained a solid barricade against those seeking to escape the oppressing approach of Japan’s armies. The fighting was bitter, but at the same time was overall a delaying action, as the Chinese fought to buy time to hide guns and resources and prepare for a future rebellion. The armies of the Japanese soon closed in upon the final western pockets of the Red Army’s resistance, and at last the Red Army attempted a final gambit to survive as an organized and large combat force. Several high ranking generals and leaders of the Red Army led almost five hundred thousand soldiers and civilians north towards the end of the year, hoping that winter storms would mask their movements. They managed to break through Japanese lines, and push into Russia, where they sought to use the local roads and trails to make their way to spur a new revolt in Manchuria. This outraged the Russians, who fought back every step of the way, in innumerable skirmishes and battles. Unfortunately, the Russians lacked the forces needed to stop the Chinese completely, contenting themselves with persistent air attacks and bombing of the Chinese column as it pressed to the northeast, consuming resources and burning villages on the way. Despite their efforts to live off the land, Japanese conquest of their base of supply and persistent Russian air attacks diminished the supplies of the Chinese army, and by the time they reached the Amur River, less than one hundred thousand remained out of the original five hundred thousand. In a last stand, the Chinese army was annihilated by well-prepared Japanese forces, who had been warned by Russian soldiers of the Red Army’s approach. This final battle marked the climatic end of the Fireworks War, which began in 1930, and now at last has ended with a peace paid for with oceans of blood. (+140 Manpower, +2 Manpower per turn for China from refugees)
Casualty Lists
Guangxi: 199 Conscript Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Japan: 202 Conscript Brigades, 4 Infantry Brigades, 5 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Russia: 23 Infantry Brigades, 7 Cavalry Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: 4 Infantry Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades
Red Army of China: 552 Conscript Brigades, 2 Infantry Brigades, 35 Artillery Brigades, 4 Necessity-class River Boats

THE KOREAN REBELLION. Seoul, Japan. As the war in China winded down, the Japanese had already been continuing their widely successful offensive from last year against the Korean Red Army. The Koreans have made numerous stands, declaring that no further retreat would be allowed against the Japanese onslaught. They’ve even made a number of counterattacks, but have found themselves outnumbered and outgunned by superior Japanese soldiers and weaponry. The Japanese on their part have thoroughly pushed south, clearing out every town and village in their path of rebels and their sympathizers. The Japanese have successfully broken every Korean unit they’ve encountered with minimal casualties, thankfully being spared heavy losses in this final push. The Korean Red Army leadership, eventually found themselves with their backs to the sea, and made a final stand in the city of Busan, vowing to fight to the last man. Unfortunately, the Japanese had one last surprise up their sleeves, attacking from both the land and sea, and catching the Koreans shamefully unprepared for such an attack. The Korean leadership is believed to have been killed in the final fight, just a few months before the Chinese Red Army suffered a similar fate to the north in Manchuria. For the time being, with the exception of the Philippines, it seems a hard won peace has returned to the Greater Japanese Empire.
Casualty Lists
Japan: 34 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Korea: 49 Conscript Brigades, 2 Infantry Brigades, 7 Artillery Brigades

GUANGXI BEGINS RECONSTRUCTION PROCESS. Xinjing, Guangxi. The Fireworks War at last came to an end this year, earlier for the British and Guangxi than it did for the Japanese and Red Army. As the final guns were silenced, the Dominion of Guangxi had already begun the process of healing and reconstruction. Due to the constant guerilla wars and outright invasion of Guangxi’s territory during the course of the Red Army’s rebellion, significant damage was done to all parts of the country. Villages and towns were devastated and bombed out, and brutal urban conflicts left wreckage and death in the largest cities. A large number of bridges and roads have been wrecked to extensive degrees, and it seems likely that a number of railroads will have to be reconstructed entirely before they are serviceable. A new reconstruction committee for oversight has been appointed by the king, who has pledged that no corruption or failure will be tolerated among those involved with the new program to rebuild the nation. Still, it’s estimated that it will take a number of years before Guangxi can truly be said to have recovered from the decimating war.

CHINA BEGINS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT EFFORT. Lanzhou, China. The end of the Fireworks War has brought a reevaluation of priorities to the leaders of the Unified Realm of China. It has become clear that the Russian-dependent economic structure which has existed for decades is no longer viable, and that the Chinese must begin to produce their own industrial goods. Previous years’ programs have brought modern railroads to China, but all of the steel and materials needed for the construction and maintenance of these rails were produced and continue to be produced in Russia. The Chinese government has begun to seek to develop its own national industrial production, allowing the creation of more sophisticated industrial goods, beyond simple production of weapons and munitions. By necessity, some of the skilled labor required for this industrialization has come from Russia, as the free Chinese seek to develop their abilities to stand tall against the Japanese or British pawns in China economically.

INDIAN CIVIL WAR. Bombay, India. The brutal civil war in India has continued to rage onward as the Regionalist and Kalingese forces continue to struggle against dominance by the Federalist government in Bombay. This year has seen extremely heavy fighting as both sides launched new offensives, aiming to turn the tides of the war. Once again, the Federalist army has attempted to wipe out the northern pockets of the rebellion, reclaiming control of the north while the enemy is still divided geographically. This year the effort proved wildly successful, as use of tanks and aircraft in addition to larger numbers, allowed the Indians to achieve a number of substantial breakthroughs. These attacks allowed the Federalist armies to move rapidly, seeking to encircle and destroy their enemy before they could regroup. They achieved this objective, preventing the Regionalists from ever reforming proper defensive lines at any given point. By the end of the year, resistance in the north had been shattered and most of the regionalist units in the area have been forced to revert to guerilla tactics as the armies have been annihilated. In the south, the Regionalists and Kalingese launched their own offensive, once more directed at capturing Bombay and removing the Federalists from their seat of power. While the attack began promisingly, the Regionalist offensive eventually slowed and then stalled, as the Federalists began to ship in reinforcements from the north in large numbers. Towards the end of the year, the front has once more stagnated and the fighting has continued at skirmish level as both sides brace for next year’s inevitable grand offensive by the Federalist armies. The skies proved an active theater of combat this year, as the Argentine expedition sprang upon the old fighters of the Federalist army for most of the spring, summer, and fall. Disaster emerged towards the end of the year though, as the Federalists sprang a trap upon the Argentines, luring them into battle with piston engine craft, then springing upon them with Brazilian-built and designed jet fighters. The Argentines suffered heavy casualties and the skies have once more become disputed between the two factions.
Casualty Lists
India (Federalist): 116 Conscript Brigades, 4 Infantry Brigades, 6 Artillery Brigades, 2 RM-24 Fighter Squadrons (+1 Army Quality, +1 Air Force Quality)
Argentina: 1 AndAer JF-1936 Fighter Squadron
India (Regionalist): 139 Conscript Brigades, 16 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 6 Artillery Brigades (+1 Army Quality)
Kalinga: 28 Conscript Brigades, 4 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade (+1 Army Quality)

KAZAKHS INVITE RUSSIAN MILITARY TO AID IN PURGE FIGHTING. Kyzyl-Su, Kazakhstan. After last year’s failure to reduce dissent and factionalism among Kazakhstan’s generals and tribes through subtle means, the monarchy has decided to take a more direct approach. Military forces have been assembled to raid compounds and arrest or kill those resisting the centralization of the army with the monarchy. To this end, and to conserve his own resources, the king of Kazakhstan has asked and been given ground and air assistance from the United Russian Empire. Russian military forces have thus moved into the region and coordinated in a number of battles and attacks against rebel leaders throughout the nation. Unlike the failure of intelligence forces to accomplish this through other means, the direct approach has proven refreshingly effective. Russian forces accomplished their goals with relatively low casualties and the Kazakhs have been forced into a solitary military structure as the tribalist organization has been shattered and forged anew. The Kazakh monarchy has heralded this as a sign of the burgeoning new friendship between himself and the Russian emperor, further securing his base of power.
Casualty Lists
Kazakhstan: 7 Infantry Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades
Russia: 2 Cavalry Brigades

Financial Section​

INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION LAWSUITS ERUPT. Buenos Aires, Argentina. A bitter lawsuit has erupted from an international business rivalry this year, as two massive companies have begun competing in the courts. Last year, two companies, one Argentine, and the other Brazilian, launched a craze for television as both began producing cheap television sets available to most households. These sets have proven to be almost identical in nature and function, and there have been numerous accusations of corporate theft or infringement. The Argentine company has filed for injunctions to prevent sale of Brazilian sets in Argentina, and a similar suit has begun in Brazil. The courts have been locked up in bureaucracy and debate for most of the year, and the tensions have mounted between the two, as it becomes a public debacle. There has been a growing perception that neither court is willing to act until the other one does, putting the industry in a deadlock as investigations and inquiries are launched and deemed inconclusive to date.

FINANCIAL FLUCTUATION REPORT. Novgorod, Russia.

The Sports Page​

LIMA PREPARES FOR 1940 OLYMPIC GAMES. Lima, Peru. After a belated decision was made by the International Olympic Committee, it has been determined that the city of Lima in Peru will be the next host of the Olympic Games. The city itself has been preparing rapidly for such a massive event, as the local airfield is expanded and new resources are dedicated from national construction projects. The Peruvians involved with preparation for the games have pledged that it will be easily the most memorable Olympic Games in history. They have promised that the sights and festivities presented will represent a formidable new foundation upon which the standards of all future games will be based. The International Olympic Committee has commended the nations of the world for their dedication to the cause of world peace and hopes that 1940’s events will stand as a monument towards peace and prosperity around the globe.

The Cultural Center​

A Commune’s Manifesto
After the Marseille riots, and the subsequent worker legislation by the liberal government in Occitania, what remains of the revolutionary left among the Occitanian intellectual class that hasn’t joined the rising liberal fervour has turned towards modern anarchism instead, extolled by the leftist author Auguste Bechard, who’s writing has become popular in the past few years. Bechard’s colleagues argue for a decentralized workers’ paradise, which they call communism, wherein communes form the basic organizing bodies of society, rather than the massive state apparatus which proletarist countries have tended to use since the revolution in Scandinavia. Advocates of communism say equality and liberation from oppression cannot be had under proletarism, because the dictatorship of the proletariat never ends, and only results in a new form of oppressing free people and the worker. Only a system which eliminates the state, and gives workers true control over the means of production without the domination of central planning, can bring about justice and equality. Bechard has been viciously attacked by his liberal opponents, especially because of his position on the new Confederation, which some liberals see as the model for a united Europe, but which he criticizes as precisely the kind of nationalizing force which is the problem of the state, and will never go away unless communism is achieved.

Daimyo: The Warring Period
Seeing parallels between modern Japanese and the 17th century warring period, author Satoru Saito writes a novel dramatizing the conflicts between Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu and prior the Tokugawa clan's ascendency to the Shogunate. Some have criticized the use of recent history, as members of several of the clans, both prominent and obscure, have come forward to praise the books’ portrayals of the characters. Talks have arisen about turning the books into a movie, so that all citizens might one day see their own history. So far these talks have not progressed due to a moribund Japanese film industry and a lack of popularity outside of the Japanese Empire. None of these films have had even the smallest success overseas, and remain mostly constrained to the Japanese home islands.

On the Mechanisms of Trait Inheritance
This treatise documents Japanese Dr. Hitoshi Kihara's observations on the common field rice found in rice paddies across Asia. His motivation was to improve annual crop yields, and to perhaps cultivate a more drought tolerant strain of rice. While his cultivation efforts failed, Dr. Hitoshi's observations and conclusion could have profound effects on the field of biology. He documents the observation of inheritance of individual traits through selective breeding of rice crops, and through his work, the ability to determine the phenotypic proportion of offspring lends some credence to his claims. The work has recently begun receiving critical evaluation in universities throughout South America and Europe, though no final decision has been made quite yet on its validity by any other researchers or scientists worldwide.

Random Stat Changes and Fluctuations and Minor Technological Advances

Japan designs Kayaba Ka-1 Helicopter.

Japan designs Mitsubishi "Firework" Rocket.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland adopts British Royal Army 1939 as new doctrine.

Russia designs CorSmiR-39 type CAS Fighter.

Russia designs Struya-10R (S-10R) CAS Fighter.

Confederation of West Francia adopts Confederate Army 1939 as new doctrine.

Colombia designs new Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC) Abeja Helicopter.

Argentina designs new Córdoba Air RH-1939 (CoAi RH-39) Helicopter.

Spanish pilots demonstrate exceptional new skill and innovation: +1 Air Force Quality for Spain.

New Portuguese officer recruits prove as capable as any veteran in battle: +1 Army Quality for Portugal.

OOC

@Shadowbound: I was unsure at the phrasing of your orders, is the Bank something that is supposed to be an ongoing policy with support of the government, or a one time expense?

@Circuit: You were 30 EP short of what you thought you had. This EP has been taken from the total amount of ships produced this year. This may be due to Corsica not buying the battleship from you as initially offered (they purchased instead from Brazil, who offered a lower price).

@Grandkhan: Denmark could likely safely support a standing army at approximately the numbers you have now, without placing an immense strain on your resources.

@ork75: The EP you dedicated for research has been banked. Expect a Private Message within the next few days to explain fully how this will proceed.

@Immaculate: While I appreciate your optimism, your helicopter does not in fact look anything like the one in the picture you sent me. It’d be far uglier. Also, to forestall the question, you did not receive a bonus point for it.

@<nuke>: I’m highly opposed to your proposed name. A nation defines its flag on itself, and a nation is not defined by its flag. There will never be a “Bear Flag Republic of America” in this NES. I’d recommend something along the lines of Free Republic of America if you want a similar vein of name. Alternatively, it’s been used in other sources, but I’d also suggest Pacific States of America. Overall though, I’d recommend waiting until you actually win the war before you do something like this, especially if you want to avoid alienating your allies, and actually want to win the war.

@Nintz: At the moment you are overspending on your SRP teams. The total for the moment for your SRPs is 20 EP.

@theDright: No bonus point was received for the new helicopter. Also, after doing your math repeated times, I discovered that your total banked at the end of this turn is not what you thought, but rather a bit less. I’d be happy to show you the math if needed, especially if it turns out I was wrong, which is a possibility. For now, this has been reflected in your stats.

@Tycho: I’m not really sure what you wanted to do with that EP in regards to your army. Reforming or modernizing the army is solely done through changing Army Doctrine. You did not spend enough money to do that or state what doctrine you wanted to change to. Therefore, any related EP has been banked.

Just to point it out, the Fireworks War fell just two million short of equaling the Great War in numbers of total casualties. Though it is almost equal in numbers if you include the Korean Rebellion too as part of the larger conflict.

@Chinese_Warlord: I did not add in your cultural contribution due to the lackluster support for a television industry currently in the Netherlands. I’d recommend holding onto the idea and using it at a later date if it becomes more applicable to your society. Alternatively, we could use it as a movie or book idea for inclusion more quickly.

World Map

Great update!

EQ: Good forestalling. You would be right that i would ask that. Now, the next question is, "why?"

Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC) Abeja Helicopter
Design Year: 1939
Designed By: Colombia
Construction Rights: None
Cost: 27 EP for 1 Squadron
Engines: 3
Rockets: 1

Click to expand...

Attack helicopters for sale. Get 'em now while they are hot hot hot. 37EP/squad .

That was certainly an eventful year. Great update!

@Immaculate: Not enough innovation or improvement over previous designs.

To: United States of America
From: Kingdom of Vinland

On behalf of the Vinlandic people, I wish to thank America for its show of good will in disavowing the Ranger Program, which had done so much to generate hostility between our two nations. By neutering the cross-border militias, and aiding our officers in apprehending the criminals responsible for the Västermark Murders, much has been done to repair our relationship.

The warmongering aims of the Social Proletarist Party have been soundly rejected by the Vinlandic public, and I shall see to it that my first term in office shall see both of our nations co-exist in mutual, prosperous peace.

Yours,

-Konrad Franzen, Statsminister of Vinland

To: Kingdom of Vinland
From: United States of America

Let the peace be long-lasting, and may the people of Vinland know of prosperity and American goodwill for all time to come.

-Henry Harris, President of the United States of America

EQandcivfanatic said:

@Immaculate: Not enough innovation or improvement over previous designs.

Click to expand...

Is the bar set by the most recent design or by the design that provided the last 'point' advantage?

TO: United States of America
FROM: Brazil

Our efforts in Operation Aztec proved successful and we congratulate you on your victory over the proletarists threat to your border. Now, we see a similar issues with the illegal usurpation of power by the proletarists of Argentina in the government of Uruguay. After twenty years of just rule, now the anti-capitalists rip down God's people and threaten world security.

TO: United Kingdom of Great Britain
FROM: Brazil

Cease the sale of aircraft carriers to the Argentine government. You are funding an arms race in South America that only spurs the Argentine aggressors towards total war with our empire. Do not force us to warn you again.

With that war over, I am now dropping Guangxi and claiming Federalist India.

@EQ: I did not authorize the Argentines to buy another aircraft carrier. I authorized Longbowmen only.

@Circuit: based on the terms of the Morgan-Smith treaty, I understood that Argentina has the rights to purchase Northumberland class ships. I have not seen anything in your orders negating the treaty, so I've assumed that it is still valid. Similarly, your orders did not say to NOT build certain ships in line with the treaty. Therefore, I have been functioning assuming that it remains valid.

Excellent update EQ.

Except for Leopold II. This is the worst thing to happen for Denmark ever In b4 revolution.

Announcement of General Armistice

This is an announcement of armistice, to commence immediately between the forces of the United States of America, the Republic of Jacksonia, and the Republic of Florida, as emergency counsel is held and terms of peace are discussed.

The Bear Flag Republic of Jacksonia hereby signs the armistice

The Republic of Florida signs the armistice.