Global News Report
INFLUENZA OUTBREAK IN SOUTH AMERICA AND BRITAIN. Recife, Brazil. A major influenza epidemic ravaged South America this year, believing to have originated somewhere within Brazil or Argentina. Clearly, the most devastation has been done throughout the late summer and winter of this year in those two nations as hundreds of thousands were struck ill by this dreaded disease. Most survived the experience, but many were killed in a number of nations, and still others were so badly weakened, that they are unlikely to work again. The disease soon spread from southern South America to London, where it was more or less contained, and only a few cases have been reported outside of the city. Regardless, the fearsome encounter with disease left many panicked and uncertain, as doctors frequently struggled in vain against the horrific symptoms of the virus. Thankfully for the rest of the world, the epidemic was fairly well contained in South America and Britain, reducing what could have been a world-spanning plague. Below is the casualty lists for the outbreak:
Spoiler :
Argentina: -11 Manpower
Brazil: -16 Manpower
Chile: -6 Manpower
Paraguay: -4 Manpower
Peru: -8 Manpower
United Kingdom of Great Britain: -11 Manpower
Uruguay: -10 Manpower
BRAZILIANS BRAVE ODDS TO REACH SOUTH POLE. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A triumphal return was had this December by a Brazilian expedition which made a bold attempt to reach the South Pole. The journey has been attempted by a number of explorers before this particular expedition was launched, and all efforts have failed. Paulo Maluf, intrepid Brazilian explorer, has completed his great voyage and has now enjoyed celebrated global acclaim for his efforts. The Maluf Expedition had a number of trials and tribulations in the course of the journey and over a dozen lost their lives in the efforts to disease and hunger, after resources became short. Nonetheless, this has been a tremendous boon to Brazilian prestige abroad, with the completion of the first successful round trip to one of the Earth's poles.
News from Europe
STUDENTS SHOT IN VENETIAN RALLY. Venice, Austria. This year a major rally was sponsored by the Proletarist University Movement of the University of Venice, denouncing the Austrian state and control over the city of Venice. Rather than a standard Italian nationalist revolutionary speech and rally, the students instead called for the overthrow of the monarchy over all of Austria and the establishment of a people's state. The rally was not violent, and due to the status of the university, the local military forces were hesitant to break it up. They stood by until ultimately they came under verbal attack by the students, who denounced them and began throwing rocked. Unfortunately, this soon led to return fire from the local regiment, leaving over a dozen students dead and more wounded by the gunfire. The rally soon fell apart, as the Austrian government restored order in the city. By the end of the year, the unrest had quieted down and the students returned to their scholarly tasks and duties.
CORSICAN STRIKE LEADS TO NEGOTIATIONS. Ajaccio, Corsica. The Union of Dockworkers entered into a strike against their corporate leaders in Corsica this year, shutting down operations for over three months. Unable to obtain workers to keep the docks and economy moving, the companies asked the monarchy to respond to the strike. Against his better judgment, King Pasquale ordered in the regiments, but rather than immediately breaking the strike, began negotiations. The monarch attempted to mediate the situation, and achieved reasonable success, agreeing to several of the workers' demands and requests. The result has been a state-sponsored raise in the minimum wages of dock workers, and laws regulating safety conditions, especially dangerous mechanical equipment. The negotiations have been lauded as a major victory for Corsican workers, given them greater rights than they had previously possessed.
ANARCHIST PLOT FOILED IN DENMARK. Copenhagen, Denmark. A group of anarchist revolutionaries were arrested this year in Denmark after investigations by police and military authorities led to the unveiling of a dastardly plot. A conspiracy of eight would be revolutionaries were plotting to demolish several government buildings in Copenhagen using large explosives. One of the conspirators determined the horror of the probable attack and relayed this information to the Danish government, which inspired the rest of the investigation. The Danish police have successful shut down this conspiracy, arresting the members, most of whom have been imprisoned for life for their attempted attack. The hopes remain that this crackdown will discourage further plots against democracy in Denmark by radicals such as proletarists and anarchists.
RIOT IN TOULOUSE. Toulouse, Occitania. The city of Toulouse faced major unrest this year as a labor protest turned into a riot against the standing government. Failure of the companies to negotiate with the workers led to violence erupting against the police, leaving several guards badly maimed and wounded in the attacks. The army was eventually called in to restore order amidst the rioting, making the situation worse, as hundreds are believed to have been killed or wounded in the violence. The protests were broken up, a number of the worse agitators were arrested and imprisoned for their role in the outbreak of the riots. Unfortunately, this has led to a growing backlash against the government for their role in the breakup of the protests. The result has been the growth of national unions and proletarist groups in Occitania, facing down the worsening working conditions. (-1 Stability)
CATHEDRAL CONSTRUCTION MET WITH PROTESTS IN ROME. Rome, Papal States. The construction of the new St. Leo's Cathedral in Rome by the Pope has become a highly controversial symbol in the Papal States. The cathedral has been vilified by the Italian nationalists and proletarists as a sign of the corruption and decadence of the papal government. The result has been a series of large protests, aimed at shutting down work and labor upon the new cathedral. After several weeks of the construction site being closed off by the protestors, the army was called in by the Pope, arresting most of the most sincere agitators. Since that incident, the papal army has continued to protect the construction site, declaring it off limits to outsiders. The Restored Brothers of Italy has issued a declaration that in the name of a one day united Italy, St. Leo's Cathedral will not be completed through whatever sabotage methods are available to the true revolutionaries of Italy.
PROLETARIST BARRICADES CRUSHED IN WARSAW REVOLT. Warsaw, Poland. The industrial city of Warsaw became the site of major battles and conflicts over the course of the year, with the outbreak of a proletarist revolt. The proletarists of Warsaw rose up in attempted revolution this year, believing that the rest of Poland would rise up with them. Unfortunately for their cause, this did not take place, and the proletarists were only able to secure a paltry portion of the industrial sector of Warsaw in the initial revolt. The revolutionaries declared a new Proletarian Republic of Warsaw, and fortified the district using whatever means they had available. Arming themselves with newly produced weapons from an arms factory, they fought to the last as the Polish army was called in. The Warsaw revolt was crushed after two weeks of warfare, bleeding the Polish army to a surprising degree. The abortive revolution has come to an end, but Warsaw continues to rebuild in the aftermath. (-5 Manpower, -2 Infantry Brigades)
SCANDINAVIANS KILLED IN POMERANIA. Stettin, Pomerania. A series of brutal murders took place this year in the Germanic nation of Pomerania this year, as the focus seems to be upon visiting Scandinavian businessmen. The efforts have been claimed by an alleged group of radical German nationalists, calling for the expulsion of Scandinavian influences from Pomerania. They have also advocated the national unification with Brandenburg, to begin the creation of a modern German nation. The attacks escalated throughout the year, leading to a highly publicized kidnapping and killing of the wife of the Scandinavian ambassador. The people of Scandinavia have begun to call for intervention and the capture of the culprits, claiming that the police of Pomerania are too incompetent or unwilling to handle the investigation on their own. The Pomeranian monarch, King Harold, has pledged that no expense will be spared in bringing the murderer or murderers to justice.
MEAT WORKERS STRIKE ENTERS FIFTH MONTH IN SPAIN. Barcelona, Spain. In late September of this year, the Meat Workers' Union of Spain began a strike, shutting down factories across the nation. They have called for increased pay, a minimum wage for all new workers, and vastly improved working conditions. The hazardous work of the slaughterhouses has been widely publicized, as a number of deaths have begun mounting over the past few years. The workers have pledged to keep the factories closed until the companies cede to their demands, and so far it seems that neither side is willing to negotiate. Hired strike breakers by the companies were repulsed by the workers, who have used clubs and sticks to fight back police and hired thugs. The workers remain united, and at the end of the year, the factories remain closed.
SICILY RISES IN REVOLT AGAINST SPANISH. Palermo, Sicily. After years of occupation and oppression, the Sicilian people have risen up against Spanish imperial rule this year. As the Spanish conducted naval war games off the coast, the attention of the local garrisons were distracted, and it was in this moment, that the revolutionaries struck. Prepared groups of guerillas and militias attacked planned locations, in conjunction with general uprisings in the larger cities and towns of the island. Palermo and Messina were the first to fall, isolating the island's main ports from the Spanish fleets. The Spanish coastal fortifications were also quickly seized intact with their artillery pieces, not prepared for an attack from inland. The Sicilians faced some resistance in the southern parts of the island, as reinforcements were rushed in from Malta to fight against the uprising. The Sicilians achieved victory thanks to the used of captured artillery pieces and superior knowledge of the local terrain. By the end of the year the Sicilians had secured control of the entire island, and have begun preparing themselves for the probable Spanish retaliation. Below Picture: Rubble of Spanish Barracks in Palermo
Casualty Lists
Sicily: 2 Infantry Brigades
Spain: 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
DEATH OF THE KING OF GENOA. Genoa, Genoa. The small Italian kingdom of Genoa suffered tragedy this year as the ailing King Victor passed away after spending the last few years barely out of his bed chamber. The reign of King Victor has been an eventful regime, as under his rule, Genoa reformed from simply being a client state of Austria and the Franco-Burgundian Confederation into a true nation. This has included constitutional reform, introducing democracy into Genoa, as well as emphasizing the return of the historical tradition of education upon the Italian Peninsula. The new King Emmanuelle has proven to be similar to the type of man his father was, highly conservative, and dedicated to the status quo, with only limited reform at a time. This has played well with the nation's Senate, which remains dedicated to conservative values and ideals, though foreign observers are unsure how it will adjust with growing unrest and proletarist disputes.
ELECTIONS IN POMERANIA. Stettin, Pomerania. Elections took place this year, showing a surprising upset of the government and administration in the nation. The growing resistance against Scandinavian economic and political dominance over Pomerania has led to a rise in the liberal cause in the nation. The liberal Democratic Party has begun campaigning on reducing the influence through increased tariffs and trade laws against the Scandinavians. The quasi-nationalist cause has gained significant support among the masses, who have shown resentment towards the Swedish king of Pomerania and his overlords in Stockholm. This has led to a massive toppling of the standing National Conservative Party, which has fallen over, as King Harold faces major new resistance from Pomerania's legislature. The Democratic Party has already begun the process of working out new trade laws, and reducing the influence of the monarchy over the rest of the nation. (+1 Stability)
BRITISH ELECTIONS HELD. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain. The British government has held new elections for the House of Commons this year, bringing in new ministers from the various parts of the nation. This year's elections have proven somewhat disruptive as a major new issue has begun climbing to the top of the Parliament. Agitation about the status of Ireland in the empire has become a major issue of concern, and Irish demands are reaching the highest levels of state. They have demanded a reconsideration of their role in the empire and the United Kingdom as a whole. The Labour and Liberal Parties have split based on their ideas of handling the growing crisis in Ireland, as the Liberals refuse to cede on the issue of Irish autonomy. This has prevented the formation of a traditional coalition in Parliament, allowing the Conservative Party to barely retain its control. The Conservatives have also refused to budge on the Irish autonomy issue, leaving it to be a highly contested issue throughout all of Britain. (-1 Stability)
NEW STRIKES IN TUSCANY. Florence, Tuscany. After last year's devastating strikes, new ones erupted this year, once more shutting down the nation's trains and docks. The result has been utter ruin for the nation's transportation industry, which has proven unacceptable for the king and big business. The military has been called in and martial law has been declared to preserve order and return people to work. Strikers refusing to return to work have been arrested and imprisoned, and those who have resisted have been executed promptly after engaging Tuscan soldiers. King Ferdinand has pledged that no negotiations will be had with unions or striking workers, and refused to place restrictions upon businesses. The situation continues to destabilize as workers turn to more and more extremist organizations against the oppressive policies of the current government. (-1 Stability)
GENOA MASSIVELY ENLARGES EDUCATION BUDGET. Genoa, Genoa. The Genoese government has authorized a massive increase in budgets and spending for the nation's educational system, sending it spiraling to new levels. The idea has been to attract students from abroad to the nation's university system and to receive a superior education in Genoa. However, the extensive funds are believed unanimously to be too much, leading to extensive corruption throughout the system as money goes in large amounts to various contractors, with little else to spend it on. Most have called for immediate reduction of the budget, which is more than the entire educational system could ever use or spend. Resistance continues to anymore increases in the budget, which are widely viewed as useless.
FLANDERS AND NETHERLANDS SIGN CULTURAL TREATY. Rotterdam, Republic of the Netherlands. The Republic of the Netherlands and the government of Flanders have signed a new treaty and agreement, creating the Dutch Language and Cultural Union. This organization has been established to encourage the mutual culture and language of both the Netherlands and Flanders. The organization focuses on combined cultural projects, and preserving art and heritage of both nations, in order to build a closer national bond between the two powers. The treaty has also linked the educational systems of both nations, tying together higher degrees of education and learning for both nations. The move has been seen as a positive outcome, building up the local strength and further establishing partnership between the Dutch and Flemish peoples.
FLANDERS INITIATES ROYAL REFORM. Brussels, Flanders. Under pressure from the liberal Social Republican Party, the royal system of succession has been reformed for the Flemish people and nation to avoid future possible embarrassments. King Charles III has not opposed the new reform, though it has come as his life is clearly coming to an end. An assigned delegate gave his speech for him, applauding the efforts to preserve succession and royal continuity without exposing Flanders to marital confusion with other monarchies. Overall, there really has not been any significant resistance to the reform, as the government passes the new laws for royal succession. With the king's failing health, it's viewed as probably only a matter of months before the new law is called into usage.
ELECTIONS IN FLANDERS. Brussels, Flanders. Elections in Flanders this year have turned out to be surprisingly brutal and ruthless by all participating parties. The Social Republican Party suffered through a severe scandal, as corruption was identified, as key members of the party were shown to have been stealing from government coffers. The result was severe disillusionment with the old regime, and what should have been a simple race and return to offer become a heavily disputed contest. The campaigns have all been fought hard by all related political candidates, leaving a brutal trail of division in their path. Attacks remained focused on individual candidates and people, rather than on any key issues or political policies. The result was that the Social Republican Party did manage to retain control of the nation's legislature, but they have lost a significant amount of ground to the conservatives, while upsetting the norm of the nation's stability. (-1 Stability)
PRINCE OF ASTURIAS COMPLETES WORLD TOUR. Madrid, Spain. The Prince of Asturias, the heir to the Empire of Spain, has returned this year from his tour across the myriad possessions of imperial Spain. After leaving India after the New Year's celebrations among the European and Christian leaders of Spanish India, the Spanish prince has since stopped in Persia to meet with the ruler in Tehran and then travelled onward to the Holy Land. While in the region, he completed multiple pilgrimages to Christian holy sites across the region, and then visiting the pyramids and other sites in Egypt. Due to the revolt in Sicily, the Prince was unable to stop on the island, instead bypassing it to visit in Tripoli and Algiers, the final stops on the tour. The Prince was welcomed home in Madrid, with his global journeys giving him a new perspective on the larger empire.
ORDER RESTORED WITH MARTIAL LAW IN HUNGARY. Budapest, Hungary. As the threat of civil war loomed over Hungary with the erupting violence and unrest last year, chaos beckoned and seemed to be imminently about to engulf the nation. King Louis V immediately reeled back attempts at reform, declaring martial law throughout Hungary, in the hopes of restoring order to the region. Numerous checkpoints and military installations were established throughout the region, closing off roads and hunting down those who had fled into the countryside. The effort has actually proven successful, as a large number of would be proletarists were rounded up throughout the urban and farmlands of the kingdom. Martial law remains in effect, but it seems to have at least secured a peace for now, by shutting down attempts at conspiracies behind closed doors. The army remains fully in support of the move, though the flood of troops throughout the interior has left some concerned that the borders with the Roman Empire and Russia may be vulnerable to invasion. (+2 Stability)
AUSTRIA BEGINS NAVAL EXPANSION. Trieste, Austria. The Austrian Navy has undergone a new and rapid expansion, as three new heavy cruisers have been built along with a substantial number of supporting screening ships. The Austrians have also begun following in the footsteps of other nations, attempting the construction of new submarine vessels. As in other countries, most of these vessels have proven incapable of serving in any capacity, most being scrapped due to failures shortly after being launched. To accommodate the massive naval expansion, the Austrians have constructed substantial new docks and buildings in the port of Trieste to administer and supply the new fleet. Unfortunately, the fleet consists mostly of older designs and warships, powered by coal and hardly of much use in a major naval engagement. It is hoped, that despite this, the new ships could serve as the foundation for a greater expansion and development of a naval power in Austria.
DUTCH REPUBLICAN GUARD ESTABLISHED. Amsterdam, Netherlands. As war clouds loom over the Netherlands blowing in from South America, the Dutch army continues its focus on building up quality soldiers. The result has been the establishment of the new elite Dutch Republican Guard. These soldiers are selected as the best and highest quality troops within the armies of the Netherlands. They have especially been given training in amphibious operations, deemed necessary for the large number of islands throughout the empire. They have also been given extensive training and emphasis upon tactics for combat in the jungles of Indonesia, hoping to use the techniques to fight insurgencies and unrest throughout the colonies. They have also received limited training in fighting in the mountains and covert operations, though not as significant of training as their other specialties.
FORMATION OF THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. Paris, Franco-Burgundian Confederation. After last year's announcement of the creation of the League of the Three Emperors, many political observers have wondered where the next shoe would drop. The answer has come from Paris with the signing of a treaty between Denmark, the Republic of the Netherlands, and the Franco-Burgundian Confederation. The treaty has solidified the economic agreements and defensive pacts signed between these three nations into a full alliance. The new group has been termed the Triple Alliance, as the three powers of Western Europe, pledge a new political start. They have vowed to work together in the defense of colonies in China as well as in standing together in Europe. This has come with the pledge to work to prevent Germanic nationalist tendencies and extremism in Central Europe. They have begun to be viewed as the greatest threat to nationalism in the region, as Germans across Europe denounce the announcements of the Triple Alliance.