Global News Report
OATH OF ORTHODOXY ESTABLISHED FOR PAPAL EDUCATORS AMID REFORM. Rome, Papal State. Educators working for the Catholic Church have been forced to swear the new Oath of Orthodoxy across the world, calling for them to teach proper morals and ideas as dictated by the Papacy. The new educational standards and the oath have been enforced in private Catholic Schools in Europe and South America, as well as in the various Catholic missions in Africa and the Far East. The new education has been designed by the chief theorists and workers with the Papal Inquisition, and has a definite slant from the Papacy. They have been clearly directed against the ideals of liberalism, socialism, and proletarism, explaining why these radical ideologies are so clearly wrong in the eyes of God. The standards have been more or less approved by most members of the clergy and less than a dozen educators worldwide resigned when confronted about the oath. The teachings have also won support from eminent Italian and Brazilian politicians, who have lobbied for similar ideals to be taught in their own schooling systems.
ITALIAN CALLS BECOME FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE CONFERENCE. Naples, Italy. The new Italian research hospital has become the scene of a momentous new event in medical research history. The calls for researchers and physicians from across the world have led to an impromptu medical conference, which solidified over the course of several months. The International Health Organization has provided full support, and called for the conference to be a yearly event to be held in IHO headquarters in Brussels or at the hospital in Naples. The conference resulted from a reluctance of foreign physicians to stay in Italy for much longer than a few months, so the meetings were arranged to discuss ideas and new treatments for ailments that plague humanity. The conference proved highly productive, and have brought back new understandings across the world.
Doctors pose in front of the Naples Research Hospital following the First International Medical Conference
News from Europe
EARTHQUAKE IN CORSICA. Bastia, Corsica. A moderately sized earthquake and aftershocks rattled northern Corsica this year, causing some damage to the local towns and villages. The destruction by the earthquake has been fairly limited, and most of the casualties were caused when a major train carrying industrial goods was derailed on a bridge on the northeastern side of the island. The destruction caused by several following explosions assured that there would be no survivors, and limited other casualties were reported across the affected area. The Corsican government has already committed funds to damages caused to the local infrastructure and has done its best to compensate the families of those who were killed during the earthquakes. Thankfully, there was little confusion or chaos, and the nation has been restored to normalcy in the wake of this tragedy.
LABOR DISPUTE LEADS TO DUTCH RIOTS. Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam was pummeled by severe rioting this year, as a labor dispute grew out of hand. A major Dutch employer refused to raise wages or compensate the widows of several men injured in an industrial accident. New strikes grew out of this catastrophe, and the Dutch businessmen employed over a hundred Flemish strikebreakers to beat down the rioters. The strikers escalated their behavior, and soon, the Flemish guards used illegal firearms on the crowd. When police attempted to break up the struggle, they too were fired upon by both sides. The result was rioting behavior that spun out of control as the industrial district of Amsterdam went up into flames. Thousands were killed when a chemical plant exploded and the fumes were blown into the heart of the city. The disaster grew worse and worse, and ultimately the army was forced in to restore order. Thankfully, the sheer horror of the riots' aftermath and the disaster in the industrial district has substantially reduced the appetite for the Dutch citizenry to riot. (+1 Stability, -8 Manpower)
ROMANIANS CALL FOR ELECTIONS. Bucharest, Romania. A number of noted Romanian government officials have begun calling for democratic elections, despite their appointment to their posts by the king. The Romanians have appealed to the king to establish a national legislature to allow the people of the nation to have an even greater voice in managing their affairs. The situation had ominous undertones as an anti-Russian sentiment has continued to fester in the wake of their involvement in the civil strife a few years ago. The republican members of government have been quietly removed from their office, but a number of them continue to actively call for the formation of a democratically elected legislature. There has been no real violent behavior from these advocates, as many continue to fear the possibility of another Russian invasion to "set things right."
ANTI-WAR PROTESTS HELD IN SPAIN. Madrid, Spain. The devastation and destruction caused by the Great War and the ongoing bloodshed and chaos of the colonial wars which have followed have led to the rise of a major anti-war movement in Spain. These people predominantly social proletarists and liberals have continuously called all war an exercise in foolishness, and have condemned the government for its actions in North Africa. They have condemned the government in Spain for their brutal activities in quelling the unrest in Algiers and Egypt, and have called for a more peaceful solution. For the first time this year, the government was besieged by a massive protest, numbering over thirty thousand people in Madrid. They have called for a lighter hand in imperial affairs and the end of the allegedly futile fighting throughout the region. So far, they have gained only a little political support in the Imperial Congress, but it seems that they could gain ground if the bloodshed continues.
ELECTIONS IN CECHY-MORAVA. Prague, Cechy-Morava. The Czech nation seems to be currently basking in its stability and prosperity, despite the raging civil war next door in Hungary. The liberal Czech National Party has shamelessly credited itself for the growing prosperity and wealth of the people of Cechy-Morava. The successful push back from the unification of Germany and the preservation of the young nation's independence has also ingratiated the nation's ruling party to the average Czech voter. The conservatives have found themselves unable to forge a unified voice to respond to the National Party, and no combined front of criticism has been formulated against the liberals. Some have expressed concerns at the failure of the government to take advantage or become involved in the Hungarian Civil War. On the other hand, this has played into the hands of the liberals, who have found support from the growing anti-war movements.
DANISH ELECTIONS HELD. Copenhagen, Denmark. Elections in Denmark this year continued to be focused upon the nation's foreign policy, including its relationship with the dominant nations in the Baltic Sea, Russia and Scandinavia. The impending alliance with the Russian Empire and the recent cooperation with them continues to be a concern, as the Danish people continue to face mounting evidence of Russian atrocities in Eastern Europe. The conservative Free People's Party has continued to deny the allegations of the Russian atrocities against the German people and has claimed that the alliance is the only way to restore the Danish economy and empire. The Social Democratic Party has continued to preach to all who will listen about the fraud and militarism of the Free People's Party, claiming that Denmark should work with the rest of Europe to contain Russia's growing power. Unfortunately for them, it seems that the average Dane has continued to back the Free People's Party which has managed to provide a modest level of prosperity for the Danish people. The election has been less than popular in Iceland, which voted nearly unanimously for the Social Democratic Party. (-1 Stability in Iceland)
ELECTIONS HELD IN GERMANY. Munich, Germany. The German nation faced a surprising set of elections this year, as the German Brotherhood began to collapse in upon itself. The Brotherhood has faced problems the last few years as initiatives in Burgundy failed and the party came under criticism for its aggressive attitude towards other nations in Europe. The result has been the collapse of the German Brotherhood as a political party, as various factions emerged from within, and the leftists broke away to form the Social Freedom Party. The German Brotherhood itself has become a more moderate political movement, but has lost a number of its supporters to the growing strength of the optimistically named Victorious Opposition Party. Naming itself for its confidence in the German state and the calls for stronger military development, they have found support among those afraid of the Russian bear. The Victorious Opposition have pledged to create a solid barrier to Russian expansionism and to protect the German people from invasion. They have also had some advocates for the establishment of Germany as a global empire, stating that they should be allowed their moment in the sun. It came as a surprise to others, when the Victorious Opposition lived up to their name, securing the majority in the legislature and even the personal support of Emperor Leopold. (+1 Stability)
ELECTIONS IN OCCITANIA. Toulouse, Occitania. Elections in Occitania this year have continued to be focused on economic concerns, as well as the growing ties with the Franco-Burgundian Confederation. Some anti-war activists have alleged that the antagonism against the Confederation directly contributed to the destruction of so much territory during the Great War. This has led to surprising support for the National Unity Party and their gentle detente with the Confederate government. Overall, the elections were never in much doubt, as the National Unity Party has continued doing a fine job of representing the voice of the people, and the system itself remains weighed to their advantage. The elections were overwhelmingly in their superiority, giving them a persistent majority in the nation's congress, allowing them a new mandate to continue their policies for at least another three years.
ELECTIONS IN SARDINIA. Cagliari, Sardinia. The conservative King's Honor Party in Sardinia is widely considered to be one of the best political movements to retain Sardinia's strength and prosperity. Therefore, they faced fairly little opposition and contest from other political parties, except on isolated platforms such as social reform. The elections were clearly weighed in their favor, and the King's Honor Party has once again returned to lead the legislature in the majority. They have faced a disturbing trend, however, as the anti-militarist wave which is sweeping the West seems to have reached Sardinia, as the Social Republican Party has embraced the ideal of military reduction and diplomacy over warfare. Fortunately, they have only gained a little ground in the nation's legislature, not even presenting a true challenge to the King's Honor Party.
CIVIL WAR IN HUNGARY COMES TO A CLOSE. Budapest, Hungary. Fighting in the war torn Balkan nation of Hungary at last came to a close this year, as some of the heaviest warfare to date took place during the last hurrah of the proletarist regime. The royalists initially suffered as the Croats and Serbs began withdrawing support from the regime as tensions between their nations mounted at home. The Italians have continued to provide full support, using artillery and special forces to supplement the royalist armies. The Serbs have continued to provide large amounts of cavalry, which was quickly chewed up in the meat grinder that the battle of Budapest became. The heavy fighting for the city was the focus of the year's efforts for both sides, as the proletarists were slowly pushed out, leaving only ruins behind them. With the fall of Budapest, the royalists and their supporters quickly began pushing into Slovakia, and managed to achieve immediate success as any larger lines collapsed. The proletarists still managed to put up strong fights in other cities, but the times were against them, and their supply lines faltered and then failed. The last fighting occurred along the Russian border, as the remaining proletarists surrendered, rather than take their chances with the Russian border patrols. For now, the war is at an end, and King Vladislaus IV has been secured as the absolute monarch of the Hungarian people. He has pledged that the nation's first priority is the reconstruction of the military and the nation as a whole, and he intends to use everything in his power to restore Hungarian greatness.
Casualty Lists
Hungary (Proletarist): 14 Conscript Brigades, 13 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades
Hungary (Royalists): 20 Conscript Brigades, 3 Infantry Brigades (+1 Army Quality, +1 Stability)
Italy: 8 Infantry Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades
Serbia: 14 Cavalry Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades
FLEMISH NAVY DISBANDED. Calais, Flanders. The Flemish government has announced the disbanding of the lackluster Flemish Royal Navy this year, decommissioning the three aging old destroyers that made up the fleet. The destroyers have been used to create a new maritime museum for the enjoyment of the Flemish people, but this has marked the end of any naval ambitions by the small Western European nation. The decommissioning of the fleet has been followed with a treaty that allows the Republic of the Netherlands to assume the responsibility and costs of defending the coasts of Flanders. This has been lauded as an attempt to bring the Dutch and Flemish peoples closer together, in further bonds of brotherhood. Critics have bemoaned the loss of the Flemish navy, but few can contest that it was more a stigma of embarrassment than a source of national pride.
ROMANS BEGIN OPSIKION RECONSTRUCTION. Cius, Roman Empire. The Roman government in Athens, even as it begins dedicating a massive amount of national treasure and materials to rebuild Constantinople, has not forgotten the rest of the nation. The province of Opsikion, which had been a heart of rebellion against the new imperator, has been selected for major infrastructure reconstruction and development. An ambitious new project has been structured to repair and modernize the tattered roads and railroads of the province, allowing the normal state of affairs to resume in the region. The project is thankfully not even as expensive as the complete rebuilding of a new Constantinople, but is still projected to take one or two more years before the local infrastructure can be said to be back to pre-Event standing. The imperator has claimed that this is a vital stage in the reclamation of the birthright of the Roman Empire to be a major power in Europe.
BULGARIA SCRAPS DRAGANOV CONSTRUCTION. Sofia, Bulgaria. After several years of hard work and the completion of a number of key fortification in the chain, General Draganov of Bulgaria has determined that the expense of the completion of the Draganov Line would not be worth the benefits. The program has led to the completion of several major fortifications throughout the southern border, most at key chokepoints which would supplement traditional defensive lines. The general has stated that the funds would be better suited to improving the Bulgarian army and enlarging it, rather than relying entirely upon fixed fortifications. Nonetheless, he has declared the program a success, in helping to fortify several of the weaker points in the defenses along the Bulgarian border.
News from the Americas
PROTESTS CALL FOR RESIGNATION IN CHILE. Santiago, Chile. Several major protests were held this year, in preparation for the electoral campaign to be held in 1915. The protesters have condemned President Pablo Montoya for alleged abuses of power which have been conducted during his term of office which began in 1911. The protestors have called for the president's resignation from office or at the very least to not participate in next year's elections. They have cited his authoritarian policies and the alleged kickbacks and economic support for cronies working with the Japanese and Peruvians as reasons for his betrayal of the trust of the people. The president has refused these naysayers' demands, claiming that the Chilean people can decide and that the allegations against him are ridiculous at best, stating that he has always acted in the nation's best interests. Regardless, it seems the tenor for the upcoming elections has grown more tense as both primary parties gear up for a rough competition.
ANTI-MILITARY PROTESTS GROW IN CUBA. Havana, Cuba. Recent military buildups have continued to worry a number of people in Cuba, and it seems that they have begun to organize to vocalize their attitude. They have claimed that with Spain's retreat from the Western Hemisphere and the full dominance of Brazil in the Caribbean, that Cuban military power is expensive and unnecessary. The major expense and importance the government has lately stressed upon the increase in the military's size has caused concern of what a standing armed force could be capable of. These protestors have rallied and called for a halt to the expansion programs, with money to be reinvested in social welfare and development instead. So far the government has ignored these pleas, and it seems to likely be an emerging issue in next year's elections.
RIOTS BREAK OUT AGAINST MILITARY REGIME IN MAYAN REPUBLIC. Belize, Mayan Republic. The 1910 military coup which installed General Ceh Pech as absolute ruler of the Mayan Republic has been a hot issue among the Mayan people. Quite a few have been outraged at the interruption of the nation's proud democratic tradition, and have found the general's coup to be abhorrent at best. The result has been growing tensions throughout the nation, and this year a riot broke out against the continued martial law and curfew established in the capital of Belize after the coup took place. The Curfew Riots, as they have come to be know, took place chaotically at night, as angry mobs attacked soldiers making their usual patrols, and continued for quite some time. The Mayan army flooded the city with more soldiers, making the matter temporarily worse. Thankfully, bloodshed was kept fairly low, as few soldiers were actually killed, and only a couple dozen civilians were shot. General Ceh Pech has responded to at least some of the protests, and has called an immediate end to the curfew governing the nation.
MILITARY PURGE BRINGS CALM TO NICARAGUA. Managua, Nicaragua. In the wake of the disastrous civil war which has led to the end of the unified nation of New Spain, the former federal government in Managua has taken a political beating. They have instead turned to cast the blame upon the military which allegedly allowed the provinces to slip through the fingers of the government thanks to the army's incompetence. A number of arrests have been made throughout the whole of the nation's officer corps, and even more soldiers have been discharged from the army for cowardice. The result has been at least a minor calming effect upon the population as they are finally given a scapegoat for their troubles. Further blame has been placed upon the military, for consuming expenses which could have been better used in increasing employment and improving the economy. (+1 Stability)
ELECTIONS IN BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The recent disrepute which has damaged the Party of Order in recent years, has led to a major upset in the old political system of Brazil. The Conservative and Liberal Parties, both having sat upon the backburner for nearly a generation, have at last returned to the forefront. The Party of Order itself has fallen apart, and remains only a hollow shell, as most of the members have defected to other political parties. This has included the Partido Trabalhista, which had previously been dominated by social proletarists, but began reform after the recent debacles with proletarists in Brazil and across the world. It has become a more liberal party, supplanting the old Party of Order's position in the political spectrum in Brazil. The Liberal Party has become a more moderate movement, while the Conservative Party has managed to gain the most, by playing off the fears of proletarist surges. The fighting in the former United States and the recent unrest caused by proletarists have helped cement this position, and the division and infighting between the Liberal Party and the Trabalhista Party has allowed the Conservative Party to secure a slim majority in the national Congress.
COLOMBIAN ELECTIONS HELD. Bogota, Colombia. The elections in Colombia focused primarily upon Colombia's growing contribution to the South American war effort in the former United States of America. Though most have agreed that the Empire of Brazil's deserves Colombia's support as their allies, a number of people have begun claiming that the situation at home is too precarious to commit to a full campaign in the north. As the casualty lists mounted in the fight against the proletarist, the voice of the anti-war movements continued to grow and coalesced into strong support for the conservative Party of Tradition. The Party of Tradition have pledged to end Colombia's contribution to the fight in the former United States, while bringing the conscripted soldiers home in time for Christmas of 1915. They have also managed to retain the support of more hawkish members of the conservative party by bringing up the possibility of pressing new terms upon the Venezuelans for control over the disputed eastern provinces. The Party of Tradition won in an overwhelming and surprising upset, and have already announced plans to begin withdrawing soldiers from the coalition effort in the United States. (+1 Stability)
ELECTIONS IN PERU. Lima, Peru. The primary concern of the Peruvian elections this year was the growing tariff and economic war with Brazil and Argentina. The disputes which have grown from this division have been numerous and vicious, as the Party of Order continues to lobby with the full support of Peruvian and Japanese business interests. They have claimed that the governments in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro possess an extreme lack of morality and conscience, and seek only to enforce their will upon Peruvians through economic superiority. The Party of Order received immense funding for their campaign from most larger businesses in the nation which have only found more profits thanks to the citizenry buying locally rather than from Argentina's manufacturers. This funding has allowed the Party of Order to drown out almost all other opposition in debates and campaigning, gaining them an overwhelming victory in this year's elections. (+1 Stability)
BRAZIL MAKES PEACE WITH UNITED STATES. San Juan, Brazil. The fighting between the Federal government in Charleston and the alliance of South American nations came to an abrupt end with a ceasefire in early January. The fighting had only been on a small scale in Hispaniola as the Brazilians and their allies sought to find a way to prevent further loss of life for their soldiers. The Federal American government has been forced to cede control of their island possessions in the Caribbean, as well as to officially cede control of Panama to Colombia. The Americans withdrew from the territories as quickly as possible, as the fighting in the Carolinas continued to draw most of their forces and capabilities. The Brazilians have assumed direct administration temporarily over most of the formerly American possessions. The smaller islands have been annexed to the Empire of Brazil, even being granted seats at the elections held this year. In Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, citizens have been assembled and conventions are being prepared in order to establish independent regimes and hold full elections next year. The new constitutions are being established similar to that of Brazil, and there even is some suggestive talk about an "emperor of Hispaniola" being appointed. The Bahamas and Bermuda were also ceded to Brazil, but were immediately turned around and sold to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. These islands, which have not been under British control since the 1830s, have been welcomed back into the larger empire, as valuable bases for Brazilian and British naval cooperation in the Americas.
FLORIDA'S CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. Dallas, Florida. This year, the Grand Republic of Florida held its Constitutional Convention to create a fresh republic in the nation. Representatives from every state that became a member of the new nation, including those which had previously been military districts, attended to draft the new Constitution of the Grand Republic of Florida. Governor William Jeter has taken much credit for the convention and is its overseer, organizer, and parliamentarian, but is not in any way connected to the men who are drafting the new Constitution. He has neither appointed them, nor are they accountable to him for their actions. The governor has not attempted to sway their decisions when creating the new Constitution, however, he has served as an advisor and source of opinion. The only thing certain about the new Constitution is that it has an election schedule similar to the United States of America; the first elections are slated to be held in 1916.
Foreign observers are invited to see, and even to comment on, the drafting of the Constitution. Various political movements have formed in preparation for the elections in two years, each calling for a government that represents a different future for the young nation.
FIGHTING ENDS IN WESTERN UNITED STATES. Denver, Allied Territories of America. The military governor of the Allied Territories of America, easily the strongest single faction west of the Mississippi River, entered into negotiations, establishing a ceasefire with the secessionist nations of the west. Though the Allied Territories still nominally pledge allegiance to the Federal government in Charleston, in a practical sense they have local autonomy. The new treaty has established peace and a nonaggression pact between the Allied Territories and the new nations of Jacksonia and Florida. The military leader of the Allied Territories has also recognized the independence, and this, surprisingly, has been followed with similar recognition from President Hayes in Charleston. The support for the Allied leader has been seen as a recognition of which faction remains the dominant force calling for the restoration of the old regime, but practically has brought an end to most of the fighting west of the Mississippi.
FLORIDA MOBILIZES WITH GRAND DEFENSE PROJECT. Dallas, Florida. As refugees continue to pour in from other regions, the government of Florida has begun to deal with hundreds of thousands of landless and homeless new inhabitants. Though a few came with money and influence, the majority of the refugees have been poorer whites unjustly blamed for the oppression created by the Federal government. These people have had to be put to work, otherwise they would have created an unsustainable drain upon the finances of the nation. Therefore the Grand Defense Project has been declared, calling for the creation of new fortifications along the Mississippi River in order to defend against proletarist attack. The unemployed have been put to work in building these new fortifications, and funds have been dedicated to expand the effort.
ECUADOR BEGINS ELECTRIFICATION. Quito, Ecuador. The proletarist government in Ecuador launched a major new program to bring electric lighting to all the Ecuadorian people this year. This has been part of their electoral campaign to maintain traditional proletarist control over the government. The effort is slated to be completed with massive expenses over the next two to three years, bringing electric lights to all homes and buildings throughout the whole nation. So far the electrification project has created extensive new jobs and employment, while bringing new comfort and higher standards of living to all the areas it has affected. Some have criticized the expense of the program, and have made it a major part of the elections.
