Happenings in North America
Nativists dispersed by New York City Policemen
ANTI-IMMIGRATION RIOTS IN NEW ENGLAND -
New York, the Commonwealth of New England
Anti-immigrant feelings have been stirred up as of late in the New English Commonwealth, as seen by the growth of the nativist Faneuil party in national politics. A large influx of Italian and German immigrants lead to tensions in the poorer districts of both Boston and New York, but it was New York that the tensions came to a head. Armed nativist mobs took the streets, and began destroying immigrant stores and housing with relative impunity. The New York City police force sat on their hands long-enough for the mob to get a hold of several German immigrants, who were promptly lynched much to the joy of the on-looking crowd. After the demands of Mayor Clinton, armed forces were eventually dispatched to quell the rioting. (-New English regional stability)
ELECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES -
Richmond, the United States of America
Congressional elections in the United States saw the Constitutionalists voted out after several years of rule. The incoming nationalistic Washington party was elected on the tail of the conflict in Patagonia, as war fever swept across the United States. The Washingtonian's promised to deliver a decisive blow to Great Britain is Patagonia, and defend American interests abroad. The Constitutionalists managed to retain a significant hold in the Deep South, but both Pennsylvania and Virginia, the "keys" to the election fell to the Washingtonians after lengthy campaigns. President Forrest was understandably upset at his party's loss in the election, though vowed that his legislative agenda will remain unchanged.
PORT VICTOR ESTABLISHED -
Port Victor, the Dominion of Canada
Not to be out-done by America's naval Coos base, the British Empire has begun construction on a large port on Vancouver Island. The port is to serve as a major trade hub, and potentially a military hub for both the British Empire and Canada.
SLAVE DEBATE RAGES IN PHILADELPHIA -
Philadelphia, the United States of America
Several members of the American Constitutionalist Party have taken to a public debate, on the merits of Slave reform, specifically the idea of a law enabling any children born to slaves past a certain date to be born free. The debate came in the wake of a several minor slave revolts around Richmond last year, and in the midst of growing international pressure to abolish the institution. The debates were fierce, though both the abolitionists and pro-slavers kept the debate fairly civil. The results were much as expected - the slave owning aristocracy is content with the status quo, whereas a growing number of immigrants and lower-class citizens are uncomfortable with the institution.
American soldiers fighting in North Dakota
THE SIOUX REBELLION -
Camp Forrest, the United States of America
Despite tensions as a result of the Patagonian conflict, American, Canadian and Michigander forces completely decimated the Sioux Rebellion through a war of attrition this year. All three militaries moved in on Sioux lands, and attempted to force a pitched-battle. The Sioux found themselves surrounded by more than enough soldiers to put down the revolt, but continued to fight on. Thanks in large part to the harsh regional climate, officer ineptitude and Sioux bravery, all suffered higher casualties than expected. The United States managed to push the Sioux above the Missouri and into Canada, where pockets of resistance have continued to plague local Canadians. (-4 American Infantry Brigades, -2 American Cavalry Brigades, -2 Canadian Infantry Brigades, -1 Canadian Cavalry Brigade, -1 Michigander Infantry Brigade)
MICHIGAN NATIONALISTS REPULSE DETRACTORS -
Detroit, the Dominion of Michigan
Pro-American activists have been making noise throughout the Dominion of Michigan, calling for an end to British dominionship, and a call for annexation for the United States. The prevailing sentiment among Michiganders is one of nationalistic pride. Being a people, separated from the United States for close to 70 years, the calls for re-unification seem a bit forced at best. A pro-American march in Detroit was curtailed by a counter-march by nationalist elements, which in turn caused a riot, several injuries and even two deaths.
SLAVE REFERENDUM IN OREGON -
Coos, the United States of America
In a shocking move, President Forrest of the United States of America has allowed for the newly established Oregon territory to hold a direct referendum on whether or not the sale of slaves should be allowed in the territory. The results were almost a unanimous no, with few dissenters. While the practice is still legal within the territory, all slaves have to be 'imported' in-territory from the East, rather than traded on the market.
ELECTIONS IN TEXAS -
Austin, the Republic of Texas
Once again a Conservative legislature has been voted into power in Texas, with the major issue being the threat of the Anglo-American conflict, and its potential effects on the Texan economy. The United States and Great Britain remain Texas's largest trading partners, and many Texan businessmen fear the repercussions that a conflict between the two may bring. While Texan businesses have been propped up by British capital, a significant number of Texan exports are delivered right across the border. The Conservatives promised to do their best to keep the status quo, and keep Texas out of the conflict.
Happenings in Central America and the Caribbean
ASSASSINATION IN GUATEMALA CITY -
Guatemala City, the Central American Republic
Civil War has broken out in the Central American Republic after General Guardia, temporary president of the Republic, was assassinated by a Central American socialist. His death caused several days of uncertainty within the Central American military, before several generals began making a play for power. The army split into different camps, and began actively fighting itself for control of the nation. Some of the fighting spilled into American Nicaragua, the British Mosquito coast, as generals attempted to recruit locals into their own camps. (-Central American stability, - Central American Economy)
Happenings in South America
ELECTIONS IN ECUADOR -
Quito, Ecuador
Liberals swept into power in Ecuador, as calls for greater work-conditions in factories and worker benefits became the main topic of discussion. Fears of the United States’ growing hegemony in South American affairs became a distant second, with the liberal's welcoming the Yankee's as a police for, specifically against potential Peruvian aggression.
LAKE TITICACA CONFERENCE -
Puno, Peru
Keeping with its recent interest in South America affairs, the United States has decided to mediate the conflict between Peru and Bolivia over several mutually contested areas. President Forrest has sent a variety of important legal figures from the United States government to Puno, on Lake Titicaca to sit with representatives from both nations, regarding the regions in question. While the plan for America mediation is complicated at best, on a simplified level, in involved both parties picking international legal representation to sit down and figure out exactly who owns what in the region. After four weeks of debate, with the Peruvian delegation leaving the conference in a huff a multitude of times, the peace deal was decided in favor of the Bolivians, who were the ones initially attacked. The Bolivians received much of Peru's southern coast-line, and more land around Lake Titicaca itself, while giving bits of its border territory to Peru.
CHILEAN ELECTIONS -
Santiago, Chile
Unsurprisingly the Nationalist Conservatives have retained power in Chile, in the midst of the war with Great Britain. The Nationalist Conservatives have been pushing the expansionist agenda of President Sebastian O'Higgins for the past 3 years, and the public have overwhelmingly voted in confidence of their government, especially with the victory in the Gulf of Corcovado.
URUGUAYAN ELECTIONS -
Montevideo, Uruguay
The Conservatives elected two years ago have retained a majority in the Uruguayan congress, continuing their promises of abridging British and American intrigues into the region. While armed forces expansion has been a bit slower than expected, plans for the construction of a larger navy to protect Uruguayan interests have been forwarded.
WAR IN PATAGONIA -
Zapala, Chile
After diplomatic break-downs between the Chilean government and the United Kingdom, the latter declared war upon the South American Republic and immediately began funneling land and naval forces to its La Platan colony. The United States, in keeping with its promises to the Chilean government likewise sent a significant military force to help the Chileans achieve their goal of annexing the entirety of Patagonia - land they view as being rightfully theirs.
Due to the extreme distances involved for both the United States and the United Kingdom, initial combat was rather slow going. The Chileans missed an opportunity to take the initiative against the British, and waited for a large contingent of American soldiers to land and disembark in Santiago before pressing any sort of assault. By the time sizable numbers of American soldiers began landing in Chile, the year was coming an end. Regardless, being led by Chilean forces, they marched through hastily assembled trails through the Andes, and began pouring into Patagonia. Geography proved to be the biggest impediment to Chilean-American advances, as the British military remained rather stead-fast in their defense of the Platine region. Several villages fell quickly to the combined armies, with the help of local Mapuches, and despite a spirited British defense, parts of the frontier region followed suit.
Luckily enough for soldiers on both sides, the late year campaigning, and the geographic conditions didn't create the conditions for any large pitched battle, with only a few skirmishes here and there. The Americans managed to cut-off a British brigade at Zapala, which promptly surrendered, though they faired better in a spirited defense of Neuquen. (-4 British Infantry Brigades, -1 British Cavalry Brigade, -1 Chilean Infantry Brigade, -2 American Infantry Brigades)
Chilean pickets brushed off by the Royal Navy
BATTLES OFF THE COAST OF CHILE -
Castro, Chile
While the British had a nominal disadvantage on land, British planners didn't foresee running into issues on the naval-side of things. The British navy sent a sizable fleet to Buenos Aires, which continued on around the Chilean straits, only to be countered by an even larger combined American-Chilean fleet. The British fleet managed to quickly mop up a few picket gun-boats that the Americans sent to monitor the fleet’s movement, and closed in for what they had hoped would be a blockade of the Chilean coast.
In terms of larger vessels, the fleets were relatively equal, though the British admiralty didn't expect being matched in the region. A semi-pitched battle off of the Gulf of Corcovado saw several British ships bested by their American counter-parts, thanks in large part to the unveiling of the E. Kirby Smith-class Battleships that supported the American fleet. Caught in an unfavorable position, with the potential for large losses becoming apparent, the British fleet wisely pulled back, and re-entered the Atlantic, to regroup and wait for further orders from the Admiralty. While it wasn't a victory per se, the Chilean and American people rejoiced in the repulse of the British blockade attempt, while some unnerved Londoners already began referring to the Patagonian conflict as "the Southern Troubles".
Despite the "victory", Chilean trade has suffered, even without a blockade, with many merchants fearful of the war escalating. (-1 British Battleship, -2 British Cruisers, -1 British Frigate, -4 British Gun-boats, -3 American Cruisers, -2 American Frigates, -7 American Gun-boats, -2 American Valkyrie-class Gunboats, -2 Chilean Gun-boats, -Chilean Economy)
SKIRMISH OFF OF RIO DE LA PLATA -
La Plata, British La Plata
While the British were having a tough go on the Pacific side, their domination of the Atlantic remained unquestioned. A Brazilian attempt at reinforcing the Chileans along with the Americans was rebuffed without much of a problem by the British fleet, who seemed shocked at the Brazilian involvement in the conflict. As a small Brazilian flotilla began heading southward towards the Straits, the British armada checked them in a small skirmish that saw the Brazilians hopelessly outgunned. After a few hours of pot-shots, the Brazilians made headway back towards safe-ports and stayed put for the remainder of the year. (-1 Brazilian Frigate)
GUNBOAT WAR IN SUL -
Sao Borja, Paraguay
The stunning effeciency of the Paraguayan military was put in full view of the world, as it invaded Sul just as it promised it would, after the destruction of one of it's gunboats in Sulian waters. The Republic of Sul's attempts at rebuffing the invasion fell short, and Paraguayan soldiers soon found themselves facing towards the Atlantic Ocean, in what has thus far been a highly successful conflict. The little defenses that Sul could throw up against the attacks were quickly cast aside by the driving Paraguayans, and internal disorder among Sul's political elite hasn't helped the situation much. (-2 Paraguayan Infantry Brigades, -1 Paraguayan Artillery Brigade, -4 Sulian Infantry Brigades, -1 Sulian Artillery Brigade, -Sulian Economy, -Sulian Stability)
Back Pages
Transvaal expansion has led to the findings of some lucrative diamond veins. (+Transvaal Economy)
The Trans-Siberian Railroad continues construction in
Russia. (+Russian Economy)
Denmark has thrown a lot of money into completing the Bergen-Oslo railway, and then some. (+Danish Economy)
Bavaria has continued to provide subsidies to businesses under-threat from French industry. (+Bavarian Economy)
China has continued to throw money into road expansion. It's not that it's not working- they're just running out of roads to build! (+Chinese Economy)
Military Developments
The French Empire has designed the
Courage-class Battleship. The designs have been spent to the Kingdom of Spain and the Netherlands.
Political Forum
Sometimes no news is good news.
Trade Forum
The Commonwealth of New England and the Korean Empire have started trading.
The Brazilian Empire and the Korean Empire have started trading.
Chile and the Mexican Empire have started trading.
Chile and Peru have started trading.
The Austrian Empire and the Ottoman Empire have started trading.
The Austrian Empire and Bulgaria have started trading.
The Austrian Empire and Greece have started trading.
Bonuses
While watching a riveting game of baseball, President Forrest was informed of a recent artillery surplus in the
United States armory. +2 Artillery Brigades
Japan's recent naval expansion has massaged merchant's fears of trading with the power. And more merchants means more money... +10 Banked EP
The naval build-up of
Korea has likewise pleased many American investors, ones who were happy to provide Korea with a gift. +1 Gunboat
Venetian Newspapers highlighting colonial expansion have drummed up additional recruits for the army. +2 Infantry Brigades
In
Austria, sometimes idle conversations lead to big ideas. +Czech stability
Political
OOC:
All, mrrandomplayer will be unavailable for a few weeks. Venice is on hold for him, until he gets back. In the meantime, direct all diplomacy to myself.
Immac, you're not trading with Burma. They're land-locked. You're trading with Korea, Russia, Spain, France, Brazil, Colombia, Yucatan, and the CAR.
Ophorian, sorry to hear about that. Hope he's alright. No worries.
Stats and Diplomacy to come as soon as I have time. If you have an issue with the update, please contact me privately.