Capto Iugulum

OOC: @spryllino: I'm flattered. :blush:

IC:
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"I've just come back from Jefferson," Adam Singer said. The door opened, and Adam entered. The room was dim, due to poor lighting. About a dozen other men were inside, sitting around a table or leaning against the wall. They appeared to come from all walks of life, and all regions; one was a banker, in a fine tweed suit. One was a soldier, in uniform (he was the one they hoped would alleviate suspicion, as no one would expect a soldier to be one of the American Underground). One was a farmer from Ohio, another a fisherman from Delta.

But the most important man had yet to arrive.

"Was he behind you?" the banker, with a Bostonian drawl, asked.

"I haven't seen him yet, Reg," Adam replied. "But he'll be here soon, I'm sure."

"I certainly hope so. The wife is beginning to ask questions, and I don't want to raise her suspicions. Last thing I need is for her to find out. We've already lost a couple sons in the New York riots, and she's deathly afraid she'll lose me too." He shifted his weight uneasily, and Adam could see the pain on his face. "My boys... I won't let there legacy go, but she's afraid I'll join them... at the Pearly Gates."

Just then the conversation stopped when the wiry factory worker at the door opened it again for the password. "I finished my paper about Thomas Jefferson," a gruff voice said. He opened the door, and the huge sweaty man in a nice lawyer's suit squeezed through the door. He huffed on his way to the chair at the head of the table, then sat in it, the chair protesting.

"Evening, gentleman," the man, William Taft, said. The other men returned the greeting. "I've called this meeting tonight because I've received very grave news that will hurry our efforts. Some of our boys in Washington have reason to believe that the military government is forming a secret police force."

Whispers began to circulate. Adam spoke up: "What can we do about this?"

"We can't stop them," replied Taft. "The only solution to this problem is to hurry our efforts. Given too much time the military will catch wind of our operation, namely us, the ones at the head of this organization, and will know when and where we meet, will intercept our communique, and otherwise will end the effectiveness of the American Underground. And not a man in this room will be left alive."

Almost instinctively, Adam gulped and began to sweat. "Treason--which is what they call this, when they are more guilty that ourselves--is punishable by death. I've defended many men accused of treason in court, and I can assure you, there is no respite. So the only solution for us is to plan an uprising, and soon."

"But what about the soldiers in the region?" asked the Bostonian banker.

"With the United States sending troops overseas for the Great War, I anticipate that troop levels in our areas of support will drop. And I believe the entire Northeast and Midwest will rise up, and perhaps some of the slaves in the South. One could even hope for an uprising in Panama. I believe that if we give the word, the whole country... save for the South, those pigs... will rise against the military. And we may actually bring the Constitution back."

Many of the men nodded, Adam among them. It really was now or never. Any time later, and they'd have the whole army facing them down, and American soldiers were some of the best in the world. If only they fought for democracy instead of against it, like the Founding Fathers had hoped.

"So I'll put this to a vote," William said. "All those in favor of beginning planning for the uprising within the next few months, say aye."

"Aye," said a chorus of voices.

"All opposed?"

A voice said, "Nay."

William leaned over, his chair complaining, to see the soldier in the back. "Why 'nay', Jason? Care to speak your reason?"

All in the room looked over to the soldier, Private Jason Stapleton. He spoke very casually, with a thick New Yorker accent. "With all due respect to the gentlemen in this room," he began, "I disagree. Now is a terrible time. Even with the army gone off to Europe, we still need support. Foreign support. And that can come only from the old allies of the Governors, Britain and Brazil. And they're not going to oppose the government in the middle of a war. That would be suicide. We should wait, till after the war, when relations between the government and Britain and Brazil are not so dependent on each other."

William nodded. "An understandable position. But if the new secret police force stops our organization, we won't be here at that time."

"We don't know how effective they will be," Jason replied. "We're using passwords already. There are eyes all around already. We might have to tighten security a little bit, but it shouldn't make too much of a difference."

"Would you like to find out?" William replied. Jason was silent for a second, then nodded. "Are there any others with any concerns? Anyone want to change their vote?" All in the room shook their heads. "Bully," said William. "Make no mention of this to anyone, as usual, but begin discussing it with your chapters. It's touch and go at this point, gentlemen. May godspeed be with us. For the Republic."

"For the Republic," the rest chorused.
 
All right, this update isn't particularly long. Had a couple technical difficulties which delayed my labor today. However, I've had a rather full plate of activities this afternoon, and won't be resuming work until tomorrow evening. With luck the update will be done tomorrow night, but completion Friday evening is far more likely.
 
Versailles, March 1907

It was fine weather for March; only a few clouds, and the trees were beginning to blossom beautifully. Jean Leclerc sat on a bench at the side of his courtyard, and next to him was his son, named Jean also, who was sitting on a rug on the ground of the dusty courtyard, reciting some dates of history to his father, who was eager - even in this time of national crisis, and especially as the few state schools across Paris had shut down for the war - that his son should not miss out on the basic points of an education. His mind wandered as his son told him about the Estates-General of 1795 and Robespierre's conspiracy, and he reflected on the history of the very place where he was sitting. He remembered how once they once built a royal hunting lodge here, and even planned to turn it into a Chateau; he'd even seen a copy of the plans once. But now it was Charettes Leclerc, makers of the finest carts in Paris. Which end of the courtyard had the Chateau been planned for? He was looking, he thought, away from the where it would have been: the town was in front of him and a bit to the right, beyond that clump of trees that cast their shadow over the roof of the stable.

"Robespierre was executed in July 1796 by the Army Council..." he heard his son say.

"What? Jean, no he wasn't; and how did we get on to that? You haven't been over the dissolution of the Estates-General yet. The Army Council wasn't even formed by that point."

"I've already told you about the dissolution, and the Army Council was in session in July 1796."

"You haven't mentioned the dissolution at all."

"You weren't listening, father. I told you all about the Restitution Act and the Declaration and Sieyès."

Leclerc pulled out his pocketwatch. "Oh. Well, we'd probably better go back over it tomorrow," and to his workmen shouted, "Right! Back to work! Lunch break's over! We need four carts assembled by the end of the day, plus the one you half-finished before lunch. And remember I'll probably have to name one of you for conscription when the Commissioner comes tomorrow. Work hard and I'll give you a choice about it."

None of the workmen emerged from the little parlour next to the stable where they were accustomed to spend their lunch-breaks. "Ugh. Lazy gits. Jean, go and fetch them."

Jean ran off and came back: "Father, they're not in the parlour, and they've not left their jackets on the chairs. They've probably gone into town."

"Right. Pity I can't send them all off for conscription really. So, yes, go back to the Restitution Act and tell me about that again."

"Well, Dad, the Restitution Act was passed by the Estates in May 1795, who had, as I said, been convened to vote supply to the King so that he could raise troops to defend the kingdom against the Burgundians and a popular revolt at the same time, and the King more or less rejected the Act, saying that unless the First and Second Estates voted him perpetual supply and stopped making such absurd demands as the Restitution Act (which, of course, was outrageous from his perspective because it reduced the royal demesne, and outrageous from the peasants' perspective because it involved confiscating all the rebels' lands), he would accept the populace's demands and curtail the privileges of the aristocrats. At any rate, the aristocrats caved in and voted him supply perpetual - so he didn't have to call the estates any more - upon which he made the Declaration, which he had, most people think, been planning all along, and the peasants pretty much stopped rioting. So, half-encouraged by the King's ministers, the peasants all marched on the Estates instead and the aristocrats all ran for it. And so that was the end of the Estates. The King defeated the Burgundians (the Treaty of Luxembourg), revoked the Declaration as soon as he could, and kept the perpetual supply, which is basically why we got an absolute monarchy. I told you about Robespierre before; do I need to go over that again?"

At that point, in came a workman: "You heard the news, boss? The government's practically surrendered by the look of it. Treaty of the Tuileries, all over the front page. Apparently French China is no more, the Brandenburgers have got Danish Germany in the peace, and Vizelle's apparently saying - this is what it says in the paper - saying that it's all because our allies lost that goddamn sea battle. I always said we should have had a proper navy. Beats me why they couldn't just overrun Brandenburg in the first place. Bloody ridiculous how they can call it a war when all they're doing is sitting in trenches doing sod all, and when we do have a decent fight, all that happens is that we lose some sea battle and all our troops who are fighting, you know, properly fighting and killing Japs and everything, suddenly have to give up and pull out. And to think we all thought we would be in Berlin by Christmas."

"What time to do you call this, Maillard? Four, five carts to finish, and you're telling me we've lost the goddam war? Lost the goddam war? What, did you just say we actually just lost the goddam war? Lost it? What the hell? You pulling my leg, or what? Pass me the goddam paper..."
 
It had all happened so fast. They had met at first, in twos and threes, before finding each other. A dozen of them had met in dingy bar near Sergei's dorm room at the University of Moscow. Most were students, like Sergei, Mikhail and Nikolai, some were local workers and their ringleader, Ivan Novokova, was a renowned Proletarist. They had all come to the conclusion that war in general was wrong, as it sent the proletariat to die for the expansion of capitalism, and that the Great War was wrong, as it was pitting Russian commoners against their fellows in the Krakow Pact, when they should all be uniting to overthrow the despotic and capitalist regimes to install a global, utopian Proletariat Republic.

They were barely 15 minutes into their first real meeting before the Secret Police had come crashing through the door. One of the workmen, Ilya Sergei thought his name was, reached for something, a pistol more likely than not, before being gunned down. Ivan had been viciously beaten, worse than the rest, before they were all separated and dragged off.

Sergei, Mikhail and Nikolai had been on the train for over a day. The doors were locked from the outside. At every stop, soldiers had stood with rifles leveled as more wretched souls were forces into the cattle car, until several dozen of them were crammed into it's dark confines. The heat was oppressive and the smell of feces, vomit, urine and fear was inescapable. Nikolai kept whimpering in the corner. Over and over he repeated "They're sending us to Siberia. They're sending us to Siberia." A huge man, probably a peasant based on his garb and muscular build, with a filthy bandage covering what appeared to saber slash on his left arm finally said "We're not going to Siberia. The sun is on the wrong side of the car. We're heading west."

"What's to the West?" Mikhail asked, his first words since his roommates had dragged him somewhat unwillingly to that doomed meeting.

The huge peasant smiled forlornly. "The War."

His prediction was proven right the next day when they began to hear what they thought at first was thunder over the rattle of the train. They soon realized it was the sound of artillery, huge, booming and nigh constant. "We are close now" the big man said. Nikolai began to sob and did not stop. "We only wanted them to see the folly of the war" he choked out. "We were only trying to help."

Shortly after dawn the next day, the train slowed, then rolled to a stop. The door on the left side of the train flew open and light poured in, blinding the prisoners within. "Out! You miserable whelps! Out! Out! Out!" They slowly came out, fearful and cramped. "Line up, double file!" the harsh voice barked. They had no choice but to obey.

The man was huge, towering over even the massive peasant. His uniform was muddy and torn, but his officers cap was on straight and his eyes were aglow with fire. Two soldiers with rifles in their hands stood on either side of him, while two more manned a machine gun trained at Sergei and the others. More marched around them, while others began unloading the train. The officer ignored them all.

"Congratulations!" he boomed. "For your various crimes against the Rodina, the Emperor has chosen to spare your miserable lives. You are now conscripts in the Imperial Russian Army!" Nikolai's will broke at the announcement. He turned and ran for the muddy, pockmarked fields to their left. The officer calmly drew his pistol and shot the young man in the back.

The crowd jumped at the bark. "Good, I have your attention now. Would anyone else wish to attempt deserting the Imperial Army?" No one moved. "Excellent" he said, holstering his sidearm. "I am Captain Chekov, your commanding officer. Shortly, you will march out of here in an orderly fashion, receive you new uniforms and rifles. Do not bother trying to use them, they will not be loaded. Do not concern yourselves with training, you won't need it for your new job, as it will be simple: advance at all costs. Do not retreat, do not falter, always move forward. Simple, no? If you survive and show you can be trusted, your crimes will be forgiven and you may even get promoted! But that depends on how you fair tomorrow in battle." He began to clap. "I bestow upon you all a great honor today! Let me be the first to welcome you to the 136th Minesweeping Battalion!"

Sergei felt his bladder and his bowels empty.
 
The Empire of Spain is under new management.

Can anybody PM me any relevant diplomacy that you have been discussing with Milarqui prior to his leaving NESing?
 
TO: The Russian Empire
FROM: The Japanese Empire

We find this war with you unprofitable. Neither of us finds great interest or desire to wage war over tundra wastelands. Let us end this war, yes?
 
I would of taken Milarqui's Country, had it not been Spain. Spain is the only country I won't play.

You could always take Denmark, now that its free, if you're getting tired of Brittany.

Terrance888 said:
Good luck Grand Khan. You are going to need it.

Ahah, you underestimate the abilities of Spain at your own risk! :smug:
 
TO: The Russian Empire
FROM: The Japanese Empire

We find this war with you unprofitable. Neither of us finds great interest or desire to wage war over tundra wastelands. Let us end this war, yes?

To Japan
From Russia


Agreed
 
Seaman Rudolf Hetzger tipped his hat to the soldiers marching by. With their heavy jackets the soldiers were wearing, along with the 50 pound packs on their backs, they were sweating profusely compared to Rudolf, who was in his light, clean white uniform, was doing well in the coastal summer. Though Brandenburg had not officially called for conscripts, Rudolf, like many of the Germans who had spent centuries under Danish rule, did not want his new countrymen to think for a second that he was unpatriotic. He had not turned seventeen until a month after the peace in Europe, much to his dismay, though he, like any boy in Brandenburg, celebrated the annexation of the Danish provinces. But even though the war had seemed to slow, Rudolf signed up for the Army of Brandenburg, if anything so that another man might return to his own family sooner. When he and the recruits he would be shipped out with went to take a test to see where he would be placed in the military, an odd question appeared in the form of "Can you swim?" and then, what he assumed was sarcasm, "Have you seen the ocean?" He answered yes to both, and though he could, he assumed it was an attempt at a joke by Brandenburg. In two years of liberation, he had found that the Brandenburg soldiers were sarcastic and cutting, and thought they were wickedly humorous. Privately, Rudolf suspected many of them had terrible childhoods.

It was to his surprise that he was approached by the recruiters a few days after the exam asking him to join a secret project; the Kriegsmarine. The first question was if Brandenburg even HAD a navy. The answer was met with somber gazes and the story of the HMS Kaiserreich and von Hansenburg, who heroically died fighting either the Dutch, or potentially the British; the events were sketchy at best. But now that Brandenburg had a coastline, the time was ripe for a navy. In a humorous turn of events, with a complete lack of naval experience of their own, of the three admirals of the navy, one was from Austria, and one had served in the Danish navy. A Dutch naval prisoner of war who had floated to Brandenburg was given the rank of Commander, and it was quite obvious that though Brandenburg had no idea how to run a navy, they had brought in people who did.

However well they might have done in bringing people who have a knowledge of building a navy, they lost any use out of it when they did not listen to them. All three foreign experts had suggested that Brandenburg start small, get a few destroyers under construction, bring in some British advisors, and then go from there. However, it was decided instead that Brandenburg would instead construct the new warship from the United States; the Maryland Class.

A pretty girl was on the arm of Admiral Fritz von Below, the highest ranking officer in the fleet. A former General, he had taken the blame for a poor offensive against the French, and instead was given this position. A man of arrogance, he was quite chatty with the Danish girl “And here is the new ship we are constructing, based on the great American Maryland class!”

The girl feigned stupidity and interest “Ooooh fascinating! What is ‘Maryland’?”

“A type of cheese my dear. Seaman! Attention!”

Rudolf snapped to attention, desperately trying to suppress a laugh as the Admiral went on about the ship “See sweetie, this is a great ship, but they didn’t do it well enough because they weren’t Germans. Every inch of this girl will be covered with the biggest guns we can find”. Rudolf couldn’t help but shiver at that last line as he imagined the entire fleet going to a watery grave.
 
Global News Report​

EXPEDITION REACHES THE NORTH POLE. Nya Stockholm, Vinland. Famed young Vinlander adventurer, Thorvald Lonnqvist, has led an expedition to find the exact location of the magnetic North Pole. Inspired by the success of the Brazilian expedition to the South Pole a few years ago, this young modern explorer has also chosen to make his mark upon history. The expedition went extremely well, though a few did die from exposure, marking their trail with headstones. The march across the ice began from the northernmost reaches of Vinland, and proved successful as most of its members had already had experience in overland ice marches through the extreme north of Vinland. The explorer planted Vinland's flag at the top of the world, and upon his return home was greeted as a hero, and celebrated personally at the Vinland Exposition. Truly a great moment for mankind's exploration of the Earth.

TREATY ENDS PART OF THE GREAT WAR. Paris, Franco-Burgundian Confederation. After last year's traumatic defeat at the Battle of Barkney Bay, a number of the Continental Powers began to have doubts about the feasibility of their united cause to win the war. Private negotiations were initiated solely by the Franco-Burgundian Confederation and Scandinavia, as some small scale fighting continued. Eventually, the Allies accepted the terms proposed by those two powers, also bringing peace to the Netherlands and the Danes. A ceasefire was declared between the related powers on March 30, and at least a portion of the Great War came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Tuileries in Paris on May 29. A number of members elsewhere in the Continental Powers were outraged at this betrayal of the cause, particularly due to the underhanded dealings of the negotiations. The Russian Emperor denounced the treaty and has vowed to fight on regardless of the cowardice of his so-called allies. Similarly, Spain and its allies in Portugal and Persia continue to fight, albeit more reluctantly, hoping to preserve their empires from the oncoming storm. A special section has been provided below to include the elements of the peace treaty and the limited fighting which raged for the first three months of the year before peace was actually signed. Below are the listed stat changes caused by the reevaluation of tactics and the disruption of nations caused by the perceptions of victory or defeat. Below Photograph of the halls filled at the Palace of Tuileries before the signing of the treaty
Spoiler :

Argentina: +1 Stability
Brandenburg: +1 Army Quality
Brazil: +1 Stability
Denmark: +1 Army Quality, -1 Stability
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: +1 Army Quality, -1 Stability
Japan: +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality, +1 Stability
Netherlands: +1 Army Quality, -1 Stability
Occitania: +1 Stability
Poland: +1 Stability
Scandinavia: +1 Army Quality, -1 Stability
Serbia: +1 Army Quality: +1 Stability
Spain: -1 Stability
United Kingdom of Great Britain: +1 Navy Quality, +1 Stability
United States of America: +1 Stability
Venezuela: +1 Stability


6GT3K.jpg

THE GREAT WAR CONTINUES. Moscow, Russia. Despite the signing of the Treaty of Tuileries by most of the belligerents of the Great War, the conflict still continues to ravage areas all over the world. Fighting has continued in Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East, but has predominantly shifted to Eastern Europe. The Russians, with their allies abandoning them, has chosen to dramatically charge west, in a series of dramatic clashes creating casualties listing in the millions. The fighting has grown to unheard of proportions as the Russians fight on three great theaters, attempting to salvage a win from the debacle that is the Great War. The Spanish have also continued their resistance against the Allies with mixed results, though most are certain that some sort of ceasefire will emerge as they jockey for a stronger negotiating position. Below are the listed statistical changes caused by the war, including the improvement and development of various nations' militaries:
Spoiler :

Arabian Empire: +1 Army Quality
Argentina: +1 Navy Quality
Brazil: +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality
Colombia: +1 Army Quality
Georgia: +1 Army Quality
Hungary: +1 Army Quality
Kurdistan: +1 Army Quality
Mayan Republic: +1 Navy Quality
Occitania: +1 Army Quality
Paraguay: +1 Army Quality
Persia: +1 Army Quality
Peru: +1 Navy Quality
Poland: +1 Army Quality
Portugal: +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality
Russia: +1 Army Quality
Spain: +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality
United Kingdom of Great Britain: +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality
United States of America: +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality
Uruguay: +1 Army Quality


SPECIAL: The Treaty of Tuileries​

THE FALL OF EUROPEAN CHINA. Peking, Japan. The year began with fighting continuing as the Japanese and French clashed in the north and the British and Dutch struggled together in the south. The fighting was fairly one-sided, as the British continued their advance against the Dutch, overwhelming them through sheer numbers. In the north, the Japanese were forced further back by the French, though the fighting soon stalemated between the two. The signing of the Treaty of Tuileries turned over most of European China officially to the Japanese, including the possessions of the Franco-Burgundian Confederation, Scandinavia, Denmark, and the Netherlands. This has also included the same nations' remaining possessions in Korea, where applicable. The Japanese Empire has plainly reached new heights with the conquest of China and the rest of Korea, though the Portuguese and Spanish colonies have yet to be decided. The occupation of Dutch China has led to a mass migration, as a large number of loyal Chinese and European residents migrate to the Netherlands itself, or to prepared places within the Dutch East Indies, which had been vacated by the invading British and Japanese forces.
Casualty Lists
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 8 Infantry Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades
Netherlands: 4 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades
Japan: 10 Infantry Brigades, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades
United Kingdom of Great Britain: 2 Conscript Brigades, 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade

BRANDENBURG ABSORBS SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. Hamburg, Brandenburg. The fighting in Brandenburg stayed stalemated in the trenches between both the Allies and the Continental Powers for the first few months before the ceasefire. Hungarian forces were already being withdrawn to fight on the eastern front, so most of the fighting took place as Brandenburg's army took up the defenses. The ceasefire came quickly and the treaty signed resulted in the withdrawal of the Continental Powers' forces from Brandenburg. The Brandenburgers have been recognized for their annexation of Schleswig-Holstein and immediately disputes emerged over the provinces south of Flensburg. A plebiscite was monitored by the Confederation which helped preserve the stability of the voting. The border would be set only a little ways north of Kiel, as the Danish majorities of the area voted to remain within the Danish empire.
Casualty Lists
Brandenburg: 17 Conscript Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades
Hungary: 3 Infantry Brigades
Serbia: 5 Infantry Brigades
Denmark: 4 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: 12 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Netherlands: 4 Conscript Brigades
Scandinavia: 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade

TREATY FORCES CONTINENTAL NEUTRALITY AND REPARATIONS. Paris, Franco-Burgundian Confederation. The Treaty of Tuileries has forced a major political stance upon Scandinavia and the Triple Alliance. The treaty expresses forbids meddling in a number of different theaters, dramatically reducing what many would have considered their pre-war areas of influence. This has included a pledge not to interfere in any Allied actions against Austria, Pomerania, or the successor states to the Roman Empire. The Triple Alliance and Scandinavia has also pledged to be neutral in the ongoing wars in Italy, remaining out of that peninsula's troubles. The defeated states have also pledged to remain neutral in the continuing Great War, as Russia, Spain, and a few other nations continue to fight on against the allies. To pile upon the woes of the Continental Powers, a mostly superficial amount of reparations has been demanded from the losing nations. Fortunately, the amount is more than payable within a nation's income, so it's unlikely the fiscal effects will be too damaging.

AFRICA RESTORED. Cape Town, United Kingdom of Great Britain. Despite a good portion of the war being fought over the Dark Continent, the African borders differ only slightly from their status before the Great War began. The British, Dutch, Scandinavians and French have all had their various colonies restored to their control, and the bureaucracies have begun managing their empires once more. A single change has been made to the maps of Africa, as a new and surprising colonial power enters the scene. The Argentines have taken up the administration of the formerly Danish colony of Oranjien, which has been met by a great lack of enthusiasm. The entire population is either directly hostile to the new Argentine government or activity is preparing to blow up Argentine possessions. Most observers believe that Tibet could more efficiently manage a colony in Europe than the Argentines will be able to manage Oranjien.

DUTCH REGAIN EAST, BUT LOSE WEST INDIES. Jakarta, Netherlands. As a key part of the treaty, Japanese and British forces withdrew from the Dutch East Indies, turning over the large amount of islands captured back to their Dutch overlords. The move has been significant consolation to the Dutch people, maintaining their status as a somewhat relevant regional and colonial power in Europe. Despite keeping the East Indies and their colonies in India and Africa, the Dutch have not left the war unscathed. They were forced to cede the West Indies to the United States of America and Venezuela. This has generated a substantial dispute among the Allies, as the occupied islands were annexed by both respective nations, securing new possessions for both powers. Brazil disputed this arrangement, claiming that Barbados is rightfully theirs. Venezuela has refused to turn over control of the island, claiming that the island is theirs due to the blood shed in the capture of the island from its previous Dutch owners.

SPECIAL: The Great War​

GUERILLAS WIN VICTORIES IN AZTLAN. Tenochtitlan, occupied Spain. The Mayans and American forces in the occupied Spanish colony of Aztlan have begun facing down increasing numbers of efficient guerilla attacks upon their territories. The core of this guerilla movement is the former Spanish garrison, which has spent the greater part of last year establishing strongholds and preparing for just such a war. They have also worked to gain the support of the populace, which has proven to be greatly anti-American, though less enthusiastic to fight the Mayans. The fighting has raged a larger level this year, as the Aztec guerillas master a level of hit and run attacks which have inflicted heavy casualties upon the occupiers. The Aztecs and Spanish have united at last in this battle, as they struggle to throw out the invading forces through attrition.
Casualty Lists
Mayan Republic: 2 Infantry Brigades
United States of America: 3 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade

ATLANTIC ISLAND CAMPAIGN. Lisbon, Portugal. In order to consolidate Allied control on the Atlantic Ocean, and with the majority of the Continental Powers out of the conflict, the British have led a united effort to claim the islands of the eastern Atlantic. The devastation of the Continental navy last year has really only left the Spanish fleet as a possible challenger to Allied naval dominance. Throughout most of the year, the Spanish chose to stay away from engagements with the Allies, and the British were able to quickly seize the Azores, the Canary Islands, and the Cape Verde Islands. The islands had long since been abandoned by the Spanish and Portuguese armies and navies, allowing them to be easily captured by the British fleet and soldiers. With the ease of this campaign, the British soon turned their guns upon the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal. Coastal forts were targeted and during the campaign that lasted much of the year, including prolonged naval sieges and exchanges with heavy land based cannon, they managed to wreck devastation, though they found that the Continentals more often than not, quickly cleared the rubble and reactivated the cannon of each fort. Throughout the process a number of Allied vessels were sunk by the land-based heavy guns, including two capital ships and an assortment of various types of cruisers and a few odd destroyers. Unwilling to bear the costs of the Allied attacks, and heartened by the successes of land-based artillery, the Spanish chose to move to engage the combined Allied fleet. They had some immediate success, as their new battlecruisers devastated the destroyer screens sent out by the Allies. They soon engaged the Allied battlecruisers near Lisbon, and the fighting became quickly intense, as the Peruvian flagship, the strongest of the fleet, was the first to arrive. This massive battleship, one of the Allied first of the Maryland-class, proved a formidable match, and held off against the Spanish ships until the arrival of the rest of the fleet, just as it at last suffered a fatal blow. The battle soon became a slogging match, and dragged out over the course of a day, at the end of which both fleets slowly withdrew. By the end of the battle there were no clear victors, though it seems that more Allied ships were lost instead of Spanish. The Allies were forced to pull back from their raiding, to Britain for repairs. The battered Spanish sailed south, to engage yet another enemy off the coast of Morocco.
Casualty Lists
Argentina: 5 Trovão-class Destroyers, 1 Lioness-class Battlecruiser
Brazil: 1 Trovão-class Destroyer, 1 Early Light Cruiser, 1 Resiliência-class Battleship
Mayan Republic: 7 Early Destroyers, 2 Early Light Cruisers
Peru: 4 Zygmunt-class Destroyers, 1 Lioness-class Battlecruiser, 1 Maryland-class Battleship
United Kingdom of Great Britain: 4 Trovão-class Destroyers, 3 Chościsko-class Light Cruisers, 2 Lioness-class Battlecruisers, 1 Summit-class Battleship, 1 Olympus-class Battleship
United States of America: 1 Zygmunt-class Destroyer, 1 Early Light Cruiser, 1 Virginia-class Battleship
Portugal: 1 Artillery Brigade, 1 Dragoa-class Destroyer
Spain: 2 Artillery Brigades, 2 Romanos-class Destroyers, 7 Vigilant-class Destroyers, 2 Early Light Cruisers, 1 Eendracht-class Heavy Cruiser, 2 Chasseur-class Battlecruisers, 2 Hercules-class Battleships, 1 Conquistador-class Battleship

OFFENSIVE IN OCCITANIA. Barcelona, Spain. The Spanish surprised Occitanian forces this year with an offensive through the Pyrenees Mountains. The Legion Hispania would lead the way, successfully wiping out the Occitanian artillery behind the passes, while devastating the forces sent to contain them. The Legions also managed to seize control of the main passes, devastating and forcing the surrender of garrisons far larger than their own force. With control of the passes, the back door into Occitania was swung wide open. The main advance came along the coast, as the Spanish forces drove straight upon Toulouse, hoping to make a decisive capture of the enemy capital. This drive would be stopped firmly by the arrival of Occitanian reinforcements, holding back the Spanish advance, stopping them from reaching the city. The year would end with a final desperate push by the Spanish and Portuguese, driving the Occitanians back on all fronts, eventually placing Toulouse under the sustained fire of artillery as their armies retreated under the Spanish hammer blows.
Casualty Lists
Occitania: 13 Conscript Brigades, 28 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 21 Artillery Brigades
Portugal: 7 Conscript Brigades, 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade
Spain: 12 Conscript Brigades, 37 Infantry Brigades, 1 Legion Hispania, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 9 Artillery Brigades

INVASION OF MADAGASCAR. Cape Town, United Kingdom of Great Britain. The end of the fighting against the Triple Alliance and Scandinavia has freed up a substantial number of forces in Africa for the Allied cause. The British have exploited this with their own new effort to claim the great island of Madagascar from the Spanish. Long under Spanish control, the island has been one of the quietest and calmed colonies of the empire. The garrisons of the island, however, were spread out across the land and incapable of meeting the British invasion to come on the beaches. Therefore the British quickly established a beachhead and brought in substantial forces from South Africa. The Spanish, with well prepared arsenals and armories were not ready to give up without a fight, and proved a momentary challenge for the larger British force. After sustained heavy fighting south of Antananarivo, the Spanish forces at last surrendered, giving control of the island to the British, though a few smaller skirmishes would still be fought in the northern part of the island with Spanish cavalry.
Casualty Lists
Spain: 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade
United Kingdom of Great Britain: 3 Infantry Brigades

THE PERSIAN FRONT. Baghdad, Arabian Empire. The fighting between the Arabs and Persians remained in a state of stalemate for most of the year, as vicious trench warfare in the south continued. The Persians maintained frequent raids across the border using special forces and cavalry to maraud and pillage throughout the region between the Tigris and Euphrates. The new special forces inflicted a heavy toll upon Arabic cavalry patrols attempting to contain the raids, and they carried on throughout the whole year with their efforts to sabotage Arabian supply lines. The Kurds were the first to launch an offensive in the region this year, sending a massive amount of troops towards the city of Tabriz. They managed to take the city, as most of the Persian troops remained engaged in the south, particularly when later in the year, the Arabs launched their own attack. The Arabic attack hinged on the new weapon code-named the "barrel" by its American designers. The device proved surprisingly effective at first, but sandy conditions and enemy artillery would quickly prove the barrel's undoing. The barrels were slowed in the sands and mud of the trenches, and would be zeroed upon by Persian artillery. The follow up attacks by Arabic infantry were bloodily repulsed by the Persians, who managed to drive them back towards the border.
Casualty Lists
Arabian Empire: 18 Conscript Brigades, 11 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 12 Artillery Brigades, 1 M1 "Washington" Barrel Brigade
Kurdistan: 8 Conscript Brigades, 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Persia: 10 Conscript Brigades, 12 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 6 Artillery Brigades

THE SINAI FRONT. Cairo, Spain. The fighting in Egypt and the Holy Land took a dramatic turn this year, as the Arabian armies would be supported by a number of expeditionary forces from South America. Arriving to the region to at last take the fight of liberation to Spain's home turf in the Old World, these New World nations have sent substantial forces to help the Arabs push the Spanish back. Though there have been considerable religious tensions between the South Americans and Arabians, they have put them aside to work together for a common cause in the Great War. The combined Allied army eventually assembled considerable forces, including Arabian barrels to launch a major offensive against the Spanish positions. As on the Persian front, the Arabian barrels quickly became bogged down and were destroyed by Spanish artillery fire. Despite wave after wave of attacks, the Spanish forces held, inflicting extremely one-sided casualties upon the enemy army, while the Legion Hispania played merry hell with the Allied forces behind the lines. At the end of the year, Spanish forces held firm, while the Allied expeditionary forces were devastated by the far superior Spanish soldiers and positions.
Casualty Lists
Arabian Empire: 9 Conscript Brigades, 5 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades, 1 M1 "Washington" Barrel Brigade
Argentina: 2 Infantry Brigades
Brazil: 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade
Colombia: 10 Conscript Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 2 Artillery Brigades
Paraguay: 9 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Uruguay: 3 Conscript Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Spain: 12 Conscript Brigades, 6 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 3 Artillery Brigades

HUNGARY LAUNCHES OFFENSIVE. Lvov, Poland. The Hungarians would strike the first blow on the eastern front this year with an offensive of their own in the spring. The attacks were preceded by special forces operations attempting to neutralize the Russian artillery and emplaced positions along the Dniester River. The Hungarian special forces were unfortunately found out and utterly destroyed by the Russian army, and they mostly failed in their attempts to sabotage or destroy Russian heavy artillery facing towards the river. The result would be an attempt by Allied artillery to defeat the Russian guns traditionally, through duels and heavy bombardment. This proved reasonably successful, though the Russians inflicted more damage than anyone thought would be possible, and managed to maintain a substantial reserve even after the bombardments, pulled back out of range of Hungarian guns. The Hungarians followed this success with a bombardment upon Russian lines along the river and would launch a series of crossings, all of which would come under devastating machine gun and artillery fire. By sheer miracle, all five of the attempted crossings were successful, pushing the Russians off the river, though they suffered heavy casualties of their own. The bridgeheads established remained under sporadic fire, but the Hungarians soon launched the next stage of their offensive. This included an even larger river crossing and a full offensive from Poland upon the Russian lines' flank. The crossing would be mercilessly slaughtered, with very few survivors managing to retreat from the bridgehead. The overland crossing had significantly more success and after a brutal battle, the Russians were forced to abandoned their positions on the north bank of the Dniester. Key in the victory was the use of the new American-designed "barrels" which managed to rout a number of Russian forces, which proved incapable of stopping the armored contraptions. The war soon became one of mobility and maneuver, leading to a major clash near the city of Odessa, as the main Hungarian and Russian armies fought in epic battle. The fight became a slog of attrition, as the Russians entrenched anew, and the Hungarians struggled to outflank them. The Hungarians were incapable of further advances, and mechanical problems caused the failure of any further use of the American barrels. Eventually Odessa was taken by the Hungarians, but the Russians remained firmly entrenched, holding back the advance, until the main Russian attacks were launched later in the year.
Casualty Lists
Hungary: 85 Conscript Brigades, 141 Infantry Brigades, 1 Királyi Gárda Brigade, 15 Cavalry Brigades, 14 Artillery Brigades, 1 M1 "Washington" Barrel Brigade
Serbia: 4 Artillery Brigades
Russia: 136 Conscript Brigades, 21 Infantry Brigades, 18 Cavalry Brigades, 17 Artillery Brigades
 
THE INDOCHINA FRONT. Rangoon, United Kingdom of Great Britain. As the British reinforced themselves with forces from the Chinese theater, the Spanish were given time to analyze their position in Indochina. It was determined that that army was severely exposed in the center of British Indochina, and the Spanish stealthily redeployed their forces along the Ganges River, leaving behind only scattered volunteer rear guards to slow the British. The British remained unaware of this development until they began their push west, and the volunteers cost them surprisingly large amounts of time and troops, until they eventually hit Spanish prepared positions along the southern Ganges River. To the surprise of even the Spanish, the British attack across the Ganges was devastated, and the forces slaughtered in their crossing by the deadly accurate Spanish artillery corps. The Spanish further took a major toll upon British guns, and have so far managed to preserve control of the territory west of the Ganges.
Casualty Lists
Spain: 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade
United Kingdom of Great Britain: 10 Conscript Brigades, 4 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 3 Artillery Brigades

THE GEORGIA FRONT. Maykop, Russia. The fighting in Georgia has mostly remained in the harsh mountains, as Polish special forces continue to move like ghosts against the Russian rear forces. They have successfully sabotaged artillery, blown passes, and wiped out whole regiments through cunning and surprise. The Poles have greatly helped in making the Russian advance this year costly, as they attempted to push further south into Georgia. Eventually though, the Russians managed to surround the Poles with nearly ten times their forces, and slowly destroy the Polish expedition, with heavy casualties. The Georgians have fought hard, even after their ally's defeat in the mountains. The Russians have found it slow going in their push towards Tiflis, continuing to be badly bled in their advance. Sheer numbers have led to at least a moderate amount of territory gained, though more costly than the Russian commanders had anticipated. The Georgians, running low on guns and armed soldiers have been forced back through the mountains and now fight a desperate defense of Tiflis itself.
Casualty Lists
Georgia: 22 Conscript Brigades, 10 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 9 Artillery Brigades
Poland: 1 Wojownicy Zimowe Brigade
Russia: 110 Conscript Brigades, 36 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 14 Artillery Brigades

THE POLISH FRONT. Danzig, Poland. The fighting for Poland began with a major defeat for the Polish cause. The Polish special forces were betrayed by one of their own to the Russians for a large sum of money, and the Russian army anticipated their attempts to infiltrate behind the lines. The result was mass slaughter as the finest troops of the Polish army were destroyed by Russian forces. This disaster was compounded with the start of the Russian offensive. Outnumbered and still awaiting the arrival of British and American reinforcements, the main Russian armies crashed into the strongholds which had held them last year. Through overwhelming numbers, the Russians broke the Allied lines, and captured the key defenses that the British have used to plague them since the start of the war. Polish cavalry attempted to contain the breakthroughs, and were promptly mowed down and slaughtered by Russian machines guns. As the Russians poured across the Polish fields, the next major fight would be as the British and Americans hoped to rally the Poles at the battle for Bialystok. They employed barrels along the eastern frontier en masse, but by this point, the Russians were amply prepared, using artillery and grenades to destroy the vehicles when they inevitably broke down or ran out of gas. Regardless, heavy casualties were inflicted, but the Americans and British were forced to retreat, simply running out of ammunition as wave after wave of Russian soldier charged towards them. This victory effectively secured most of eastern Prussia, as the remnants of the American and British expeditions desperately dug in around the city of Danzig. With Poland's allies neutralized, the Russians would turn to one last battle, attempting to take the key industrial and economic center of Warsaw, which would devastate what remained of Polish production and strength. The Russians, ably commanded, engaged the Polish army, who's commander foolishly left his flank exposed. The Russians, barely, believing their luck, turned what could have been the start of more exacerbated trench combat, into a massive defeat of the Polish army in open battle. With the threat of being surrounded and destroyed in Warsaw apparent, the Polish army withdrew in what quickly became a rout towards Krakow. With only a few months left in the year, the Russians regrouped, and prepared themselves for a major assault to turn back the Hungarian invasion in the south.
Casualty Lists
Poland: 31 Conscript Brigades, 102 Infantry Brigades, 29 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Wojownicy Zimowe Brigade, 35 Artillery Brigades, 2 M1 "Washington" Barrel Brigades
United Kingdom of Great Britain: 66 Infantry Brigades, 12 Artillery Brigades
United States of America: 8 Conscript Brigades, 14 Infantry Brigades, 5 Cavalry Brigades, 4 Artillery Brigades, 3 M1 "Washington" Barrel Brigades
Russia: 331 Conscript Brigades, 91 Infantry Brigades, 17 Cavalry Brigades, 17 Artillery Brigades

RUSSIAN COUNTERATTACK AGAINST HUNGARY. Kiev, Russia. The defeat and rout of the Allied armies in Poland has allowed even greater flexibility to the Russian armies in the south. As the roads turn to mud through the rain and first snows of winter, the Russians struck south, to defeat the Hungarians and advance to the Dniester River once more. With most of their armies scrambling to defend Danzig and Krakow, the Poles were able to put up only a limited amount of resistance as the Russians descended upon the Hungarians' northern flank. This proved disastrous for the Hungarians, still locked in combat around Odessa, and they were forced to shift a large number of troops back to the Dniester from the former front line. The Hungarians could not arrive quickly enough and the Russians drove back their flank and managed to establish bridge heads across the northern bends of the Dniester River. Reinforced Russian counterattacks upon Odessa were less successful, as the entrenched Hungarians managed to repulse the assaults with great difficulty.
Casualty Lists
Hungary: 10 Conscript Brigades, 29 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades
Poland: 6 Infantry Brigades, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 5 Artillery Brigades
Serbia: 7 Artillery Brigades
Russia: 58 Conscript Brigades, 6 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 7 Artillery Brigades

ATTACK UPON MOROCCO. Casablanca, Spain. The attacks upon Iberia's coast were not the last offensives to be launched by the Allies in the Atlantic Ocean. The Brazilian navy and army launched a fairly unilateral attack upon Spanish North Africa, hoping to open yet another new front on the Spanish empire. The Brazilians landed near the town of Safi, and the Spanish immediately began launching their plans of defense and counterattack. The Brazilians were thoroughly bogged down, facing an only slightly smaller Spanish force, which managed to pen in their army around the port town. The fighting was at a stalemate, as the Spanish lacked the ability to actually destroy the beachhead, and the British lacked the ability to break out. A significant turning of the tide would take place as the Spanish fleet, battered and bruised, sailed from the Battle of Lisbon to engage the Brazilian Home Fleet supporting the invasion. The battle proved to be desperate as the Brazilians used their new Maryland-class flagship to hold far longer than any might of suspected and dealing substantial damage. Regardless, by the end of the battle, it was a clear victory, with the Brazilian battleship sinking to the depths under heavy fire. The Brazilian fleet was broke with this defeat and scattered into the Atlantic, eventually fighting their ways home through many skirmishes. The defeat at sea and the destruction of a supply convoy proved too much for the Brazilian forces in Morocco. With ammunition running short, the Spanish ultimately broke through the Brazilian lines, and managed to retake Safi, destroying the Brazilian invasion.
Casualty Lists
Brazil: 12 Infantry Brigades, 6 Artillery Brigades, 10 Trovão-class Destroyers, 1 Early Light Cruiser, 1 Early Heavy Cruiser, 1 Lioness-class Battlecruiser, 1 Maryland-class Battleship
Spain: 3 Infantry Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades, 3 Numancia-class Destroyers, 7 Vigilant-class Destroyers, 2 Eendracht-class Heavy Cruisers, 2 Chasseur-class Battlecruisers

News from Europe​

BRAZILIAN FLU SPREADS IN EASTERN EUROPE. Sofia, Bulgaria. Eastern Europe remained fairly unaffected by the epidemic of the so-called "Brazilian Flu" which ravaged its way through Western Europe earlier in the century. The vast movements of troops from the west to the east to fight the Russian hordes in the Great War has led to a change in this status. This particular strain of influenza has been brought east predominantly by Hungarian and Serbian soldiers who contracted it during their time in the trenches in Brandenburg. Other sources include the British and American expeditionary forces that have begun making their presence known on the Polish front. From Hungary and Serbia, the influenza has spread heavily into the shattered remnants of the Roman Empire, striking particularly heavily in Bulgaria and Greece. Reports have also been made of the spread throughout Russia, but have been difficult to determine as the International Health Organization is kept off the front lines and out of Russian territory. As before, below is a listing of losses caused by the epidemic:
Spoiler :

Austria: -4 Manpower
Brandenburg: -5 Manpower
Bulgaria: -11 Manpower
Hungary: -22 Manpower
Poland: -14 Manpower
Roman Empire: -23 Manpower
Russia: -33 Manpower
Serbia: -12 Manpower


GERMAN BROTHERHOOD LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN IN CONFEDERATION. Cologne, Franco-Burgundian Confederation. The nation's effective acknowledgement of defeat in the Great War has led to quite a few bitter groups throughout the Franco-Burgundian Confederation. The German Brotherhood has exploited this, at last gaining a true foothold in Confederate territories. The Brotherhood has claimed that the Great War has demonstrated the political and military weakness of the Confederation's government, while showing the superiority of what a German nation could accomplish. In the wake of the dissatisfaction of the war, many who otherwise would have laughed and ignored the clear propaganda have instead turned a thoughtful ear towards them. The German Brotherhood has clearly begun growing rapidly in support throughout the eastern Burgundian provinces, among the Germanic population. The result has been growing ethnic tensions between the local French and German citizens of the Confederation, even between once peaceful neighbors. (-1 Stability)

ITALIAN REVOLUTION DEPOSES KING OF MILAN. Milan, Italian Republic. Recent conscription and the war with the newfound Italian Republic led to a dramatically severe situation in the tottering kingdom of Milan. Anger and low morale on the Ticino River front line turned into mutiny, as the newly conscripted soldiers refused to wage an offensive war on other Italians. Order and discipline quickly collapsed along the whole of the front, as soldiers turned their weapons upon each other. After several weeks of chaotic fighting, with most of the aristocratic officer corps dead, the rowdy remnants of the army had either deserted or become casualties. The result was a major disorderly mob of former conscripts marching upon Milan itself and demanding to join the Italian Republic. The mob would engage in a bloody conflict in the outskirts of the city with what was left of the Royal Guard, and the fighting would take them all the way to the palace, where they found that King Giovanni II had already fled. The fall of the government would lead to several chaotic months, and the Italian Republic's forces eventually restored order to the chaos, establish the region as a part of their newly growing nation. (-8 Conscript Brigades, -21 Infantry Brigades, -5 Cavalry Brigades, -7 Artillery Brigades; +1 Stability for the Italian Republic)

SARDINIAN INTELLECTUALS MAKE DECLARATION. Cagliari, Sardinia. The issue of Italian nationalism and the creation of an Italian nation has been at the top of many of the greatest minds in the region. Due to Sardinia's ongoing involvement in the wars upon the peninsula, the main thinkers and scholars of the island nation entered into dispute about Sardinia's place in the nationalist cause, if there indeed even was a place for them. The agreements proved to be surprisingly unanimous. The people at the conference pointed out that independent Sardinia has proven its strength against even stronger powers, carving out their own colonial empire over the course of the nineteenth century. Sardinia as an Italian state has been thoroughly rejected by the intellectual elite of the nation, and it seems to many that this declaration has echoed the thoughts of the people. This has been demonstrated as agitators calling for an Italian nation from the mainland have been frequently turned in to authorities, preventing their troublemaking from disrupting business. (+1 Stability)

DEATH OF THE KING OF CORSICA. Ajaccio, Corsica. The peaceful kingdom of Corsica mourned the loss of its protector this year, with the death of King Pasquale. King Pasquale has ruled Corsica since his father died in 1861, and has overseen over forty years of peace and relative prosperity for the small island nation. The Corsican government has seen very little change in the past forty years, despite the ongoing problems with labor and economic concerns. King Pasquale preserved good relations with Sardinia and the nations of continent, keeping Corsica isolated and neutral from the affairs of Europe. Despite this, the late king has preserved absolute control over the nation until his dying day, turning over control to his son, the newly crowned King Sampiero III. The new king is known to be of a more moderate ideology, and there are considerable hopes that his rise to power will mean a dawn of a more free and democratic Corsican society. (+1 Stability)

POLITICAL TURMOIL AMID DUTCH ELECTIONS. Amsterdam, Netherlands. The end of the Great War has brought with it extreme political turmoil to the Republic of the Netherlands. The reigning Party of Freedom has faced major backlash during the election campaigns this year, as the party has utterly collapsed, gaining most of the blame for losing the war. The most conservative members of the party have broken away, establishing the new National Party of the Republic, a nationalist group playing off the discontent with the resolution of the Dutch role in the war. The Party of Freedom quickly fell apart, leaving behind only a few members left in the legislature. The collapse of the reigning party led to chaos in the political system as the control of the position of Stadtholder opened to virtually any political group. The greatest issue has been forces against the corruption and failures of the Triple Alliance and virtually all past domestic and foreign policies. Therefore, lobbying upon a platform of political isolation, redevelopment, and social responsibility, the Socialist Party managed to secure the position of Stadtholder through the popular vote. Unfortunately they were unable to secure the majority in the legislature which has become heavily divided between a wild assortment of political parties. (-1 Stability)

SPANISH ELECTIONS. Madrid, Spain. The Great War rages onward and Spanish politics revolve around it, as the people of Spain now fight virtually alone, with only Russia and a few scattered allies. Despite the setbacks the war has given the Spanish people, a hardy determination remains on the home front, as the people remember their history of thoroughly smashing their nation's enemies over the centuries. The Comunión Tradicional Española continues to build upon the support of the population, which still hungers for a victory over the treacherous Allied powers. Heartening stories of success on the battlefield further reinforced their determination to fight the raging global conflict. The conservative leaders have regained power, though they did lose a little bit of minor ground to a disillusioned few who feel that the war could be unwinnable.

BRITISH ELECTIONS. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain. As with so many other nations, the Great War became the focus of British politics this year, and the Labour Party began advocating the end of the war as part of a political platform. This proved to be a risky bid in politics, as the Union Jack Party continues to advocate the war and the humiliation of the ancient Spanish enemy. The Labour Party has managed to gain some ground though, becoming the official part of the opposition to the Union Jacks, further advocating a number of imperial and domestic reforms to society. The Union Jacks still control the majority in Parliament, as the British population supports the ongoing conflict. The withdrawal of the Triple Alliance and Scandinavia from the war has seemed to show the shift in the conflict to Britain's favor. To that end, the British people have turned out in full support for the war and the Union Jacks. (+1 Stability)

PAPAL-NAPLES WAR. Rome, Papal States. The fighting in the Italian Peninsula has declined since the cease fire between Sardinia and Naples, as well as Austria's effective withdrawal from the conflict. Regardless the fighting between the forces of the Papacy and Naples has continued unabated, even with Austria no longer actively participating after their defeats last year. The war began very badly for the Papacy as an attempt to outflank Neapolitan lines via the sea turned into a massacre. The outflanking force was spotted and as they landed, they came under immense artillery and machine gun fire, slaughtering the invaders. The Neapolitans stayed well out of range of naval cannon, while constantly pouring more fire into the amphibious force. The Papal troops were ultimately forced to surrender, devastating their invasion and handing the Neapolitans an easy victory over the Pope's armies. On the traditional front, the Papacy's armies attempted an offensive to push back, with the cavalry once more attempting to lead the way by cutting supply lines. Thus ended the Papal Cavalry Corps, slaughtered easily by the Neapolitan cavalry, outnumbered and outgunned. The traditional attacks proved more difficult, and though the Neapolitan artillery was decimated by the far larger Papal artillery corps, the artillery proved incapable of shattered the defensive positions of the main Neapolitan army. As Papal troops went forward, they were mowed down by the Neapolitan infantry, and unable to breach the lines. The Neapolitans attempted counter attacks at the now-smaller Papal forces, and they were also bloodily repulsed in the trenches by the Pope's armies with heavy casualties on both sides, mostly due to their complete lack of artillery after the previous assault by the Pope.
Casualty Lists
Naples: 36 Infantry Brigades, 10 Cavalry Brigades, 7 Artillery Brigades
Papal States: 4 Conscript Brigades, 60 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 5 Artillery Brigades

SARDINIAN-REPUBLICAN WAR. Genoa, Italian Republic. While the fighting rages still further to the south, the Sardinians have remained locked in battle against the newly formed Italian Republic, which has been strengthened by the collapse of the government in Milan. Regardless, earlier in the year, before the collapse of the Milanese government, the Italians continued to preserve a force along the Ticino River. Fortunately, the collapse of Milan's army would come before the Sardinians were prepared for their offensive, resulting in only minor skirmishing along the front west of Genoa earlier in the year. The Italians would rush nearly the whole of their army to hold back the Sardinian threat, entrenching and preparing for the offensive everyone knew was coming. Through sheer force and the support of naval artillery, the Sardinians would push back the Italian lines, with heavy casualties on both sides. The fighting would actually drag into Genoa itself, as the Italian defenders began using the buildings as strongholds and the fight increasingly became a confusing melee. The city was devastated by artillery fire from both sides, but after nearly five months of fighting by Christmas, over ninety-five percent of the city was in Sardinian hands and thoroughly wrecked, and with it, half of the former kingdom of Genoa.
Casualty Lists
Italian Republic: 18 Conscript Brigades, 6 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 8 Artillery Brigades
Sardinia: 31 Conscript Brigades, 6 Infantry Brigades, 3 Cavalry Brigades, 6 Artillery Brigades

LACK OF SECRET POLICE ENCOURAGES UPRISING IN SERBIA. Belgrade, Serbia. The Serbian monarchy authorized a major reduction in government spending this year, as they shut down most of the nation's secret police through budget cuts. The result has been the creation of a great opportunity for Serbia's oppressed dissidents, especially as some are released or escaped from former secret police facilities. The anti-Hungarian pan-Slavic movement, which has been growing in Serbia for decades, has proven that it possesses the resources to wage an uprising against the Serbian monarchy. Declaring the nation free of Hungarian influences at last, barricades were constructed and a number of government buildings were seized in the center of Belgrade. The headquarters of the hated secret police was stormed, and those captured there were viciously executed, hung from lampposts throughout the city. The return of Serbian troops from Brandenburg proved enough to end of the uprising, attacking and retaking the barricades, though with surprisingly heavy casualties. Below Photograph is of dissatisfied miners before leaving to join the uprising in Belgrade (-2 Infantry Brigades, -1 Stability)

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CONSTITUTION RESTORED IN DENMARK. Copenhagen, Denmark. The Danish military government under Lars Jensen assumed power last year with the promise of winning the war against Brandenburg and its allies. The Treaty of Tuileries was seen as a betrayal of this promise, both by the military government and Denmark's allies in the Triple Alliance. The anger and outrage led to major protests and the discrediting of the military government, and King Christian IX has stepped in to appease the masses and restore order. Lars Jensen has resigned in utter disgrace from both the army and government, and the king has proclaimed the restoration of the constitution with immediate elections. The Social Democratic Party, despite their involvement in actually conducting Denmark's involvement in the Great War, managed to win the majority. They won on a platform of claiming that they would have won if the military had not interfered with the civilian conduct of the fight. They have further pledged a period of peace and prosperity, to help rebuild the shattered Danish empire and nation. These platforms have given hope to Danes as they struggle to recoup the great losses they suffered in the Great War. (+1 Stability)

HUNGARY ESTABLISHES NEW MILITARY HONOR. Budapest, Hungary. As the fighting raged along the Dniester and later in Odessa, the Hungarian monarchy created the new Királyi Rend, known in English as the Royal Order. The new medal is the highest honor that can be granted to soldiers for heroism and conduct in battle, and King Louis V heard the first appeals for recipients throughout this year. Five dozen elite soldiers, having proven their prowess in battle against the Russian armies, were awarded the medal this year, hoping to encourage others to similar feats of strength. The efforts of individual Hungarian soldiers have been strengthened, as the soldiers struggle to achieve the fame and prestige that comes with victory. On the other hand, there is much apathy, as the soldiers on the front are less than enthusiastic about shiny metal that reveals their positions to snipers on the battlefield.

SCANDINVIA BEGINS PORT REPAIR WORK. Oslo, Scandinavia. The intense damages done by last year's raiding by the British upon Scandinavian harbors along the Norwegian coastline have been the most overt sign of the damages done to Scandinavia in the course of their involvement in the Great War. The Scandinavian government has therefore begun expending enormous effort in repairing the port facilities and creating new modern structures at each of the ports. The government has claimed that this is an essential move for the Scandinavia economy, in order to recover from the devastation the war has caused. The hopes remain that the Scandinavian program will aid in a post-war economic boom, and is slated to be completed within the next two to three years.

RIOTS AMID SCANDINAVIAN POLITICAL TURMOIL. Stockholm, Scandinavia. The end of the Great War and the defeat of Scandinavian arms has sent a major shock throughout the system of Scandinavia's political system. The Industry Party has been greatly discredited and fell apart throughout the course of the year, and new elections were demanded for the Rikstag. The various coalitions in existence have fallen apart and a number of disputing rival parties have emerged, regional and of extremist ideologies, all competing for control. The Industry Party has all but disbanded, leading to the creation of two major successors, the more moderate National Vanguard Party and the Scandinavian Strength Party. The National Vanguard has done very well in gathering some influence from disaffected liberals, while the Scandinavian Strength Party appeals to the more conservative base, calling for the continuation of Industry Party economic policies, while beginning major military reform and buildup. Against these two parties the social proletarist National Labor Initiative has also picked up speed in their campaigns, and the Liberal Party has struggled to once more make its views heard. Heated political debates turned into rioting in Stockholm as the elections neared, resulting in the deaths of thousands as various proponents fought in the streets against each other. No one was prepared to offer a prediction upon who would emerge victorious in the elections, but it was more than obvious that none of the parties were prepared to offer compromise. To the world's surprise most of Scandinavia's leaders have managed to remain in their place with the new Scandinavian Strength Party. They have convinced the people that their economic policies work, while pledging to restore the great strength of the army and navy. They were unable to achieve a majority in the Rikstag, but were able to gather enough other support from conservative and reactionary parties to establish a functioning coalition government. (-4 Manpower, -1 Stability)

NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAM CREATED IN SCANDINAVIA. Stockholm, Scandinavia. The new Scandinavian Strength Party has already launched their first key program in maintaining the strength of the military. The creation of the National Service Program offers soldiers who have been conscripted over the years the opportunity to be given employment until they are probably integrated back into civilian life. The conscripted soldiers have also been given the chance to join the regular military, rather than being immediately demobilized and sent home. The Scandinavian government has pledged that they will remain forever a supporter of the army, and have stated that this program is the first of many to maintain and develop the great power of the Scandinavian military.
 
POMERANIA NATIONALIZES HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. Stettin, Pomerania. The social proletarist government of Pomerania has taken another step towards creating the idyllic workers' paradise promised by the tenets of proletarism. After the success of the plan to create functioning pensions for all the workers of the nation, the next step has been to nationalize the various hospitals and clinics established throughout the nation and provide government financial support for them. The program has proven to be immensely popular, providing a level of health care in the nation which had never previously existed. The government has also announced intent to expand the capacities and abilities of the health care program to treat and monitor the nation's population. They have welcomed representatives of the International Health Organization to help contain and monitor infectious diseases spreading through the region.

News from the Americas​

REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED IN CHILE. Santiago, Chile. After nearly twenty years of various military and absolutist regimes, General Dominic Rodriguez has led the liberation of Chile and the establishment of a new republic. Full power has been granted to an elected legislature, which is to represent all the provinces of Chile and the will of the people. The republic was established once more this year, as a pledge of democracy has been at last fulfilled for the first time since 1891. There was only one real party formed this year, led by General Rodriguez, who campaigned as the father of modern Chile. Due to his popularity, he has clearly dominated the nation's politics, establishing a moderate approach to governance, despite his own liberal leanings. The newly formed New Dawn Party for Chile has pledged to maintain prosperity and to stabilize the nation after years of turmoil caused by corrupt regimes. (+1 Stability)

VIOLENT STRIKES PARALYZE JAMAICA. Kingston, Jamaica. The plantations of Jamaica suffered through a labor strike this year, as the laborers in the field demanded higher pay and regulations upon work hours. The result was a massive series of strikes, which led to the complete closure of Jamaica's key economic plantations of all varieties. The Jamaican economy was brought to a crashing halt, as the government struggled to force terms upon the owners of the businesses. As most owners remain primarily British or Spanish, from out of country, the plantation owners proved difficult to track down and even more difficult to convince of the need of reform. With little success on the front of getting the owners to pass reform of their own, the liberal government in charge took matters into their own hands. New laws were pushed through, forcing an eight hour workday and establishing a higher minimum wage for all field workers in the island nation. The strikers met the announcement with rejoicing, marking it as a tremendous victory for their cause. (+1 Stability)

ANTI-AMERICAN RIOTS BURN EMBASSY IN BELIZE. Belize, Mayan Republic. The close borders in Aztlan between the Mayans and Americans have led to growing tensions between the two technically Allied nations. The border remains fairly ambiguous and a number of incidents have been reported, barring a formal separation of the formerly Spanish colony. As the activities of Spanish guerillas grow in the southern parts of the colony, and the Americans seem more than happy to let them be, the tensions have turned into burning hatred. When it was reported that an American colonel allowed the release of Spanish soldiers returning from a vicious attack upon a Mayan outpost, the word soon hit the papers in Belize. The growing anger manifested in the form of a mob outside the American embassy in the city, and the crowd grew unruly. The mob eventually overran the guards sent to protect the embassy, and stormed the building. They attacked the embassy staff, killing six, and badly injuring the rest, nearly killing them before the Mayan army arrived to restore order. The crowd was disperse with the first volley of gunfire, and several were killed, but the incident has left increasing distaste towards the socialist government and the nation's relations with the United States of America.

PROLETARISTS LAUNCH UPRISING IN NEW SPAIN. Managua, New Spain. The poor economic standing of New Spain has led to an unsettling development this year, as the nation's rivers would be filled with blood from new civil strife. To the dismay of the republican government, an attempt was launched by a number of proletarist unions which have begun advocating the establishment of a workers' state in New Spain. The worsening financial situation has led to a surge in support, and they marched upon the capital building complex in Managua early in the year. The result was a massacre as jittery government soldiers fired upon the crowd, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people. The situation soon spiraled out of control, and eventually turned into a full blown uprising led by the unions, even bringing some military units to their side. Heavy fighting was immediately reported in Managua, and spread from there across the country. The nation was devastated by the fighting which lasted for nearly seven months before the government was able to crush the last rebellious union stronghold. Though the fighting was vicious and bloody, the macabre positive side of the conflict has been the deaths of the worst proletarist agitators in New Spain. Despite the blood that has been shed, it seems that the government's victory in what amounted to a small civil war should help stabilize the nation overall. (-6 Infantry Brigades, -2 Cavalry Brigades, -2 Artillery Brigades, -20 Manpower, +1 Stability)

AMERICAN UNDERGROUND OPENS FIGHTING IN NORTHEAST USA. Boston, United States of America. The American Underground, which was formally created last year from an amalgamation of resistance groups in the United States of America, launched what could theoretically be determined as an uprising in the American Northeast. The Underground has declared what amounts to an open season upon the government's soldiers and officials through the region and have begun attacking patrols and securing their own strongholds in the region. Due to the size of the area, the rebels have successfully managed to win a number of minor victories, smashing government patrols and assassinating officials working for the Washington regime. The American Underground has even placed bounties upon leading officials, hoping to inspire further acts of resistance against the authoritarian government. Unfortunately, the Underground's successes proved short-lived as the newly formed Bureau of Internal Security has been highly efficient at arresting and neutralizing the members of the Underground's leadership. Despite their occasional victories in the field, the infrastructure that the Underground needs to survive in the cities has been slowly collapsing. Below photograph of damaged homes in the outskirts of Boston (-4 Infantry Brigades, -1 Artillery Brigade, +1 Stability)

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CUBAN ELECTIONS. Havana, Cuba. The Cuban people held their first free and open elections this year after their independence has been achieved from the Spanish Empire. The elections proved to be an unifying event for the people of the island nation, despite different views and ideas upon the future of Cuba. Two key political parties have been established, the liberals have rallied around the newly established Democratic Party which has called for social reform and isolation from foreign politics. The opposition has rallied around the Party of the Republic, which had advocated closer ties with the United States and the development of a strong and effective military for the island nation. The Party of the Republic has proven successful in the elections, and the new president comes from that movement, and has pledged to continue to support the Allied cause in the Great War, while they build up their own strength.

ELECTIONS IN URUGUAY. Montevideo, Uruguay. Elections in Uruguay proved to be a further stabilizing influence as the liberal Party of Order has remained committed to the Allied war effort in the Great War, hoping to help deliver Spain's final comeuppance. They have managed to gain an overwhelming majority in the nation's legislature, especially with the key victory in the treaties with the Triple Alliance and Scandinavia. As Spain stands virtually alone in the Atlantic Ocean against the might of the Allies, the Uruguayan people have celebrated by coming out in immense support for the Party of Order. Very few other political issues would emerge in the process of the elections, and the hopes remain that the political movement will lead Uruguay to even greater victory abroad through their close ties with Brazil and Argentina.

ELECTIONS IN VENEZUELA. Caracas, Venezuela. The Great War has not been as divisive a topic as in other nations, but many in Venezuela feel that with the defeat of the Netherlands and the Triple Alliance, that Venezuela's role in the war is complete. The result has been substantial pressure from the conservative politicians to fall back from the involvement in the war, as Venezuela had never declared war upon Spain or any of their allies still remaining in the conflict. The conservative Democratic Party has pushed heavily upon the liberals, achieving a majority in Congress, though the president from the National Liberal Party was reelected. Facing immense pressure at home on the political front, the new president has found it difficult to maneuver abroad. Hoping to forestall debates and chaos in Congress, the president ordered the withdrawal of the Venezuelan fleet from Britain, and has initiated negotiations to formally end Venezuela's role in the Great war. (-1 Stability)

ELECTIONS IN VINLAND. Nya Stockholm, Vinland. What the Vinlanders know as the Atlantic War has come to an end for the motherland of Scandinavia, but the fallout has gathered surprisingly in Nya Stockholm. A brutal election campaign was waged by the conservative Industry Party against the Social Democratic chancellor, Grim Magnusson. The campaign was based upon the lack of Vinland's involvement in the war against the Allies, and they have taken the current platform that Vinland's inaction under the Magnusson government cost Scandinavia and its friends the war, and perhaps the best chance of Vinland against an oppressive United States of America. The campaign started slow, but as the American Underground began their intensive guerilla attacks in the Northeast, the Vinland Industry Party's newfound platform began to make sense on a wider scale. The Industry Party would manage to gain a slim majority on the basis of their foreign policy alone, pledging to build up Vinland's military security against any offensive threat from the south. Unfortunately they were hard fought, and the politics became quickly bitter, as the Magnusson government possessed a large amount of support for their ambitious domestic policies. (-1 Stability)

BUREAU OF INTERNAL SECURITY ESTABLISHED IN UNITED STATES. Washington D.C., United States of America. The increase of the activities of the American Underground and the establishment of a true American empire across the islands and lands of North and Central America, has caused much concern in Washington about the internal security of the nation. The increase in rebellious activities has therefore been determined to be in dire need of containment. The new Bureau of Internal Security is geared towards the eradication of the various resistance groups that exist in the United States, and the development of the security of the elected regime. The Bureau has achieved some successes over the year, leading to the arrests of several members of the American Underground, and have established headquarters in most key American cities throughout the nation. There has been some turf disputes between American Military Intelligence and the Bureau of Internal Security over official standings in the military districts, leading to a growing rivalry between the two groups.

VINLAND EXPOSITION HELD. Nya Stockholm, Vinland. In an effort to bolster Vinlander and Scandinavian relations with the conclusion of the motherland's involvement in the Great War, Vinland's new Industry Party has sponsored the new Vinland Exposition. Advertised heavily in Scandinavia over much of the year, the doors were opened in late September, hoping to showcase the natural beauty of Vinland. The Vinlanders have brought in wildlife and a massive selection of locally produced arts and photographs for the pleasure of Scandinavian guests. A large number of noted Scandinavians arrived this year, including the royal family, as they were hosted by King Ingvar himself. To the surprise of Vinland, other royal dignitaries from Europe attended as well, some mostly just to leave the shattered conditions of the Old World from the Great War. Some major notables in attendance was the Crown Prince of Denmark, the Vice President of the United States, and several representatives from the royal families of the Franco-Burgundian Confederation.

News from Africa and the Middle East​

TRIBAL UPRISING IN THE KONGO. Boma, Scandinavia. Angered by the exploitative nature of Scandinavia's rule and the ignorant tromping upon local grave sites by the army has sparked a major uprising in the central Kongo. The local natives have begun attacking commercial sites and mines throughout the region, making the interior of the colony a difficult place to travel for any Europeans. The uprising worsened throughout the year, and the army has had immense difficulty in tracking them down, failing to find the communities from which they launch their attacks. This has been made all the more difficult as the army's formerly trusted guides in the region have either led their followers into ambush or simply deserted. The rebels have so far avoided confrontation with the army, as they strive to punish the Scandinavians for their arrogance towards the tribal ways. (-1 Stability)

REVOLT IN ALGIERS. Algiers, Spain. A brutal uprising was launched in Algiers by the local Islamic clergy, fighting against Spanish imperial rule as a part of the proclaimed Sunni jihad. The fighting became intense between the local Christian Spanish population and the more Arabic Islamic population, and street violence escalated as the army struggled to defend the Catholic people in the city from attack. As elaborate barricades were established to block streets and prevent the Spanish from reinforcing their garrison within the city, the fighting became more brutal, as the Muslims fought to the death. Thanks to the skillful use of artillery and the experience of their soldiers, the Spanish eventually managed to break down the barricades and reclaim the city through brute force. In the last days of the fighting, the most charismatic and relentless of the Islamic leaders were either killed or captured by the Spanish army. Those captured were executed, and the Spanish have declared martial law throughout the region. Though the revolt proved costly, the Spanish have managed to silence the most outspoken against them and have broken the back of the most rebellious elements of the area. (-1 Infantry Brigade, +1 Stability)

TURKEY ANNEXED BY KURDISTAN. Konya, Kurdistan. The Treaty of Tuileries did not officially end the Great War between a number of smaller belligerents, but it did inspire other attempts to bring an end to fighting. As Spain seems hopelessly outmatched, the remnants of the Turkish government have travelled to Baghdad to surrender unconditionally to the Allied armies. The occupation has gone well for the Arabs and Kurds, and with the Treaty of Konya, the Turkish guerillas and government have surrendered. The Arabs have since withdrawn from the occupied region, as the territory has been officially annexed to the Kurdish nation. This has been seen as a great boon for Kurdistan, as they claim to be a rising new empire in the Middle East. The Kurdish government has declared curfews and martial law throughout Turkey as they strive to establish a new bureaucracy and regime for the management of the newly annex Turkish provinces. (-1 Stability)

NEGOTIATIONS FALTER IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE. Athens, Roman Empire. The negotiations to determine the new fate of the Roman Empire fell apart this year, as it seems the representatives of the various factions are either deadlocked or apathetic towards the talks. The Roman Imperator has expressed willingness to negotiate, as has the leaders of Bulgaria, but no progress has been made throughout the year. Dissatisfaction with the negotiations has mounted, as the representatives from Chaldia and Opsikion continue to agitate against the creation of any larger federation, ignoring and in despite of the appeals of the Bulgarians. The situation has been exacerbated as nearly all the factions have continued a buildup of their military capacities and remain on high alert. Agitation has mounted, and many believe that before long next year, hostilities will erupt once more throughout the region. (-1 Stability in Bulgaria, Roman Empire, Opsikion, and Chaldia)

News from the Far East​

REVOLT IN SCANDINAVIAN INDIA. Berhampur, Scandinavia. With the conclusion of the Great War for Scandinavia, new problems have come with it. Dissatisfied with growing shortages of food and luxuries caused by the war and the flames from it across the globe, a major riot turned into a small scale revolt in Scandinavian India. The local population, increasingly discontent with Scandinavia's rule over them, turned violent after a riot began when a Scandinavian official ran down a young girl in a busy street in Berhampur. The crowds nearby attacked the official and from there the chaos spiraled out of control, engulfing the whole of the colony's largest city. The army had to be called in to restore order, and they found themselves not only beset by rocks and smaller thrown items, but also under fire from weapons stolen from the town's armories and arsenals. The result was a major bloodbath as the army was forced to restore order block by block, and civilian casualties were heavy. The result has been continuing disorder throughout the colony, as anger against the imperial rule mounts. (-1 Infantry Brigade, -1 Stability)

CONFEDERATION ASSUMES ROLE IN EAST INDIES DEFENSE. Jakarta, Netherlands. The Treaty of Tuileries and Allied victories against Spain have brought peace to the Pacific Ocean, and the Dutch now face a victorious Japan looming to the north. The Dutch, concerned about the security and long-term viability of their defenses in the Pacific Ocean, have allowed the soldiers of the Franco-Burgundian Confederation to assist. The French soldiers, most of whom are veterans of the war against Japan, have been distributed throughout the Dutch East Indies, establishing new garrisons and bases throughout the region to help hold the essential islands. Despite the worsening of relations between the Confederation and the Netherlands in Europe, the people of the East Indies are grateful to see these soldiers, as most remain greatly concerned about the possibility of a renewed Japanese offensive. The Franco-Burgundian soldiers, on the other hand, are less than happy to be there, suffering through diseases and jungle deployment in a colony that they have no personal stake in. Morale is at an all-time low among the French soldiers, who just want to return home, and as a result, crime and corruption has increased throughout the Dutch colonies as the French do what they can to make themselves richer or more comfortable at the expense of the Dutch.

JAPAN AND RUSSIA SIGN PEACE TREATY. Harbin, Japan. At a conference in the city of Harbin, Japanese and Russian officials have brought an end to the lackluster border war which took place over the past few years. Though nominally part of the Great War, fighting in the region remained minimal as both powers fought heavily on other fronts. What most considered to be a phony war came to an end officially this year, with the signing of the peace treaty which set the status of the region back to the pre-war positions for both countries. The treaty has resolved none of the territorial disputes which exist in the Far East between Russia and Japan, but it does seem to be a key stepping stone to establishing a lasting peace between what most of the world regards as the rising two economic and political powers.

Financial Section​

TRIPLE ALLIANCE PAYS REPARATIONS. Amsterdam, Netherlands. To the surprise of many, the nations of the Triple Alliance have paid off their reparations, sending substantial wealth and funds to the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The Netherlands, the Franco-Burgundian Confederation, and Denmark were more than capable of paying these expenses, and their economies were able to fairly easily bear the strain. The payment of reparations has lifted a pale from over the economies of the Triple Alliance, and it seems that they have managed to forego any negative economic side effects thanks to their prompt payment. Sympathetic politicians in the Allied states have applauded them for their honor and dedication to paying off their war commitments as dictated by the Treaty of Tuileries. The issue of reparations has been mostly settled, though Scandinavia's payments still remain, and the Allied nations have yet to distribute the proceeds among their governments.

FLEMISH-DUTCH FREE TRADE ESTABLISHED. Brussels, Flanders. This year the nations of the Netherlands and Flanders took another step to become closer to each other with the establishment of the Flemish-Dutch Free Trade Agreement. The new arrangement has reduced the restrictions and tariffs between the two nations to practically nil, opening the borders to a degree shocking most political and economic theorists. The new arrangement has already begun to show profits, as the nations already traded heavily overland to begin with. While no new business has been created, this has done much to improve Dutch and Flemish relations, while at the same time allowing existing trade to be even more valuable to their owners. Some express concern that the elimination of these tariffs could prove problematic to the long-term financial stability of the Dutch state.

ECONOMIC FLUCTUATION REPORT. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain.
Spoiler :

Arabian Empire: -2 EP
Argentina: +4 EP
Austria: +4 EP
Azerbaijan: +3 EP
Brandenburg: +8 EP
Brazil: +5 EP
Brittany: +1 EP
Chile: +2 EP
Colombia: +3 EP
Corsica: +1 EP
Cuba: +2 EP
Denmark: -2 EP
Ecuador: +1 EP
Flanders: +3 EP
Franco-Burgundian Confederation: +3 EP
Hungary: +6 EP
Italian Republic: +5 EP
Japan: +10 EP
Kurdistan: +5 EP
Netherlands: +2 EP
-Dutch East Indies: +5 EP
Oman: +2 EP
Papal States: +6 EP
Paraguay: +1 EP
Persia: +3 EP
Peru: +4 EP
Pomerania: +2 EP
Portugal: +2 EP
Russia: +5 EP
Sardinia: +3 EP
Scandinavia: +7 EP
Serbia: -2 EP
Spain: +4 EP
United Kingdom of Great Britain: +10 EP
United States of America: +5 EP
Uruguay: +3 EP
Venezuela: +5 EP
Vinland: +4 EP
Yemen: +1 EP


The Sports Page​

1908 OLYMPICS CANCELLED BY CONSENSUS. Brussels, Flanders. Despite the Treaty of Tuileries, the Great War has continued to rage across the world, as Spain and Russia remain outside the bounds of the peace agreement. The 1908 Olympics, scheduled to be held next year in Warsaw, have been cancelled officially due to the continuation of the war in the east. As Russian and Allied troops clash throughout the region, it seems that Warsaw itself could easily be endangered by the tides of war, making it less than suitable for the games. When Warsaw fell under fire from Russian artillery, it proved to be the final straw in the debates among the Committee. The Committee has met and determined that though the 1908 Olympics have been cancelled, that they should still meet to determine an appropriate site for the Olympic Games in 1912. An appropriate selection of cities are to be surveyed this year, with the finalists put before the Committee in a vote in early 1908.

The Cultural Center​

Leaves on the Vine. Witten by Miho Hitori, Leaves on the Vine is a novel published in the form of a journal which has proven immensely popular throughout the Japanese Empire. The story tells the tale of a Japanese officer on the front lines of the conflict against the French in China, and his search for honor in combat. The Japanese novel was allegedly actually written during the first two years of the Great War, and saw publishing begin only a month after the war ended. The author served as a lower ranking officer in combat, and has since received wide renown for his published work. Leaves on the Vine has not received much popularity in international audiences, though translated versions have entered sale throughout Japanese China and Korea.

Political Cartoon​

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Random Stat Changes and Fluctuations and Minor Technological Advances

Lack of fleet causes deterioration among Occitania's naval tradition and planning: -1 Navy Quality.

Inaction leads to corruption in Yemeni Army: -1 Army Quality.

Breton Destroyer crews show admirable and impressive skill in naval games: +1 Navy Quality.

Franco-Burgundian Confederation designs Duisburg-class Light Cruiser, shares with Netherlands, Denmark, and Scandinavia.

Franco-Burgundian Confederation shares Gas Warfare Level One with Austria.

United Kingdom of Great Britain creates and adopts British Royal Army 1907 as a doctrine.

Diplomatic Pouch

To: Spain, Portugal, and Russia
From: Venezuela

We hope that we can move past this chapter in our relations and seek a peace independent of the rest of the Allies at the status quo.

To: Scandinavia
From: Denmark

While we thank you for coming to our defense during the course of our involvement in the Great War, it is time for you soldiers to leave our territory. For the time being they are to remain contained only within their own bases and outposts until such time that they return to Scandinavia.

OOC

IMPORTANT RULE CHANGES: A number of changes have been made to the rules for various designs under the Army post at the front of the page. This includes a shift on doctrines and a change in the creation and deployment of elite forces, and does NOT apply retroactively. Please take the time to look at the changes, which will likely spur significant alterations.

@Bair the Normal: Your Army Doctrine has 2 Mobility, meaning that the cost of armored forces is reduced by 2 EP. Therefore the two brigades you assembled cost 36 EP, not 40. The extra has been banked in your stats.

@SouthernKing: The reason the fires weren't lit last year or this year is because that oily stuff is expensive and frankly, you just can't afford to do it anymore, you wasted enough petroleum just doing it the once. Any more would wreck the entire industry and would be a major waste and drain on your resources, and thus cannot be plausibly done by your government.

@Tyo: I would have increased the force to include the whole navy, but the early submarines don't have a prayer of actually making it out of the Caribbean, much less across the Atlantic Ocean. These are rather crappy vessels we're talking about.

@ZeletDude: you did not receive the EP from occupied colonies this year. Therefore a large number of what you wanted built were not built at all.

@Gem Hound: Yeah, there's no way in hell I am going to allow women joining the army as a legitimate in-character law to be passed. There's no way it's getting added in, and you will NOT be getting an increase in manpower. Such a law is extremely out of character, and I'll point out that even in the OTL modern day, women are STILL not allowed in combat duty in most nations. There's many good reasons for this judgment, starting with the basic traditionalist resistance to change, all the way to the problems with discipline that having both men and women on the battlefield causes. I don't like to outright block things that players do, instead just punishing them, but this is definitely an exception to the rule. It's just not close enough to being in character or even plausible for this point or for your nation in particular.

Milarqui has been dropped due to his departure from NESing. Spain is NOT open to any comers. Grandkhan has accepted my invitation to take up Spain, for at least the time being. Denmark is open to new players.

@SamSniped: I am sorry for the loss of your nation. I hope that you will consider taking up the mantle of another country. I have several recommendations for you, and will send a PM after the update detailing them in all their glory.

@Jehoshua: If you want to do commando actions, you have to actually have commandos, which you don't. See the Army Doctrines post for information about elite units and how to design them.

World Map
 

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OOC: grood update EQ.

IC:

To: Russian Empire
From: The United Kingdom of Great Britain


You have shown your mettle in blood and iron. Send us your terms and we will discuss them with our allies.
 
*is currently pissed because of the fact that I made an amazing plan to destroy the Italian Republic, including maps, for nothing*
@EQ-in that PM, could you tell me what happened specificly? Something doesn't seem to add up...
 
@EQ: Great update. My Banked EP seems to be wrong, though, as I think I calculated it right in my orders. Also did you decide that the Calais Report was not expensive enough to be listed as a project? I wasn't sure so I left it to your discretion.
 
@EQ: that's fine then.
Also, I am pretty sure that I said any leftover EP should be used to raise conscripts?
Great update by the way!
 
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