Zurich Times
Spring 1932
International Economics
Resources in the territories of Great Britain, Podasia, Canada, Taranto, the Bosporous and the Western Coast of the USA have all reported massive industrial expansion, most notably in the USA.
As many nations scramble to recover from the sorrowful effects of the Great Depression, or brace for it, industrial expansion has become the word. In all of these regions, extensive income enhancement projects have begun in steel, rubber, motorcars and--most notably--weapons and mobilized arms.
However, none have made a show compared to Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his "New Deal" program that is catapulting the United States firmly at the head of geoeconomics. With no less than 7 new industrial districts, that's right, seven, the economy is expected to have a 13.46% rate of growth for this season alone.
This makes America a hotspot for economic activity, and its stock exchange has continued to go up since Roosevelt initiated his mass reforms on the country. J.J. Astor was reported to be "filthy stinking rich!" by his fellow Oregonians from the massive construction, and several wealthy Europeans flocked to California, Oregon and Washington in hopes of expanding new wealth. It has also encouraged more immigration, and stemmed the flow of people leaving the U.S. because of the economic situation there.
Following the United States for Seasonal Growth was the Fascist state of Italy, growing a respectable 5.31%, however this is also due to Berluciane's flawless execution of Abyssinian annexation. Berluciane, suit to character, called it "an example of the Fascist state's superiority over the plutocratic Democracies of the West," while addressing the bonus found in Washington as "Imperialist propaganda." This however barely topped the United Kingdom, with a 5% growth rate this season for her industrialization across Chruchill's Atlantic center.
Poland and Turkey, two relatively weak and impoverished countries faced with hardship managed to squeak out 4.16% seasonal increase for both of them. Considering their hard spots, this has been a "great accomplishment for [national] economics," according to Kemal Ataturk, whom held a press conference following the reports.
However, not everything is coming up roses. The Parisian stock economy, hard hit by the delayed depression now spreading in France, saw a 1.12% decrease--a grim trend that has been continuing for three straight quarters now.
Other nations hurt this quarter included Japan. Emperor Pu-Yi's decision to make peace with China, considered by many high-ranking Japanese officials a foolish move, cost them dearly and signified their dependence on foreign lands for their resources. Taking a steep fall, the Tokyo market headed downward at 8.82%.
Other nations information: Moscow was up slightly for the capture of desert lands in Mongolia at 0.5%, while Beijing (as proclaimed by Mao Zedong with the establishment of the People's Republic), saw a 4.34% increase for the establishment of Western Manchuria as Chinese. This was significantly less than the Chinese stock traders had predicted--however, most failed to realize the importance of this Region to Japan and its relative unimportance to China--most of the resources here were readily avaliable in other lands. Norway suffered a 0.4% decrease from many foreign investors fearing an unfortunate war with Sweden, while Germany went up 0.2% due to the progressive deals made with the West.
OOC: All nations that went down except Japan will not have any effect on their economy. All nations with reported increase did increase their economies. You can check the country listings for your current income.
This is Dr. Fredrich Blucher for the Zurich Times, wishing you happy hunting in your stock endeavors.
Military Actions Across the Globe
Berluciane avenged the humiliating defeat of the Italian Monarchy this season with his invasion and subsequent annexation of the Abyssinian empire. The Emperor was shot at dawn on April 5th, as were any other government officials in an effort for the Italians to immediately supress any nationalistic emotions of the Abyssinian peoples. First on their list was the teaching of the Fascist salute, and the morning praise of Il Duce Berluciane. This land, while relatively worthless, was taken without casualties to the Italian armed forces--three tank regiments, accompanied by two infantry regiments, smashed the small resistance of three Abyssinian infantry regiments.
On the other side of the globe, Stalin ruthlessly executed an invasion of the Mongolian client-state to the Soviet Union. This was reportedly after the government refused a 20-hour ultimatum to be annexed by the Soviet Union. The Soviet troops, ordinarily prepared for Winter warfare, could not advance quickly in the Gobi Desert. While they did destroy any forces they encountered (2 infantry), they have only destroyed one-half of the Mongolian forces. Russian casualties amounted to one infantry regiment.
Geopolitics
The Italian Fascist state retained its aggressive stance as it signed an alliance with the Turkish Republic. Fascism, actively opposed by several nations in the world, seemed to have some "wiggle room" as Berluciane initiated his unannounced invasion of Abyssinia.
On the Western side of the fence, the Democracies set up a ring of alliances to counter the Fascist aggressive intent, but this fell through in the American abdication and the ending of the Italian embargo by Great Britain.
Most of the world as of yet remains peaceful, as signified by the Far Eastern peace treaty in which China gained back a little more than half of her lost land in Manchuria along the 124th paralell.
Hopefully we will not see any more aggression in the next few seasons.
MAP:
aul von Lettow-Vorbeck
