La Voz de la Gente (The Voice of the People)

[Sachmle]

July 20, 1908

Ministro de la Defensa Livan Rodriquez y Perez was quoted as saying,
"With the current world situation so tense with unrest at every turn while a solution to the hostilities between the warring parties in the Pacific is being formulated the La Marina de Guerra has made the following formal announcement regarding the future deployment of the 1st and 2nd fleets."

According to Almirante del Conjunto Miguel Torres y Barrientos,
"At this time it appears to be in our best interest to be able to respond to issues more quickly.  This necessitates the movement of the heavy units of the 2nd Fleet from Rosario to La Plata with the Armoured Cruisers San Martin and Garibaldi redistributed to Bahia Blanca.  The PC Buenos Aires will be moved to Rio Gallegos to offset the loss of the PC Patria due to an engine break down which has left her in Punta Arenas until the weather improves and she can safely be towed back to Rio Gallegos for repairs."

August 1, 1908

***NEWS FLASH****
Our representative at the capital has sent the following report.
Martin Velázquez, Public Information Officer for El Presidente Jorge Martinez y Garcia, issued the following statement:
"Due to their use of Isla de Pascua to base forces with were then used in the conquest of Coquimbo and the subsequent sale of Coquimbo to Gran Columbia without even offering said land back to the Naciones Unidas de Suramérica the Congreso de la Nación has voted here today to rescind the lease on Isla de Pascua effective August 12th, 1908.
Therefore El Presidente Martinez y Garcia, as Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, has ordered the 1st Scouting Fleet, based in Rio Gallegos, to be dispatched to Isla de Pascua as soon as is feasible.  They will remain there until we are assured that the repossession of the island will not be interfered with by outside powers, specifically those of the Deutcher Kaiserreich Brandenburg."

August 3, 1908

The Protected Cruisers La Argentina and Buenos Aires along with their destroyer escorts are leaving this morning for Isla de Pascua.  Contraalmirante Bartolo y Juarez made the following comments when asked what would happen if they encountered any ship of the navies currently at war.
As the Unión is currently neutral in the war in the Pacific we do not anticipate any problems, also I believe a ceasefire was called for by all parties a few days ago."

[Borys]

early October 1908

With much pomp the slightly rusty Austro-Hungarian squadron, fresh from the war in the Pacific, arrived at Buenos Aires. After a small parade the ships dispersed. All were drydocked at USA naval facilities.
The SMS Frankreich - with unrepaired battle damage from the battle of the Bass Strait, went to Rosario. There the USA yard was assisted in work on the ship by Habsburg personel from the large tender SMHS Schruebcke.

[Sachmle]

August 11, 1908

As Isla de Pascua came into veiw on the horizon the crew of La Argentina began to get a very uneasy feeling.  Something like dread set in with the men and it seemed to get worse the closer they got.  At around 5nm out the crew started grumbling about who would go ashore.  Contraalmirante Bartolo was not ammused as he kept overhearing "ghost stories" about what had happened to the men who disappeared from the island last year.  He looked at Capitan Morales with a look of slight pain "I knew taking that promotion was a bad idea, I just didn't realize how bad an idea." Capt Morales responded "I will take a small group, maybe 15-20 men, ashore and try to gage the amount of work necessary to repair the W/T station as well as the telegraph.  We won't stay ashore longer than 6 hours."  "I suppose you have already decided which men, eh Henrique?"  "Yes, sir.  The two Ibbarra boys and some of the engine gang, as well as that new junior radio man,  Parque I believe."  "Very well, but be sure to outfit everyone with at least a pistole from the ward room."  "Aye, sir. Not a problem"  Bartolo looked to the west as a storm began to build up it strength.  Henrique, please make haste. I fear that mother nature may not allow you the time you desire."  "We will sir." The small barge was lowering down as Capt Morales finished his words and was off toward the Isla de Pascua at 12kts.

[Sachmle]

August 14, 1908

Isla de Pascua, South Pacific

"Contraalmirante, I fear we do not have the equipment to repair the W/T nor the telegraph. Unfortunatly the Swiss were very good at destroying things during there time here."
"Very well, what do you suggest Capitan Morales?"
"I think we should leave the Buenos Aires here and return to Rio Gallegos and await the arrival of the necessary parts, equipment, and technicians now that we know what's needed. We could also put Patria in tow as we pass Punta Arenas and take her back to Rio Gallegos so the engines can be repaired."
"Very well.  Signal Capitan Arredondo and inform him of the decision.  Also inform him I want a shore party of no less than 10 men at all times.  They can rotate crewmen.  Tell him to make sure they don't go wandering off into the wooded areas, no telling what, or who, might be lurking still."
"No one has been seen on the island the entire time we've been here, you still think someone is there?"
"I don't know, but I' d rather be safe than sorry. Besides, all those Swiss and and the 'others' couldn't have just disappeared!"
"Aye, sir. I'll pass on your orders.  It will take about 12 hours to transfer the surplus coal from Buenos Aires to the La Rioja's though, so it will probably be tomorrow at the earliest before we sail for home."
"Yes, it's unfortunate that our 'friends' have yet to arrive with that collier they said would be here. Perhaps tommorow."

[Sachmle]

August 25, 1908

Isla de Pascua

Two Gran Columbian cruisers made port at Isla de Pascua this morning and the Senior Capitan was ivited aboard NUS Buenos Aires for refreshments.  The two Capitans spoke for few hours on the current situation as well as some irreverent conversation about things such as the weather and whatnot.  After a few hours the Gran Columbian's departed heading east.

Punta Arenas

Once all involved were recoaled and the tow lines secured the NUS Patria was pulled out to sea. With only her starboard engines operational the ship needed all the assistance she could get. Next stop Rio Gallegos.

[Sachmle]

August 28, 1908

With the arrival of the Swiss collier the day before Buenos Aires was at full load and up to steam to head home. After some discussion as to the fate of the island Capt Arredondo thank the Swiss Capitan for the coal and ordered his crew to prepare to break port. Next stop, Rio Gallegos.

[Sachmle]

December 20, 1908

"They're gonna do what?!?" Contraalmirante Juarez screamed at his aid.
"Sir, I realize that this is not the news we hoped for, but please, compose yourself."
"After everything those politicians put us through this winter, now they aren't going to repair Patria, they're just going to scrap her? And worse yet, they aren't even going to replace her!"
"I understand your frustration Contraalmirante, but you must remember Patria is almost 20 years old and has never recieved a refit. And with the development of the turbine engine, she and her sisters are obsolete at best."
"Explain that to the men who no longer have a ship, better yet, to their families. How will they provide for them? Buenos Aires does not trouble itself with such matters, only dollars and cents."

[Sachmle]

December 29, 1908

It was announced this morning that Glorious France had agreed to build a ship for the Union. This new vessel will be the pride of La Marina and is said to be even larger than the Vienticinco de Mayo, but faster than the cruisers currently used by La Marina.  Cost was not disclosed to the public, nor were any useful detail about armament or armor.

[Sachmle]

January 10, 1909

Today the Congreso de la Nación returned to session and began work on the many items before them.  Among these items is the proposed funding for slip expansion at Rosario.  La Marina is asking for funding to increase slip #1 to a type 2 as they move forward with there plan to consolidate all ship building at Rosario over the next 15 years.  Also under debate is the future of Isla de Pascua.  The cost required to repair the W/T and telegraph station are yet to be determined as well as expenses involved in protecting the outpost.

[Sachmle]

January 15, 1909

After a long meeting with Secretaria del Estado Gonzalo and Ministro de la Defensa Rodriquez in regards to NUS policy towards our neighbors near and far as well as future building plans of both military and civillian nature El Presidente stood to stretch and low and behold there, across the Rio de La Plata valley, what appeared to be the whole f*cking Italian Navy sitting at Montevideo.  Immedeatly he called Almirante del Conjunto Torres and politely screamed, "When the hell did they show up!!"

edit: Fixed the location

[The Rock Doctor]

They probably crept in while y'all were trying to sort out who the Swiss are.

[Borys]

OOC.
Note:
Nouvo Lipari is the base on the Chuvosa Islands. That's the name for the Italian part of it.
It is not in Banda Oriente (East Side) vel Uruguay. So it is not across the Rio de la Plata.

ADDED LATER:
It seems that I missed Montevideo when preparing Italian overseas bases.
Two solutions:
1 - there is a Type 1 base with 1 Type 1 DD at Montevideo
or
2 - Italy never set up any naval facilities in the colony. Any naval presence was customarily provided by the Squadra Austral from Nouvo Lipari.

Borys

[Sachmle]

I used that base as Tanthalis stated in IM that it was the one in Uraguay that the South Atlantic fleet was based. If this is incorrect, I will inquire as to the correct name and edit later.  Tanthalis stated that he did not call the base in Uraguay Montevideo, nor does he call Uraguay Uraguay, he gave them all "Italiasized" names.

[Tanthalas]

well I didnt get to set bases up remember... I  inherited them, What kind of planing would put a base on the Island but not on the main land?... I assumed it was Montevido, so since ite my country I say it is =P

[Sachmle]

January 16th, 1909

La Marina has decided to first build an additional type 1 slip at Rosario before expanding slip #1 to a type 2.  The building plans for the next year or two do not call for much type 2 size vessels, mostly replacements for the outdated TBs & PCs currently being fazed out.