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

[Sachmle]

February 22nd, 1909

For the time being it has been decided to proceed no further with any work at Isla de Pascua as other, more pressing financial needs are at hand.  Plans for future repair and construction will be concidered, but not followed through with at this time.  A new lease may also be taken under consideration sometime in 1910 if an interested party with the high caliber required by La Congreso and El Presidente steps forward.

OOC: I still haven't heard from the Mods how screwed it is, nor how much $$$ it needs to run again. Anyone want a deserted island?  (No DF you can't have it....neither can Swampy or France. France cuz they don't need no more stinkin land)

[Sachmle]

March 30th, 1909

An announcement from Ministro de la Defensa Perez today stated that the fine vessels UNS Buenos Aires and UNS Patagonia have been sold to the Kingdom of Italia. These ships have served their nation proudly for 18 and 17 years respectively and will be given a proper send off prior to being delivered to Montevideo in July.

[Sachmle]

May 30th, 1909

Today it was announced that Sr. Roberto Dominquez y Arredondo, formerly a General de Brigada in the Ejercito Unidas, would be the new ambassador to Gran Columbia. Sr Dominquez retired from the military in 1905 at age 63, just after he helped drive the Indios Bravos into Patagonia. Now 67 he hopes this new endeavor will be a good use of his still sharp mental faculties, even as his failing back forces him to spend more and more time off his feet, and in his wheelchair. Still patriotic to a fault and fond of memories of the once larger, but know defunct USA, he may occasionally fail to see the big picture, for being blinded by what he thinks will return NUS to better days.

[Borys]

You missed a word or two?
Borys

[Sachmle]

You missed a word or two?
Borys

Hey, it was 4 in the morning and my like 5th new story in a row, so phllllllllt  :P

[Sachmle]

July 14th, 1909

Today Ministo de la Defensa Rodriquez and Almirante del Conjunto Torres presented plans for 2 new cruiser types for La Marina to the Senado finance committee for approval. The larger of the two was rejected and sent in for a redsign, while the smaller, to be named the Union class, was approved and forwarded to the full Congreso de la Nacion for final approval. A new destroyer was also presented and approved after some debate. These D-100 type destroyers are much more seaworthy than the preceding La Rioja class.

[Sachmle]

August 22nd, 1909

The Congreso de la Nacion approved the designs for the Union class scout cruiser and the D-100 type destroyers today and in a hurried session the Senado finance committee approved a new set of plans for the large fleet cruiser, to be name San Carlos de Bariloche, in hopes that the Congreso will have time to debate and approve these plans before summer break.  El Presidente Martinez rubber stamped his approval of the Union and D-100 and gave a push to approve the other cruiser as well.

[Sachmle]

November 13th, 1909
La Congreso de la Nacion approved the final plans for the San Carlos de Bariloche class fleet cruiser today after much debate and a second redesign.  Now, thanks to a deal brokered with the United Norman Kingdom these vessels will be equipped with the Norman 9.2" naval rifle in three twin turrets as apposed to the domestic 8" rifles.  In addition the first will be built in the Norman Philadelphia naval yard along with two of the Union class scout cruisers.

[Sachmle]

December 15th, 1909

Three former Rohan vessel came to be in the possesion of La Marina today as the coastal battleship Thorin and the combat cruisers Tarondor and Tarcil, to be renamed Fortaleza, Costero, and Defensor respectivly, were picked up at Umbar to be brought to Rosario for storage until a desicion on their fate, whether to scrap or use them as target ships, can be determined.

[Sachmle]

January 5th, 1910

With the beginning of the new year comes news of piracy in the Carribean sea.  Discussions are being held as to what, if any, responce the Naciones Unidas should have.

[Sachmle]

January 27th, 1910

El Presidente asked Congreso today to approve sending La Marina units, preferably the 2nd Scouting Fleet out of Rosario, to the Carribean to assist our friends the Confederates, as well as our neighbors the Columbians, with the pirate issue.  Congreso was very strongly opposed to this idea until the overwhelming evidence of the pirates being followers of the Eye was presented.  They then agreed to take it under discussion.  El Presidente urged them to make a desicion soon, and warned that if any harm should befall a citizen of the Union serving on one of the many merchant ships that swift action would be taken, with or without their approval.

[Sachmle]

***NEWS FLASH***

March 16th, 1910
Union citizen killed in apparent Pirate attack.

Earlier today it was announced the a Juan Antonio Montoya, citizen of the Union, and a resident of Mendoza, has been killed when the vessel he was working on, a Gran Columbian freighter, the Nuestra Senor de la Concepcion was sunk during action off the coast of Cuba on the 5th of this month.  According to survivors the frieghter was heading from Havana to Colon when she came upon what appeared to be a ship in distress.  The other ship was an unflagged freighter that appeared to be listing badly, but as the Nuestra Senor edged in close to offer assistance the other vessel opened fire with a concealed deck gun and some heavy machine guns.  The mystery ship then began pumping copious amounts of water out and was level in short order.  The Capitan of the Nuestra Senor began an attempt to escape, but his vessel became to damaged to due so in short order.  Soon it was the Columbian vessel that was listing, badly to port.  She soon rolled over and turned turtle.  Senor Montoya was on the "Black Gang" in the engine room and is assumed killed.  The survivors were picked up by a GC patrol early on the morning of the 6th and taken to Havana.  Once El Presidente Martinez heard this new he immediatly called an emergency session of Congreso de la Nacion. Further information will be presented as soon as it's known.

[Sachmle]

***NEWS FLASH***
March 16th, 1910

El Presidente storms out of Congressional hall

President Martinez stormed out of an emergency session of the Congreso de la Nacion after his repeated attempts to gain approval to send warships to the Carribbean were turned away.  As he left our reporter overheard him saying "This isn't over yet, not by a long shot!" to one of his aides.

[Sachmle]

March 17th, 1910

Early this morning El Presidente Martinez, under his authority as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United Nations of South America, has ordered Contraalmirante Jesus Bienevides to take his Second Scouting Fleet from Rosario and to embark for Colon, Gran Columbia at best speed. Once there they are to refuel and begin anti-piracy patrols immediately.  When asked about his actions in the face of such stiff resistance from Congreso El Presidente responded "It is the job of the members of the Congreso de la Nacion to look out for the well being of all the people of the Union, and if they fail to see that these pirates present a risk to any seagoing citizens then I will have to step in as the leader of this nation and show them how dangerous it really is.  If Congreso will not support me in the defense of our people, maybe our people need to select new representatives who will protect them."

[Sachmle]

TO: Ricardo Alizandro, Minister of Defense, Gran Columbia
FROM: Livan Rodriquez y Perez, Minister of Defense, United Nations of South America

As follows is the after action report from Capitan Raul Zamora, UNS DD-6 La Rioja class, 2nd Scouting Fleet concerning an incounter on April the 2nd.

Apr, 2-1910

Patrol west of main trade route, Havana-Colon. Seach pattern: ocho cinco

1121: Sighted vessel of port quarter, course 025 degres, speed 7kts.
1122: Change course to intercept, if legitimate merchant will escort to Havana
1139: Vessel identified as short haul freighter, unable to ascertain country of registry, will close
1150: Closed on vessel, no obvious attempts to conceal covert activities. All appears normal
1208: Crew on deck appears to be of Hispanic origin. Note fewer on deck as we come along side
1215: Freighter has broken course is now heading due north, speed increased to 14kts
1216: Changed course, radio to UNS San Pedro. Request change course to intercept
1216: San Pedro answers, en route to our location, origin 24nm SSW Havana, eta 37 min
1220: Freighter discharging shipping crates off aft deck. Appears to be a 3" deck gun aft.
1224: Freighter opens up with a shot from aft gun, wide startboard/40yds and long/ 120yds
1224: Return fire forward 4". Long/~100yds centered.
1226: Third shot from freighter landed aft the bridge, port side. 2 crew on 2" gun crew     , 1 injured
1229: Fourth shot for 4" straddle freighter change course to a zig zag.
1230: Smoke on horizon, assumed San Pedro closing, radio confirmed. Ordered to make for torpedo attack if shell fire cannot be landed on enemy vessel
1232: Increased speed to flank changed course to 350 degrees. Brought aft 4" and starboard 2" to bear. No hits landed.
1236: Now 240yds off the freighters port bow, change course to 040 preparing starboard torpedo launch.
1249: Launch 2 torpedos, speed 20knts, depth 6ft.
1253: San Pedro open fire with fore 8" twins. Straddle shot. Freighter change course to 045 degress
1255: Topedo 1 misses wide to port, torpedo 2 hits port bow under deck house. Speed slowing.
1258: Foward 4" lands close on aft gun. No return fire from freighter.
1259: San Pedro second volly, foward 8" and starboard 3". 8" land on deck port of brigde. 3" overshot.
1306: Freighter listing heavy port, dead in the water. Prepared boarding party.
1309: San Pedro along port side freighter, we pulled along starboard. Boarding party ready
1310: San Pedro and our boarder on freighter, heavy resistance from crew. 4 killed/San Pedro, 2 killed /our party.  6 killed from the freighter.
1320: More crew in holds, Contraalmirante Bienavides orders boarders off, will suppress with 1" mg's on San Pedro. If cannot capture orders are to sink. Give no quater to survivors.
1325: San Pedro opens up with the starboard 1"ers. Freighter bridge in shreds. Deck clear of crew.
1327: Small arms fire from numerous locations on freighter, moves ship off to get deck crews out of range. San Pedro continues leadding w/ 1"ers.
1330: Ordered open fire w/ 2" guns. Prepare port torpedo launch.
1335: Two hits midships from 2" guns freighter is slowly rolling over at this time to port.
1340: Freighter crew seen jumping overboard, observed 7 men.
1342: Freighter has capsized. San Pedro 1" mgs are peppering area where men went into the water.
1345: 4 bodies observed floating, 2 men clinging to debris. Other not seen.
1350: Recovered 2 men, taken into custody after minimal resistance. Heavy wounds to both.
1355: Set course for Colon in company of San Pedro. Will turn prisoners over to Gran Columbian authorities on or about 0800 hrs April 3rd. Will advise futher if more information available.
--END REPORT