Gran Colombia, H2/1909

[The Rock Doctor]

No comments on New Switzerland until Walter/Foxy catch up.

2 July 1909:  Valparaiso, Coquimbo

It wasn't officially a convoy - just a quartet of ships sailing together - but unofficially, it was exactly that.  The freighter Estrella del Mar was transporting a...sensitive...cargo, and the Armada had been a bit leery about her sailing unaccompanied.  Somebody was picking off Swiss shipping here and there, after all, and could well expand the scope of their operation - or just make a silly mistake. 

Consequently, she'd been delayed in San Miguelito until a suitable escort was rounded up, the protected cruiser Trelawny.  South of Esmeraldas, they'd fallen in with a passenger/freighter also bound for Coquimbo.  A day later, a Swiss tramp freighter had closed up with the trio. 

Commander Paul Wellesley hadn't been pleased with the sight of the Swissman, under the circumstances, so he'd had Trelawny intercept the freighter a couple of miles north of the two Colombian merchies and interrogated her by blinker light.  This had been done with Trelawny maintaining station off the Swissman's port bow, as rumors of Swiss "Q-ships" had been making their way around the Armada.

The freighter's master had, however, made it clear that he just wanted to be in the presence of a warship for a part of its trip down to the Rohirrim enclave south of Coquimbo.  Times were still tought for Swiss merchantmen, but the rebuilding Swiss Navy wasn't much of a factor along the South American seaboard, while Colombian ships were deemed relatively friendly.  Wellesley chose not to mention that Trelawny was a Jamaican-crewed vessel, but allowed the Swissman to join with them - albeit at a position two miles off the cruiser's starboard bow.

Happily, the trip was without drama of any kind, and as the three Colombian ships turned in for Valparaiso, the Swiss ship blinked a quick message of thanks and carried on to the south.

Now, Trelawny was tied up at the pier adjacent to Estrella del Mar, awaiting instructions from the Armada's senior officer and observing the unloading of the freighter's crated cargo into heavily guarded lorries.

"Captain?  There's a fellow at the gangway wants to speak with you, Sir", a seaman officer called out.  "Says he's with the government."

"Did you get a name, Mister Hannity?", Wellesley asked pointedly.

"Er...no, sir."

"Local government?"

"I think he's Colombian, Sir", Seaman Hannity replied. 

"Meaning federal government?"

"Aye, sir."

Wellesley set down his cup of tea and made his way down a level, out of the superstructure, and amidships to the gangway.  A youngish man in a suit watched him walk down the gangway.  "I'm Commander Wellesley, Sir", the Jamaican said.  "How can I help you?"

"Hello, Commander, I'm Aquileo Alizandro", the other man replied. 

They were completing a handshake before the surname clicked in Wellesley's mind.  "An unexpected pleasure, Sir", Wellesley remarked.  "How may I be of assistance?"

"I just wanted to express my appreciation for the escort and thank you for the prudent measures taken with the Swissman", the Minister of Natural Resources replied.  "Sending an aide to do it seemed impersonal, and, to be frank, they're both off on other errands anyway."

"You're quite welcome, Sir", Wellesley said.  "If you have a few minutes, I'd be pleased to show you about the ship."

"If you don't object to giving a former ground-pounder the dog-and-pony show, I'll certainly take you up on that", Aquileo said.

Wellesley nodded.  "Mister Hannity", he called out, "Please advise the XO and the Chief that I will be accompanying Minister Alizandro on a tour of the ship momentarily."

"Aye, sir!", the seaman squeaked from behind him.

"Before I come aboard, Commander", Aquileo said, "Perhaps you could introduce me to the ship in general?"

"Certainly, Sir", Wellesley concurred; both men recognized the request for what it was - a polite way of giving the crew of Trelawny a few minutes to prepare for the unexpected VIP tour.  "Trelawny is the second of four Westmoreland class protected cruisers.  She's part of the Jamaican Contingent - which is to say she's Jamaican-built, Jamaican-manned, and Jamaican-based.  As with all other ships of the Contingent, we're attached to the Caribbean Fleet, headquartered in Cromwell."

"What brings you over here, then?", Aquileo inquired.

"The Armada's been working to integrate the Colombian and Jamaican components of the fleet, so every unit of the Contingent tends to get occasional orders taking it outside the western Caribbean.  In this particular case, we're escorting trade, as you noted."  Wellesley deemed it uncouth to mention that it wasn't Aquileo's ship being escorted.

"A wise decision", Aquileo noted.  "To what degree do the differing languages cause difficulty?  I mean, your Spanish is fairly strong, but I'm sure not every other Jamaican is as fluent - nor the Colombians in Norman."

Wellesley acknowledged the compliment with a nod.  "The Armada introduced formal language training in late 1905 for officers and certain groups of enlisted men, such as signalman.  This is offered as evening classes for established personnel, and is part of the cirriculum for officer-trainees.  I took my classes in 1907 during a shore posting."

"Is it mandatory or optional?"

"It's mandatory for senior officers and certain enlisted personnel in operational positions; optional for other personnel or those in most administrative positions.  However, it's become evident that bilingualism is a factor in promotions, so that's incentive enough for many of us; if not, there's always the five percent bilingual bonus on our pay."

"Money can be such a strong influence on behaviour", Aquileo noted.  "How do the Jamaicans and the Colombians mesh?  And I'm asking that as ex-soldier to sailor, not as a political mucky-muck."

"Well, Sir", Wellesley said tentatively, "I think we are doing better than 1905, but can improve further."  Seeing that this was not going to satisfy the Colombian minister, he chose his words carefully.  "Operationally, it was correct to have the Jamaican contingent assume the trade protection and scouting functions that we did as the Island Commonwealth Navy.  It builds on our historical experience and specialization.  It allows for a smoother integration with the pre-'Amalgamation Armada by not throwing us all in together at once.  It's my sense that we could operate fairly effectively together in combat; moreso once we replace the elderly capital units anchoring the scouting force."

"I sense a 'but' coming on", Aquileo said disarmingly.

Wellesley nodded.  "The...emotional...connection isn't there yet.  Are Jamaicans willing to die for Colombians?  Are Colombians willing to die for Jamaicans?  Intellectually, and according to operational doctrine, we are, but in our guts, a lot of us aren't completely sure."

"Does this go back to the five wars?"

"No.  The last war between us was almost thirty years ago.  Most of us were still kids - and, not to be rude, the Commonwealth didn't exactly suffer a lot of losses in that one."  Aquileo nodded; the Fifth War had been decidely lopsided.  Wellesley continued, "I think, when it comes down to it, a lot of us see Gran Colombia as an ally, rather than a friend.  Fending off the Eastern Kingdom and coping through the madness of '05 certainly drew us together, but we're not there yet.  It'll take time and effort from all of us."

"I appreciate your honesty, Captain", Aquileo said.  "And I assure you, I'll keep your words in confidence.  For what it's worth, my sense is that my cousin - and the rest of the cabinet - wants the amalgamation to be an enduring success.  He's making compromises and trying new ideas, and for a government based on hereditary presidency, that's quite the change in paradigm."

"I imagine it is, Sir", Wellesley agreed.  "On that note, shall we go aboard and see how my crew fare in Spanish?"

"Certainly, Captain - and I'll test my Norman on a few, to keep the playing field level."

[The Rock Doctor]

7 July 1909:  La Prensa Nacional

Coquimbo's mining sector is back on track today, as Natural Resources Minister Aquileo Alizandro cut a ceremonial ribbon to open a new smelter near Serena.

The area's many copper occurrences, once a source of considerable wealth, had fallen into neglect and decay prior to Coquimbo's entry into the Republic last year.  However, targeted government funding of key infrastructure improvements has allowed a rapid turnaround in the region's fortunes.  This includes not only the new smelter, but the rejuvenation of the railroad used to transport copper ingots from the mines to the port facilities at Serena itself. 

Minister Alizandro told the assembled audience, "This new smelter is a demonstration of Gran Colombia's committment to a successful, competitive mining sector.  While we are very much believers in free enterprise, sometimes deserving private ventures lack the starting capital they need to initiate a project.  In this case, federal funding of the new smelter overcomes a hurdle and allows the many small mining companies to resume operations, generate wealth and provide jobs to the people of this great state."

Minister Alizandro will continue his visit to the state with a tour of one of the mines, after which he will travel south to meet with some of the state's leading agricultural producers.

[The Rock Doctor]

19 August 1909:  Cartagena

The Green Cross has a new presence in the Pacific Ocean today, as Governor Arturo Valera and Dr. Alphonse Moreau cut the ribbon to open the Green Cross Pacific Relief Centre in Pago Pago. 

The centre occupies the former State Administration Building, which was recently vacated by the state government following the completion of its new facilities in June.  The Green Cross' use of the facility will be temporary as well, as a large and imposing office is currently under construction in the adjacent village of Fagatogo.  It is expected to be open by the end of 1910.

Dr. Moreau is among the very first Green Cross employees to arrive in Pago Pago, with about eighty-five employees expected to arrive in the coming weeks.  As organization's leased warehouse space is filled with emergency relief materials and emergency relief teams arrive, the Green Cross' work force is ultimately expected to swell to...

President Rey Alizandro set the newspaper down at looked at the members of his Cabinet.  "Moreau.  Haven't we heard that name before?"

Benicio Delgado nodded.  "Doctor Moreau's private practice in French Polynesia was thought to be associated with the French military during the Palpete years.  Unfortunately, French record-keeping was either incompetent, or quite competent, as my man in Papeete has never been able to turn up anything substantive on the operation."

"And now he's in charge of a charitable organization like the Green Cross?", Sebastien de Soto remarked.

"It seems so", Delgado said.  "The doctor is said to be quite eccentric; he's insisted that his own villa, and the office space, be cooled with these new 'air conditioning' machines.  They were installed at considerable expense and trouble - considering that the nearest trained mechanics were in Brandenburg - and they are together the single largest user of electricity on the island."

"Sounds like the kind of guy you'd be happy to send to somebody else's island", Ricardo Alizandro noted.  "Let me add that our own work on Tutuila is coming along nicely.  The drydock in Pago Pago has been completed on schedule, and with the port having been finished, the tender stationed there has been ordered back to Jamaica.  We've also improved the port's defences in the form of a   
battery of fourteen centimetre guns around the entrance to the harbour."

"Trade is gradually picking up, too", de Soto said.  "There are still a fair bit of ships bypassing New Switzerland."

"No doubt", Rey agreed.  "How much Swiss shipping got bought out in the first half of the year?"

"Sixty-two thousand* tonnes", de Soto answered.  "About two percent of the pre-war Swiss figure."

"It's a start", Rey said. 

"We've budgetted for a similar amount for the rest of the year", de Soto noted.  "Swiss politics and a rash of ship losses is helping us.  Closure of the canal has ceased to be an issue now that New Beleriand is open to them."

"I've heard about the Swiss shipping accidents.  It sounded like more than just a coincidence", Rey observed.

Benicio Delgado replied, "If my people were to look into it, I expect we would discover that another power was at the root of their troubles.  However, my resources are being employed otherwise."

"And how is that working out?", Ricardo Alizandro asked.

"Progress is slow, and operational security is tight, so I receive few updates", Delgado conceded, "But I expect to see some results in due course."

"Good, good", Rey declared.  "Let's take a break before we talk about the economy.  All this talk about foreign affairs is making me hungry."



*Note:  The rules indicate that $10.88 would get you ~43,500 t of merchant shipping, but that's for brand-spanking-new ships.  I've assumed a larger figure on the assumption that a mix bag of shipping has been acquired.

[The Rock Doctor]

3 September 1909:  East of Havana

"So much for her being caught in that hurricane", Capitan de Corbeta Jeronimo Palmiero growled, as he watched his XO step out of the ship's boat and down to the deck of the torpedo-boat Cumana.

Teniente de Ascusubi looked shaken as he wobbled over to salute Palmiero.  "It's PB-22, Sir", the younger officer reported.

Palmiero nodded.  The Havana-based patrol boat had been overdue for five days, and several Armada vessels had been out looking for her for the last three.  After one of Cumana's lookouts spied her stranded on a reef, Ascusubi and a boatload of armed sailors had been dispatched to investigate.  "Report", Palmiero said.

Ascusubi took a deep breath.  "She's been shot up, Sir.  Hundreds of bullet holes from machine guns.  There's blood in several places, but we only found two bodies, both below deck in the engine room.  They were...desecrated, Sir."

Palmiero frowned.  That left sixteen men unaccounted for, and although it was possible that some had gotten ashore, his gut instinct was that their fates would never be determined.  "And the boat?"

"Partially flooded below decks, Sir.  The machinery has been ruined and it looks like there was a fire in the crew quarters at one point.  The wireless has also been destroyed - but all of the guns are gone, as are the ammunition boxes.  The small arms locker is empty."

"That's what I thought", Palmiero growled.  "So they got bushwhacked by bandits, who shot them up and looted the wreck.  Damn it!"

Ascusubi did not reply.

"Alright - take the boat back over and retrieve the bodies.  We'll bury them after I have a chance to document their condition", Palmiero said in disgust.  "Also, look for any code books, maps, or other sensitive materials and bring them back, too."

"We didn't find any, Sir", the XO replied.

"Look again, to be sure.  And be quick about it - if these bastards are moving up from fishing boats to patrol boats, the brass is going to want to know about it."

[The Rock Doctor]

29 November 1909:  Cartagena

"I understand that the census estimates are in?", President Alizandro remarked.

"They are indeed", Public Services Minister Juan Cerolini replied.  "Did you want a summary?"

"Please", the president said.

"Okay...let me see...", Cerolini said, shuffling through a stack of briefing notes.  "There.  Okay, we had strong growth, estimated at just under a million people since the last census two years ago - that's discounting population increases stemming from territorial acquisitions.  The Heartland's population increased to 35.62 million, with Antilia Mayor rising to 8.32 million.  There was essentially flat growth in Antilia Menor and French Guyana - growth early in the period was offset by emigration of some French nationals back to France once the acquisition came about."

"It happens", Ricardo Alizandro commented.

"It does", Cerolini agreed.  "Growth in Amazonas del Sur was almost ten percent, mostly through immigration of course.  Manaus, Puerto Enrico, and San Sylvestre are of course growing, but several new settlements have sprung up along the railway line to Mitu.  Coquimbo's population rose by about three percent, and the Pacific territories by ten percent.  Granted, that's only two thousand people, mostly to Tutuila as Pago Pago grows."

"Did we get any influx of refugees from the war?", the president asked.

"We did - about a hundred thousand in total; they're included in the total I already mentioned.  About ten thousand emigrated out of DKB holdings, mainly Paderborn-Delbruck.  Most wound up in Coquimbo.  About twenty thousand left New Switzerland and settled almost entirely in the Heartland.  Most of the remaining seventy thousand came out of Hainan and Taiwan, settling either in Amazonas del Sur or the Heartland."

"We're still checking a few hundred of the Swiss immigrants for security concerns, I'd note", the President noted.  "Thanks, Juan."

"You're welcome."

""Can I add a footnote to this?", Sebastien de Soto spoke up.

"Yes, of course", Rey said.

"You'll recall we were buying up Swiss merchant shipping - we have, in fact, spent every last bolivar and santander of it.  The net result isn't just ninety thousand tonnes of additional shipping - it's also an estimated point eight percent increase* in the Heartland economy due to secondary growth.  That includes increased earnings at the Canal, a busier ship-maintenance sector, and real estate and finance."

"Real estate?", Jorge Esclante remarked.

"The Swiss immigrants in particular are well off - a number of former ACM businessmen, in fact - and they're buying upscale homes and bringing their own personal wealth along with them.

"Oh, well, that's good news", the president remarked.



*An IC came along with it, as it turns out.