NUS News 1912

[Sachmle]

With the signing of the Southern Cross Alliance the NUS finds itself in a favorable position in the unlikely event of hostilities and looks forward to future cooperation amongst the nations involved. Future building plans will be altered to make La Marina an effective unit and to make it more compatible with the Navies of the other member nations.

With the sale of Isla de Pascua (The Island, not the ship) to the Maori funding originally intended for the completion of that base, as well as upgrades to it's facilities can now be diverted to other projects. Hopefully this, in combination with the funds received for the two Nuevo de Julio class battleships from the Ottomans, will allow the military to bring it's forces, both naval and army, to higher standards.

[Sachmle]

Office of Livan Rodriquez y Perez, Minister of Defense.
In attendance are: Livan, Almirante del Conjunto Miguel Torres y Barrientos and Teniente General del Conjunto Pascal San Martin y Quintanilla

Livan: Gentleman, what is your current outlook on the future as well as you opinion on the events in Greece?

Miquel: Sir, I believe that while the events in Greece are troubling, they are not of our concern. The attacks against defenseless Christian's does trouble me greatly, but unfortunately there is some evidence that the Greeks have instigated this themselves. Attacking Muslims simply because they are Muslim.

Livan: I see, Pascal, what is your opinion on this?

Pascal: I tend to agree with Miguel on this for the most part, but... I don't think we can overlook the fact that our Christian brothers and sisters are merely fighting to be independent and unwanted Foreign crown, much like we did so many years ago.

Livan: This is true. However I don't think things warrant our attention just yet. While there are some rumors that our Iberian allies are supplying the Greeks, along with our Austrian friends, neither El Presidente or I have been convinced of this yet. Secretary Gonzalo is looking into these accusations at the moment. If it is proven that our allies are behind these events we may, depending on how it occurs, find ourselves in a situation were we must at least offer aide to the Iberians.

Miguel/Pascal (Almost in unison): What kind of aide do you have in mind?

Livan: That has been discussed between El Presidente, Secretary Gonzalo, and myself at some length. While no decision has been made at this time, most likely it will be the usual humanitarian items such as food, water, medical kits, and supplies to build shelter. But, there is some leaning towards supplying some war materials as well, small arms, rifles, some old field pieces perhaps.

Pascal: Those items shouldn't be an issue, if it's decided to send them. What of direct support? Men, ships, and the like?

Livan: At this time the idea of sending any of our ejercito is out of the question. We have nothing to gain from this and plenty to lose. Although, we may send some observers if this develops into full blown war.

Miguel: Sir, I apologize if I'm out of line, but you have not mentioned La Marina.

Livan: Yes, I have some documents that you may want to look over. I do apologize for not bringing this to you attention sooner, but El Presidente was very troubled to learn of the innocents suffering and made a decision a few hours ago. Pascal, this is not a conversation I wish you to witness. Thank you for your input. You are dismissed.

Pascal(Standing to leave): Thank you, sir. Miguel, please give my best to Juanita.

Miguel: Gracias, and give my best to Esmeralda as well.

Miguel: (Looking at the telegram and related material) WHAT?!?!? He did this?!? Without even a cursory consultation?!?!

Livan: Miguel! Remember your place!! You are the Almirante of La Marina, HE is El Presidente, Comandante en Jefe of all our Military. He does not need to ASK YOUR PERMISSION!!

Miguel (Meekly): Yes, sir. I apologize for my outburst. It's just so bold. I, of course, will honor his decision and see that it is followed out to the fullest. How have they responded?

Livan: Still no reply, as of today. Perhaps they want to see how things progress first before making any decision.

Migual: As to you other question on general fleet operations, we are currently in quite a pinch financially and are burdened by some very antiquated vessels. Particularly the 2 remaining San Luis class ships and the San Martin class ACs. They are beyond obsolete and need immediate replacement. The Nueva class PCs are very nice for their role of scout and DDs leader, but the San Carlos are too large and expensive to be built in number to replace the San Martin's. I have the design staff looking into something in between. The Toreador class ships are to be started in early 1913, but are still to small to offset the loss of the San Martin's. Perhaps we should see if any ships are available from our allies to bridge the gap?

Livan: So the concensus is to scrap the 2 San Luis and the 4 San Martin's then. I see your point on the Nueva's and the Toreador's, but I'm not sure if La Congreso will authorize buying anymore ships overseas, especially after the fiasco that is the Paraguay class ships and was the Nueva de Julio class BBs.

Miguel: Fair enough. I'll stop at the Design office after I leave here. Will there be anything else, sir?

Livan: No, that will be all. Please send in my aide on your way out.

Miguel: Yes, sir.

Livan (To himself as Miguel leaves): I knew he'd react like that, it's what makes him such a great Almirante.

[Sachmle]

**NEWS FLASH**
With the Ottoman's Declaration of War against the Iberian Empire and the Hapsburger Kaiserreich all NUS ports are closed to Ottoman shipping effective 1200hrs local time on June 5, 1912. Any Ottoman merchant ships currently in port in the NUS have 24 hours to depart or they will be interned for the duration of hostilities.

[Sachmle]

June 28th

Today the armoured cruiser San Carlos de Bariloche and the two protected cruisers La Argentina and San Luis left Rosario and headed down river towards La Plata, there final destination is unknown at this time. Also noted today by our reporters in La Plata was that the two Nueva class protected cruisers Italia and Londres as well as five La Rioja class destroyers; Misiones, Salta, Neuguen, Tucuman, and Corrientes have left and headed out to sea. It appeared they were headed south towards Rio Gallegos. Best guesses at this time are that there has been some reshuffling of the fleet to cover for the absent 2nd Scouting group which left for France in late March.

July 1st

The armoured cruiser San Carlos de Bariloche and the two Neuva class protected cruisers Italia and Londres have not stopped at Rio Gallegos as originally assumed. Instead they have continued towards the Straits of Magellan. While they have continued on the two San Luis class protected cruisers San Luis and La Argentina as well as the five La Rioja class destroyers have stopped at Rio Gallegos and are tying up to dock now.

[Borys]

In conversation with Noticias de Madrugada, the Habsburg Ambassador, Count Izydor de Bieda-Kwiczy, expressed  satsifaction over the NUSA closure of ports to Ottomans shipping.

[Sachmle]

No un problema.  :)

[Sachmle]

July 19th

The Armoured Cruiser San Carlos de Bariloche(1) along with the Protected Cruisers Neuva Italia(2) and Neuva Londres(2) arrive at Pago Pago. There they fuel in the company of the Gran Columbian fleet collier Tranquilidad.

July 24th
The Peruvian fleet consisting of the Battleships Inti and Illapa, the Protected Cruisers Viracocha Inca and Pachacutec, the Scout Cruisers Choapa, Atacama, Lorete, and Puira, the Raider Cruiser Amazonas, and multiple Torpedo Boats arrive at Pago Pago.

July 28th
All ships present at Pago Pago depart for a group exercise.

(1)1910 - 9,475t  3x2x9.2", 8x1x6", 4x1x3", 24kts
(2)1909 - 4,400t  2x1x6", 10x1x4", 2x1x2", 27kts

[Sachmle]

Aug 14th

Heavy seas in the South Pacific have delayed the activities of the combined Peruvian/Unionista fleets.

Aug 22nd

The Peruvian section of the combined fleet break off and head off on their own while the Unionista cruisers continue on towards Subic Bay.

Aug 26th

The Armoured Cruiser San Carlos de Bariloche along with the Protected Cruisers Nueva Italia and Nueva Londres arrive in Subic Bay and begin refuelling. Once refueled the ships will perform patrols of the Western and Southern Philippines.

[Sachmle]

Aug 28th

News has reached the NUS today of possible piratic/raider operations in the South Atlantic.

Almirante del Conjunto Miguel Torres y Barrientos along with Contraalmirante Guillermo del Toro y Martinez, 1st Cruiser Group (Bahia Blanca), Capitan Reynaldo Jorge de Reyna (Senior Officer 1st Scouting Reformed: PC San Luis, 5 La Rioja DDs), and Capitan Maurico De la Cruz (Senior Officer 2nd Scouting Reformed: PC La Argentina, 4 La Rioja DDs) have been discussing what actions should be taken to rectify this issue.

[Sachmle]

Aug 30th

It has been decided that, in an effort to curb the activity of the suspected commerce raider(s) operating off the East coast of South America, the ACs based in Bahia Blanca and Rosario will patrol from the Rio de la Plata south to Rawson out to a distance of 20nm and the PCs and DDs based in La Plata and Rio Gallegos will patrol from Rawson south to the Drake Passage and east to Islas Malvinas. This will be done in 2 shifts.

[Sachmle]

Sept 1st

The following letter was seen posted at ports, docks, and marinas all throughout the NUS and was printed in all major newpapers:

*ATTENTION*ATTENTION*PUBLIC NOTICE* HIGH IMPORTANCE*
Due to the recent disappearance of multiple merchant vessels The Department of the Navy is suspicious of a possible COMMERCE RAIDER operating in the SOUTH ATLANTIC, specifically in the waters NE OF BRAZIL. The Department of the Navy hereby requests ALL VESSELS sailing the waters of the South Atlantic to report ANY strange, suspicious, or unusual vessels they encounter while at sea. Please report these sighting to the nearest Naval Base at your earliest possible convenience.

Shortly after noon many Naval personnel were seen talking to the Harbor Master's at most Atlantic ports.

[Sachmle]

Sept 10th

It was announced today that the following officers would be traveling to Rio de Janeiro to serve aboard Iberian Naval vessels as observers. This action will allow La Marina to gather more accurate accounts of any naval action that results and will allow us to better understand the tactics of our allies and to see what truly works and what does not.

Teniente's: Osvaldo Fernandez, Jorge Leon, Juan Marquez, Manuel Bocachica, Luis Gonzalez, and Javier Cordoba.

[Sachmle]

September 17th

News that Unionista artillery shells were discovered in an Ottoman ammunition wagon has stirred the highest levels of the Gobierno. El Presidente Martinez has demanded a full investigation into the events that led to the Turk being in possesion of NUS manufactured artillery.

A joint statement from Minister of Defence Livan Rodriquez y Perez and Secretary of State Ernesto Gonzalo y Riviera reads as follows:

While we have no concrete information at this time we are certain of one thing. These artillery shells were not lawfully obtained from us by the Ottoman Empire. However the Turks came into possession of these implements of warfare, it was through either unscrupulous means, or a secondary source. At this time the only nations that should legally possess NUS manufactured artillery are ourselves of course, and the French Republic, as they have been recieving 1000t of artillery shells of mixed and various sizes delivered every 6 months. Since the biggining of the Balkan War these shipments have been broken down, spaced out, and sent at random times to prevent them falling into the hands of whomever has been operating a merchant raider operating in the Mid Atlantic. As week speak our Embassy staff in Paris is attempting to discover if the last shipment has arrived in France. We have no further comment at this time.

[Sachmle]

For those who don't understand baseball, I apologize but I couldn't help myself.
...and here comes the pitch. Ooh, wicked curve ball.
October 17, 1912
Press conference on the steps of Universidad de Buenos Aires. El Presidente Jorge Martinez y Garcia speaks to a crowd of students, faculty, and reporters.

First of all, lets us have a moment of silence for all the young men who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others in the Balkan War.   ....   And let me congratulate our allies the Imperio Iberico and the Hapsburger Kaiserreich on their liberation of our Christian brothers sister in Greece from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire. We rejoice that the violence has ended and that victory was achieved. However, (Here's that curve ball) we are more than a little apprehensive about the appointment of the Emperor of Iberia, Jamie I's Uncle, Alfonso Carlos de Bourbon y Austria-Este, Duke of San Jaime as King of the Hellenes. We, as a nation who thinks the power lies with the people, do not understand why a people who have been oppressed by a foreign crown for so long would abjectly agree to follow another foreign crown. Although King Alfonso has what should be considered a legitimate claim to the throne of Greece, We feel the Greek people should be placing their trust in someone of Greek birth and decent, duly chosen by the majority of their educated populous through a legitimate election process. We stand behind the fledgling Greek nation, and wish it prosper as it deserves. However we still are unsure as to whether this decision by the Provisional Government is in the best interest of ALL Greeks. We are in no way stating opposition to the Royal Hellenic crown, just that we are watching to see how things develop. One hopes this decision was in the best interest of all Greeks, or fears another revolution will be short coming upon the crown of Greece.


October 31, 1912

NUS vessels in the Philippines head for home waters.