Italy a review 1909 - 1912

[ctwaterman]

December 1909 - Roman Times
Pirates sieze Italian Shipping in the Red Sea.
Today Italian Minister announced the seizure of several Italian Ships in the Red Sea.  One of these ships was a private vessel with several Individuals from prominent Italian families.   Rumors persist that a Ransom was demanded. And that while the Italian Foreign Ministry denies that that it bargains with Pirates it is apparent that the ransom was paid.

February 1910 - Roman Times
Pirates strike again in the Red Sea.
Again Pirates have struck seizing several small costal freighter in the Red Sea.
The Italian Foreign Ministry has launched a scathing note to the Princes of Egypt accusing them of both fermenting and financing the Pirates attacking Italian Shipping in the Red Sea.

March 1910 - Roman Times.
Italian Navy dispatches strengthened TB Flotilla to Somalia.

August 1910 -   Roman Times.
Italian Navy Combats Pirates in Red Sea.
Today Naval Officials in Rome confirmed that early last week a Roman TB chassed off several small boats that were attacking an Italian Freighter.  In response to this latest attack the Government in Rome has declared a close blockade of the Egyptian Red Sea ports.   The pirates were perused and were seen taking shelter in those ports.  The Princes of Egypt must act to stop these despicable acts against Italian Shipping.

October 1910 - Roman Times.
The Foreign Ministry today announced its full fledged support of the action taken by Prince Quasim Zafir and Prince Tahir Yusuf of Egypt to quell the rebellious princes in southern Egypt.

January 1911 -  Cairo and Alexandria News Papers
Prince Zafir accuses Prince Yusuf of being a traitor to Islam and Egypt.   Prince Yusuf was found to be accepting bribes from Italian Officials and intended to sell the Kingdom of Egypt to the Tyrant in Rome.
Prince Yusuf and his followers were arrested and executed yesterday. 

Several Weeks Latter.

Egyptian News -
Hailed by the populace at large and with the Support of the Mosques of Cairo and Alexandria Prince Zafir has been publicly hailed as the King of Egypt.

Italian News Papers-
Decrying the treachery and lies of Prince Zafir the Emperor today has declared a close embargo of all Egyptian Ports.   Reserves in the Tunisian Military District are here by mobilized.

April 1st 1911 – Roman Times.
Army Invades Egypt-
Operating from bases in Eastern Tunisia the III, IV and VI Legions struck at the forces of Prince Zafir.  These forces include large numbers of the newly issued Armored Cars.  This force is expected to make quick and short work of the army's of Prince Zafir.

July 1911 - Roman Times
Roman Legions Seize Tobruk
A Spokesman for  General Staff of the Roman Legions today announced that Cohorts of the IV Legion operating with extensive off shore Naval Support and 1 Cohort of the VI Legion seized the Egyptian Port of Tobruk.   The General staff hopes that seizing this port will allow the Army to resume a rapid advance into Egypt along the cost.   When asked about rumors concerning set backs to the Armored Cars of the IV Legion in combat with Local Cavalry Units that had been harassing the Legions line of supply.

September 15, 1911 - Roman Independent Newspaper.
Legions bogged down in Trench Warfare in Egyptian Desert
In a series of letter from the front our correspondent has drawn a harsh and bleak picture of the battles being waged in Egypt.   "The broiling sun beats down on the Trench Lines stretching from Martruh to the Quattar Depression.  The armored cars can not handle the rough terrain and large numbers of them have broken down.  The artillery force available to the Legions is simply not strong enough to break the trenches the Egyptians have erected."  Our correspondent when on to say that " Large numbers of Firanji Volunteers have begun to appear in the Egyptian Lines.  And that casualties have climbed into the Thousands. 

September 17th Speech from the Imperial Roman Senate -

Senator Marcus Tullius Cicero Speaking -  " My Fellow Senators, despite repeated reports from the Imperial Ministries concerning the glorious advances of our valiant legions into Egypt it appears that we have not been told the complete truth.  Yes our valiant troops have seized Tobruk and Sidi Bari from the forces of Prince Zafir.   But large numbers of Volunteers from abroad have joined those forces and the vigelince of our Navy appears to be unable to stop this influx.  Now our most Esteemed Emperor Gaius Marius has put before us a bill asking us to increase funding to allow for a full mobilization of troops and to call up even further reserves.    We were informed that this war would be over by now, we were promised that full mobilization was not required.   And even worse we are still being asked to fund an even larger expansion of the Navy next year.  I ask you Senators is it time for the Senate to stand firm on its ancient prerogatives to control the Treasury of the Roman state.  I say the State is in jeopardy the inflation is rampant and it is time that we seek an end to this war."  The Legislation to expand the war was narrowly defeated in the Senate and approved by the Tribune of the Plebs.   However more Legislation calling for an end to the war was also defeated and approved by the Tribune of the Plebs.


October 21st 1911 -
INR Naples Sunk by mines off the coast of Alexandria
The Battle Ship Naples was sunk on October 19th, 1911 while shelling the Egyptian Port of Alexandria.   Thousands drown when ship unexpectedly rolls over and sinks.

November 1st 1911- Imperial Roman Senate

Senator Marcus Tullius Cicero Speaking - " My fellow Senators not long ago I stood before you and gave a speech calling for the end of this senseless war in which we find ourselves embroiled.   I ask you my fellow Senators just what is it we hope to gain in the Deserts  of Egypt.   The war has continued since I last made my speech and many thousands of Young Roman Men have valiantly given their lives for the state.  I come before you now to acknowledge that indeed my Youngest Son died aboard that ship.   I call upon the Senators here gathered, the time has come to end this war.  It has cost Rome to much in Fortune and Blood.   I have here before my an offer from The Republic of France to intercede and mediate an end to this conflict.  I call upon the Senate to accept this Noble Offer from one Republic to another."


December 1911 - Roman Times.
Roman Ambassador to attend Peace talks in Suez.
The Senate in the name of Glorious Emperor Gaius Marius will send envoys to attend a meeting of Peace to be held between Prince Zafir of Egypt, the Envoys of the French Republic Envoys of the Roman State.

[Borys]

OOC
Nice!