CSA News for Balkan Conflict

[Guinness]

Looking up only momentarily from the large revolver he had aimed at a small target roughly 60 feet away, the President asked his Secretary of State, "Wilson! Is there no news of the conflict in the Balkans?"

The Secretary, fresh from the golf links, could only look down and saddle style lace ups, which he'd had a cobbler add spikes to.

"I'm sorry Mr. President, but news out of the Balkans is very slow right now. We also don't have many, um, assets in the region."

The President answered that with a loud "Harumph!", and took aim.

"Possibly the Italians have news? I can make inquiries with their ambassador, I suppose."

With that a loud noise emanated from the Presidents weapon, the target all but ceased to exist, and every bird within a block was airborne.

"Yes, Wilson, would you please do that?"

And with that, the Secretary of State, his ears still ringing, spun on his heals and left.

OOC: The suspense is killing me :)

[Borys]

Telegram to Justice Department, from St. Tropp in the Bermudas

Senior Constable Luis Cruchot has been reported missing. The last entry in the Police Station's log book is:
"Received reports about campfires on beach, tended by figures in flowing dress and turbans. Leaving to investigate".

[The Rock Doctor]

Real life and a need for the Mods to discuss things does slow stuff down.  I'm working on it as best as I can.

[Guinness]

No worries, it wasn't a complaint, just a statement of anticipation.

[The Rock Doctor]

Gotcha.  You will be pleased to know that you can look forward to at least one ship sinking during the last days of June.

[Desertfox]

What?!?! Only one ship? Did it at least go BOOM!? Foxy wants BIG boom! ;D

[The Rock Doctor]

"Settle down, Beavis!"

[Borys]

The Habsburg Ambasador delivered a note to the CSA government, that the the Empire expects to take up the generous, Christian offer of accepting refugees from the Balkan War sooner then expected. 
The absolute lack of Christian charity towards their Mussuaman neighbours of the Greeks being understandable, and to avoid continutation of deplorable bloodshed among non-combatants, the decision was made to remove such Civilians from liberated areas the soonest possible.
Thus the first transports of refugees can be expect to depart for the CSA in August of this year.
In light of suspect Dutch actions, it might be commendable to group vessels transporting those people, and have a Confederate crusier as some form of escort.

[maddox]

The Green Cross was informed by the situation, and in conjure with Madrid and Paris, a humanitarian action is being organized.

The superliner Le magnificent, recently repaired, is being put into a route.  The Green Cross is loading humanitarian goods on the ship in Marseille, to sail towards the besieched populace, unload those goods, and accept refugees willing to go to the CSA, for as long this conflict endures, or permanent, as the CSA offers.
From New Orleans Le Magnificent will do a cruise to make the situation less of a loss to the French National Ligne D'or.

[Guinness]

In his suite at the opulent Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, but a short stroll from the Nation's Capital, Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon of Georgia welcomed his distinguished guests for their planned mid-day meal. Included in the retinue were several members of Congress and Senators, the venerable Secretary of the Navy Alfred Thayer Mahan, the Secretary of State Woodrow Wilson, and the President himself, Theodore Roosevelt.

While Senator Bacon made it a policy to invite as many of Richmond's elite to meals, drinks, and other socializing at the Jefferson Hotel (indeed, it's sheer luxury and it's proximity to the buildings of government were the reasons he spent so much to live there while doing the Nation's business in Washington), this meeting was extraordinary, not just because of those in attendance, but by the casual nature of the gathering and the quickness with which it was organized.

After appropriate greetings were exchanged, drinks were mixed and poured, cigars were distributed, and the President told at least one very off-color joke, the host asked these assembled men, the most powerful men in Richmond, to please have a seat, and offered the President the place of honor at the end of the table, which he very politely declined.

With everyone seated, the first course of the meal was distributed, a luxurious combination of corned beef, vegetables, and dumplings. Once everyone had something to eat, Senator Bacon rose to speak:

"Gentleman, I'd like to thank you all for your attendance for this very important conference. As you well know, the President (nodding toward the president seated at the middle of the long table on his left) has proposed to Congress that the CSA be prepared to take in an care for as many refugees from the Balkan Conflict as possible, effective immediately, and to fund their care and installation in communities throughout our great republic. To this end he proposes $3 in this coming year's budget to fund their transportation here, and care, and $2 for each of the 2 years following to fund their care and assimilation."

Bacon paused for a moment. What he'd just said was of course, no surprise to anyone at the table. The bill had been before Congress for more than a week, although held up in committee by several of Bacon's Democratic allies. He saw knowing smirks on several faces.

He continued: "The leadership of the Majority, of course, has thus far publicly opposed this measure. Our constituents simply can't fathom importing so many with so many problems, who do not speak our language, and who do not worship our God. However, we in the leadership are also moved by the plights of these poor wretched souls. So what are we to do?"

And now Bacon came to the point of the meeting. It was time for horse trading, as the saying goes. A polite discussion arose around the table as the waiters brought forth the second course of the meal, grilled mutton chops with a side of mashed, fried and baked jacket potatoes.

The President sat uncharacteristically silent. He already knew how this bit of theater played out. The gentleman from Alabama would want money for various programs to educate the refugees in English and the bible, which would go of course to the powerful Baptist ministers who financed his campaigns before he'd allow the bill out of committee. The gentleman from Texas would want Federal money to fund a factory project in Galveston he was involved in before the bill could come to a vote in the House. The Senator from Virginia would want certain assurances that certain military spending would continue in his home state before he'd throw his support behind the project. And the Republican Senator from Florida wanted Federal money to build that blasted railroad to Key West.

The President was prepared to concede on all these demands. He just didn't want to appear too eager to concede, lest they decide to press for even more advantage.

Throughout the main course and the desert that followed (custard pudding, apple meringue pie, and a selection of cheeses with a very nice Iberian port), consensus seemed to be building, as each member of Congress and Senator began to agree on the importance of each others respective projects. It was a long process though. About the second time Wilson declined a glass of port, he couldn't stand anymore and stood up.

"Gentleman! Are we quite finished bartering over other people's lives?"

Silence fell over the room immediately. The President noticeably stifled a giggle. He'd been wondering when Woodrow would finally come around.

Wilson continued: "As most of you know, I've been personally opposed to the transportation of European refugees to our soil. I fear this might eventually draw us into the conflict. However, I'm compelled by my own Christian beliefs that we have a duty to do what we can to relieve the suffering of the people displaced by war. So I'm torn by my conscious in this matter, but I've concluded that we must take these people in, temporarily only, until such time as they can be repatriated to their native lands again. So please, stop the bartering, let us all agree to the most immediate actions necessary."

Now Roosevelt couldn't stifle his wide grin. He had, of course, orchestrated this entire bit of theater to assure that he'd get his refugee bill. He had no intention of keeping these people temporarily, however, the CSA needed to grow it's population.

"Secretary Wilson, thank you for your heartfelt words on the matter. Gentleman. I agree with the Secretary. The time for negotiation is over. Are we near a consensus?"

Most around the table nodded. The sole exception was the Secretary of the Navy.

"Mr. President. There is still the matter of getting the refugees here." He said.

"Yes, I know. What's your recommendation."

"I think 3 Murfreesboro class cruisers with each convoy should suffice. We have enough. We'll need a little help from our Italian friends to fuel them, etc. for the return journey though."

"Very well. Thank you. Fortunately that's one action I don't need Congress to approve" the President noted wryly. Health laughs emitted from around the room.

"So, if we are in agreement, gentleman, Senator Bacon: could your staff draw up the appropriate legislation?"

"Of course." The Senator answered.

"Well then, it seems we're done here. The members of the cabinet likely need to hurry off to do some furious letter writing!" (More laughter). "Would anyone care to join me in the saloon across the street? I've discovered the most intriguing game imported by our Normann neighbors. It's called Darts."

[Guinness]

TO: CSA AMBASSADOR TO HABSBURGS
FROM: CSA STATE DEPARTMENT

BILL FOR REFUGEE CARE TO BE APPROVED STOP NOTIFY HABSBURGS TO PREPARE TO SHIP REFUGEES STOP SENDING THREE CRUISERS FOR ESCORT STOP PLEASE INQUIRE AS TO SECURITY AT SEA AND REQUEST DETAILS FOR NAVIGATION END

[Guinness]

TO: CSA NAVAL ATTACHE TO ITALY
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF NAVY

BILL FOR REFUGEE CARE TO BE APPROVED STOP THREE MURFREESBOROS TO ESCORT CONVOY STOP PLEASE INQUIRE OF ITALIAN ADMIRALTY OF POSSIBILITY OF REFUELING ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS CONDITIONS IN MEDITERRANEAN WITH RESPECT TO SAFETY OF NAVIGATION STOP DEPLOYMENT DETAILS TO COME

[Borys]

TO: CSA DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND NAVY
FROM: KKK
INITIAL NUMBER OF REFUGEES SMALL. WATERS WEST OF MALTA OTTOMAN FREE. BEWARE OF DUTCH

[Sachmle]

TO: CSA DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND NAVY
FROM: KKK
INITIAL NUMBER OF REFUGEES SMALL. WATERS WEST OF MALTA OTTOMAN FREE. BEWARE OF DUTCH

Somehow I can see this being misinterpreted in the South.....

[Walter]

BEWARE OF DUTCH

...BEARING GIFTS! ;D