Italia News

[ctwaterman]

Mid July Rome
A Large meeting room with several tables seating a vast array of Senior Officers both Marina and Legionary.   Around the back of the room a large number of Military Aids, Scribes and functionaries.

An elderly man of military bearing and stature slowly limps to the podium.   He gently strikes the table with a gavel strategically placed to his hand.  Admirals, Generals, please take your seats I hope many of you remember me from your service under my command many years ago.  As the rest of you have already been informed I am Spurius Valerius Maximus the newly elected Consul of Military Affairs.   As you are also aware it is my job to rationalize the Empires' expenditures on the Marina and the Legions.   I have before me – waves to a table to his left covered in file folders and paperwork and maps, your reports for the last 3 years.   I have a statement with which to begin, there has been a great deal of wastage and use of public funds to finance private projects, pet theories and other endeavors.  The most glaring of which is now sitting at anchor in Taranto slowly awaiting technology to make her useful.  I speak gentlemen [Eyes narrowing] of the Nido delle aquile a transport ship for aircraft.  This practice will stop immediately or I shall become angry.

Now we will start with fleet dispositions.   The Atlantic Squadron was intended to be a Squadron why has it grown to be a full fleet.   Waves hand negatively as several admirals try to explain at once.  Never mind the explanation's here is our finding.  Recall the ships that are in need of refit and cannot be refitted at their currently assigned stations.  In addition we will work with you to reach an accommodation on what is necessary for the defense of our most distant colony and what is quite probably unduly provocative of that colonies neighbors.

I will note that I find the lack of proper overseas basing for our Fleet Units to be of great concern.  We need to decide where to put a fleet base in the Indian Ocean and what size fleet we expect Montevideo to support.  Once we have reached those conclusions we must work post haste to achieve those goals.  Also on the loss of the IMS Naples to mines last year, it has been decided that obtaining more advanced mine clearing techniques and vessels dedicated to mine clearing and sweeping operation will be of the highest priority.

The man at the podium turns to face the Generals gathered below him.
You gentlemen have at least begun modernizing the army.   But I see based upon reports from the fighting in Egypt that your little experiment with armored cars was as premature as the Marina's attempt to put flying toys onto a ship.  While your toy cars and their toy planes show great promise for the future I think we will wait to begin actual deployment in the future until technology has caught up with theory.
Our first major concern is the Balkan Crisis', we need more information because if this crisis grows larger we may become caught up in it unintentionally.   We have Iberian, Hapsburg, and Ottoman ships engaging each other less than 300 nautical miles from some our largest fleet bases.  These warships pass routinely through the shipping lanes we use to import our Oil, our Coal, and to move supplies to our troops on the Egyptian border.

So Gentlemen you have your orders the Marina will find a more equitable balance of forces in the Atlantic and make plans for building of fleet bases one in the Atlantic capable of supporting a small but powerful Squadron of ships, and another in the Indian Ocean to be able to support a much more powerful fleet presence if necessary.  The Legion Commanders will determine the force mix we need to defend our overseas colonies and what we need to defend our more local possessions.   I warn you all I do not like this war in the Balkans and fear that one way or another if it continues we may very well be drawn into it.  You will all work to gather more information about what is going on in Greece and the Balkans, the Empire needs to know who' is doing what and when so close to our territorial waters.

[ctwaterman]

It started slowly as inexorably as the tide creeping up the shore.  The Early morning papers were delivered across the City of Rome.  And there in Bold Print in one of the less popular rumor papers in large bold lettering were the fateful words.

Ottoman Ships Shell the Greek City of Pylos:

The article was short on facts and long on speculation, hundreds possibly thousands had been killed or maimed, Janissary troops running wild in a Greek town.  The People of Rome were shocked the Government Sponsored Papers had confirmed that a Naval Battle had indeed been fought near the City of Pylos but there was simply no mention of the carnage described in this one paper.   People gathered in the Curia of Rome questions were asked of the Concilium Plebis [Plebian Council] very angry questions.  And when answers, satisfactory answers were not forth coming the people decided to seek answers on their own.

By noon a mob had begun to gather and it slowly made its way from the Curia of Rome in the Great Plaza in the general direction of the Ottoman Embassy.    There stated purpose shouted loudly and vigorously was to seek an answer concerning the destruction of Pylos.   The local magistrates and their Lictors proved unable or unwilling to stop the mob.  It was finally with the mob shouting outside the gates of the Ottoman Embassy that a Cohort of the Praetorian Guard was dispatched to disperse the mob.  It took some time and not a little force to disperse the screaming mob from the gates of the Embassy.  The Praetorians used both clubs and horse to force the mob away and hundreds of protesters were arrested some were jailed and many were questioned and then fined and sent home.

[Borys]

Italian youths turning to Habsburg diplomatic missions are given a train ticket to Ancona, plus a ferry ticket to Dubrovnik. And some money for food for the journey. 
Such youths which first turn to their priests for guidance are also occasionally counseled to seek out Habsburg representatives. Others are advised to stay at home, or to volunteer for the Legions of Italy, as God's Will is Inscrutinable.

[ctwaterman]

Office of Spurius Valerius Maximus Consul of Military Affairs:

A door opens and a  Uniformed Aid with the shoulder ropes signifying a military aid to a senior government official enters carrying a large report.  He hands the report to Maximus who is sitting behind his deck surrounded by dozens of such reports.

Maximus "Never mind the report Lucius what do you make of the analysts synopsis."

Lucius "Its actually worst then you feared Sir, if we are forced to seek oil from locations other than the black sea it will significantly impact our economy.  We would need to triple or perhaps even quadruple the tonnage of tankers in our merchant fleet."

Maximus  "What ?, your saying that if the Ottomans or the war closes the Bosporus to our shipping we will need to triple the number of merchant tankers we have plying the oil trade.  This has got to be a joke, I was concerned about our supply lines but why would we need to triple the number of tankers why not simply send them to our friends the Confederate States of America they have oil as well and would be glad to trade it to us."

Lucius Points to the report "Its really and economy of scale sir, you see a tanker leaving say Taranto to Savannah or Norfolk to pick up oil must travel over 4500 hundred miles.  That is easily 15-17 days sailing time depending upon the speed of the tanker.  If you then add in at least a week in port on to the end of each trip you are talking about each tanker making one round trip every 5 to 6 weeks.  That same tanker can leave Taranto and be in Constanta, Varna, or even Odessa in under  5 days that makes it a round trip every 3 to 4 weeks at the worst.   In addition we can use smaller less sea worthy tankers for trade in the black sea they don't have to faced the Atlantic Weather nor do they use as much of the fuel.  Its around a 1000 miles to any of the black sea ports less then one quarter of the distance.  If it weren't for the time spent in port our tankers could sail to and from  Constanta  three times in the time it takes them to sail to Norfolk the closest of the Confederate States Major Ports.  If the same ship had to go to New Orleans or Galveston to pick up the fuel we are looking at an additional 5 days added to each leg of the journey and a ship needing at least 6500 maybe 7000 nautical miles of range just for safety purposes."

The door to the office closes

[ctwaterman]

The Port of Montevideo Uruguay Early August 1912 -

In the crude barracks ashore and on the docks sailors of the Italia Marina were elated, some were saddened as well.  Most were overjoyed at the news that they would be returning home in time to celebrate the new year.   Some would miss there new sweethearts and even families as the fleet had been at this outpost in South America for years.   Others were  angry simply because their ships would not be returning to Italia.

Among the business that had grown up along the water front the news was mixed.   The fleet was leaving and to some this was good news.  But to others it meant that their payroll was leaving with them, and this was not exactly a good thing to those who's livelihood depended upon the sailor of the Italia Marina.

But eventually that faithful day In Mid August came and the people waved as the Battle Ships Italia, Sardinia, and Milan accompanied by the Cruisers Mithas and Ceres left Montevideo and slowly steamed up the Rio de La Plata and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

[ctwaterman]

Rome Times August 1st 1912

Rome announces the recall of the Battle Ships Italia, Sardinia, and Milan and the Cruiser Mithas and Ceres to Italia.   These ships will undergo minor or major refits in the coming  months before being reassigned early next year.

The Office of the Consul of Military Affair in consultation with the Emperor and the Senate have announced a troop redeployment from Italia and North Africa.  These troops due to conditions in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean will be escorted to their new duty stations over the next 6 months by element of Italia Home Fleet.  The troops being relocated include elements of VII and VIII Legions.

[ctwaterman]

Rome Times

September 1st 1912

The Imperial Italia Marina annonced today the transfer ceremony of the 4 Destroyers granted to the Kingdom of Egypt will be turned over to Egypt on October 1st 1912 at a ceremony in the Port of Suez.
The 4 Destroyers will be DD-2,DD-5,DD-8,DD-11 all of the 1905 class of destroyers.  The Marina notes that these ship were all due for refit in a few years and have been returned to active status to facilitate this transfer.

The Empire of Italia further wish's to publicly thank the Office of the French Foreign Minister for their aid in negotiating the treaty between Egypt and the Empire of Italia.

[ctwaterman]

The Rome Time- September 1st 1912

   The Empire of Italia would like to announce the planned scrapping of all 6 of the Republiques class Battle Ships.  The Empire of Italia would like to thank the Republic of France for its generous sale of these ships to the Empire of Italia.

[ctwaterman]

A Small train station over looking the Italia Naval Base of Brindisi sometime in September 1912.

The Old Priest sat quietly on the Bench looking out to sea.  There were so many ships of so many nations coming and going to the ports on the Adriatic.  So many ships of war here they said for a humanitarian purpose.   Some ships were crewed by grim faced people from across the sea's the America's it was said.   And others were crowded with huge numbers of people displaced from their homes and villages weeping for the places and loved ones they were forced to leave behind.  The Priest sighed deeply and sadly and said a short prayer in Latin.   He slowly turns back to his charges busy waving frantically with their young arms at a passing warship.

"Attention Gentlemen and Ladies he said, I give you a Grand Humanitarian Experiment so that you might profit from its example, as he waved at the ships off shore.  Here we have the united might of 4 great states combined they say to help the people of the Balkans and Greece.   But we must look beyond what is apparent and see not only with out eyes but with our hearts as well.   Combined the might of these 4 great nations could be used not to move the poor displaced away from the war in Balkans but to actually end that war.   The Pope has condemned the war and even while the pope no longer sits upon the Throne of St. Peter his words bare listening too.  And, even while these 4 great nations strive to protect the innocent we must ask why do they do it in the way they that they do.  If you are to grow and become the future leaders of Italia these are the questions you must ask.  So I ask each and every one of you to look into your hearts and answer those questions.  I then ask you what our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ would have us do.  This Armada waves his hand at the ships again, can move the people to far off lands and safety.  But, what would happen if that same force were used to secure those same innocents within their own homes. "

The priest slowly leads a small group of well dressed young men and ladies all in their early teens back up the shore to a small train station and a waiting private train.   Slowly moving behind this group and off to its sides are several groups of men all operating in pairs and all wearing the uniform of the Praetorian Guard.

[ctwaterman]

Late September 1912
Rome, Office of Spurius Valerius Maximus Consul of Military Affairs

Lucius [Senior Aide] Enters room through the front door, My Lord Admiral Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Gaius Julius Caeser are here to see you Sir.

Maximus Show them in Lucius and get us some refreshment.

Admiral Sulla and Caeser enter the room and wait quietly and nervously still standing while Lucius serves tea to them all.

Maximus Lucius will you excuse us for a short while these Gentlemen and I, need to have a frank discussion.   Pauses to give Lucius time to leave and close the door.   Ok, Gentlemen you may take your seats I think  I have kept you standing like school children long enough.   Lays out the plans and schematics for IMS Aquila.  So I understand that we have yourselves to thank for this... Waves hand expressively boondoggle.  Silences excuses with a look   I didn't summon you here to explain why you did what you did but to inform you about what we are going to do about it.   You delayed a Battle Ship a tried and tested weapons platform for nearly 18 months to get this  little toy into the water at least from what I can tell a half decade before it will ever prove useful.  So here is what were going to do about.

Maximus   So young Caeser you have a desire to fly and a fascination with Airplanes.  Right now they are fascinating toys but I have some reports you might find interesting.   Hands over some schematics of newer more recent plane designs all from over seas.   Waits while Caeser looks over the schematics   So I have a proposal for you then.  You have saddled me with a ship I would rather not have been built and you conducted tests with a few planes operating at extremely short range from their target and I understand even then some of the results were how shall we say it faked?   You Mr. Caeser are going to join the Navy and you will be put in charge of a design bureau.  Within 5 years I want aircraft capable of at least patrolling the waters around Italy and Sicily if they can be made good for anything else I would be surprised but  I am informed that if you accomplish this you will be back in Majesty's good graces.  So Commander Caeser Lucius has your uniforms and order of posting outside you are dismissed.   Turns to Admiral Sulla will you remain my Lord I have some questions about recent ship postings.

Admiral Sulla and Maximus turn to a map which prominently displays all of the Western Mediteranian. 

Maximus So explain to me the boundries of the Ottoman Proposed Greek state and where are the Iberians and Hapsburgs in relation to those boundries.  In addition I need to know how a continuation of this war will effect our shipping through the Adriatic, Agean, and Ionian sea's.  I think its time to get our merchant shipping out of these waters before both sides start laying mine fields thick enough for the infantry to use as bridges.

[ctwaterman]

Rome Times:  Excerpts from this Sundays Sermon delivered by the Bishop of Rome.

In his opening prayer the Bishop had the following to say
"Dear Saint Anthony, comforting the sorrowful is a Christian duty and a work of mercy. By word, attitude, and deed I should try to brighten their days and make their burden easier to bear. Saint Anthony, Consoler of the Afflicted, may I remember when helping someone in sorrow that I am helping Christ Himself. Kindly mention my pressing needs to Him. We are here today to talk about the affliction of the poor and war oppressed people of Greece and the Balkans.  I call upon the Great People of Italia to give generously in this time of need for those who are suffering the scourges of war. "


In his closing prayer the Bishop again called for Christian Charity for the afflicted in the Balkans and Greece.  He stated the following
"Dear Saint Anthony, God wants us to see Christ, our brother, in everyone and love Him truly in word and in deed. God wills that we share with others the joy of His boundless love. Saint Anthony, Generator of Charity, remember me in the Father's presence, that I may be generous in sharing the joy of His love. Remember also the special intentions I now entrust to you.  I call upon all true believers to give of there boundless love to those who are less fortunate then themselves.   These gifts of love will be delivered to those in need in the Balkans and Greece."

[ctwaterman]

Rome Times: October 1st 1912

Bishop and Cardinal's of Rome Invite Pope to St. Peters to celebrate Christmas Mass.
Speaking before the Basilica of St. Peters in the Saint Peters Square the gathered Cardinals of Italia and the Bishop of Rome issued the following statement.

"In celebration of the coming year and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ we the Clergy of the State of Italia and caretakers of the See of Saint Peter do implore  His most Holy Revered Father to visit the Vatican City and to celebrate with the world a Mass on the birth of our Savior and dedicated to St. Nicholas the patron saint of Greece."


Edited to clarify intent and to avoid another scism and holy war... :)

[P3D]

St. Nicholas' day is the 8th not the 25th.

[ctwaterman]

St. Nicholas' day is the 8th not the 25th.

http://saints.sqpn.com/saintn01.htm
Actually its the 6th  :)

However the Clergy of the See or Rome and St. Peter are inviting his Holiness to come "Home" to Rome and give a mass on the 24th about the life of St. Nicholas of Myra. 

[Borys]

I sense a "St. Nicholas day" Schism brewing ...