International News, 1915

[Blooded]

It was real in our time, but World War One was also raging.

I figured the Ottomans could lose control of subject populations due to the recent freeing of Greece from the Turkish Yoke. I was planning on including some info from the actual events.



From Wiki -The Armenian Genocide refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterised by the use of massacres, and the use of deportations involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of Armenian deaths generally held to have been between one and one-and-a-half million. Other ethnic groups were similarly attacked by the Empire during this period, including Assyrians and Greeks, and some scholars consider the events to be part of the same policy of extermination.

It is widely acknowledged to have been one of the first modern, systematic genocides, as many Western sources point to the sheer scale of the death toll as evidence for a systematic, organized plan to eliminate the Armenians.

The date of the onset of the genocide is conventionally held to be April 24, 1915, the day that Ottoman authorities arrested some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. Thereafter, the Ottoman military uprooted Armenians from their homes and forced them to march for hundreds of miles, depriving them of food and water, to the desert of what is now Syria. Massacres were indiscriminate of age or gender, with rape and other sexual abuse commonplace. The Armenian Genocide is the second most-studied case of genocide.

[Korpen]

It was real in our time, but World War One was also raging.

I figured the Ottomans could lose control of subject populations due to the recent freeing of Greece from the Turkish Yoke. I was planning on including some info from the actual events.

Without the Great War as a trigger, I find it extremely unlikely that that event would come into play, just as it seems unlikely the Armenians would revolt.
The occupation of Greece, while hard on ottoman prestige, seems less brutal then the losses they suffered in the IRL Balkan wars.

[miketr]

If it is true then Madrid demands that the Standing Commission on Minorities, see Treaty of Paris 1912 Article VII sub article B & C, be assembled at once to investigate this matter.


If not then Madrid says nothing...   

Need a mod to say yes or no...  As Korpen does have a point

OOC Blooded you could always attempt to trigger a revolt Blooded just need to write a background story is all.

[The Rock Doctor]

I recall that the New York Times might've mis-reported events in the NEI as the Second Pacific War was coming to an end.  While we may have to discuss this OOC, keep in mind the fact that this is, so far, merely a newspaper article that may or may not be accurate.

[miketr]

OOC fair enough...  Iberia will look into the matter and await a report

[Blooded]

How do,

I had not looked into the Treaty aspect of it, the story could easily disappear. I was just attempting to bring an actual event into N3, no Biggie to me. Whatever the Gods decree.

[The Rock Doctor]

17 November 1915:  Rangoon, Burma

"There's a civilian pier-side asking to speak with you, Sir", a marine sentry said to Capitan de Fregata Palmiero. 

"A local?"

"Colombian, Sir."

"I'll go down and speak with him, Corporal, thank you", Palmiero replied, retrieving a pencil and notepad from the map table. 

The walk to the gangway was brief, though he had to pause to allow a sack of coal to be deposited onto the deck.  The local was an older man, dressed in simple clothes, hands in his pockets.  Upon seeing Palmiero, he nodded, then extended a hand as the officer arrived on the dock.  "Jesus Briceno", he said.  "Purchasing Agent for Eatright Foods."

"Jeronimo Palmiero, commanding the Boyaca", Palmiero replied.  "What can I do for you, Sir?"

"I was curious to know what a Colombian cruiser's doing in Burma.  We buy the place without me hearing about it?"

"No, Sir - we're investigating the situation in Bharat."

"That was my next guess", Briceno said.  "Yeah, some weird shit going on there, pardon my French.  Folks acting up from Bengal to Mughal, actually.  Government here's a little fidgety, you can imagine.  'course, your arrival might make them feel better.  Or not."

"The locals seemed willing enough to recoal us", Palmiero said, "Although at this rate, we'll be here another two days.  Did you have any information on the situation, Sir?"

"Lots of fanatics butchering good Christian folks...and pretty well anybody else they don't like.  Bombay's been the worst that I've heard, but it's hardly the only place.  Foreigners are holing up in any place that receives international shipping, trying to get out."

"Not just Bombay, then?"

"Hell, no.  I was talking with a Frenchman that left Vishakaphatnam last week, said there was a couple warehouses full of folks clamouring to get out.  He took on a few dozen that could pay for passage or work it off.  Dropped them off in Calcutta, for what good that'll do 'em."

"France will take care of them", Palmiero asserted.

"Meh", Briceno muttered.  "Anyway - point bein', lots of folks want out.  That'll include a few of our kin.  You plannin' to get 'em out?"

"There are some ships on the way for that purpose.  My primary task is reconnaisance."

"Good luck with that.  Indians are a little testy - they got Iberians, Italians, Hapsburgers, and God knows who else parked offshore already.  Sooner or later, they're going to want them gone."

"I'll keep that in mind, Sir", Palmiero said.  "Is there any other information you can provide?"

"Yeah", Briceno replied after a few seconds of thoughtful squinting.  "Be careful.  Might be more to this than a bunch of pissed-off peasants."

[P3D]

The Republic of Orange also inquires the Government of Bharat if it could provide any aid in order to restore order with minimal foreign intervention.

[ctwaterman]

Early Evening Admiral Quarters IMS Vendetta off the City of Bombay.

It had been a very long day and Admiral Scapula had some very difficult decisions to make.   His meeting with Admiral Juan De Balmaseda Count of Valdecarzana had been exceptionally informative.  It appeared that there had been no more attacks since those in late October.  However it also appeared that the Bharat Government was blaming the City of Bombay Government for failing to quell the riots in a timely fashion.  Admiral Balmaseda had been forthcoming with information that the City Council had tried to act and been denied help from the Bharat government.  There were still a large number of people on the docks being denied entry back into the city however.

The meeting with Brigadier Jairaj Phatak had been equally informative in what was said and what was not.   He had been escorted to the Mayors office for the meeting and had not been allowed to examine any of the damaged buildings along the way.  The Government of Bharat was denying permission to land troops, or to have armed foreigners off the docks.   The Brigadier claimed it was because the Government wanted to prevent any additional rioting that would be caused by armed foreigners being seen off the docks.   So it would be impossible to search the city for the hundreds of missing people including the Bishop of Bombay.  It had been very easy to examine the burnt remains of the Cathedral through a pair of binoculars from the Vendetta or get an even better view from the Fire Control stations in the tops.  It all came down to sovereignty as Brigadier Phatak had claimed, the Government of Bharat could not allow foreign troops access to its territory.  The problem was how to find the missing people and find out what had really happened when the Government of Bharat was obviously trying to conceal the size and scope of the rioting.

Admiral Scapula sighed and turned to valet "Get me the officer of the deck, I have some communications I need sent, and some orders to transmit to the squadron."

[ctwaterman]

Admiral Scapula finished writing up his report and looked it over before handing it to his communications officer.   "Have this encrypted and transmitted to our HQ in Mogadishu and have them forward it via cable to Rome." 

The Communication Officer replied, "Yes Sir, we may not be able to send the message that far sir what should I do if we can not contact Mogadishu?"

Admiral Scapula frowned, "If it is necessary transmit it to our embassy in Goa and have them transmit it via cable to Rome."

The Following Encrypted message is transmitted late that evening to the Italia Embassy in Goa and retransmitted in the morning over the French Cable from Goa to Djibouti and on to Rome.

November 5, 1915
From: Vice Admiral Fabius Cicero Scapula Viscount Sassari
To:  Commander Home Fleet Taranto, Commander Indian Ocean Squadron Massawa, Commanding Officer Naval Base Mogadishu, and Italia Foreign Office.

Sirs,
Have arrived off Bombay after refueling in Goa and communicated with both the local Iberian commander on the scene and the local Brigadier in command of the Bharat garrison of Bombay.  A great many refugee' are camped on the docks of Bombay awaiting rescue and on my authority I am diverting civilian shipping as it becomes available to rescue these poor unfortunate souls.

My conclusion is that the Bharat government is attempting to cover up the scope and ferocity of the attacks on Christians, Muslims, and other foreigners in the region.  I and my Iberian counter part Vice Admiral Juan De Balmaseda Count Valdercarzana have been denied permission to land troops to search for survivors hiding in the city and for the missing Bishop and Clergy of the local Catholic and Protestant Churches.   I have received permission for some of the refugee to be escorted to their home to search for belongings and family members who are missing and Brigadier Phatak has agreed to provide them with an armed escort.  The reasons for not allowing the landing of foreign troops is quote as being to protect the Sovereignty of Bharat and to prevent further unrest that the sight of armed foreigners might bring to the city.

The Vice Admiral Balmaseda has informed me that the Mayor and Police Chief of Bombay requested sanctuary from him and has been sent on to Madrid aboard an Iberian cruiser.   They have evidence that a Hindu religious sect called the Thugee may be involved in the attacks and that Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim religious leaders were a particular target of this group.

To protect the Civilian Refugee on the docks I will be utilizing some of my troops deployed to my ships as a ship security force and utilizing armed sailors on the docks to control access to the refugee'.  I expect the first of several merchant ships to arrive within a few days to a week and will begin evacuations to either Goa or Mogadishu whichever seems most appropriate at the time.  I will await further orders.

Your Obedient Servant,
Vice Admiral Fabius Cicero Scapula Viscount Sassari

[The Rock Doctor]

(It's a few days behind schedule...oh well...)

24 November 1915:  Vishakapatnam, Bharat

From offshore, the harbour had looked unaffected by the nation's troubles, but up close, Capitan de Fregata Palmiero could see otherwise.  Police, both mounted and on foot, were everywhere, firearms and sabers at the ready.  A vocal crowd - comprised almost exclusively of young men - stood on one side of a line of wood barricades, chanting and singing loudly.  On the other side of the barricade, around a pair of warehouses, filthy and haggard men and women collected water from a single pipe, defecated in specific areas, cooking over charcoal fires, or just watching the activity around them.  Most were Muslim or Christian Bharatis, but a minority were of European stock; the groups appeared to be keeping to themselves.  Palmiero could hear children, but none were to be seen, probably being kept inside for their safety.

The greeting party - such as it was - consisted of a senior police officer, his aide, and a middle-aged naval officer whom Palmiero took to be the skipper of the gunboat anchored near Boyaca. Palmiero saluted, waited long enough for the locals to return the gesture (they did not), and introduced himself.

"We've been expecting you", the aide translated for his superior.  "Your progress along the coast has been noted."

"I have been making call at the larger ports to look for individuals in need of assistance and to gauge the situation", Palmiero replied.

"The situation is, you people are no longer welcome here", the police officer replied.  "The sooner they leave, the better it will be for everybody."

"My superiors are undoubtedly attempting to arrange for that, Sir", Palmiero said. 

"Then you should have brought an appropriate ship for the task", the naval officer interjected directly in French.  "Unless that's a fast passenger liner you have there."

Palmiero suppressed his irritation.  "No, sir.  Appropriate ships are on the way.  My cruiser merely happens to be the closest available ship to undertake the scouting function."

The police officer spoke:  "How long will your ships be?"

"I'm awaiting an update from my superior officer when he arrives in...uh...the region".  Using the phrase in-theatre seemed a bit provocative, under the circumstances.

"Tell them to hurry.  If this mob decides to take action, my men may not be able to hold them back."

"I'll convey that", Palmiero said.  "Is it possible to speak with a representative of the people here?"

"There is an individual who has asked for that", the police officer agreed. 

It took no time at all to locate the individual - he was standing just on the other side of the cordon of police surrounding Palmiero and the local officials, passport visibly in hand.  He was a rice purchaser by the name of Alberto Hernandez.  "You have no idea how relieved I am to see you!", he exclaimed.  "I can only imagine this is what it was like in New Rhun so long ago."

"Can you tell me how many people are here?", Palmiero asked.

"Thirteen Colombians, including myself.  Overall, perhaps a thousand or eleven hundred?  I haven't counted."

"Are there other foreigners?"

"About sixty or so, mostly from Europe.  Do you have room for us?"

"Unfortunately, I don't", Palmiero said, "But transportation is on the way soon.  How are you for supplies?"

"We're making do - mostly.  The government's got a water pipe installed, and a few merchants have come by in boats to sell rice, bread, and beans, but most people are out of cash and goods to barter with."

"Are there health issues?"

"Oh, yes - there's a Bavarian missionary with medical training attending to about twenty people.  He's worried about cholera but it hasn't happened yet."

Palmiero nodded.  To the police officer's aide, he asked, "Will it be possible to land supplies for these people?"

"The items would have to go through customs, which would put them on the wrong side of the barricade."

"It could be transported again by boat", Palmiero suggested.

"A local boat, perhaps - not one of yours", the naval officer observed, "If you can find somebody willing to take the risk."

"I'll make it worth the risk", Palmiero replied.

[Borys]

First two weeks of November - Bombay&west coast
The two Hags quickly landed most of their AFL at Goa. Afterwards, the Lucrecia Borgia began a shuttle service to Goa. As the maritime portion of the journey took some 14 hours, it was possible to send 5000-8000 peaople every other day. The Elsebeth Bathory, still with an AFL battalion on board, escorted by the SMS General Laudon, started visiting smaller ports south of Bombay, looking for refugees.

[ctwaterman]

November 27th 1915 - Bridge of the IMS Vendetta

Admiral Scapula pondered the events of the last few weeks while he slowly savored one of the excellent Cigar he had been able to acquire for  the cost of only a few bottles of Port from the recently arrived Habsburger Admiral.

First the arrival of several Italia  Merchant ships diverted from Mogadishu with some food, medicine and more importantly once the supplies were unloaded the ability to move up to 500 passengers if not in comfort at least in relative safety out of the City of Bombay.  The first ship had already departed to take many of the displaced back to Mogadishu when word of amended orders to expedite transfer of the refuge to the nearest friendly port which would be Goa had arrived.

Next had been the arrival of the Hapsburg force with its additional troop transports and the KMS Siligia as head of the Habsburg task force.   The Habsburg commander had shown some restraint and had not invaded the City of Bombay.  The Habsburg Admiral upon being denied the right to land his troops had sent the transports back to Goa to unload the troops there so that the transports could be used to move  refuges to Goa.

The good news was that several more freighters were only days away along with reports of additional ships belonging to Peru and Grand Columbia where in the area.  The bad news that the riots had occurred in other costal cities and that there were additional refuge's to be evacuated was concerning.  And finally a report of an attack on a Catholic Mission outside Calcutta made the possibility that the rioting had been significantly more general then the Bharat Government was willing to admit.

The relationship with the local authorities was to put it mildly tense.  The local garrison commander was controlling the city but his troops and the locals were obviously not happy to see so many warships and so many foreign troops sitting at anchor off their city.

Admiral Scapula turned to his Aide, please send a message to the Commander of KMS Siligia and inquire if he would like to host a dinner for the commanders of all the arriving forces as I am certain he will be the Senior Commander on the scene.  I believe all the local commanders need to discuss our orders and how we can cooperate to accomplish those ends in a quick and timely manner.

[P3D]

Orange announces its involvement in the relief effort.
Four troop transport ships (with 3000t misc. weight, capable of taking ~5000 refugees in Sardine class accommodation), four 1000t sloops and two cruisers are dispatched. The ships are carrying some food for relief.
Crews are ordered to be tolerant.
The ship would arrive first week of December, in South Indian harbors. Refugees would be delivered to Orange Chagos.

Orange also requests Bharat to allow four 1000t patrol ships to stay in harbors to provide distilled water to refugees that the troopships cannot take.

[The Rock Doctor]

26 November 1915:  Chennai, Bharat

The Bharati officer returned Major Parker's salute stiffly, his eyes glancing downward to find that the marine was still on the gangway of the Senora Isabella and therefore not technically in Chennai.  "Sir, on behalf of the Republic of Gran Colombia, please accept my thanks for your cooperation in this evacuation."

"You're welcome", the Bharati replied in accented Norman.  "My last count was six hundred thirty-three individuals here - approximately ten percent foreigners.  Have you the capacity to take them all?"

"Yes, Sir.  But it will be crowded."

"Under the circumstances, I think they will accept that", the Bharati replied.  "From what I heard, all the evacuations are just as far as the nearest foreign enclave."

Parker replied, "Actually, Sir, we're going to Rangoon.  The Burmese have rented a section of their harbour district so we'll trans-shipping them there."

"How resourceful of them", the Bharati commented, scanning the bulky troopship.  "I see you are not manning your guns, as required by the terms of the evacuation."  Parker looked up.  There happened to be naval gunners playing card games or catnapping in the immediate vicinity of the ship's guns, but the Bharati was technically correct in his assessment.  "Very well, let's get these people safely on their way."

28 November 1915:  Vishakapatnam, Bharat

The officer of the deck shouted the order, and the docking collar released; the A-9 rose gently but slowly away from the Guyana. 

"Unfortunate that the photographic plates were damaged, but at least we can get a visual assessment of the city's condition", Capitan de Fregata San Martino mused. 

"How long do you think we'll get away with this, Sir?", his XO asked.

"The Bharatis said nothing about flying over their land.  Even if the local officials complain, it'll take a while for word to reach their capital and for it to respond", San Martino replied as the two men watched the blimp gain altitude.

"Is the paint scheme such a good idea, Sir?  It might set off the locals."  The XO referred to the broad yellow, red, and blue stripes painted along the blimp's rudder.

"It might, Juan, but on the other hand, it might also give some lost souls something to guide them."

30 November 1915:  South of Jangaon, Bharat

The convoy had stopped for the night and was now making camp off the road. Perhaps half had been with Padre Batista from the beginning, having been part of his congregation at a church that was now just rubble.  The others had joined the fleeing Catholics in twos and threes along the way, all professing prfound fear at the upheavals and agreeing that passage out of Bharat was the best and safest course of action.

Batista watched the refugees settle for the night in much the way that a shepard might watch his flock settle in a pasture.  They'd had no trouble so far, but it only took one of the many zealots out there to spot them and a frenzied mob would be on its way.  He'd take the first watch, along with one of the farmers who'd been with him longest, before handing off the duty to other men.

Approaching footfalls drew his attention, and he turned his head to note the man who'd joined up five days earlier.  "Good evening, my son", Batista greeted him in Hindi.

"Good evening, Padre.  We made good progress today, I believe."

"Indeed - but we need to improve on that.  The troubles may well cause ports to close before we reach the coast - in which we will have to head for Calcutta."

"That would be an arduous trek", the newcomer - Rahim, he recalled - agreed.  "Padre, do you think we will make it?"

"If it is God's will, yes", Batista replied, scratching at his beard.  "If not, we will be welcomed into His paradise when He determines it is our time."

"You don't worry about these mobs?"

"They are full of hate, but lacking in spirit.  They follow false gods", Batista said.  "They are weak, as bullies are."  He frowned as somebody in the camp began to play an stringed instrument.  "I'll have to speak with him - that may draw attention from afar."

Rahim waved nonchalantly.  "It will be good for our spirits", he remarked, and then a woman's voice began to accompany the instrument.  "There, you see?"

Batista nodded, slowly.  "I suppose it can be accepted for a short time", he said grudgingly.

"Everybody will sleep better", Rahim said.  "Well, I'm just going to relieve myself behind those trees before I head back to the camp.  Good night, Padre."

"Good night, Rahim", Batista responded, and turned away as the Bharati went to do his business.  The footfalls tapered away, leaving just the sound of music as the Colombian missionary scanned the countryside, careful to observe Rahim's privacy.

Something tickled Batista's senses just then, perhaps an errant smell, but it did not give him time to block the yellow scarf that looped over his head and down to his throat.