CSA 2Q1898

[Borys]

The views expressed in these pages are those of the publication concerned, and need not represent the official stance of the Confederate States of America.

Los Angeles Guardian, 4 April 1898

Three dishevelled hulks today meandered into the harbour at San Diego. Ostensibly a battleship and two cruisers, this unholy trinity was seen flying the flag – alien to many – of Rohan. The Navy has been occupied for hours denying the rumours that an invasion is under way.

Seemingly weak – the aged cruisers, especially, are slower and poorer armed than any others – the Navy has exchanged these for the equally aged La Paz Fleet, whose small cruisers are gradually rotting away. Given the poor quality of these ships, questions have to be asked about the viability of making them ready for service.

Naval Gazetteer, 7 April 1898

Finally, the Navy has sent the execrable Arizona class battleships to the breakers. The Jacksonville Navy Yard has long been blighted by their presence, the last battleships of their generation, but will not be any longer.

Unfortunately, the boneyard has merely moved to the Pacific Coast, where the three obsolete battleships of the Rohirrim have arrived. They are, of course, little more than hulks. A rebuild to make these ships meet modern standards, of course, would likely cost more, in terms of resources, than simply disposing of them promptly.

Naval Gazette, 14 April 1898

As the Gazette told you in March, the Rohirrim's cruiser Orodruin has completed her journey around the Americas. Although the Miami, one of our own latest cruisers, was present in international waters nearing the end of her voyage, there cannot be any contest between the two, even in terms of the status held by Orodruin.

The Gazette, of course, produced a sketch for a Confederate equal to Orodruin. It has now emerged that the Navy has done likewise, their ship having only the dreadful 200pdr gun for armament. The Rohirrim has set the target: the Confederacy must now exceed it.

Richmond Observer, 22 April 1898

Imperialism is on the rise in the Pacific. Australia – or Firanj, to the Caliph – is rapidly becoming a diplomatic battleground, as no fewer than four nations attempt to make inroads into sovereign French territory. Those who are participating in this endeavour are knaves and fools to think that the French lion will not respond. The Russian government has already denounced this action; it is a miracle that the French have not yet done so.

Rest assured, the French will respond, and when they do so, the Southwest Pacific powers will be shown to be the squabbling children they are.

Richmond Observer, 5 May 1898

The Richmond Observer replaced its' chief editor on 29 April, shortly after the buyout by an anonymous ultra-conservative Christian cult

Killing continues in the Anahuac Empire, under the pretence that it will please their false gods. How this appeases any divine entity defeats this paper: barbarous savagery can only invoke the wrath of the true God. The savages attempt to disguise their atrocities as a just punishment for criminals – recently, the victim was described as a 'wicked murderer' – and hide behind the use of capital punishment elsewhere.

They remain, though, the only nation to persist in public execution. It is recognised – even in the Holy Bible – that there are certain crimes that can only be punished appropriately by death. Let this, though, serve as warning to the Emperor Montezuma: Our Lord Jesus was publicly executed.

Soldier Magazine, 11 May 1898

The XIII and IX Infantry Corps have finally received the much-needed training to bring them into line with the remainder of the Army. Although formerly equipped to the same standards as other units, their lack of battle experience has long counted against them.

Exercises in the Ozark Training Area have, as well as boosting the competence of two corps, strengthened the feeling of weakness in the infantry. A cavalry charge – involving no less than three divisions of regulars – which should have been readily defeated instead turned into a rout for the defending two corps of infantry. It was afterwards estimated that, had the battle occurred for real, the defending force would have lost almost all of its equipment, with two-thirds of the soldiers killed and another ten thousand captured.

Richmond Telegraph, 27 May 1898

After the disastrous Army exercises earlier this month, Congress has acted. Since no Congressmen or Senators can agree on the future of the Armed Forces – the 1899 program being announced in just a few months – an all-party commission has been created to investigate the problem of defence expenditure.

The Congressional Defence Select Committee consists of twelve members: three from each of the Army and Navy, with two from each of the Democratic, Republican and Federalist parties. The Committee will have the authority to obtain access to all military facilities and documents.

A report is expected from the Committee in August.

Soldier Magazine, 18 June 1898

In the event of the unthinkable, the Army will at least have a position to fall back to. Between the towns of Matamoros and Laredo in Texas, a last-ditch network of fortifications has been constructed, across what is likely to be the main line of attack for an Anahuac army, should the borders be overwhelmed.

Whilst heavily armed, the new fortifications are still unable to sustain a large force. The Army, though, is adamant that this will be unnecessary: the Cavalry will be able to sever enemy communications before reaching this stage, isolating any attackers.

Richmond Telegraph, 27 June 1898

In the last few days, it has emerged, the Foreign Minister, Stephan Saxon, has caught a fast steamer to Saint Petersburg. Saxon has long been known to advocate a closer relationship between the Confederacy and Russia; it seems likely – especially in view of the Russian treaties with other powers – that this goal is being advanced.

Russia, of course, is one of the most powerful nations in the world. A friendship with the Tsar cannot bring the Confederacy into disrepute, but we must also be wary. The Russians have significant clout – this may merely be an attempt to bring our freedoms under their control.