CSA 3Q1898

[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.

Richmond Telegraph, 12 July 1898

Two days ago, a treaty of non-aggression was signed with Russia. The agreement, long advocated by the Foreign Minister, guarantees Russian neutrality in any war that the Confederacy may become involved in. Also, it provides for improved commercial access to Russia for Confederate businesses and regular exercises involving the two countries navies.

Deputy Foreign Minister, Alasdair Richmond, spoke to the Senate today, claiming that the treaty "heralds a new era in Confederate relations with the Old World". Many companies, however, fear that the new Russian access to markets will force them out of business.

Soldier Magazine, 21 August 1898

A three-fold increase in the Army's manpower is called for! The Congressional Defence Select Committee today released its' report into the investigation carried out over the last months, which advocates the formation of dozens of new divisions, and the enlargement of the Army's corps-level artillery provision.

This comes at a price, though. The hard-won heavy artillery – including "Amarillo" twelve-inch howitzers – is to be removed from direct command of the Army, and placed instead under command of the Artillery Board. The new rail network needed to transport the heavier guns under development, though, will also provide the Army with much-needed priority transport.

When fully mobilised, it is predicted that the Army could number over a million and a half in just a few years; this magnitude of force cannot afford to wait for the Women's Institute outing to clear the tracks during wartime.

Naval Gazetteer, 25 August 1898

The junkyard at La Paz – already diminished by the sailing of a dozen cruisers to Rohan, to be followed in September by the same number – is being eradicated at a fearsome rate. Work is well underway on the scrapping of five old cruisers at La Paz and Guaymas, and another five are expected to follow in September.

Admiral Fisher's sweeping plans to reform the Navy – evident in the CDSC report – are well underway, as the numerous decrepit ships of the Reserve Fleet are sent to the breakers. Speaking today at Jacksonville, he spoke of "a new age of war at sea, in which no ship too slow, too small, too weak, can be considered as a ship to be reckoned with. This is a new age which we cannot fail to join."

Naval Gazetteer, 18 September 1898

Under Fisher's reforms, few ships are safe, those of the Jackson class especially so. The old protected cruisers, armed with the short-barrel 9.2" gun, are particularly slow and underprotected. Equally, the active fleet lacks practice in firing against a ship target: the solution is simple.

The two ancient cruisers – currently moored in Tampa Bay – were declared today as targets in a live-fire gunnery exercise. Although details of the tests are classified, it is expected that they will include trials of the current armour piercing shells and of the latest 19.5" torpedoes.

Richmond Observer, 24 September 1898

The heathens are in disarray! As they battle for dominance of the land to our South, they accuse one another of wickedness and of evil. In truth, we all are evil, but none less so than the Anahuac. Their persistence, not only in the barbaric human sacrifices to their false gods, but also in their refusal to admit the rights of a peaceful – if still misguided – people to their hard-won land.

The people of the Confederacy have long stood for the rights of individual men. Surely, the unprompted aggression of the Anahuac Empire is a trespass upon these like no other. Our leaders cannot continue in their inaction; the people must act to destroy the evil stirring in the South.

Los Angeles Gazette, 29 September 1898

Our Southern neighbours are on the march. The armies of Rohan and the Anahuac Empire have begun to clash in the jungles of New Beleriand, apparently caused by misunderstandings on the part of both sides. The Anahuac claim that their party of soldiers was in fact "a group of imperial archaeologists", but this is flatly contradicted by the Rohirrim's stories of well-equipped, fanatical soldiers.

There may yet be war in Central America, caused by the refusal of two advanced native cultures to back down on their threats. Such a war could – would – extend beyond the borders of New Beleriand, and the Confederacy has the misfortune to lie across any lines between the Anahuac Empire and Rohan. It seems that war is afoot; the Confederacy must be ready for it.