News of the Mark 4Q1898

[Borys]

October 7, 1898

It seems fitting the the first of the refitted Confederate cruisers commissioned into the fleet to meet the second batch of cruisers that arrived today at Dol Amroth. Newly commissioned cruisers, Teton, Shasta, Modoc, and Hoopa, greeted the 12 ex-Confederate cruisers as they entered Rohirrim waters. The new ships will be distributed to various yards as resources allow, where they will be given tribal names, refitted, and returned to the fleet.

October 11, 1898

Construction on the Battleship Brytta was halted today by the Advisor of Finances today in conjunction with the Naval Construction Board. Reportedly they want to investigate some improved systems to be placed into the new battleship. However the rumors are that with increased rumbling from the Southern Sarumans and the tension of the Australian Crisis, the Marshals of the Seas want more ships completed quickly to counter the possible threats of war in the near future.

October 13, 1898

The Combat Cruiser Eldacar and the destroyers Folwine and Fastred began a two week exercise in the Caribbiean Sea yesterday morning. This morning the Combat Cruiser Alcarin and the destroyers Baldor and Felarof left to participate. It seems the Captain of the Eldacar, Lord Harlock of Mithlond, is going to test his skills as a pirate, at least according to the press release. The two groups will play a game of hide and seek in local waters. Young Captain Harlock is well know in New Beleriand's military circles for his unorthodox crew, and tactics. It is expected he'll find some way to come out on top in this exercise.

October 26, 1898

Upon returning to Eglarest yesturday, Harlock, Captian of the Eldacar, reported that when his group neared the Mosquito Coast, three days earlier, that his ships were warned away by Anahuac Vessels. While still outside Anahuac waters, Lord Harlock reports the possiblility that the Southern Suraman are dropping stationary torpedoes along the coastal approaches. Torpedo boats will be assigned to watch for Anahuac intrusions farther south from now on.

November 9, 1898

Theocro King has dispatched Foreign Advisor Gamiling Arodson to discuss a trade agreement with New Switzerland. Earlier this month a swiss representative came to the court to ask for possibility of such a treaty, and the king has decided that such a move might be beneficial with the potential problems near New Beleriand and possibly resolve the issue of California after the last 50 years of trying to keep that nation safe.

November 14, 1898

Micelhusls (Corps) have been active in New Beleriand after the ill-conceived invasion of Rohirrim territorry a month and a half ago by the Anahuac. Three Micelhusl of infantry have been excersicing in the central region of the country while the other active units are going to be more vigilant along the borders and coastal areas. Several eoreds of calvary are also patrolling throughout New Beleriand.

November 19, 1898

Battleship Theoden and the Combat Cruiser Alcarin
set out monday for a brief flag showing event in Gran Columbia. It seems the local government has been threatening several of the Westron merchantmen and is denying them the ability to leave port. Beren Ithilson, Marshal of the Eastern Seas, says that the Columbians have been kind enough to change their minds in the last day or so since the battleship and cruiser arrived off the Columbian coastline.

December 1, 1898

The Torpedo Boat Erkenbrand investigated a huge explosion nearly a hundred miles north of Eglarest yesterday. Arriving several hours after the explosion, the torpedo boat found an Anahuac cruiser, or "bark" as they call them, in the area sailing north. With an enemy vessel so close to the area, it is assumed they were testing some new explosive device. The Erkenbrand did not stick around, in case the enemy cruiser decided to turn back and make the torpedo boat a "weather related accident".

December 3, 1898

Reports from New Switzerland indicate that the trade agreements might be evolving into a non-agression pact as well. The king has approved this measure in light of the rumblings from the Anahuac over the last year.

December 8, 1898

WAR!?
In a statement today from Theocro King, he states that "I have heard of no reports of our navy attacking any Anahuac vessel in the last year, nor have I ever heard of your forces using stationary torpedoes, or "mines" as they are starting to be called now. But if they want a war...I suppose we can oblige them that one request".

The Kingdom of Rohan declares war on the Anahauc Empire.

December 15, 1898

Active units of the Rohirrim have mustered in New Beleriand for the coming conflict. Rumors abound at where the Southern Suraman will strike first. Some are calling for us to drive through the heart of their territory straight into their black hearts. Meanwhile, the Army of the Rohirrim is being assembled in Rohan for transport south. The Marshals of the Seas are requesting many civilian vessels to be loaned to the military to get the Army and supplies down to New Beleriand. Others say that won't be needed. "Our Gondorian friends can defeat the Sarumans easily. We've just been holding back to give them a chance to see if they can act in a civil manner. I guess we were wrong."

December 17, 1898

Gamling Arodson is said to be returning to Rohan and then travel to San Francisco, California, to sign a Trade Treaty with the New Swiss in the first week of January. The king has send Gamling approval to apply the King's seal to the document.

December 25, 1898
(Fellowship Day)

It seems odd to be at war on Fellowship Day. But the old stories say that Fellowship Day was founded because of a war. We can hope that our people will have a much easier war then those in the days of Theoden King. As families spend time together with friends, they hope that any new fellowships will return as victorious as the original set of nine travelers.

December 27, 1898

Parts of the Southern and Eastern Fleets have been sent out to "hunt barks and barges". The Fleets of the Rohirrim are going to search for enemy vessels and hopefully stop the raiders before they get too destructive. Eldacar, Combat Cruiser of the Mark, will lead any anti-raider effort in the Caribbiean while Elendur, Combat Cruiser of the Mark, will lead the Central Pacific efforts.

December 31, 1898

Four ex-Confederate Cruiser that were undergoing refit were completed earlier this week, and will be commissioned in active duty and renamed the first week of January. The remaining 16 cruisers will be refitted as quickly as the avalible dock space will allow. All will be renamed in the next coming weeks.