CSA News 4Q1898

[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 Gazette, 4 October 1898

Yesterday, a horrific event hit the Trans-American Railway. The train "Arthur Wellesley", consisting of four locomotives and more than twenty passenger carriages, was blown up just after sunset, as it was crossing the Colorado River at Topock.

Survivors have told this reporter of how, when the train was half-way across the 200 yard long bridge, there was "a tremendous crash, and a bright light". The bridge is believed to have collapsed, with the train falling into the river. Many passengers were swept downstream, but an alert local raised the alarm and achieved the seemingly miraculous rescues of hundreds of people.

Of the estimated thousand passengers on the train, there are one hundred and nineteen confirmed dead and another eighty-seven missing. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Army has despatched an investigative team to aid the Arizona Sheriff's Department in their enquiries.

Naval Gazetteer, 5 October 1898

The Navy has ordered the construction of the most preposterous warships in the last week. The so-called "submersible" under construction at Key West can never support a crew under the water. It is common knowledge that a steam engine requires air to operate, and that men cannot live unless supplied with air. The tiny boat under construction can never support a crew, let alone contain an engine for them to move.

Likewise, the new "sloops" and "river monitors" are truly hideous vessels. They are small, ugly ships, with no ability to set out to sea on the one hand or to sink anything on the other. These new ships are a devastating sign of Fisher's folly – they can fulfil no role in the CSN of today.

Richmond Times, 7 November 1898

The Department of the Navy today made an announcement. The duties of fisheries protection and customs patrol are no longer to be fulfilled by cruisers of the Navy, but instead by a new Coastguard force.

Recruiting for this force has already begun. Men between eighteen and thirty years of age, in good physical shape and healthy are invited to present themselves at any Navy base or Federal building. A competence in engineering, boat-handling or armed combat is viewed as an advantage.

Soldier Magazine, 22 November 1898

Lieutenant John Rockefeller, of the 12th Infantry Division, has recently demonstrated a new development in aviation to the Ministry of Defence. Although specifics of his invention are classified, it is believed that the new craft involves fitting a Mark IX spotting balloon with an engine from the Diesel Corporation.

Richmond Times, 10 December 1898

After an emergency meeting of Congress, President Davis made a speech to the press yesterday afternoon:

"The date of the 30th November 1898 will live in infamy. The Anahuac to our south lost, on that day, one of their cruisers, claiming it to a mine of the Rohirrim. To our north, the Rohirrim deny all association with this disaster. The two countries have long been at odds over New Beleriand; in the last months, their tensions have escalated. They are now at war.

"As the country which has the misfortune to stand between the two warring factions, the Confederacy has no option but to declare its' neutrality. Whatever atrocities may have been committed by these countries, whatever their policies may be, this is not our fight. We cannot stand to gain any by sending away our young men to die in battles not of their making.

"Nonetheless, the Confederacy wishes to see peace in the Americas. To this end, when the Anahuac Empire and Kingdom of Rohan finally come to their senses and realise the folly of their war, the Confederate States of America will be willing to mediate between the two parties. There may yet be peace in our time, and I intend to make it happen."

Richmond Observer, 10 December 1898

Our lily-livered President showed his true colours in his speech yesterday. He admits to the horrors committed in the names of the false gods of 'Me'el Quor' and 'Tzar-on' – but has not the stomach to stand up against them. If our Government will not act, then the people must.

If you have not already done so, petition your Mayor, Governor, even the President, to stop the horrors in New Beleriand and the Anahuac Empire. We, in the Confederacy, have one of the world's greatest armies, but will not use it. The people must form a Legion of Freedom, and march to bring liberty to the masses of the world!

Naval Gazetteer, 17 December 1898

In view of the loss of the Anahuac "Armoured Bark 27" to a mine off of the Mosquito Coast, the Navy has decided to reopen its' studies on the subject. Although a rudimentary mine was tested in 1886, with a charge of twenty-five pounds of guncotton, the program was terminated shortly afterwards, as the weapon was felt ineffective and unsafe for deployment.

The allegations that the Anahuac loss was due to such a weapon, though, have reawakened interest in the mine. It is believed that they could be used to protect areas of coastline from intrusion without the need to commit ships to defence.
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jun 2 2005, 01:43 PM


Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
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Group: Head of State
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Hmm...so who took out the train?

Quo bono?

I have my own ideas there...

   
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RLBH    
Posted: Jun 2 2005, 04:57 PM


Hegemon
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Group: Head of State
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It's all in buildup to the election of 1903. I'm saying no more.

I'll gladly tell you you're wrong, though. tongue.gif

RLBH