Gran Colombia News, 1918

[The Rock Doctor]

January 2, 1918:  Cartagena

"The DKB is putting Goa on sale", Eduard Torres advised the President and his fellow ministers.  "I have dispatched a man from our embassy in Neue Brandenburg to assess the province, although I do not know how quickly a sale may take place."

"We've mused about Goa in the past", President Alizandro said.  "My recollection is that the province is  well developed, but vulnerable to Bharati aggression."

"Essentially correct", Torres said.  "There are rumors that the DKB has been looking to rid itself of Goa - in a profitable manner - since the Kolkata War.  The Brandenburgers appear to view Kolkata as a portent of things to come, and prefer to cut their losses."

"What does it have to offer?"

"Primarily mining - iron and manganese", Torres replied.  "There some specialty timber and rice production, but mining is the foundation of the local economy."

"And how difficult would it be to defend it if Bharat were to attack?"

"The city itself has extensive but dated fortifications; these could be upgraded.  Given the province's limited size and its geography, General Geolog thought it could be a tough nut to crack - but that, if Bharat was willing to shed enough blood, the nut would get cracked.  He and Admiral de Irujo have a team examining this question at the moment", Sir Edmund Fitzroy stated.

"I'll need to see that report very soon", Rey observed.  "Assuming we decide to make a bid, who might we be competing with?"

"Bharat would have to be considered a candidate, although they are still paying for Kolkata", Torres said.  "France is a possibility, despite the apparent illogic of it.  Our European friends may be interested.  As for others, it is difficult to say.  I understand that DKB has received a substantial bid, but I have no details about who presented it."

"We should put a marker down that we're considering an offer, so DKB is aware of it.  And we need to talk with our allies to get their views", Rey said.  "I'm leery, since we're still digesting Zaire and Montana, but turn-key opportunities like this won't come along very often." 

[The Rock Doctor]

9 January 1918:  Cartagena

"That's a hell of a trip", Aquileo Alizandro observed as he examined the itinerary for his cousin's round-the-world trip.

"Eight months and change", Rey replied.  "No sense in having a yacht if I'm not going to use it."

"You're taking the whole family?"

"Absolutely.  The cruising will be good for their schooling, and the visits will be good experience."  The president examined the itinerary further.  "Granted, Jose will reach his majority somewhere off the western coast of Africa, but it's not like he had plans."

"For Christ's sake...", Aquileo muttered.

"What?"

"You need to ease up on him, Rey", Aquileo said.  

"I beg your pardon?", Rey responded.  

"You need to stop acting like there's something wrong with him.  There isn't - yet - but if you keep nagging him about his interversion, there will be."

Rey glared at his cousin.  "I don't recall asking for your parenting advice, Aquileo."

"Irrelevant", Aquileo said dismissively.  "The moment Jose steps off that ship in Cartagena, he's the Successor.  He's a heartbeat away from the Presidency.  He can not properly lead this nation if he doubts himself, which is what your behaviour is doing to him."

"I'm not going to change how I raise my son", Rey stated.  "Back to the issue at hand.  You're going to act for me in our absence.  Do you have any questions about anything?"

Aquileo scowled at Rey for several long, quiet, seconds.  "Yes", he said.  "Are you taking an escort?"

"One of the newest cruisers will be coming along the whole way.  De Irujo will hate it, but it can match the yacht for range."

"Alright", Aquileo replied.  "Eduard noted that there were mutterings out of Richmond about some kind of arms control conference.  If one happens, does Eduard go?"

"He can attend exploratory discussions", Rey said.  "Nothing further until we know more."

"Are we recognizing Villa's government in Mesoamerica?"

"We'll let them ask for representation here first", Rey replied.  "Anything else?"

"No", Aquileo said.

"Fine.  See you at Friday's cabinet meeting."




The Alizandro World Tour 1918:  

Depart Cartagena:  4 February
Arrive Cayenne:  7 February
Depart Cayenne:  9 February
Arrive Bom Liete:  19 February
Depart Bom Liete:  20 February
Arrive Matadi:  28 February
Depart Matadi:  4 March
Arrive Cadiz:  18 March
Depart Cadiz:  21 March
Arrive Malta:  24 March
Depart Malta:  27 March
Arrive Port Said:  31 March
Depart Port Said: 5 April
Arrive Tel Aviv:  15 April
Depart Tel Aviv:  17 April
Arrive Ciudad Alberto:  25 April
Depart Ciudad Alberto:  30 April
Arrive Dar-es-Salaam:  10 May
Depart Dar-es-Salaam:  12 May
Arrive Rangoon:  30 May
Depart Rangoon:  2 June
Arrive Hainan:  5 June
Depart Hainan:  8 June
Arrive Guangzhou:  10 June
Depart Guangzhou:  13 June
Arrive Manila:  15 June
Depart Manila:  17 June
Arrive Neue Brandenburg:  30 June
Depart Neue Brandenburg:  4 July
Arrive Papeete:  17 July
Depart Papeete:  20 July
Arrive Valparaiso:  11 August
Depart Valparaiso: 14 August
Arrive Buenos Aires:  28 August
Depart Buenos Aires:  1 September
Arrive Recife:  10 September
Depart Recife:  12 September
Arrive Cartagena:  22 September

OOC:  I've guessed at transit times - can't be bothered to model it out, but it sounds about right.  Additional stops along the basic route, or more elaborate detours towards the tail end of the trip, can be arranged.

[Logi]

OOC: New capital's Guangzhou and the offered meeting place was Guangzhou; just in case you forgot.

[The Rock Doctor]

I guess I did.  I'll adjust.

[Walter]

New capital's Guangzhou and the offered meeting place was Guangzhou; just in case you forgot.

You're suggesting that the GC ships should be dragged onto land and all the way to Guangzhou? I guess that's why you need all those tractors. ;D

[The Rock Doctor]

I understand it to be a river port - the yacht could likely make it there.  If not, then it docks at the coast and everybody takes a train.

[Logi]

OOC: No, I've looked at map and it seems the Pearl River Delta at Guangzhou is 15 meters deep. Deep enough for your typical battleship.

However that's only the channel to Guangzhou, the tributaries are pretty shallow.

[The Rock Doctor]

Shouldn't be a problem, then - no plans to go sight-seeing up the tributaries.

[The Rock Doctor]

28 Feburary 1918:  La Prensa Nacional

The First Family's world tour is making its first major stop.  Following brief calls at Cayenne and Bom Liete, the Libertad and its naval escort arrived at Matadi, Zaire this morning. 

The President was greeted by a small but enthusiastic crowd, mostly recent Colombian immigrants, and joined the Vice-President in an inspection of an honor guard, before being whisked away to an afternoon of meetings at the government's offices.  The First Family joined the Vice-President's wife and child ashore to tour the town and will join the two gentlemen for dinner.

The First Family will travel by train to Ciudad Leopold tomorrow, where they will participate in a ceremonial sod-turning for the new river port being built on the Congo.  Visits to local plantations are also planned, with the tour concluding with an inspection of the naval base at Banana.

[The Rock Doctor]

18 March 1918:  La Prensa Nacional

The presidential yacht Libertad has arrived in Cadiz, Iberia, where President Alizandro and his family will spend three days before carrying on to Malta.

[The Rock Doctor]

19 March 1918:  Cadiz

President and Senora Alizandro were sitting in lounge chairs beside Libertad's swimming pool, watching the girls swim.  It had been a productive day of meetings with the Emperor and his government, discussing among other matters, trade, the unification of Peru and NUS, and the recent Confederate claim to a large sector of Antarctica. 

"So the military thinks this is a ploy to establish a base of operations in the deep south?", Senora Alizandro inquired, sipping from her margarita.

"Yes.  Naturally, the Confederates could use some search and rescue capabilities down there, much like anybody else who operates whaling and fishing fleets.  It's an inhospitable area, and ships are lost every year."

"So what would the Confederates do, in a military sense, down there?"

"Drive away our whalers and fishing vessels.  Perhaps prey upon shipping steaming south of Africa", Rey replied.

"Hmm.  Can you deny the claim?"

"There's no specific reason to", Rey said.  "If we cite general principle, we'd also be denying claim from the Hapsburgers and NUS."

"That's out of the question, I assume?"

"Yes - no reason to aggravate our friends, or some of the friendly neutrals with claims elsewhere."

"Of course", the First Lady agreed.  She set her drink down and snapped her fingers.  A steward was alongside momentarily.  "Go to the library and bring me an atlas, please", she said.  The steward bowed and headed inside.

"I really don't want to claim a chunk of that shithole", Rey said.

"No, of course you don't", his wife said.  "Do you remember that coat you bought for me when we went to Italy for the dual wedding?"

"Er...what?", Rey replied.  "Yes, it was sealskin.  From a little trading outfit in Cromwell."

"Where'd the little outfit in Cromwell get the sealskin from?"

Rey shrugged.

The steward returned, bearing a huge tome in his hands.  He held it out to the First Lady, who opened it and flipped through a few pages.  She then held the book up for Rey to see:  a map of North America, with her index finger tapping a huge, white, land mass between the light blue of the East Sea Confederation and the royal purple of France.  It kind of looked like a big, upside-down dog to Rey.

"A woman doesn't forget the background behind her presents, even if her husband does", the First Lady said.  "The furs were obtained by a trading expedition to Ile de Baffin, which exchanged some basic goods with the nomadic locals in return for seal, polar bear, and fox furs.  Now, it could just be the margaritas thinking, but it would appear to me that this is as legitimate a basis for claiming Ile de Baffin as the Confederates' claim over the area of Antarctica."

"You're suggesting I claim a frozen chunk of North America the size of the DRM?", Rey asked.

"I'm suggesting it's an option", Senora Alizandro replied.

"Maybe I'd better discuss that with some people", Rey replied.

[ledeper]

Preliminary border between the Americas and Esc ;everything to the West of the line is American ,and East is Esc:

[The Rock Doctor]

Thanks for that.

[The Rock Doctor]

25 March 1918:  Valetta, Malta

"Holy shit", Rey said, undoing his tie on a corner of the bed.

Senora Alizandro nodded as she removed her earrings.  

"It's not a colony", Rey said, "It's just a big fucking live-in factory."

His wife grunted as she undid the clasp of her necklace.

"I've never seen so many people packed into a single place*", Rey continued, tossing the tie at the dresser.  It fell short.

"It was the ACM capital at one point, wasn't it?", Senora Alizandro said, backing up towards her husband.  "If so, that makes sense.  Here, undo me so I don't have to dislocate my arms."

"Of course", Rey said, beginning the task of unlacing the straps on the back of his wife's gown.  "Yes, it was the capital.  And if that's what they got from taking it, I'm surprised the Hapsburgers let go of the Azores way back when."

"Weren't they wrapped up with El Dorado at the time?", the First Lady asked.  

"Don't recall.  It was about the same time, I guess", Rey agreed.  "There, done."  He watched appreciatively as the blue silk gown dropped to the marble floor.

"Well, anyway, I suppose the sheer value of industrial power on this island explains why Stefan's got us spending all of tomorrow inspecting military units", Senora Alizandro remarked, kicking off her heels.  "Are you done staring?"

"Not yet", Rey said.  "I missed the re-introduction.  Did Olga and Jose get along?"

"They were fine.  She's a young woman now, and there was no ice cream involved."

"Oh, good."

"Overall, a non-event", Senora Alizandro concurred.  "Did I hear correctly that the Mesoamericans have sought to re-establish relations?  Some ancient duchess was explaining her family tree to me."

"Yeah, they have.  Stefan was skeptical, to say the least.  I'm going to think on it another night or two, but I think the sensible thing is to allow for consulates to be established.  Hold off on embassies until have reason to think we're going have use for them."

"You don't trust them."

"Of course not.  Villa's a fuitcake with Confederate backing.  Once he gets his capital rebuilt, he'll probably want pay-back for our involvement with the Capitalistas."

"Fair enough, but he might also decide he wants that land back from Rohan", Senora Alizandro noted.  "Or he might decide he doesn't want the Confederates on his soil, either."

"One can hope", Rey agreed.  "Need help getting out of that slip?"



*1918 population density of Malta = ~67% of OTL current Hong Kong.

[The Rock Doctor]

Maddox, Tex - can you let me know what France and Romania want to talk with Rey about?