Gra Colombia 1Q1901

[Borys]

 La Prensa Nacional: 2 January 1901

President Alizandro has returned to the capital from Colon. He and his entourage visited both that port and San Miguelito, as well as the ongoing Darien Canal project that will link the two ports.

The President told La Prensa, "I am very pleased at progress on the canal. The work crews are contributing a maximum effort to complete this valuable infrastructure project for Gran Colombia, and I expect that it shall be in service within five years."

The President was asked about other canal projects being initiated to the north and responded, "The Darien Canal will be the first and, I expect, only canal to be completed across Central America. There is little benefit to be gained by an investor in a canal built anywhere else. It will be a decade too late, and the costs will be prohibitive."

Meanwhile, profits from cargo trans-shipment across the Darien Isthmus reached unprecedented levels this past year. Industry Minister Sebastien de Soto said, "The Darien Isthmus system is of course the most heavily utilized corridor for cargo and passenger transport between the east and west - or in our case, north and south - coasts. Many of the companies that had otherwise declined to use our splendid facilities found themselves risking the loss of their vessels to naval action, to say nothing of the enormous increase in insurance costs. These businessmen wisely chose to move their activity to Colon and San Miguelito, where they could benefit from safe, efficient Gran Colombian infrastructure. Naturally, the modest tariffs collected by Gran Colombia increased as a result."

La Prensa Nacional: 15 January 1901

The ongoing tension between New Switzerland and France and the Middle Kingdom continues to cause unrest and opportunity at home.

In Cartagena, the stock exchange has been relatively volatile, with some commodities increasing in price by up to 28% since trading resumed after the Christmas break. One benefit to Gran Colombia is the increase in tea futures, which is expected to help El Corporacion Santos y Escalante, the nation's primary producer of coffee and cocoa, as it looks to increase market share in the beverage sector of North America and Europe. "With the prospect of trade being disrupted in Asia, tea prices are increasing", noted Agriculture Minister Jorge Escalante. "We expect tea-drinkers will be more willing to try our quality products and, once they have done so, that they will make the switch permanent."

Internal Memo: 18 January 1901

(Note: these internal memos will not be public knowledge, and are presented strictly for out-of-character knowledge)

QUOTE

From: Sr. De Soto
To: El Presidente
Subject: Canal Attrition

My staff have completed the tally on attrition amongst the Canal work force this past year.  Good news, mostly - 5,822 deceased, mostly from malaria and yellow fever, but there was a cholera outbreak in August that accounted for about a thousand of those.  Had it not been for this outbreak, attrition would have decreased by 12% from 1899.

I'm pleased to say that the penal battalions reported attrition rates of 41%, down from the previous year's 44%.  While I detest the actions of these people as much as yourself, I would rather have them working than dying, for now.   As we get closer to completion, I imagine we'll be expecting more of them and attrition rates will increase as a result.

Glad you enjoyed your tour.

SdS


La Prensa Nacional: 19 January 1901

Portions of the Caribbean Fleet have weighed anchor and are steaming east along the coast. The fleet includes Battle Squadron III and Scouting Squadron III. An Armada spokesman told La Prensa, "They are going to meet some other vessels. Given recent events elsewhere, it seems prudent to supply an escort to them."
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Jan 8 2006, 02:14 PM


Hegemon
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Group: Head of State
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Joined: 4-January 06



   
La Prensa Nacional: 28 January 1901

The Third Battlesquadron and Third Scouting Squadron, which sailed from Cartagena last week, arrived in Ciudad Jorge this morning. The vessels dropped anchor offshore, rather than coming into port itself.

La Prensa Nacional: 30 January 1901

Residents of Ciudad Jorge were somewhat astonished at this afternoon's arrival of several warship bearing the colors of the Associacao Comericial do Mundo. These included two large vessels, possibly a battleship and an armored cruiser, as well as other, smaller warships and a collier. The vessels dropped anchor offshore just after noon, and the battleship is reported to be flying the pendant of the ACM's Chairman of the Board.

1 February 1901

President Alizandro is appealing for peace and caution as tensions between France and New Switzerland continue to escalate. "A war will profit neither of these great nations", the president said from the Palace in Cartagena. "It will cost them lost trade, lost lives, and lost opportunities. How can France afford to build a canal across the Americas when they have to spend on a war? How can New Switzerland afford to fight the French when they have a stand-off with the Middle Kingdom? There is no dishonour in backing away from pointless conflict. I urge both nations to seek out and support a mediate solution to this crisis."

The president reaffirmed his commitment to keep out of the conflict, noting, "Gran Colombia's waters shall remain a safe haven for commericial shipping from all corners of the world even if war should regrettably commence."
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Jan 11 2006, 08:34 AM


Hegemon
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Group: Head of State
Posts: 463
Member No.: 57
Joined: 4-January 06



   
2 February 1901

Note: this will not be in-character knowledge for any other players, but will explain some subsequent events.

Under a warm noon sun, with their respective fleets anchored offshore, two businessmen sat down to talk.

The visitor was pallid in appearance, his hair combed but greasy. His suit, navy blue in color, was neither spotless nor wrinkle-free. As he had walked up to the one occupied table in the courtyard, he staggered just a bit, his legs compensating for waves that were no longer present. Yet despite his appearance, his handshake was firm and his voice strong as he said, "Don Enrico, it has been too long."

His host looked like one of the UKA tourists that frequently arrived in Gran Colombia's designated resort regions. His suit, spun from the nation's finest cotton, was white, the only color being the garish orange floral-patterned silk shirt. A straw hat with a colorful feather sat askew upon his head, protecting the balding scalp from the sun. "Welcome back, Commodore Ribiero", Enrico Alizandro replied.

The President of Gran Colombia directed the former Chairman of the Board of the Associacao Comercial do Mundo to one of the wicker chairs at the table. "How is your lovely family?", Alizandro inquired.

"Somewhat tired, I must admit, but they are strong", Ribiero replied. "And yours? Last I heard you were about to become a grandfather."

"I have two grandchildren now, actually", Alizandro responded. "Three and two. The lights of my life, but oh, the chaos that accompanies their visits..." The two men laughed, each visualizing their own memories.

"On the topic of chaos", Ribiero began. "Your father's canal: how is it proceeding?"

"Well enough. The locks are well underway, the dam also. They tell me will be five years, but I think they are padding the estimate just in case there is a problem."

"How many workers have you lost?"

Alizandro answered, "Perhaps thirty thousand", punctuating the statement with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"And the financial situation? I always wondered if you could do this alone, and I still do."

"Hmm", Alizandro murmured. "Yes, I will agree that sacrifices have been made; there has been barely any growth in the heavy industrial sector since we started digging - compare that to the progress of the USA or even those idiotic heathens to the north. But when the canal is done, we will make a fresh start."

Ribiero nodded. "Agreed, you will. But five years is a long time, Enrico. The world is changing. Your Rohirrim neighbours may be emboldened enough by their victories to look south at Darien. The Island Commonwealth remains hostile. Never mind the French and the New Swiss and their convoluted games. Can you wait that long?"

Alizandro smiled. "I sense we are cutting to the chase, Joachim."

"Perhaps we are", Ribiero replied, with a smile every bit as predatory as his host's. "You see, I am looking to relocate my family and a few friends, and we are prepared to pay a significant landing fee in order to gain Gran Colombian citizenship."

"I have to wonder if this would be wise on my part", Alizandro remarked. "After all, the ACM seems somewhat disorganized of late, and is none too popular with some of the world's other major powers. Who is to say that they won't come after you and put me in an uncomfortable dilemma?"

"Blackmail and bribery should alleviate that concern", Ribiero responded.

"In an ideal world, they would, but this is not an ideal world", Alizandro said, "As the president of this great land, I owe it to my people to conduct a background examination of prospective immigrants. So tell me, Joachim, what happened? What has brought you here?"

The Commodore was silent for a moment, pondering how to answer. "Plots within schemes within conspiracies, Enrico, so convoluted that I doubt any mortal man fully understands what happened. I certainly do not comprehend it all - but at the base level, it seems to me that the regional directors sought to usurp the Board of its control over the ACM."

"Turning it into a decentralized conglomerate of regional shipping lines?"

"Correct. The fighting started in the boardroom, spread to the bedrooms and back alleys, and finally to the battleships. Shifting allegiances, betrayal...the ships out there represent barely half of what I fled with - the rest mutinied, deserted, or were sunk or captured along the way by my former colleagues or half a dozen major powers."

"I have heard of some such actions", Alizandro commented. "And I must confess it alarms me now that so many ACM warships are anchored in my waters. The world's newspapers are filled with articles about ACM warships undertaking piracy or attacking other nation's vessels. I have put a sizeable portion of my own modest fleet in peril simply by having them meet us here."

"These ships are loyal to me, Enrico", Ribiero replied. "I have been very careful to ensure that this is the case. This rag-tag fleet I have brought happens to include the families of most of the senior officers, my files on them and many individuals of global interest, and as much of the ACM central treasury as I could get loaded aboard. And I have made certain that no man has access to all three. They do not wish to return to Malta or the Azores or that backwater cesspool the ACM left behind. The want a new start and are looking to me to give it to them. So - they will not suddenly attack your fleet."

"And if I decline?", Alizandro queried.

"Then we will pay for supplies and move on."

"And if I decline to sell you supplies?"

"I would be obliged to persuade you", Ribiero stated.

The two men stared at each other for several seconds before Alizandro asked, "And if I grant you all citizenship?"

"Then I give to you all of the warships, and the service of their crews. I give you one half of the central treasury. And I give you my oath of loyalty and that of my remaining staff. Our skills and knowledge will be at your disposal."

Alizandro's eyes shifted out to sea, passing judgement on the ships. "I shall have to think this over, Joachim. In the meantime, your men are welcome to come ashore in groups - but remind them that in Gran Colombia, the weight of the law is heavy. If they cause trouble, the punishment will be severe."

   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 11 2006, 06:40 PM


Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
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Member No.: 23
Joined: 29-January 05



   
Hmmm-hmmmm........

("rag-tag fleet", eh? wink.gif )
   
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Ithekro    
Posted: Jan 11 2006, 06:47 PM


King of Rohan
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Group: Head of State
Posts: 2,111
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Joined: 7-February 05



   
(...On a lonely quest...12 tribes looking for the 13th and the promised land....almost fits. If the ACM was Jewish or Mormon, it would fit perfectly I suppose.)

I don't imagine the spanish decent governments care much for the "heathens" to the north. The Anahuac I image they cared less for than Rohan in terms of religious problems (since the Tolkien ideas are similar in some ways to the Catholic teachings), but beyond that I imagine Rohan gave the spaniards a considerable amount of trouble in the majority of Central America never became spanish speaking. Now in the American Southwest, Texas, and Florida regions that's a different story. Since those lands have some spanish names, I imagine some conquests went better that others.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Jan 12 2006, 08:26 PM


Hegemon
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Group: Head of State
Posts: 463
Member No.: 57
Joined: 4-January 06



   
La Prensa Nacional: 3 February 1901

President Alizandro has, in an act of great compassion, granted citizenship to the refugees who arrived from the Associacao Comercial do Mundo earlier in the week.

"These are hard-working, industrious people, displaced through no fault of their own", our benevolent leader said in Ciudad Jorge. "I have no doubt Gran Colombia will benefit greatly from their integration into our society."

The announcement covers approximately eighteen hundred naval crew aboard the seven ACM warships, as well as an estimated sixteen hundred civilian sailors and passengers aboard the eight merchantmen. Among the latter are four former members of the ACM Board: former Chairman Joaquim Ribiero, former Chief Financial Officer Bernardo de Aguiar, former Vice-President of Research and Development Joao Pimentel, and former Director-At-Large Ernesto Correia. A number of their employees and their families are amongst the civilians in question.

Sr. Ribiero praised President Alizandro, saying, "President Alizandro is truly a man with a great heart, and I am honored to become a citizen of this great land. As a modest gift, it is my pleasure to donate to Gran Colombia the battleship Helena and her six companion warships."

5 February 1901

The commander in chief of the Armada says that there is no rush to put the recently acquired Helena and other ex-ACM ships into service.

"The cruisers require some repairs, and we will be determining whether or not to re-arm them with our own caliber weapons. This would not be a major project, as all of the weapons are deck mounts.

"As for Helena, she is in good condition, but we are considering replacing her secondary battery. Given that she also has some extraordinarily powerful main guns, we may also spend some time examining them in conjuntion with discussions with Sr. Pimental, to see if we can accelerate the development of similar weapons."

   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Jan 13 2006, 03:34 PM


Hegemon
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Group: Head of State
Posts: 463
Member No.: 57
Joined: 4-January 06



   
Both items are OOC only...

19 February 1901

To: Minister of Defence
From: Commodore Jose Ferrez, C/O Construction & Upkeep
Re: ACM vessels

Dear Sir:

As required, I have undertaken a preliminary examination of the seven ACM vessels recently acquired by the Armada at Ciudad Jorge.

The battleship Helena is in good condition and requires no repair work. Operationalizing her would require the replacement of her secondary and lighter batteries, as well as some other general fittings. We would also need to secure a supply of, or produce, the 33 cm shells used by her main battery, a caliber currently in excess of our own production capabilities.

The Cod class cruisers Sturgeon, Thresher, Moray, and Manta are suffering from some neglect and battle damage, and will require an average of 300 t of material each to repair. Additionally, it will be necessary to re-arm the vessels as, again, none of the weapons are compatible with our standard models.

The Salmon class cruiser Skipjack is suffering from neglect and battle damage and will require approximately 200 t of material to repair. She will also need to be re-armed. Given her age, it is my recommendation that she not be returned to active service.

The collier Benevolo is in good condition, and requires no repairs of note. Her armament will require replacement for compatibility purposes.

(Signed)

Ferrez, C&U


20 February 1901

To: Minister of Defence
From: Commodore Nestor Mysterio, C/O Research & Development
Re: ACM Technology

Dear Sir:

As required, I have examined the four types of ACM vessel turned over to the Armada in Ciudad Jorge.

As a starting point, my inspection of the cruiser Skipjack indicates that the ship offers nothing of note from a technological stand point. She is little different from our own cruisers of the same vintage.

The collier Benevelo has clearly been refitted in the past three to five years, as her coal handling equipment is fairly modern. It does not, however, include anything we are not familiar with.

The Cod class cruiser Manta is of a design that warrants further examination, primarily for the distribution of its armor. This class is protected mainly by belts of armor on the side, a feature not found on our own protected cruisers. I recommend that the Armada assign one of the class over to my bureau for a more detailed examination of this and the ship's armaments, which appear to be of better quality than our own munitions.

The Helena is remarkable primarily for the size and quality of her main battery; her armor protection is inferior to our own designs, and records indicate her design speed is also lower. I would recommend that the Armada turn her over to my bureau for a more detailed examination of the armament. In conjunction with those ACM personnel with experience in weapons design, I believe we can probably accelerate our own capital gun program significantly at relatively low cost overall.

(Signed)

Mysterio, R&D