CSA 3Q1900

[Borys]

 Goodness me. Why did I let this build up?

Soldier Magazine, 9 August 1900

It appears that the Army Board has poorly communicated with the Ambassador to New Switzerland. After last month's exercises showed that a reserve force can be maintained in far larger quantities than previously thought, whilst also being equally capable as the regular armed forces, the Ambassador negotiated to obtain the same information from the New Swiss in exchange for sixteen warships.

This bungling has no doubt caused the loss of other potential benefits, for example the artillery improvements that have long been promised, or enlargement of the Army. However, the Swiss have also permitted the export of plans for the Gatling-type machine gun, which has long been desired by all branches of the force. [OOC: I hope. Drop me a line if you object, Desertfox.]

Richmond Telegraph, 28 September 1900

The Government revealed today that it has, in the last week, issued the former Associao Comericial del Mundo territory of the Bahamas full membership of the Confederation, and support to the former constituents of this state in their current unstable political climate.

Naval Gazetteer, 30 September 1900

The National Metallurgical Institute has succeeded in developing a new form of face-hardened armour plating, based on further work by Dr. Krupp. The new plate is estimated to be 10% more resistant to shellfire than previous types, due to the revolutionary 'cementing' process involved in its' manufacture.

Richmond Telegraph, 4 October 1900

The response of the Bahamas to the Confederate States' generous offer of statehood has been received from that territory, and is reprinted here in full:
QUOTE
We, Director Mendez of the ACM directorate The Islands of the Bahama's adhere to the ACM ideal, and find your "invitation" an insult to our integrety.  Hereby your ships are not allowed any acces to our ports. To avoid contamination with radical idea's.

In response to this, Parliament has determined to respond in kind to all ships of the ACM. No vessel flying the flag of the ACM, or otherwise swearing allegiance to the same, will be permitted to enter Confederate ports or territorial waters, save in case of extreme mitigating circumstances.

The Navy has been instructed to enforce this policy with such force as is required.

Naval Gazetteer, 12 October 1900

The Admiralty has agreed to permit French ships use of Confederate naval bases in Florida to coal ships operating off of South America. Why this should prove necessary is completely beyond the writer; the French have their own territories in Brazil which are equally suited to the coaling of ships – in fact, better, as the coal supplies are available at cost only.

There can be only one explanation: the Government is building up to a closer relationship with France, the mightiest power on Earth. Although this could not harm the Confederation on its' own, is this the best course of action amidst the threats of war looming on the horizon?

Naval Gazetteer, 14 October 1900

The Navy has instructed the cruiser squadrons of the Atlantic Fleet to patrol much further south than has been customary in the past, ranging down into eastern parts of the Caribbean Sea. This unusual action has been explained on the grounds that much Confederate trade comes in along these sea routes.

In view of the rising tension between Suriname and French South America, the Navy wishes to ensure that Confederate and other shipping of neutral parties is safeguarded against aggression, whether intentional or otherwise.

New Orleans Sentinel, 17 October 1900

On the entrance to the port, work has today commenced on the construction of a monumental plinth of masonry, several acres in size. The Mayor has stated that this will be used to construct a statue of welcome to the Confederacy, as well as to New Orleans – in his words, "a modern Colossus of Rhodes".

There is no word on what form this will take, but a number of French engineers have been in the area, taking especial notes of the marsh and also visiting a number of oilfields. It is also known that the famed engineer, Gustaf Eiffel, is visiting the area in the coming weeks – it seems likely that he has been commissioned to design the structure.

Richmond Telegraph, 24 November 1900

Citizens of the Confederate States of America are advised not to travel to the Middle Kingdom, and especially the Treaty Ports of Hong Kong and Shanghai. Visas to travel to the latter ports will not be issued for the foreseeable future.

This action is deemed necessary due to the growing tensions between the Middle Kingdom and New Switzerland, it being suggested that these ports may become unsafe during the course of these disagreements. All non-essential personnel are being withdrawn from these areas.

Richmond Telegraph, 28 November 1900

The cruiser Tulsa, one of the Navy's newer ships, is reported to have been involved in a battle near the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Details are sketchy, but it is believed that the cruiser was fired at in international waters by the Island Commonwealth armoured cruiser Victorious, causing damage to her stern torpedo tube. The Tulsa, recognising that there was no way for her to overcome the ship, four times her size, closed with the enemy to use her remaining torpedoes.

During this time, the cruiser engaged the Victorious with her 55pdr guns, riddling the larger ship's upperworks. However, the 9.2-inch guns being fired at the Tulsa had a significant effect upon the lightly-armoured ship, with several penetrating to her machinery spaces and reducing her speed by four knots despite failing to explode. This gave the Victorious control of the situation, the captain electing to remain and finish off her adversary, by now sitting low in the water. Commodore Orwell of the Tulsa, seeing his chance, continued to press home his attack, managing to torpedo the Victorious amidships and disable one of the 9.2-inch guns before his ship was torn in two by a magazine explosion.

The after half of the ship remained afloat for several hours, permitting the rescue of one hundred and four men. However, the bow sank almost instantly, taking all the crew with it. The only survivors from that part of the ship were Lieutenant Jones and Petty Officer Fidler, both of whom were posted in the crow's nest. Commodore Orwell has been recommended for a Navy Cross by the survivors.

Richmond Telegraph, 1 December 1900

The Island Commonwealth has demanded an explanation for what it calls "the vicious and unprovoked attack on one of our cruisers by Confederate vessels." Their claim is that the Tulsa intruded into their territorial waters, and was attempting to fire upon the settlement of Jamestown when the Victorious responded.

The President has issued his assurances that there was no hostile intent ordered by the Confederate States of America, but is demanding that the Island Commonwealth pay for replacement of the lost cruiser. Question remains as to where the battle occurred, as the survivors were found five miles east of the islands, well outside of territorial waters.

Richmond Times, 5 December 1900

Twice, in the last few months, the so-called Government of the Confederate States of America has interfered with the sovereignty of foreign states. The initial incursion – a seemingly-innocent offer to support the ACM through its' troubles – was quite rightly seen by the Directors of the Bahamas as a threat to their independence, and not even a disguised one. Our so-called leaders, rather than seeking retribution for the heinous deeds in Los Angeles six months ago, aimed solely to expand their sphere of influence.

And now, the Island Commonwealth tells us that the Confederate States' Navy has been attempting to capture their territory. This is, of course, denied by the Government – they wish us to believe that they are the agents of peace, of happiness, of equality.

Are we fooled? NO! The Government of the Confederacy is composed solely of members of the bourgeoisie, whose aim is their own personal wealth. Look at the White House in Richmond – a mansion that would make a king swoon, inhabited by a mere family of five. Yet, not two miles away, families are living eight, nine or even ten to a room, often on less than a dollar a month. This is a RICH country: nobody needs to starve.

We, the honest people of the Confederacy, must not allow the authorities to subjugate more and more people to the wage slavery being experienced by so many members of our proletariat today. Rise, rise up free men of America.

You have nothing – nothing – to lose from this, and all to gain.
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 16 2006, 09:13 PM


Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
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Hmm, some interesting details there...

(check your PMs)
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Jan 17 2006, 02:44 AM


Hegemon
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Joined: 6-March 05



   
Monsieur Eiffel is a guest of the Confederate states of America as long as he desires.

The coincidence of his availability to design a modern Colossus is a pure confluence of independent trows of Lady Fortuna's dice.

But if the CSA offers Ing Eiffel this Challenge, the French Empire will support our great builder with all the power our great empire has.