Brandenburg Gaztette 2Q1901

[Borys]

 2 April

Despite the war between the New Swiss and the Middle Kingdom, trade in our treaty port of Hankow continues unabated, and has in fact increased since the beginning of the conflict. With the destruction of the great trading ports of Shanghai and Hong Kong, the great merchants of China have switched to Hankow, which they call Wuhan, as their point of export. This sudden deluge of export buisness has placed a strain upon our merchant fleet, however it is beleived that re-routing additional ships to the Hankow route will allow us to continue this most profitable trade until the great ports are rebuilt, and, it is hoped, for some time therafter as well.

As the Hankow shipping route passes by the battlefields of Shanghai, each vessel assigned to the route will carry a naval reserve lieutenant aboard to ensure that Brandenburgian shipping does not become caught in any crossfire, and that as requested by the warring parties they do not attempt to interfere in any way.

It is hoped that both our Swiss and Chinese friends will continue to respect the neutrality, and allow our merchant fleet to continue the Hankow trade unmolested...
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 28 2006, 02:13 PM


Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
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3 April

The Reich is in mourning today as former chancellor Otto von Bismarck died in his sleep last night.

Herr von Bismarck will be remembered as a major driving force in the creation of the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg following the Second Franco-Prussian War...


5 April

The Reichstag today unanimously passed a resolution renaming the province of the Solomon Islands to the Bismarck Islands, in honour of the late former chancellor...
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Jan 28 2006, 02:18 PM


Hegemon
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April 6th

King Harold VII sends his condolonces to the DKB at the loss of Chanchellor Bismark
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 28 2006, 04:37 PM


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9 April

It was announced today that the Second Reich has issued an offical claim on Macquarie Island, a small piece of rock southwest of Maoria.

While a reason for the claim was not officially given, it is rumoured that the Weissenstab wishes to send a specially equipped civilian vessel to the far southern waters to gather scientific data, and that the island would make an ideal advance base for such an expedition...
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 29 2006, 11:36 AM


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11 April

In a speech to the Reichstag, Kaiser Wilhelm II yesterday addressed a number of issues, from the New Swiss-Middle Kingdom War, with possible diplomatic moves to diminish its impact, to the improving relations with France. However the most moving, most dramatic portion of his speech is worth reprinting in this humble newspaper in its entirety.

QUOTE

"Many of you have wondered why our nation feels the need to expand as we have been doing. Königsland, Goa, Afrika, Macquarie, all of these are recent acquistions of the Reich.

"Desipite the conflicts of others, this is a time of peace for the Reich. Our relations with the Old Country - and even France! - are normalising. We no longer need to look back into the past with loathing and anger, but we need to look to the future with hope and pride.

"The German people naturally seeks to expand. We have an instinctive need to seek out new territory, to boldy go where we have not been before. It may be by colonising a previously uncharted territory, or it may be by acquiring a colony from someone with no further need for it, but we as Germans shall continue to expand peacefully, and profitably, and shall help those in our possessions to mature, to become German, and to join us in our peace and prosperity.

"We have lived in the shadows of our past for the past twenty years. It is now time for the Reich to take its place in the sun."

   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 29 2006, 11:53 AM


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23 April

Reports state that a Caliphate of Cairo cruiser arrived at the New Swiss port of New Amsterdam yesterday under a white flag, and some sort of negiotiations are underway.


25 April

It appears that the Caliphate of Cairo has collapsed. The recent curious events at New Amsterdam have resulted in the Treaty of Australia, in which a Admiral al-Thrawn formerly of the Caliphate has declared the colony of Firanj as an independent Empire of Firanj, with himself as Emperor, and sent the ship to New Amsterdam, with himself on board, seeking recognisiton and a resolution to the smouldering Australian Question, which have both been granted with the signing of the Treaty, which is reprinted elsewhere in this issue...
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 29 2006, 09:46 PM


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28 April

Announced today was the formation of the Brandenburgian Explorers' Guild. The orginisation intends to acquire a suitable vessel, refit it, and this fall using it to sail to Macquarie Island to establish a base for explorations of the Southern Oceans...


1 May

In a surprise announcement, the Legion Kondor released a statement today that they have been hired by the Middle Kingdom to "assist in the training of their armies" in the current conflict.

Full details of the contract were not released, however it was stated that the "Slammers", as they became known in the Rohan-Anahuac War, expect to begin Chinese operations around the first of July...

(ooc: the Middle Kingdom has hired Hammer's Slammers for 5 LBP/Q. This will be used for the upgrading of the Legion from a "2.5" level to 5...or 6, depending on Brandenburgian tech progress...and further payments after that will be strait into the Leigion's coffers.)
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Jan 29 2006, 10:12 PM


Hegemon
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QUOTE
Brandenburgian Explorers' Guild


Vaguely reminds me of an entity in Wesworld India; hopefully this group has better luck.

I'm surprised that the Slammers have taken employment from the enemy of a DKB ally...
   
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Ithekro    
Posted: Jan 29 2006, 10:34 PM


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Mercs...they specialize in "hurting people and breaking things"...and try their best to be paid twice for one job.
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 29 2006, 10:34 PM


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With a few exceptions - the Anahuac would have been one of them wink.gif - the Legion Kondor cares not for govermental alliances and procedure. They hire out to the highest bidder, no more, no less.

Remember Rule 31: Only cheaters prosper. wink.gif
   
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Desertfox    
Posted: Jan 29 2006, 11:56 PM


Commander Johann Wyss
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OOC In case your wondering, Im getting payed to let the LK get to China. biggrin.gif (NS is capitalist to the bone!)
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 30 2006, 01:44 PM


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4 May

Several officials at the Rabaul and Brandenburg shipyards were arrested yesterday on charges of embezzlement of Kriegsmarine funds.

Reports are that an investigation revealed that the two "Prinz Adalbert" type panzerkreuzers under construction have been reported as costing over 10% more than their actual cost.

It is expected that the shipyards will have all profit from the construction stripped, and that those responsible will face heavy charges, and perhaps even the death penalty.

(ooc: the ships' correct costs will be reflected in the Q3 and onwards reports.)


8 May
the Dar-es-Salaam Gazette

Retired naval designer Dipl-Ing Karl von Schmidt was arrested at his home in Tanga yesterday. Official reports state that an investigation into accounting practices at the Reich's shipyards revealed that the Seeadler class avisos, of which Dipl-Ing von Schmidt was both designer and owner of the construction yard of in 1890, were sold to the Kreigsmarine at a price over 30% greater than their actual cost.

An anonymous source in the local constabulatory says that Herr von Schmidt is likely to escape incarcernation or death, but will have to pay a heavy restitution for his crimes...

(ooc: recouping the embezzled Seeadler funds will come in the form of scrapping them at their "as charged" price...meaing 0.3 HBP recovered as scrap per ship, instead of 0.225)
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 30 2006, 06:26 PM


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14 May
The Dar-es-Salaam Gazette

An unscheduled train left the depot westbound yesterday, carring military equipment and a number of high-ranking officers of the Heer. The train was also heavily guarded.

Rumours state that the train was headed to the "southwestern" part of our province...
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 30 2006, 09:30 PM


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19 May

Scientist Herr Christian Huelsmeyer has filed to incorporate the 'Telemobiloscop-Gesellschaft Huelsmeyer' in Neue Dusseldorf. Details on the purpose of the company are scarce...


29 May

It was announced today that the Admiralstab has acquired the former Anahuac Battlebarge No.11, captured by the Rohirrim in their recent war. The vessel, which will become SMS Paderborn-Delbrück, will be repaired and refitted in the shipyards of Rohan for what is reported as the bargain price of 700,000 Reichsmarks.

Reportedly all of the ship's weapons, with the exception of her main battery, will be removed, and upon her arrival in the Reich she will be equipped with standard Kreigsmarine weapons...

(ooc: The vessel is being acquired for 8.75 HBP, with payment starting in Q3/01. One additional HBP will be invested in her after delivery, to install the new secondary weapons. Her 330mm main battery will likely be the subject of a reverse-engineering project upon her completion.)
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Jan 31 2006, 11:59 AM


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"True History"

Fort Zinderneuf
On the edge of nowhere somewhere in deep Ost Afrika
30 May, 1901

Colonel Schultz stood at the edge of the "fort" - which was simply a glorified name for a collection of tents - and watched as the native "chief-apparent" and his entourage approached.

After exchanging greetings, they retreated into the central tent to escape the sun. "How are things proceeding, Herr Philip?" asked the Colonel. "Is everything ready?"

"Indeed," replied Philip Gomani, son of the Inkosi ya makosi Gomani of the Chiefdom of Malawi. "My father is near death as we speak. However the people seem to believe that Cimtunga" - here he spit on the ground - "will become the next chief. He believes in the old ways, that we can survive without progress. He is reported to be assembling his men in the southern lands, and will proclaim himself Inkosi ya makosi upon my father's death."

"Well then," Colonel Schultz smiled, "we will have to ensure that Herr Cimtunga will face a hot reception to any attempt to seize power from the rightful heir. I presume you have been training your men?"

"Indeed, your Mausers are most excellent weapons. Many of the men are still afraid of the 'fire-sticks', however."

"That will need to be rectified. We have brought additional rifles, and we have also secured some light artillery for your forces. My men have volunteered to assist yours in any way possible."

"The Ngoni of Maravi are most grateful for the assistance of the German people. With our combined might we cannot fail."

"Quite true, my friend." Schultz rose from the table. "Well, I would suggest that we inspect the latest shipment..."

The beagle under the table watched them leave the tent, and then went back to sleep.

[Borys]

 2 July

While nothing has been confimed, rumour has it that an aide in the Office of Foreign Affairs has been arrested for attempting to "leak" a very sensitive diplomatic document.

It is believed that the leak was stopped before any damage was done, however such occurences are taken very seriously, and given the state of war in the world the person responsible can expect to be given a long interrogation, to determine if he was a spy...


11 July

(ooc: totally not connected to the above. wink.gif )

Over the past few weeks, the Persian Ambassador has been seen making frequent visits to the office of Count von Bülow. The State Secretary for Foreign Affairs has now boarded a fast packet boat destined for Neue Königsburg...


15 July

In a surprise announcement, the Kaiser has personally joined the Brandenburgian Explorers' Guild, and has granted the use of the royal yacht, Kaiser Barbarossa, to the organisation.

"It is my great pleasure to participate in the establishment of a great tradition of German polar exploration," the Kaiser said in a speech, "and if there is anything further I can do to assist the Guild in its operations, all they need to do is ask!"

"We are very grateful to His Majesty for the honour of counting him of a member of our organisation," said Herr Franz von Erherb, chairman of the Brandenburgian Explorers' Guild, "and for granting the use of his vessel. This will allow us to establish our forwards base on Macquarie Island well ahead of schedule."

The new flag of the Reich's colony at Macquarie Island was also unveiled today.

user posted image
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Feb 1 2006, 10:06 PM


Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
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NOTE: the dates given as 'July' in the previous post are actually 'June' dates. The editors responsible have been reassigned to Fort Zinderneuf...

20 June

Another triumph for the Foreign Ministry as a non-agression pact is signed with the Persian Empire. This was seen as a priority for the Reich, as the Peacock Throne has been rumoured to be seeking to acquire the one-time Caliphate of Cairo colonies, giving them complete control of the Hormuz bottleneck leading to our fine colony of Kuwait...

23 June

The Reichstag passed an amended Naval Law yesterday. In contrast to previous Naval Laws that spelled out active and reserve force levels per fleet, the new one is the model of simplicity, and is reprinted here in its entirety.

QUOTE

The Naval Law of 1901

The 1901 Naval Law authorises the following maximum active force levels for the Kreigsmarine:

Six Schlachtschiffen
Six Großer or Panzer Kreuzers
Fifteen Kleiner Kreuzers
Fifty Großes Torpedobooten

If a category is exceeded, the 'extra' ships must be retained in reserve.


27 June

More trouble in the Foreign Ministry? Count von Bülow has been said to have been in a terrible mood over the past week. Details are distinctly lacking but it is believed to somehow relate to the ongoing war...


30 June
Hankow Kaufmann und Diplomaten
With much fanfare Colonel Anton Hammer's Legion Kondor arrived in our Treaty Port today aboard the liner Preussen. The mercenary company famed as Hammer's Slammers in the Rohirrim-Anahuac War has come to the Middle Kingdom to assist in training their troops to the highest German standards, and perhaps to conduct some other business not in keeping with the latter part of our title?
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Feb 1 2006, 10:21 PM


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30 June

Survey parties in our newly acquired Südaustralien territory found an odd sight offshore in the southeastern part of the colony near the New Swiss border: the ex-ACM battleship Goa, at anchor and apparently abandoned. Reportedly an inspection of the vessel found her in fair-to-good condition, with the crew's belongings aboard and placed as if their owners were to return at any moment...
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Feb 5 2006, 03:05 PM


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30 June

The Reichstag approved today an appropriation for the construction of a "complete network of Marconi stations for the carrying of vital military information" within the Reich.

Reportedly, in addition to several exsisting stations within the "home provinces", new stations will be constructed at Neue Danzig, Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island, Goa, Neue Königsburg, throughout Ost Afrika, and "at a location to be determined in South Australia".

In addition, the appropriation includes directions for the "negiotiation of station establishment rights" with the New Swiss at Christmas and Andaman Islands, and the French at Socotra...