Orange News

[Nobody]

June 1918
"small cabinet meeting", chancellor's office

"This might become a productive half without much restrictions, don't you think?" asked chancellor Bloemendal his minister for Treasury, Trade and Industry, Sorgenfrey.
"Well it was looking good until I received his collection of urgently to be funded projects" answered he looking grimly across the room towards the Minister for State Security, Kreutzer.
"What do you mean?" asked Kreutzer, "it's not like any of the requirements in that list is new".
"Which list?" frowned the chancellor, "mind to remind me Kreutzer?"
"Yes, you should have a received a copy, too chancellor. Probably in that envelope with the security seal under that pile on your desk."
"Yea, so what's inside?" he asked while trying to pull it out from the pile.
"A priority list on what we should spent the taxes in the near future. The air-force for example has been neglected so much in recently that none of their outdated airplanes survived the last few months, while replacing them is impossible because their airfields cannot be used for modern planes and the old ones are no longer available..."
"... so you want to modernize the airstrips and send the pilots to the factories in order to select the new aircraft-models the Republic will use from now on?" conluded the chancellor.
"That's right. And don't forget the navy which has requested to build type 3 slips and docks for years. Not to mention the overdue overhauls for large parts of the fleet. And..."
"Alright" interrupted the treasurer. "Together with the ongoing upgrade of the army and the investments in industry, education and welfare, that is all we can shoulder this year."
"You heard him, anything positive going on?"
"Yes indeed the two brand new Explorer-class ships "Polarstern" and "Aurora" have finished their yard-trials and will be leaving for a combined testing maneuver next month. We have also be informed that the work on the two new - still unnamed - battlecruisers will be finished on time, meaning they will join the fleet in march 1919."
"We should consider retiring "De Riebeeck" and "Whitwatersrand" by then, they are too expansive compared to the little fighting value."
"We will see... maybe someone wants to buy them?"

[Nobody]

Monday 2nd December 1918

                           CONFIDENTIAL

Final report about the performance of the science and exploration vessels
                     "Polarstern" and "Aurora"
                  by Naval Inspector General Fuchs

During their shakedown cruise which both ships undertook together in southern waters between July and October 1918 extensive testing was undertaken of the ships, the equipment and their crew.
Both ships have proven to be superior oceangoing vessels capable of maintaining course and speed even in heavy storms. The reinforced structure and hull-plating helps in this regard as well by preventing excessive bending. The plating also proved to be adequate against floating ice.

Engine
The experimental quadruple expansion reciprocating engines fitted in this class provide excellent cruising capability and the highest possible maneuverability and shorter response time than a conventional turbine powerplant. Their large weight and space requirement however makes them undesirable if the higher reliability is not necessary.

Military Equipment
The light armament was working within specification, although the civil crew needs more training.
The new Huelsmeyer-type electronic distance measurement device testfitted on the ships worked with no reliability issues, but the accuracy of the result depend mostly on skill of the operator. Roll and pitch motion of the ship greatly hamper detection probability and accuracy in heavy whether. Therefore it should be considered to stabilize the antennas in future applications.

Launches
The two 40 t launches need further testing, especially in shallow waters. But first test were promising.

Scientific and other Civil Equipment
The civil crew praised the the possibility to relax in the leisure-room and the library with it's small well selected collection of books, as it not only contains scientific and engineering papers but also 'good' literature. Workshops and medical facilities further improve the working environment  for the labs and replaceable mission depending equipment.

Outlook
For the upcoming summer in our southern hemisphere the "Aurora" will be operating near the antarctic coast to gather information for future expeditions. While the "Polarstern" is scheduled to to make whether experiments in the North Atlantic.


Edit: corrected the year.

[Nobody]

Kaapstad
Monday January 6th, 1919

"Ah good morning. I'm glad to see you", greeted the minister for State Security, Willem Kreutzer, his college from the ministry for foreign affairs, Christiaan Smuts. "There is an urgent matter which needs your cooperation." "Sure, how can I be of assistance to you?" "Well, it's about the Empire of Italia, maybe we..." "Of course, I understand. Shall we go to my office then?" "That would be best."

"So, what is it about the Italians, and how am I supposed to help you with them, minister Kreutzer? You we aren't exactly on the best terms with them." "You heard of the Caldera Cup?" "A float-plane race, wasn't it?" "Precisely. The thing is, our reestablished airforce wishes to participate and it is held in Italy." "Problematic indeed. But do they even have aircrafts to participate? I never heard of float-planes in the Republic." "They don't right now. But they plan to refit a few planes. It would be a great opportunity for the mechanics to work with the planes, and a chance to boost their moral." "I will see what I can do. Maybe we can reestablish communication via France. They might even be capable of persuading the Italians. I will notify you if things get moving." "Thank you minister Smuts." "Don't mention it, it's my job."

[Nobody]

End of January 1919
A telephone conversation between Kaapstad and Pretoria

"Good morning, Minister Kreutzer how are things in Pretoria?"
"The work is progressing, Minister Smuts. The secure phone lines are installed and obviously working, most buildings are finished and partly staffed. You have something for me, minister?"
"Yes, indeed. With some help from France the Italians agreed to informal secret meeting in Paris organized by the French between their Imperial Magistrate Valentinius and our ambassador in France, Vincent Delalle."
"But that is not all, is it minister?"
"You know me too well. While staying reserved, they agreed to 'hold regular meetings' 'for a more formal resumption of diplomacy between our two countries'. Furthermore they will, 'in a spirit of cooperation', allow your racing team to attend the 1919 Caldera Cup. We are supposed to bring the team to France from were they will be transported to Venice."
"Good work, will you give my gratitude to ambassador Delalle?"
"Of course, and let's hope these talks give more results. A reduced readiness towards Italy will probably disburden Sorgenfrey's etat."
"Don't mention that to him! My budget can't afford any cuts."
"Yea, yea, I know."



Tuesday, Febuary 4th, late noon
Navy headquarters, Kaapstad

Press release
In response to first reports indicating a disaster struck the Romanian city of Varna, the admiralty ordered the science vessel "Polarstern" to abort her mission in the north Atlantic and head to the area immediately.
The ship is expected to arrive in about 14 days.
The possibility of additional aid is being surveyed.



Wednesday Feburary 5th, 1919
Kaap Kourier
The government declares that it is unfortunate that no further help in excess of what has already be promised is possible because of the great distance between the Republic and the location of the accident.
Any correlation with the declaration of a new Romanian Monarchy was denied by the press relations officer.

[Nobody]

Thursday, April 10^th
Pretoria, Kaapstad
The Orange Government and Navy announce that they want to sell several older ships in 1920 and roughly 10000 tons of excess military grade steel in the second half of 1919.


Monday, April 14^th
Navy headquarters, Kaapstad
Minister for State Security Willem Kreutzer greets an unexpected visitor in his office.
"So what can I do for you mister..." "I'm Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wilhelm Deist, director of the museum of Orange military history. I'm here to talk to you because you offered the 'Duikboot 1', or navy's first operational submarine internationally for sale while we already have a valid contract to purchase that same boat once it is retired from active service."
He hands over some papers to the minister, who looks over them before he offers his visitor a seat and ask his secretary for drinks and mumbling "what a mess..."

[Nobody]

Sometime end of May 1919, somewhere in the department for foreign affairs
The secretary of the minister of foreign affairs looked at the man in his fine, clean an expansive looking black suit who had just delivered an important looking letter and was now waiting for an answer.
Scanning over the pages he answered: "Mr. ... Smith. You will probably understand that the minister will not be attending this matter personally, so he can deny any knowledge of this. Neither will the Orange Republic promise you anything of that sort.
I can however assure you that the Republic will not do anything without good reason, and we will definitely not take any incalculable risks unless, said risks are low and there is something substantial to gain."
He stood up to shake his visitors hand, "that is all I can say. Give my greetings to your superior, will you Mr... Smith?"
'Mr Smith' stood up as well and took the hand offered to him, "I will Mr Secretary. Thank you for your time.

[Nobody]

Monday, June 9^th, 1919
Pretoria, department for foreign affairs
Working through his mountain of daily mail Christiaan Smuts,  the minister of foreign affairs, paused in surprise. A message from the Oman? From a small and remote location as Daww?h? *he had to order someone to find it on a map*
While reading the message his expression changed from a pleasant surprise to one of serious concern. Here he was preparing for the conference in Dar-es-Salaam and now this. The fact that this wasn't his problem but one of the Romanians did little to seas his mind considered the other things that were going on. He would have to tell them that there was little he could do, unless the Romanians greatly failed to deal with the matter. But even then it would take time until the Parliament would decide to a course of action. All he could do now was to leave matters to his secretary and hope to solve this matter along with others in Dar-es-Salaam.

After ordering someone answer this letter from the Oman, minister Smuts continued to scan his mail. The next message was from the navy, informing him of details about his journey on board of the Arktur, one of the newest and largest ships of the Orange Navy which was chosen as "his flagship" after information about the French armada transporting their representative, Admiral Geon, to Dar-es-Salaam had arrived.

[Guinness]

Mr. ... Smith...Mr... Smith...Mr Smith

If Mr. Smith is about, his sidekick/boss Percy LeVille must not be too far away.  :P

[Nobody]

If Mr. Smith is about, his sidekick/boss Percy LeVille must not be too far away.  :P

I don't think so. Who is that anyway? Should I know him?
I chose Smith as a simple, generic, very common name, for someone who's name is obviously not Smith. And the secretary knows this, hence the dots to express his doubts.

[Guinness]

Ouch.

See these 3 CSA news threads:

http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=2955.0
http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=3404.0
http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=4196.0

"Smith" (not his real name) is an "independent contractor" in the employ of the Confederate State Department in central America. LeVille is a former State Department desk jockey who found his way into the operational part of foreign intelligence with Smith at his side, and along the way was somewhat instrumental in Villa's installation at the head of the new Mesoamerican state.

But sorry, I shouldn't be junking up your news thread, so I'll pipe down.

[Nobody]

Tuesday, July 1^st, 1919
Pretoria, morning-"press conference" (a copy of the speeches has been sent to all known countries and embassies)

Chancellor Bloemendal begin
Ladies and Gentleman!
I'm sad to announce that the Empire of Italia has declared war on New Zion again.
Due to New Zions uncooperative appearance on the Dar-es-Salaam Conference we decided not to take one side yet and stay neutral until further notice, depending on the events in East-Africa.
In order to ensure the safety of the Republic and neutral shipping with our coastal waters, some changes on our territorial sea borders and the way we deal with them have been decided and will be in effect beginning 1200 GMT today.

*He steps away and makes way for the minister of State Security Willem Kreutzer who continues*

As of today the 1^st July 1919 12 o'clock GMT the following rules will be in effect:
1) Orange territorial waters will be extended to 12 nautical mile Zone.
2) a new Orange economy zone of 100 nautical miles is estabished

3) Fishing vessels will require a license within the economy zone
   - ships without a valid license will be confiscated until a license is obtained an a fine paid
4) Orange police and military forces will uphold Orange law within the 100 mile zone
5) no armed vessel will be tolerated within the 12 mile zone without permission
   - any ship with a weapon larger than 10 mm/.4" is considered "armed"
6) dived submarines will not be tolerated within the 100 mile zone
7) all ports are opened to all ships
   - armed vessels will have to leave port after "some time", to be determined by the harbor authorities
8) all ships within the 100 mile zone are possible suspect of inspection on a random basis, or if they act suspicion
9) ships that do not comply to above rules will be interned, and sunk if they resist
10) any aggression against ships within the 100 mile zone will be viewed as an attack against the Republic and be dealt with accordingly
Any questions?

*Edit*
Forgot the most important "no fighting rule".

[maddox]

With Napoleon the Great and escorts in that Area, what will you do about those?

[Guinness]

Shoot at them hopefully.  :P

[miketr]

The Iberian Ambassador will deliver the following note to the Orange Government.

Excellency,

Iberia notes with alarm and concern the change in stance of the Orange Republic with respect to territorial waters.  Iberian law and international custom is for 6 nautical miles; 12 nautical miles is more than double that.  Also this so called economic zone is simply without precedent.  Iberia accept that the Orange Republic has every right to restrict foreign shipping within its waters. 

Iberian Admiralty Law is that the Iberian Flag provides protection for Iberian ships flying it; civilian or naval.  Violation of that protection outside of the internationally accepted 6 nautical mile zone will be viewed as a very grave mater by Madrid.  The Iberian Government requests that the Orange Republic rescind this change, at once.   

José Alencar Gomes da Silva
Foreign Minister

[Nobody]

I'm sorry Mr Ambassador but for the duration of the war these rules will remain in effect.

And for clarification, all new borders have been drawn according to the "Den Haag, Laws of the Territorial Sea" articles 1 to 13.*

Nowhere is stated how large the territorial waters are allowed to be. But do you know how size of the first sea borders was defined? It was based on the gun-range of these days, so that noone would be able to attack a country from the sea without entering its waters. Given this comparison 12 miles isn't much, even without a war at your doorstep. The so called "economy zone" was created as a buffer, allowing police forces to continue chasing fleeing suspects. No ship within the economy zone will be stopped or searched without good reason. And unless you want to go fishing within it there is hardly a difference to status quo, except that you will now be protected by Orange law.

*) OOC that's actually were I stopped reading because it was much too long and complicated