KK Wiener Zeitung

Borys · March 24, 2007, 01:30:01 PM

Vienna, 12th September 1902
In his coronation speech the Kaiser managed to both upset and appease practically all political groups in the monarchy. His speech and program stressed the fact, that:
"In the olden days the power to rule, to command others, was based upon personal responsibility. Upon the individual giving the orders personally facing the threats to the State and his Soverign. We will now go back to that!"

The "good old days'" reforms can be summed up as:

- Universal franchise for all payers of the Poll Tax, that is men over 20, who can now can cast a single vote in regional and national elections.

- A weighted voting system, where all payers of the Property Tax get extra votes.
a/ Land owning peasants, owners of shacks on city outskirts - all get 1 extra vote (70% of property tax payers)
b/ Land owners, house owners in cities - all get 4 extra votes (25% of property tax payers)
c/ Largest landowners, industrialists - all get 9 extra votes (5% of property tax owners)

[Yes, Austria just gave women the vote. If they hold property.]

- All Emperial and State Servants must first prove they care for the Dynasty and State. Thus State Officials, ALL elected officials, people in certain top posts (e.g. university professors) must first serve for 6 years in the military.
All officers and NCOs must advance through the ranks, serving two years before becoming eligible for Officer's school.

Borys

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Phoenix
Posted: Aug 11 2006, 05:26 AM

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QUOTE (Borys @ Aug 10 2006, 05:49 PM)
[Yes, Austria just gave women the vote. If they hold property.]

Interesting that. If women are actually allowed to have property in the first place that is. I can tell you that women having property is a fairly recent novelty. There are quite a lot of areas where women aren't allowed to have property at all, even to this day.
For instance: a few years ago my aunt in South Africa could not withdraw money from the bank (from the account she jointly held with her husband !!) without the presence of said husband when she does it. And she could not open a bank account for herself.
Kind of tricky when he died and she had to pay for the funeral. sad.gif

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Maddox
Posted: Aug 11 2006, 10:34 AM

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Current Events Paris , offices of minister Capet.

Hmm Georg , that little coup in Vienna is rather a fresh wind in stuffy Europe. It seems King Stephan has a few good idea's and is acting on them. But then, King Juan had good idea's too, untill he got mad,and wanted more power to all the people. Even those who can't handle power or responsibility.

Yes, you're right Louis, but King Stephan seems to be a bit militairistic. It seems Premier Jardan and Premier Palpaté has forseen this, but tought it prudent to reinforce the Spanish border first. And with reason, luckely the trenchline is already dug, the barbed wire with the border posts already checking most trafic.

So minister Paixhans, what do you suggest?

Oh minister Capet. First quell the revolt in Brazil, and teach our guests why France is Glorious, then it's up to you to see what the Habsburgers are up to officialy. I know Premier Palpaté isn't liking the Freikorps for Spain at all, but he has even less love for the commies. It's not as if the Habsburgers are the first or only ones that meddle in that sewage pool.
Let us say, King Juan will have to look out or he loses Cuba or Puerto Rico.

Kaiserliche Vienner Zeitung, September 19

Investigations at the Finance Ministry and the Quartermaster branch of the Heer have revealed gross missapropriation and missuse of funds. Like artillery barrel grade steel being used for buttons.

Initialy his Imperial Majesty was ready to be lenient, and was overheard to say - "Do not attribute to malice that, which can safely be explained by stupidity".
However, the scale of the waste and "daylight robbery" enraged the Monarch, who ordered the suspected parties be tried under Wartime Law. All 58 (37 civilian and 21 military officials) were accordingly sentenced to death.

All but one pleas for pardon were rejected, and the sentences carried out this morning.

The one case of clemency involved (former Oberst) Freiherr von Schwindler und zu Hutzpahvitch, whose 8 month preganant wife hurled herself at the Monarch's feet after Mass, begging for the life of the father of their unborn child.
In His mercy the Kaiser allowed the Freiherr to volunteer as private for the Santissima Trinidad Freikorps, with the duty of personally carrying the regimental banner into battle, in the first rank.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 12 2006, 11:56 AM

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Vienna, 21st September

The weekend has broght forth some good and wonderous news.

Firstly, the mysterious and enigmatic Empress Mother of the Middle Kingdom, has invited our energetic Kaiser for a State Visit. It is to take place on the Feast of Saint John next year.

Secondly, impressed by SKM (Sus Kaiserliche Maiestat) Stefan's energy, the leaders of the populace of Malta begged Him to become their hereditary Count. The Kaiser conceded their wish, and thus this picturesque island joined the Crown Lands of the House of Habsburg.

Thirdly, the Head Engineer of the Skodawerke, Herr Nezrobil, revealed that his company has perfected a new technology of making armor defeating shells. Unfortunately, upon hearing the words "ballistic cap" the mind of our reporter went blank and he failed to record any further details of this newest advance in the science of war.


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The Rock Doctor
Posted: Aug 12 2006, 12:07 PM

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"I do believe I'm starting to like this new Hapsburger king", President Alizandro remarked, lowering the newspaper. "His management style is sound."

"A division of volunteers to Spain's not a bad idea either", Defence Minister Alizandro replied. "But I assume we'll not be emulating him?"

"Not until we figure out what's happening in Brazil", the President answered.

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P3D
Posted: Aug 12 2006, 01:28 PM

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OOC

Borys,

pls don't start a new thread for every snippet, keepy them together in one.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 12 2006, 01:41 PM

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QUOTE (P3D @ Aug 12 2006, 09:28 PM)
OOC

Borys,

pls don't start a new thread for every snippet, keepy them together in one.

Ahoj!
OK - if the form here is to keep to a sngle thread, so be it.
I will keep posting in one of the other threads, with no typo in header smile.gif

Borys

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The Rock Doctor
Posted: Aug 12 2006, 05:55 PM

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I've found that a single thread for each quarter of the year works well.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 13 2006, 07:31 AM

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31st September 1902 Vienna
Yesterday the Kaiser finally signed the Rome Treaty.
Today all flags on State buildings were flown at half mast, in sign of Austria being shamed.

Pieter Botha, 2nd Secretary at Oranje Legation


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Borys
Posted: Aug 13 2006, 05:20 PM

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3rd October, Kottor

Today four small cruisers of the Imperial Navy, the SMS Pandur, SMS Hajduk, SMS Hussar and SMS Grenzer left for the Arabian Sea.
Their mission is to stamp out piracy, following the well publicized attacks on DKB and other vessels. This disgrace to civilized society must be put to an end.
The vessels will base at Aden. A battalion of Matrosen will be landed there, to protect supplies from sticky fingered swarthy locals. Hopefully their presence will also support commerce, as all white tradesmen (or anybody, for that matter) will be extended protection. And previously in that lawless land security did not come neither cheap nor easy to outsiders.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 16 2006, 02:03 AM

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Ballpalatz, Vienna, 4th December 1902

The Foreign Ministry of the Austrian Empire declares that countries with which diplomatic relations had been severed or suspsended are invitied to resume them.

Borys

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Borys
Posted: Aug 16 2006, 06:53 AM

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Ballplatz, Vienna, 5th December 1902

In response to the latest news from the French Parliament, the Habsburg Empire offers aid.
Austria will assist refugees fleeing communist atrocities. The Monarchy will provide those misfortunate souls with maritime transport to the Phillipines.
There they will be provided with some tools and other help to rebuild their lives and the archipelago.

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Maddox
Posted: Aug 17 2006, 01:36 AM

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Diplomatic dispatch to the Habsburg Empire.

QUOTE
" France does aknowledge the effords of the Habsburger Empire to promote peace over the world, and would gladly accept the help.
Unfortunatly due differences in understanding and intend, we cannot accept this gracious offer of transporting Spanish civilians to the war and disastertorn Philipines.
Governer Batista of Cuba has offered to provide the sanctuary of the Refugees. Even if he's a loyalist.

Secretaire of foreign affairs, Monsier Grange"

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Borys
Posted: Aug 18 2006, 05:53 AM

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December 1902, Azulejos, Catanduanes Island, Phillipines

Rittermeister Trzetrzelewski wipped off the sweat off his brow. He was leading his mounted patrol in search of potential trouble around the camp. Even though "overqualified" for leading about 30 men around, he wanted to have a good feel of the area. And to stretch his legs. The engineers were helping the locals dig themselves out of their misery after the volcano eruption. And the doctors were helping them survive the process. Since arriving in mid November, the sight of the red-white-red flag was now becoming generally wellcome - even though at times it was still confused with the Spanish flag.

- Maybe we should revert to the Schwarz-Gelb, he mused.

Nevertheless, the supplies stocked at the Azulejos camp were very tempting to the unscrupulous or desperate. As well as any supplies given out to villages. Hence the need for some display of military might. His two dozen armed men were accompanied by half a dozen locals, too old or too young or too weak to give a hand at reconstruction, but with good knowledge of the area.

His sweep not only gave the camp and villagers a sense of security, but also provided Herr Ingenieur Rolmops with a chance to ply his trade. The leisurely pace of the patrol was made even more leisurely by the engineer dismounting to pick up stones, bang his hammer on rocks, fill small bags with gravel. And make hurried notes as well.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 21 2006, 10:01 AM

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War Minstry, Vienna, 1st December 1902
In light of the tension surrounding the Suez Channel, Habsburg forces throughout the Monarchy have been put on alert. This order has now been completed, with units at the peak of their pre-mobilization strenght.

This does not apply to the corps supplying the professional cadres to the Freedom Legions in Spain.

The previously leuisurely pace of transfering army corps "Lemberg" to Malta has been accelerated, and should be finished over the next few days.

The Division of cruisers currently stationed at Aden have joined in commerce protection patrols in the Red Sea. Additional ground forces have been dispatched to make Aden secure for Europeans and other traders.

A plan to raise a formation composed of foreign volunteers - Auslander Friewilliger Korps - was announced. Apparently communist POWs are eager to serve the House of Habsburg instead of being transferred to the care of "white" Spanish authorities.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 22 2006, 04:59 AM

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Balplatz, Vienna, December 8th 1902, after the diplomatique dispatch from Quai d'Orsay*

The Government of HIM Stefan is demanding explanation of this unprovoked act.

It is protesterous for a Pact between two Powers, limited to fomenting international Peace and Trade between those two Powers, to provoke such a reaction. Monarchs and other leaders are requested to judge this sorry excuse for cause of international tension used by the French Republic, unallienable from its blood soaked roots which draw from the corpses of martyred Luis and Antonette.

And to remind the scribes at the French Foreign Minsitry that the Habsburg Monarch is an Emperor, not King.

In light of the communique from Paris, the Habsburg Empire requested all French citizens and dependents to leave the boundries within 48 hours or face internement and confiscation of possessions. Trade with French based and owned companies is to cease immediately.

Austrian ships are to avoid French ports. In case of danger they are to proceed to home ports, Spanish ports controlled by the so-called "whites", ports of the Middle Kingdom, of the Oranje Republic, or Aden. Or any other neutral port avalable.

Fleet units in European waters are to head for home ports. The Fleet is ordered to mobilize.

The korps in the Alps - Army Korps III Tirol, the elite Kiaserjaeger Korps, the Landesschutzen Korps, and the fortress of Trent have been ordered to mobilize. Same order was given to the ex-Korps Lemberg, now Korps Malta, and Army Korps XV Dalmatien.

Other Korps are to remain at alert status.

Tirolese mountainers are to be informed, at nearest mass, that they are are free to shoot anything that flies and is larger than an eagle. Any such objects are nothing of the supernatural, but French military devices.

The forces providing huminatarian relief in the Phillippines and those protecting the peace at Aden are to take precautions against attack.

HIM Gov't is seeking communication with the Gov't of the Calipahte of Cairo, as yet without success. By today we have not yet identified which of the revolving Caliphs is in power at present.

HIM wishes to know what is the position of the Bavarian Gov't on this matter of Gallic sabre rattling.

* editied with date

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Maddox
Posted: Aug 22 2006, 05:35 AM

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1 day after the proclamation of the Pu Lun protocols.

Borys · March 24, 2007, 01:34:00 PM

Phillippines, begining of 2nd decade of December 1902

A scene repeated in several places, at various locations around the archipelago.
- "Why are you abandoning us, senor?"
- "We are not abandoning you. The godless and kingless French are threathening our country. And we fear that they might come for us here as well, however unimportant militarily we might be. We must move our camp and whatever supplies we can away from the shore. So that we are too far for their guns on ships to fire at. Will your people help in the moving?"
- "Yes! And we will defend you with our machettes! Or guns if you give them to us!"

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Borys
Posted: Aug 23 2006, 06:04 AM

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Ballplatz, December 6th 1902, Vienna

The Foreign Ministry expressed satisfaction with the normalization of relations with the Republic of Oranje. In deferrence to the role of people of Hungarian descent in the Republic, the Habsburg ambassador is a Hungarian aristocrat, Bela Lugosi.
A personage well known in the nocturnal circles of Vienna and Budapest, he will make his way to his post when normal travel across the Mediterranean is resumed.

Imre Lengyel, Vice-Minister

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Borys
Posted: Aug 24 2006, 08:05 AM

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Spanish Marroco, Alhucemas (al Hoceima), begining of 2nd decade of December 1902

- "Sometimes I realy wish I hadn't volunteered for this." - sighed Feldfebel Hasek of the 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment, Auslander Freiwilliger Korps, overlooking a stream of soldiers hauling sacks of coal into the freshly painted hull of SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth.
- "Stuck here, training one thousand cut-throats who haven't killed us yet only because they'd be gutted by those savage extripators from the mountains the next moment."
- "Oh, stop whinning, you fat-beer-swollen Czech!" - growled his fellow NCO Haiducescu - "Training one bunch of banditen to use them against other banditen in my book is better than being shot at by Reds hiding behind rocks! Not like that poor standard waving bastard from the 2nd Legion - a miracle he's still alive! Being here - making these priest murdering scumbags into real soldiers, guarding those stinking mountains of coal for our warships and supply vessels - at least allows us to sleep in a real bed and under a real roof!"
- "We'll have no roof when the warships of the commies from the North show up and blast us! Like they did in Bilbao! Or the verfluchte French - from what I've overheard from the officers we're almost at war with them! Or those - what's their name - Koeniglich Amerikaners! We should be on the other side, in Europe, away from the sea, not mucking about bare assed on a beach among those savages, you rock-headed-Bukovinian-goat-stealing-bandit!"
- "How many times do I have to tell you, you fart-brained-promoted-by-mistake-live-mutton-fan, that Spanish ports are wrecked, or lacking stevadores. Had we been over there, our merry band would have disapeared into the countryside, or been killed by the Whites sooner than you could get drunk again! This way the quais are used for supplies, while the coaling can be done here, and our boys put to some use."

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Borys
Posted: Aug 29 2006, 04:08 AM

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Kaiserliche Wienner Zeitung
La Valetta, 15th December 1902

Our special correspondnet to the newest Province of the Empire reports a strange, yet heartening situation.
The hand over of local facilties by French forces to Austrian authroities had not been completed before the post Pu Lun Protocole tension began. Since that day the forces of the two countries have holed up in their respective encampments and avoid one another. Although neither side wished to comment, there seems to be a sort of entente cordial between the two. As stated by a local barkeeper:
- "It's like magic - the Austrian boys show up on odd numbered days, and the French boys on even numbered days. Almost a hundered thousand soldiers on the island, but so well behaved - as if they weren't here at all!"

As last Sunday was a "French day", our reporter discovered that Spiritual needs of the Austrian troops were attended to at camps and barracks by Priests invited over from local parishes. The French troops took part in Services at the town's churches, but no after-Mass parade was held, with the soldiers quietly returning to their stations.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 29 2006, 06:23 AM

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Kaiserliche Vienner Zeitung, 15th December 1902

At a public ceremony, atended by all State and Court dignitaries and the Diplomatic Corps, the Kaiser declared the support of the House of Habsburg and the Empire of Austria for Carlos VIIth as the King of Spain. Also present at the occasion were the Spanish Monarch's son, the Duke of Madrid Jaime, and his brother - the Duke de San Jaime Alfonso Carlos.

The declaration was followed by a parade of the last volunteer unit to leave for Spain this year. The troops were sporting unusualy headwear, i.e. a red beret. A Spanish gentleman explained to our reporter that this is traditional head dress of Carlistas, i.e. supporters of the Legitimate line of the Spanish Bourbons, and that the red Burgundian Cross on the regimental banner is yet another symbol of said movement.

The Spanish monarch - who is to leave for Spain with this unit - was visibly moved.

After the parade some diplomats refused refreshments available in the Palace gardens and hurried off.

**************
OOC
I am basically giving the same information twice, but now it becomes official Vienna policy

****************

Diplomatique note to French Embassador

The Quay d'Orsay will be kept informed of the progress made by Austrian volunteers in Spain, including which province they happen to operate in.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 29 2006, 02:35 PM

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Kriegsministerium, Vienna, December 18th 1902

"Meine Herren, there are no news from the Palace as to the French response to the concilliatory letter from the Kaiser. But considering the conditions on what passes as roads in Voralberg, it does not matter. Prepare orders for all mobilized Corps to demobilize, from the morning of the 20th onwards. Only the Stellung Corps Malta stays mobilized - we will have to do something with that corps, BTW. Either recruit it entirely localy, or keep them at 75% strenght at all times."
"The whole army is to revert from Alert to normal status on the 20th. The Navy will release reservists on that date too."
"Now Oberst Strutzel will report on the manufacture of new kit for our and allied troops in Spain, as well as present the first uniform and kit experiences from the fighting there. After a brief discussion - lunch. In the afternoon Kontradmiral di Calafiori-Ravioli will deliver his paper on the pros and cons of a long-term service Navy."

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Borys
Posted: Aug 30 2006, 05:35 AM

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Ballplatz, Vienna, 20th December 1902

The Emperor was pleased to receive the eruditely-worded letter from the French Minister of Foreign Affaires, Mister Paixhans. The Ministry is happy to announce that the latest crisis with the Republic of France has passed. Military Forces are being withdrawn from along the mutual frontier and demobilized. The Gov't hopes that a solution to the "cohabitation" on Malta will be found in the near future. Such hopes are also held as to trade and travel between the two countries.

**************

Kriegsministerium, Vienna, 20th December 1902
To demobilizing units in the Tirol Military District

Make sure that demobilized soldiers, particularly those from Lichtenstein and Voralberg (i.e. the frontier areas), understand that they are NOT to shot French balloons across the Rhine.

**************

San Angelo barracks, La Valletta 21th December 1902
- "Send the French commander some of our best wine. And invite him with his staff for the 25th."

*************

Alhucema, Spanish Marrocco, 22nd December

- "So the French will not shoot your fat hairy Czech ass after all!"
- "You been oggling me in the shitter again, you goat abusing Rumanian haiduk?"

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Borys
Posted: Aug 31 2006, 01:46 AM

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Kaiserliche Wienner Zeitung December 30th 1902

Wien:
At an extraordinary session, the Imperial Diet passed the Flottengesetz (Naval Law), which forsees a fixed size of the fleet, with automatic assignement of funds to replace lost or too old vessels. Details can be found in the country section of Powers That Be. The Flottengesetz has provisions for the Navy abandoning conscription and switching to long term, volunteer service only. This change can be made at the Emperor's discretion at a further date.

The issue of volunteer only service for the Heer was also debated, but inconclusively. The subject will be continued after the New Year Recesse.

Festive Season miracle - the Palace has released news that an Ali Baba's cave of treasure was found by relief workers in the Phillippines. After consultations with Schonbrun, all those funds will be spent in the Archipelago on reconstruction work.

Aden:
After heavy house to house, bayonet versus scimitar fighting, our brave troops have pushed the Arabs out of both parts of the town. This operation revealed some deficiencies in equipment for fighting at close quarters in built up terrain. Some of this was overcome by ingenuity of our men, who fashioned old-style grenades with black powder normally intended for firing torpedos.

The town is however in ruins, with barely a house standing, and at present cannot offer more to shipping than a safe anchorage. Imperial agents have been instructed to look for potential settlers in Mediterranean ports, in Abissynia, and in Christian parts of the coat of India - Goa and Karnaka.

Expecting further hostility from the local rulers of Yemen and Oman, a freshly formed regiment of Auslander Freiwillger was sent to the South of Arabia.

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Borys
Posted: Aug 31 2006, 04:19 PM

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Marineamt, Pola, 31st December 1902

Fregattenkapitan Sandor Csikós rubbed his weary eyes. Over the last two weeks he had studied the reports from the Ost-asiatische Division and the Mittler-ost Geschwader. Then he went back to reports of the "Friedensflotte". And checked against the reports filed by commanders of warships screening the traffic to the Spanish War.
There was a clear message in all those papers. A brutal message.
The Kaiserlichemarine was not prepared for operations outside the Mediterranean. That, if one was kind. If one was rude - outside the Adriatic. The fleet had neither the ships - cruisers with 3000 nm range? - nor bases to operate far from the Dalmatian coast. Meh - the main base of the fleet was the furthest possible from the Strait of Otranto as it could. Thank the All Mighty for the swing of heart of the Maltese - that gave a base. A ruined base, that's true, but a base nonetheless. Maybe with views not as breathtaking as those at Kotor - but Kotor had nothing!
So that's one step towards the seas beyond ...

Now, the lack of bases - if coal could reasonably be had all over the place - Essaleyian coaling stations were almost everywhere, as were French. Or the DKB. "There always will be some neutral around." - he quipped lamely to himself - then repairs were not. And coal is one thing, while having warships repaired by foreigners is another. He suspected that the new monarch was trying to get such bases - why else send ships to the Arabian Sea, where - apart from an odd steamer under the red-white-red flag now and then - Austria had no interest.

The plan to make Aden their base had failed - that pigheaded donkey had caused a war with the natives and destroyed whatever facilities there were. So what that the harbor is magnificent - wonderful anchorages are easier to find than cranes and warfs and milling machines and latches and docks and warehouses ...

The Austrian fleet needed bases it could take along WITH the fleet. He mulled the idea over in his head ... had a germ of an idea, nurtured it, and started writting the draft of a memo for the Fleet Procurment Office ...

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Borys
Posted: Sep 1 2006, 10:53 AM

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Ballplatz, 4th January 1903, Vienna

Graf Zamoyski reading dispatch from Paris, half talking to himself, half to middle ranking official.
- So the French have said that they will talk. Nothing else. Well, this is a start. Inform his Serenity Pu Lun of this.
- Do you have any wishes as to the contents of the message, Sir?
- Keep in the short style the Kaiser likes, and the Middle Kingdom is apparently fond of too.
- Yes, sir.

Telegram from Austrian Foreign Ministry to His Serenity Pu Lun:
- FRENCH WILL TALK

OOC
Phoenix, this is official smile.gif

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Borys
Posted: Sep 2 2006, 04:12 AM

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Sorry for the time warp

December 31st, Schonbrun Palast, Wien

The Kaiser stood at a widow overlooking the the snow covered back gardens, where the servants' children were setting up a snowman. But he looked through the glass with unseeing eyes. His mind had drifted back to those tension filled moments of the coup, when he had led his (a good thing he was NOT a titular Inhaber only) regiment, the Infanterieregiment Erzherzog Stefan Nr.99 to save the Monarchy ...

... his favorite heavy marching boots banged against the stairs. The servants had stammered that his destination waited upstairs. He left the soldiers downstairs - it was his duty - and honorable - to do this alone. To keep it in the family. He knew very well which room to go to - he knocked and entered. Just as expected - the two of them, and a nurse with the baby.
His brother was already standing, instinctively putting himself between the door and the cot on which that woman half-lay - nothing could hide her nine-month belly.
- "We've been waiting for you. We know what you've done. My friends ... "
- "So, Hohenstein was here? You have no other friends ... "
- "Cut the crap, Stefan - what do you want - will you kill us, or whatever you did with the Old Man. And what about Otto?"
- "I've packed off the old fart to a monastery, to the capucines at Kitzbuehel."
Some relief on them showed – so I'm not the murdering type ... after all ...
- "What about Otto?"
- "The dick led fool ... "
- ... gasp ...
- "Swine!"
- " ... is packing right now - he has two hours to the Paris train. The brothels there will be ecstatic ... "
- "Sophie and I ... ?"
- "You have to sign papers that you pass on the succession to me. Max and Otto did so already."
- "And then what?"
- "You like to travel and hunt – I'll send you off somewhere ... "
- " ... "
- "No, I'm not doing that NOW – he gestured at the belly and baby – is your opinion of me THAT low?"
- "And if I refuse?"
He pointedly looked at the belly and at the baby.
- "You don't have that much of a choice do you?"
- "Schweinbrust - I knew you were a shit! ... Give me those papers!"
Good, so he didn't have to do anything drastic. He pocketed the signed declaration, and extracted a thick envelope.
- "Franz, you can throw these into the fireplace."
- "So now what?"
- "So now, for now, I shall take my leave."
He first cast an eye at the sheaf of papers poking out from the burning envelope - unbeknownst to the couple, it was a previous set of documents Franz had been forced to sign. Then he looked into the disgust-filled eyes of that woman. But the old fart - or that hag of a wife of his - had been wrong (like in so many other things). It was a little mistake he could correct. The first of many.
A slight bow of the head.
- "Erzherzogin Sophie von Habsburg. My appologies for incommodating you in this state. Good night."

*************
Notes:
Inhaber - that is the titular owner-captain of a regiment, reflected in the name. However, Stefan took his Inhaber role seriously and built up personal loyalty among officers of the 99th regiment. His "militarism" gave him an opinion of an uncultured boor among the rest of the family.

To make the situation easier to understand - Stefan Karl has a platoon of soldiers with bayonets in front of the house and some downstairs - Franz and Sophie know that, and Stefan knows they know that.

Apart from some name changes, the family situation is like in OTL. Maximillian III = Franz Joseph I, his nephew (brother-son) Ferdinand Karl = Stefan Karl I
So Stefan deposed his uncle, and forced his two older brothers to renounce the throne.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stammtafel_de...burg-Lothringen

"That woman" is Sophie von Hotek. She was an aristocrat, but not royalty. Maximillian allowed Franz Ferdinand to marry her, but she did not gain Habsburg family status, and their children were out of the line of succession. Stefan considered this as another wishy-washy half-decision of the old Emperor - he stance is that either Franz marries Sophie and gets the boot, and Otto becomes Kronprinz (he pushed for this solution), or Franz and Sophie marry and she becomes Empress in due course (he fought against this). No Habsburg showed up at their wedding.
Now, having bumped Franz aside, he can be generous. The papers burnt in the fireplace were the Franz Joseph - Franz Ferdinand deal over Sophie.

On that day in September 1902 the baby girl (also Sophie) was 14 months old, while Maximilian was to be born on the 29th.