Riddermar 1Q1903

[Borys]

January 8, 1903

News of the bloody civil war in Spain and its colonies has lead to several internal changes in the policies of the Mark. Most are reported to be of the intelligents gathering nature as Theocro King ordred two days ago that the Mark should be better informed about what the nations of the world are doing, and therefore be able to counter potential threats to the freedoms of the peoples of Middle Earth (Turtle Island/North America).

January 9, 1903

An accident at the Brandybuck Engineering Plant in Pelargir has resulted in the deaths of twelve construction workers and two engineers. The accedent seems to have been a boiler explosion while testing a new turbine under development at Brandybuck for the Fleet of the Mark.

January 14, 1903

Winter has been hard near the border with the United Kingdom. Without firearms several familes and tribes have taken hungary in the foreign land and they can't kill enough game to feed themselves at times. While the long bow helps somewhat, most tribes of this region did not use the elven long bow, but a short bow for horse riding, and this bow cannot bring down game quickly or easily. formal complaints from several nations in the United Tribes of Turtle Island to Rohan have not been addressed due to the fact Rohan is presently unable to solve the peoblem. Efforts to train and prepare for the winter of 1904 are in progress to reduce loss of life due to starvation.

January 29, 1903

The Fleet of the Eastern Seas has reported movement of ships from Gran Columbia to Cuba. However there seems to be no report of fighting between Columbian, Spanish, or Baltic forces.

February 9, 1903

The Kingdom of Rohan accepts the statehood of the island of Cuba in the Republic of Gran Columbia. Rohan will admit that it does not see this as the most desirable outcome of the present crisis, as Rohan would cheer more for an independant Cuba. However a Cuba freed from Spain is a least a small step towards a free state for the people of Cuba.

February 17, 1903

The Kingdom of Rohan shall maintian watch of the Baltic League Fleet in Cuban waters until such time as they leave for their own homeland. This is done to maintain the rights of the local powers over a seemingly hostile and foriegn power that truely has no need to be in this half of the world.

February 28, 1903

Work on the battlecruisers Arcadia and Shadowfax have reduced somewhat due to the accident at the Brandybuck Plant last month. Since the engine Brandybuck is working on is for Arcadia, it seems to reason that that engine should be finished before Arcadia sails.

March 3, 1903

Work on Brytta, Battleship of the Mark, has increased as the vessel nears completion. Her new superimposed turret has been fitted in a fashion similar to that on Eomer, Battleship of the Mark. Testing of the turret, which is far behind the first turret, has proceeded well since the guns were fitted. The dockmaster believes the ship will be launched and commissioned within the next four months.

March 11, 1903

News of the fracturing of the United States of New Switzerland has turned the two Swiss-Rohan projects on their ear. NSS Hawaii will now be completed as quickly as possible using an engine designed by Minas Nin Engines instead of the Swiss made design originally intended. The Swiss accounts will pay for the new engine's construction while Brandybuck Engineering has received all usable notes from the New Swiss engineers of the turbine engine and are applying that knowledge in an effort to get a working set of turbines built and installed in Arcadia, Battlecruiser of the Mark, before the end of the year. The other project, the new Orc-type torpedo boats will be completed, but transfere to the New Swiss may be difficult to not recommended. Diplomates are working on the situation since the transfere was stated to happen before the Non-Aggression treaty expires at the end of this year.

March 15, 1903
The Red Day

The annual Ride of the Rohhirim was staged near Mundburg today in the Pelennor Fields. It is a glorious sight to see a half Micelhusl of elite cavalry charge three Micelhusl of Infantry, all trained for this day since they were cadets. While the reenactment has been mostly show this last age, the event still carries meaning to the people of Rohan. With the ballons overhead, both to observe and to show the arrival of the Witch King, the event was heavily photgraphed this year. This has been the most enjoyable Red Day since 1898. Next year the King will ride again with the Riders of the Rohirrim into battle as did Theoden King.

March 27, 1903

The Third Micelhusl of House Serni and Second Riding Micelhusl of House Agarinna have been redeployed to the southern regions of New Rhun in a sweep for Anahuac rebels and Followers of the Eye. There seems to be a larger number of disturbances near the French Grand Canal Zone, and on occassion those killed in the sweeps have been armed with French made weapons. An investigation has been called for by the King.

March 31, 1903

The free trader Queen Emeraldas has returned to New Beleraind after several years of being away. However the simply beauty of the hull seems to have changed since the last time anyone remembers having seen her. It's like she was rebuilt but whoever did it didn't keep her pretty. Some locals are dissapointed that one of the prettiest ships that use to cruise the waves now looks rather ordinary.