GC 1Q1903

[Borys]

 4 January 1903: Caracas

Thinking back, Old Manuel reckoned that the fifth war with the Commonwealth had been the last time he'd seen so many military types in his cantina at one time. It was like deja vu - lots of over-confident youngsters with bad haircuts get drunk on his cheapest cerveza, fighting for the attention of the ladies (such as they were) in the establishment.

One of the bouncers strode over just after midnight. "Think we got trouble brewing", he told Manuel. "There's guys from four different divisions in here and they're starting to brag about who's going to be in Havana first."

"I'll have the shotgun close at hand", Manuel replied.

About twenty minutes later, a private from the Eleventh Cordilleran took a swing at a corporal from the Fifteenth Infantry and things got ugly.

8 January 1903

Teniente San Martino came to attention in the office of Admiral Costas, commanding officer of the Pacific Fleet. His hand shook slightly as he awaited Costas' return gesture, several seconds in coming.

"San Martino. Right. I've reviewed your report, as well as that of Corazon del Oro's captain and first mate, and that of Senor Picardo", Costas began, his voice stern. "It seems this is the second time you've played a role in an international incident while on a civilian vessel."

"Ah...yes, sir", San Martino agreed.

"It's clear that you seized control of the Corazon del Oro and inflicted significant damage upon her by ordering the helmsman to ram a French sloop...pardon me, a PESN cruiser. Several men died as a result of this action."

"Yes, sir", San Martino repeated.

"The owners of the Corazon del Oro are extremely unhappy with you", Costas noted.

"Yes, sir."

Costas continued, "But they can take a long walk off a short pier. Personally, I think you showed commendable initiative - and I think the captain of that ship is lucky only being shot in the knee. He had his instructions." He waved an envelope in the air. "These are your new orders - to report to Cartagena. When you get there, you'll find out whether you've received the promotion I recommended you for."

10 January

"He's alive?", exclaimed President Alizandro.

"The whole family", Foreign Minister Torres confirmed. "Senor Hernandez has been in Aden for some time, and while I was becoming concerned that he was perhaps going excessively native, it would seem that the locals came to respect him for the same reason. One of his native friends happened to be entertaining Hernandez and his family for dinner when the anarchy began, and somehow kept them hidden until just a few days ago."

"Where are they now?"

"Within the Austrian perimeter."

"And the consulate?"

"Razed", Torres replied. "Nothing left."

"Should we rebuild it?"

"Eventually, but we should wait until the mood is more calm. These reports of walls of skulls suggests we're not quite there yet."

12 January

The following note is hand-delivered to the Government of the Middle Kingdom by Gran Colombia's ambassador

Dear Sir:

As required under the terms of our agreement, the first payment of [1 MBP] has been transferred to your accounts.

Events of the past month demonstrate that France was aware of the transaction by mid-December. We do not know where they penetrated our security measures but express our apologies if it was within our ranks.

President Enrico Alizandro

14 January

"How is Operation Libertador progressing?", demanded President Alizandro.

"We are fully mobilized", Ricardo Alizandro replied amiably. "The reserve divisions are at their designated deployment zones along the borders, on Trinidad, and in the jump-off points."

"Which divisions are you sending?"

"The Third, Fourth and Fifteenth infantry, and the Eleventh Cordilleran", Alizandro reported. "Second Infantry and Sixth Cordilleran are the Corps in question. General Almonte is proposing that the command be designated the Army of the West Indies."

Alizandro shook his head. "The Army of Cuba. What about the fleet?"

"We have trawlers quietly observing the Yucutan Channel, Windward Passage, Mona Passage, and Virgin Passage. Torpedo-boats and cruisers are patrolling a swath around Caracas for security. The battleline is armed, coaled, and are on a rotating alert."

"Intel?"

Benicio Delgado said, "Our agents are gathering some very useful information. My people are passing along the data to Minister Alizandro as soon as practical."

"Excellent", Enrico said. "Keep me informed."
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Sep 14 2006, 04:46 PM


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Tread cleaned.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Sep 17 2006, 08:26 PM


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22 January 1903

Benicio Delgado's organization maintained safe houses all across Gran Colombia - and in several other nations - just in case it happened to find itself needing a secure location on short notice. On this particular afternoon, Delgado and a small but effective security detail were within such a facility in Cartagena's harbour district.

Admittedly, it was a small fish cleaning plant and not necessarily the most pleasant place for a meeting, but it provided a useful cover for the fishing trawlers Delgado sometimes used for certain jobs. Case in point: transporting a major in the Cuban Homeguard over for a discussion.

As they shook hands, Delgado noted that Paulo Sandoval looked haggard and slightly unsteady. The Cuban caught the appraising look, smiled ruefully, and explained, "Seasickness. I doubt I slept more than four hours since we left."

Delgado nodded his understanding. He himself deplored travelling by sea, but the job did make it necessary at times...not that he intended to reveal this to Sandoval. "Thank you for coming to meet me. How may I be of service?"

"It is really more a matter of how my peers and I can be of service to you", Sandoval replied. "For you see, we effectively control the government in Cuba at this time."

"I see. How did this come about? I've not heard of Senor Batista's removal from power", said Delgado.

"Technically, he hasn't been", Sandoval responded. "For a few weeks now - ever since the report of PESN ships attacking your convoy in the Pacific, in fact - he has been holed up in his mansion. A significant portion of the remaining Homeguard has been tasked with protecting him against your expected invasion. Last week, the senior officers of the Homeguard determined that there was little sense in either supporting the PESN or Batista against a Gran Colombian assault. We started to seek other options."

Curious to see what reaction he'd get, Delgado queried, "Why would you cease to support the Favorite Son of Cuba?"

Sandoval spat onto the stone floor. "He is no favorite now. The populace opposed the PESN, and we were prepared to fight to the death for they and him. When he acceded to Juan's will, we felt betrayed - but by then, the Baltic League was there in force and the PESN seemed strong. It was not until recently that we felt we could move." He paused to ensure Delgado was paying attention and continued, "With Batista now ensconced in his palace and the League fleet departed once more, it was a simple matter to seize the lines of communication outward and modify the content of the messages as we deemed fit. The PESN in Spain may have deduced as much, but the local forces lack the wireless equipment to find out."

"What prompted this action?"

"The prospect of your invasion, the preparations for which have not been entirely secret as you know. The option of an independent Cuba was no longer viable - we would be crushed under your heel, or that of the PESN, or some other intrusive state such as France or the CSA that came along later. The question then became who we were best off joining, and the answer was Gran Colombia."

Delgado requested, "Please enlighten me - I'm certain that you know that Gran Colombia is not the utopia our press makes it out to be."

"We're aware of that - but Batista's government of the past was not greatly different than yours: profit oriented and essentially dictatorial. The Cuban people can accept that type of government, along with its dark side."

"Why not the CSA or the French, then?"

"Why not? Why? We have nothing in common with the CSA at all, and the French are an enigma. Their handling of Brazil is hardly a motivation either. Whereas Gran Colombia, as a former colony of Spain, naturally share much in common - culture, language, religion. We can integrate into Gran Colombia, whereas we would always be a minority in the CSA or France."

Delgado nodded. It seemed logical. "What is your proposal, then?"

"We are currently sending as many PESN troops home as can be accomplished with our limited shipping resources. They think they're needed to fight at home - they're probably right - but we just want them out without a fight. This can be continued for another week or so before Juan and the Central Committee can make their response felt in Cuba - probably longer. But as soon as your ships are offshore, preventing a PESN naval response, the Archbishop of Havana will call on Governor Batista to seek amalgamation with Gran Colombia. Other religious, business, and our senior military leaders will support this call, and Governor Batista will concede."

"Will he?"

"In return for safe passage for his household out of Cuba, he will. We feel he will ask to go to the Union del Sur-America. He doesn't like it, but he has no better option at this point."

"And then Gran Colombia accepts your admission as a state, lands troops as reinforcements rather than invaders, and appoints a new governor?", Delgado continued.

"Yes. Cuba becomes Gran Colombian without the futility of a lost war on our part. It will get our relationship off to a much better start."

Delgado nodded. "That it would. Remain here; I will have a response by evening."

Later in the afternoon...

Two hours later, Delgado relaying the tale to President Alizandro and his cabinet.

"You think this is for real?", queried Rey Alizandro.

"I do - it explains information my men were gathering but could not readily explain."

"It could be a trap", Ricardo Alizandro pointed out.

"It could - but a pointless one if so. If they fight back, they bag at best a division of troops, but ultimately, we still have the numbers to prevail. If they intended to fight, they'd not send the PESN troops back to Europe; they would use them against us."

"Can the PESN respond so quickly?", asked President Alizandro.

"It is doubtful. Their navy is depleted and deprived of maintenance, and they face the Austrians closer to home. Against the Armada as a whole - plus Batista's personnel navy, which is part of the junta seeking amalgamation with us - they are unlikely to prevail."

Alizandro was silent for long seconds, lost in thought. "I have dreamed of this", he whispered at last. "I could not believe it would be so - but Cuba desires my rule."

The men around the table dared not interrupt his reverie.

"Modify our plans to conform with their suggestion. Launch the operation within the week, Ricardo."
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Sep 18 2006, 09:34 PM


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27 January

Force Sentinela departed first, leaving Cartagena at dawn. Consisting of two armored and two protected cruisers, with four torpedo-boat destroyers, they steamed north for the Yucutan Channel.

Force Campeon departed soon after from Caracas. Identical in composition to Force Sentinela, the eight vessels fanned out into a scouting line as they steamed north toward the Jamaica Channel. Two hours, Convoy Uno sortied, over a two dozen merchant ships escorted by the battleship Helene, two protected cruisers, and four torpedo-boat destroyers.

Close on the convoy's heels came Force Valiente, with the battleships Valiente, Insolento, Poderoso, and Resuelto and attendent light forces. This task force took up station a few miles east of Convoy Uno.

Despite the intelligence Benicio Delgado had provided to them, the ships were operating at alert status, prepared for whatever the PESN might have waiting for them.

29 January

Cruising at a fairly high speed, Force Sentinela passed through the Yucutan Channel at 1800 hours.

Meanwhile, Force Campeon accelerated ahead on a course for Guatanamo Bay, where they had orders to determine whether any Baltic League forces were present. Most sources suggested they'd gone home as the PESN forces had started heading for Europe, but Gran Colombia wanted to know for certain.

Force Campeon's departure prompted Force Valiente to take up position ahead of Convoy Uno, providing security for the convoy as the two formations approached the Jamaica Channel.

30 January: Havana

About thirty men were gathered in the palatial meeting room in the north wing of Governor Alehandro Batista's palace outside the city. They had been waiting for several hours, and finally the message arrived. General Nicholas Nunez took the sheet of paper and read, "Two large and several small Gran Colombian capital ships sighted north of Dimas, steaming east-northeast." He looked to the governor, no longer the confident leader he'd once been but a harried, frazzled older man. "Governor, as senior military officer in Cuba, it is my duty to advise you that my command is not capable of defeating a determined Gran Colombian offensive against this island. It is my recommendation that Cuba not resist Gran Colombian operations."

Batista managed to summon a piercing glare but Nunez weathered the storm.

Felix Romero, the archbishop of Havana and senior-most member of the Roman Catholic Church in Cuba, said, "Governor, the PESN has plunged our motherland into savage bloodletting unlike any seen in civilized lands in centuries. The Gran Colombians would spare us that agony. I urge you to declare Cuba's seccession from the People's Empire of Sovereign Nations and petition for statehood with our cousins, the Republic of Gran Colombia."

Batista sighed, and looked expectantly at the man on Romero's left. Gabriel Tomas, one of the island's leading industrialists, began by sarcastically saying, "Comrade Batista, the people of Cuba believe in free enterprise and the right to keep what one earns. The PESN believes in punishing the industrious and rewarding the lazy and incompetent; in the months they have pulled your strings, considerable damage has been inflicted upon our economy. The Gran Colombians cherish free enterprise and would integrate us into their strong economy. Our products and produce would have access to the first trans-American canal, creating a huge economic benefit. We would have unfettered access to the strongest economy in South America, rather than the limited access to the most chaotic economy in Europe. I urge you to petition Gran Colombia for integration into its noble republic."

Batista hissed, "You are all traitors. You have betrayed me and all I stand for."

Tomas' eyes narrowed. "You betrayed yourself, and all of Cuba, when you laid down like an old dog before Juan's Baltic lackeys. Do what you are to do, so you can go back to overseeing the packaging of your household for your exile."

"Give me the damned thing", Batista growled, and with his pen, he signed first the document stating Cuba's seccession from the PESN, and then the request for statehood in Gran Colombia.

General Nunez snatched away the documents and declared loudly, "As noted in the letter to President Enrico Alizandro, Senor Batista has resigned as Governor of Cuba and designated myself, Archbishop Romero, and Senor Tomas as an interim governing triumverate until such time as a governor is appointed by Gran Colombia. You - transmit these messages by wireless to Madrid and Cartagena immediatey. See that printed copies are delivered to all foreign consulates in the city."

"Sir!", a younger officer replied smartly.

Nunez looked back to Batista. "Senor Batista, the Cuban people thank you for your service and wish you well in your retirement. You are dismissed."


Marek - kindly confirm for the folks that I'm not over-stepping my bounds here...
   

[Borys]

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Marek Gutkowski    
Posted: Sep 19 2006, 01:16 AM


Hegemon
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OOC:
Its a joint thing it was my suggestion that Cuba will have its own revolution overtrowing Batista.

IC:
Coronel Alehandro was more happy with the situation that let others to belive.
He was going home.He starngten his uniform the red stars on his hat and jacket were polished to a point that it blinded people.Saber by his side he looked like a rooster in his dress uniform.Walking on his podium.

"Cubans the way of the Socialism is not to be at odds with people that its governs I have the letter from the King of the People's Empire of Soviering Nations Juan III."THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN CUBA WISH TO MASTERS OF IT OWN FATE AND THE EMPIRE RESPECTS THAT.IT SADDENS ME THAT THE REFORMS NEVER REACHED CUBA THAT THE PEOPLE DIDNT SEE WHAT WE WERE WILLING TO DO TO ENSURE THE HAPPINESS OF ALL.MAY THE ROAD THAT IS INFRONT OF YOU WE PEACEFUL.REMEMBER PESN WILL ALWAYS BE THERE IF YOU ASK FOR HELP.WE LIVE IN PEACE AND PLEASE REMEMBER US NOT AS THE ONES THAT YOU WERE SENDING YOUR TAXES TO BUT THE GARDIANS THAT WHACHED OVER YOU FOR HALF A MILLENIUM.
FEREWELL." I my self am also wish to add that this land will always be close to my heart ferewell"

Alehandro bowed down and walked away.


7000km away in spain
"Those #!#%#% !#%$@^@$^@$ @$^%@$%# $^@@@^%$$^@! $^@$#$ $^@$% %$^@"Juan was red on his face
"That kind of lauguige is not fitting for a king"Diego poked Juan in the side loughting.


OOC:
Juan is keaping a poker face about it and try to salvige the situation at list diplomaticly.But my charecter is not happy with this.HEHEHE
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Sep 19 2006, 01:27 AM


Hegemon
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OOC

Batista signed the papers. Internationaly there is about no one that will support spain in the objections.
   
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Marek Gutkowski    
Posted: Sep 19 2006, 02:58 AM


Hegemon
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QUOTE (Maddox @ Sep 19 2006, 07:27 AM)
OOC

Batista signed the papers. Internationaly there is about no one that will support spain in the objections.

OOC:
That why there arent any.
But I cant with clear mind write that a Comunist dictaror is happy about a volta of one of its republic's.
Im trying to roleplay to the best of my abilitys and act the way not to step on any one.Every thing is iceing on the cake.Name change civil war shooting up NS freigther.

For Me the best fun of the game is the diplomatic dealings with other players.

Any way were is Agrival I have lots of contracts for him...Im Evil!
(Joke)
   
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Borys    
Posted: Sep 19 2006, 09:49 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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February the 1st

Spain, Valencia, court of Carlos the VII

We, Carlos, King of Spain, protest against the siezure of Spanish land by the Republic of Gran Columbia

Ballplatz, Wien
The Austrian Gov't protests against, and does not recognize, the siezure of Cuba by the Republic Gran Columbia. The Austrian Ambassador at Caracas is recalled to Vienna for consultations.

Imre Lengyel
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Sep 19 2006, 05:32 PM


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"The Cuban people voiced their desire to secede from war-torn Spain and seek statehood within our republic. Gran Colombia agreed to this very reasonable request and deployed a token military force to ensure Cuban security during the transitional period.

In contrast to the recent Austrian acquistion of Aden, the process was peaceful and to the mutual satisfaction of both Cuba and Gran Colombia."

[OOC: Man, if I keep this up, I'm gonna have no friends at all...such is the fate of a rogue state, I guess.]

   
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Maddox    
Posted: Sep 19 2006, 05:38 PM


Hegemon
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OOC

We have found our new "New Swiss" then...


IC

Diplomatic news from Paris.

QUOTE
We, France, do frown upon the sessesion of Cuba, but understand the reasons.
If King Juan is willing to lose the Spanish empire with his folies, so be it.

France accepts the papers signed by monsieur Batista, as representative if the Spanish crown on Cuba.
   
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Ithekro    
Posted: Sep 19 2006, 07:43 PM


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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.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Sep 20 2006, 10:33 PM


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14 February: La Prensa Nacional

President Alizandro today assured the people of Cuba that they would not find their ports and cities occupied by foreign powers. "While the government of the Middle Kingdom or Rohan might find it convenient to rent out a city of their people for thirty pieces of gold, Gran Colombia does not."

When asked about rumors of a Baltic League lease of Guatanamo Bay, our noble leader responded, "Whatever agreements Spain and the Baltic League had regarding Cuba ended when Cuba seceded from the Spanish Empire. Guatanamo Bay is now Gran Colombian soil, and any Baltic League citizens and their equipment there will be escorted out of the country immediately."

The president added that he doubted the League would have a need for such a base anyway. "They have no territory in this region, and no military alliance with Gran Colombia; they are better off deploying their forces where they really need them: Europe."

27 February

Gran Colombia is pleased to announce the appointment of Senor Gabriel Tomas to the position of Governor of the State of Cuba.

Senor Tomas was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1846. The son of a fisherman, he followed in his father's footsteps and began building up Tomas Marine Products in 1877. The company now ranks as Cuba's leading exporter of fish and fish products. Senor Tomas has had a long history of involvement in local politics and is well-respected by his peers, employees, and neighbours. He is married with three children and one grandson.

1 March

"Update me on the latest incident at the Canal", President Alizandro directed Sebastien de Soto.

The Minister of Industry grimaced. "On the twenty-first of last month, security personnel apprehended a local while he was attempting to gain access to one of the work camps housing our New Swiss contractors. He was found to be carrying several revolvers of mixed origin. Following a very comprehensive interrogation, which ended yesterday with the suspect's death, we identified several other gunrunners and arrested three of them in the vicinity of the canal zone."

"French agents?", asked Rey Alizandro.

"We assume as much, but the suspect insisted he was an Anahuac operative to the end."

"What about the Swiss?", queried Ricardo Alizandro.

"Raids were conducted on a number of barracks, costing us tens of thousands of lost man-hours. However, we recovered more than fifty pistols and a greater number of knives and melee weapons. My security staff met with the senior Swiss officers afterward to advise them that future discoveries of this nature would be met with extremely harsh punishment."

"Did they believe it?", President Alizandro demanded.

De Soto nodded. "A group of junior officers were detailed to bury the suspect's remains. They know what we mean."

"Other measures?"

"Minister Alizandro has kindly increased patrols along the border with New Beleriand, which has been closed off. Minister Torres has advised me that the Rohirrim have received a sanitized version of events and are now patrolling their side of the border."

Enrico Alizandro sighed. "Somebody come up with a way for us to retaliate against Palpete without angering a third party."

"Speaking of whom", interjected Rey Alizandro, "What's happening with the French/UKA/League/PESN naval stand-off?"

"It seems to be just that", Benicio Delgado confirmed.

Ricardo Alizandro snorted with amusement. "I tell you - I'd give my first-born to start a shooting battle between those fleets..."

   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Sep 21 2006, 09:31 PM


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5 March

The following full-page ad appears in national newspapers world-wide...

Did you know that:

-The May 7th eruption of Soufriere on St. Vincent resulted in the death of almost 1,700 people?

-The next day's eruption of Mt. Pelee in French Martinque killed over 28,000 people?

-The October 24, 1902 eruption of Santamaria in Mesoamerica claimed over 5,000 lives?

Volcanoes are a serious natural hazard in Central America, causing millions of [insert local currency] in damage each year. Yet only one Trans-American Canal was planned specifically to avoid such threats.

The Darien Canal

The Darien Canal Company is pleased to note that its canal project, due for completion on time and under budget, lies hundreds of miles from the nearest active volcano, ensuring that our clients' vessels will not be sunk by tsunamis or battered by super-heated avalanches. Our competitors can not say the same; Volcan Irazu looms near the recently started French Canal, while Volcan Concepcion actually lies within the lake to be used by the New Beleriand Canal.

Why invest in unsafe shipping routes? Buy your transit arights now at preferred rates!

A paid advertisement by the Darien Canal Company...


[OOC: These are historical eruptions - I assume they've happened without comment in Navalism.]
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Sep 21 2006, 11:36 PM


Hegemon
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OOC

Actualy, large catastrophes are more like " happening semi historicaly", and players can make their own disasters.
Except for the players who have the disadvantage " disasters", like P3D and the Orange republic.

As Moderator I normaly dole out disasters over the world, and I was planning on the Mt Pelee eruption to be a big bang to the ego of the French.... Imagine the pain if the South Pacific fleet was at anchor at Martinique .....

I suggest changing Mt Pelee for the Taal disaster last N-verse year.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Sep 24 2006, 09:46 PM


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15 March 1903

"I have a preliminary report on the Cuban military", stated Ricardo Alizandro at the daily meeting. He slid a small folder across the table to his brother.

"Give us the highlights", Enrico replied.

"We inherited six warships - three coastal defence battleships and three unprotected cruisers. No small stuff - it got stripped away before things went sour", Ricardo said. "The battleships are reasonably useful units laid down between 1890 and 1892. The cruisers are from the eighties, two different classes. They have not one gun caliber in common with our own vessels, but with the Spanish guns being a bit larger than some of our own models, we can probaby get by via re-lining of their guns down to our own calibers."

"What's their condition?", asked Foreign Minister Torres.

"They've been somewhat neglected in the past year. Normally I'd press to have them return to pristine condition pronto, but we may have trouble finding equivalent parts in some cases. I think it'll be a more gradual restoration over the course of the year."

"And the army?"

"The Homeguard is similar in size to our own corps formations, although the organizational details and equipment are different. The quality of the men is said to be good but not exceptional. My intent is to raise about four divisions in Cuba and transfer Homeguard personnel into the new units. We'll disband the Homeguard when the home-grown Army of Cuba is at strength."

"Are there fortifications of note?"

"There are at Havana", the Minister of Defence confirmed, "Though these are largely obsolete. I'm expediting construction of an El Toro-style fortress complex there. I'm also contemplating a similar degree of work down at Guatanamo Bay, which is an excellent natural harbour."

"Do we need it?", asked Rey Alizandro.

"It's useful if Havana is threatened. It might also be helpful if the Island Commonwealth returns to its old ways."

Industry Minister Torres observed, "All of this must have some significant budgetary implications."

Ricardo sighed. "Yes - the fleet's maintenance requirements will be significantly higher. A problem considering that of the ten battleships we know have, only four actually suit our operational needs. I'm giving thought to deleting the Audaz class early so I can afford to lay down El Libertador next year. And I should note that I still need some torpedo-boat destroyers added to the Cuban fleet. The fort at Havana is budgeted for - the one at Guatanamo can wait. It'll be the army that may be a challenge."

"So if I proposed going after other PESN or Baltic League territory, you'd probably not be very happy", Enrico commented.

"I'd tell you that between Cuba and Roraima and Amazonas, we've bitten off a fair bit. Let's chew and swallow before we stick a fork in something else."