Tiengo una boina nera - Austrians in the Phillippines

[Borys]

 Early December 1902, Olongapo, Baia de Subigo, Philippines

Capitan Corbeta Pedro Alberto Nunez y Mendoza ruminated on the almost full year which had passed since the Catastrophe. The upheaval to the existing order caused by the PEP had, in a way, been put to a halt by its total collapse. After the survivors had dug themselves out, there practically were no longer any rich and poor. There only those who were alive and who were not. Redistribution of wealth? That meaning that those with two shovels should give one to somebody who had none? That more or less happened naturally. Things got ugly afterwards, after a week or two had passed, and fights over food had began. Part of the surviving food supplies were hoarded and sold at God offending prices by some, and distributed for free by others - regardless if PEP or Rebel or openly bandit. Same applied to the foreign relief which had come in, from the Middle Kingdom and other places. Or appropriated on the High Seas. In some places the officials which claimed ownership over the aid behaved decently, in others they didn't. Hardship, in line with unchanging human nature, produced both scum of the worst sort, and living saints.

The more time passed from the disaster, the worse it got. With the Mother Country in turmoil, there was no assistance coming from there. Nor was there any money from neither the PEP nor the Junta supporting the new-old Principe de Asturias*. He half-smiled sarcastically to himself - in the "civilised" XXth century he and his men were no better than the Visigoths of ancient Spain - they served for food. With no money, but with men and guns, he kept part of the relief food for himself and his men. Those who didn't desert, that is. And guarded the rest, keeping it from being stolen by some bandidos.

He paid the local peasants with food, usually in return for some cleaning up or reconstruction work at the base. Sometimes the work was mere pretence, to keep it from being a simple giveaway. And he hiself demanded payment in food or other commodities from the commanders of the warships for the services he provided them. But he was having less and less to sell - ammunition was now all gone, and anything above minor repairs was also beyond his current means. But it did not matter that much - with time that source of income started drying up – as commerce vessels shunned the vicinity of the archipelago, or getting escorts, or Spanish ships being sunk, or too damaged or unfit to take to sea.

Working for food and paying with food - maybe he should simply declare himself "Conde de Olongapo" and demand to be called "Su alteza"? But why stop there - why not hold weekly audiences to the populace on an elevated chair? Or an investiture ceremony? - he thought in a spark of dark humor. His wife and two daughters would probably be pleased ...

Traders had reappeared, some local, some from overseas, of all possible hue and colour. Leeches! It was rumoured that some of these merchants were buying slaves. The misfortunates were either provided by bandits, or they were voluntarily giving their freedom away for food. Madre de Dios, he had heard stories that some were selling their children, either to ensure their survival, even if slaves, or to buy survival for the rest of the family. Most of these slave trade related stories mentioned the Moros of the south, now back to their slaver instincts, although Middle Kingdom traders were also quite prominently featured. And even Europeans were not immune to such slander. Or was it only slander...?

Two months ago the foreigners showed up out of the blue. The Habsburgers. Or Austrians. They had many names for themselves, even though most seemed to be variations on those two. But Rakusko blew his mind, and after that he stopped asking and just called them ,,Austrians". A good thing quite a few of the spoke Italian - mostly the lower ranks. But some of the oldest officers spoke it too.

He did not like the way some of their officers and civilians examined and surveyed the bay and the base's facilities - it had a very strong air of "is it worth taking" to it. But there was nothing he could do about it. And they treated him not only for what he nominally was – Officer of the Kingdom of Spain's Navy in command of Olongapo Naval Base, but also for what he de facto was – the local government of the whole Subigo Bay area. Very nice and wise of them.

The newcomers brought specialists with them - military and civil engineers who gave a more professional direction to reconstruction, both in Olongapo and beyond. And they paid not only with food, but also with money! And the doctors - working for token payment - were godsend!

And this morning a runner had brought him a letter from Fregatten Kapitan von Tempelhoff asking for a meeting. He knew that officer - the most ancient of the Italian speakers. What did they want of him this time?


* Juan III took the throne by something akin to a palace coupe, the King favouring him over his own son, allowing Juan to leapfrog the current Principe de Asturias. The previous heir, stripped of titles, remained in Spain, drinking too much. As in other areas the question of succession is a mess, with the Camarada Juan Borbon having an illegitimate daughter which - to the horror of the more traditionally minded – had been declared Princessa de Asturias. No new title for the girl has been anounced to date.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Aug 30 2006, 04:35 AM


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Catanduanes, Phillippines, mid December 1902

Rittermeister Trzetrzelewski looked at the ragged band of peasants. The peasants, all at least middle aged, had an interesting air of authority about them. The nervous turning of hats in their hands did not change this immpression. Village elders? He looked around for the local who served as interpreter.

- "He say that we others ask Senor Commandante favor. Big favor."

Communication was difficult - the Habsburgers spoke little Spanish, and the Spanish of the locals left much to be desire. The Rittermeister drew upon his gymnasium Latin and accellerated lessons taking during the trip. But with enthusiastic arm waving all the interested parties somehow got along.

They were too many for his tent. So he took his chair outside and arranged the vistors on a bench. He nodded to the interpretor:

- "He say that they see Senor Rolmops draw land. They ask Senor Rolmops come draw land. After boom no tree, no rock, no see where field end. If Senor Rolmops come and draw land, they know where each field side. If he no come draw, they quarrel and chop-chop. They ask Senor Commandante to let Senor Rolmops come. They no have money, but maybe pay chicken or eggs. Or give men or women or child to work."

The officer nodded solemly. Brought up on a country estate in overpopulated Galicia, he was all too aware of squabbles over land boundries. And the violence that occasionaly errupted. This affected peasant and noble alike. His father had sometimes been called to judge on course of boundries, when the parties tried to solve matters outside the courts.

How sensible for these people to come and ask for a surveyor. Especially after the cathaclysm had destroyed previous landmarks.

- "Senor Commandante say yes. Agree for Senor Rolmops come and draw land. Payment is one healthy man, six years, for soldier."


******
December 1902, Olongapo, Baia de Subigo, Philippines

Capitan Corbeta Pedro Alberto Nunez y Mendoza suspected that at the moment he had none of the dignity an officer of the Royal Spanish Navy should posses. But he could just not help sitting glassy eyed and slack jawed.
The old Austrian Naval officer had invited him over to reveal a bombshell. Digging foundations for a new building through the ruins of the old arsenal, the Habsburgers had found a treaure. It looked like the legends of El Dorado coming to life. The amount of gold coins looked sufficient to pay for the whole Armada and Gobierno Civil de las Filipinas for a year.

Tempelhoff had said that they consulted Wienna on this matter (so they must have fixed the cable lines then) and were instructed, on Highest Order - "spend it where you found it".
And now they were asking him how to spend it ...
   
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Borys    
Posted: Sep 8 2006, 06:26 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Olongapo, Phillippines, 21st of January 1903

- "They have sailed" - said von Tempelhoff jovially to Nunez y Mendonza, waving a transcribed telegram. - "Over half a dozen freighters and a Panzerkreuzer as escort. Fancy that, a Panzerkreuzer as an escort. Somebody at the Marine Amt must be paranoid about pirates."
- "What are they bringing?"
- "Mostly machinery and some specialied construction materials. Tools to help in farming and bulding - shovels, hoes, hammers, nails by the ton. Rails for the light railways we've talked about. No sleepers - these are to be made locally. Also weapons for the guard units we are raising. But there also are some troops embarked ... "
The Capitan Corbeta made a face.
- "How many?"
- "A battalion of Marine Infanterie, and a regiment of something called foreign volunteers corps - I don't know this formation, must have been raised after we sailed. Any swearing in of the Filipino guards is to await their arrival."
- "I presume the Oath will not be to Carlos VIIth?" - the Spanish officer said sadly.
- "Not likely" - von Tempelhoff agreed - "but let us wait and see. A lot can happen in the 6 weeks they need to get here."
   
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Borys    
Posted: Sep 12 2006, 01:11 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Catsnduanes Island, Philippines, 15th February 1903

Ingenieur Rolmops was sweating heavily in the heat. He was surveying and mapping out the route for a 2"6' railway from a good natural harbor to the exposed coal seams he had found in the islands interior. The line was to be capable of upgradeing to double track or to 3"6' gauge, so he had to keep an eye for turn radius.
He did not know, but would not be surprised if told, that his collegues were doing the same on Luzon, Cebu and Mindanao - in the later under heavy escort.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Sep 23 2006, 02:08 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Various locations in Northern and Central Phillippines, after 10th March

- "Juramos!" - yelled the Filipino recruits being sworn into the 4 Battalions of the Auslander Freiwilliger Korps, thus raising the number of Habsburger infantry in the Archipelago to some 8000 - divided between the overstrenght Auslanders and the Marine Infanterie Baon. And the 17th Feldartillerie Abteilung.
In parallel Austrian officers like Rittermeister Trzetrzelewski were handing out the rugged single-shot Werndle rifles to Dorf Schutz Standen, i.e. Village Defence Squads. A week after the mystery transport had showed up at Olongapo, the fast Torpedo Boats had delivered over 20,000 of these weapons to the various Austrian outposts. Whilst the AFK recruits were men who had thrown in their lot with the new foreigners for good, and fully aware that they might never see the Philippines again, the DSS were given arms to defend their property against bandits.
However, a few adventurous officers were creating an intermediate unit type - the Schutztruppen. Filipinos who - had they not been in Austrian pay - would had turned to banditry (or actually were small time ex-bandits), sometimes with deserters from unpaid Spanish units, were formed into company sized formations used to keep areas surrounding Austrian camps in peace.

Reinforced with collegues fresh out of Europe, Austrian and local engineers began to put the tools and materials purchased with the El Dorado from the Olongapo Aresenal to good use, rebuilding or raising from scratch public utility buildings, roads, and railroads.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Sep 25 2006, 08:19 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Philippines, Olongapo, 14th of March 1903

- "Buenos diaz, Senor Capitan Corbeta!" - ejaculated the old Austrian naval officer jovially. - "I trust it will be a good day for you!"
Nunez y Mendonza was not so sure about that. He knew that von Tempelhoff had invited him to a military parade. An AUSTRIAN military parade held on the grounds of HIS base, which was SPANISH!
With a stone face he observed the not yet in step marching of the Freikorps, with quite a few swarthy Filpino faces under the black berets. Then a company sized group composed only of Filipinos appeared. They marched up to where all the senior officers stood, stopped, and turned to face them. He felt himself being nudged forward and led by von Tempelhoff towards that group. As if out of nowhere a standard detail appeared, bearing a white flag with the red Cross of Burgundy on it. The old sailor thrust a piece of paper into his hands and not-quite-believing-what-was-happening Nunez y Mendoza heard himself booming across the field:
- "Juramos fieldad a Rey Carlos ... "*
After the final "Juramos" came back at him, he fell faint - his head was swimming with all the implications of what had happened on the parade ground this day.
- "Oh, the tricksy Austrians ... "

* - We swear fealty to King Carlos ...
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 1 2006, 04:38 PM


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Olongapo 2nd April 1903

The room contained some of the most powerful men in the Islas Filipinas. Starting with the freshly minted Conde de Olongapo, Nunez y Mendonza, now Capitan de Navio and Viceroy. His counterpart from Catanduanes, Governor Tempelhoff. The temporary head of Cacadores Filipinas (ex-Schutztruppen), Oberstleuntant Trzetrzelewski. And Ingenieur Rolmops, temporary head of Ferrocarriles Filipinas*. They discussed their broad aims for the next half year.

- The ex-Spanish individuals, officials and units from the southern islands which wished to become Aragonese had to be transported to Luzon of Mindoro. Same applying to those individuals, officials and units on Luzon wishing to go in the other direction.

- The Austrian humanitarian groups from the central islands were also to head north. Some personel was to be return to Europe immediatelly, most of the rest at year's end. The groups already in the territory could be used as nucleous for civil adminstration, to be replaced in due course by Aragonese personell. All Habsburg subjects wishing so could enter Aragonese service and continue in their previous capacity.

- ex-Spanish units chosing Carlist allegiance, the Cacadores and the Auslander Korps regiment were to operate together and pacify the island, to destroy bandits and bring caciques under Legal Rule. It was decided that the Marine Infanterie Abteiling, the Skull Takers, be best used as garison on Catanduanes.

- the expected inflow of Spanish citizens displaced by the war, or fleeing Juanist rule, was expected to number anything from a quarter to half a million. It was decided to settle most of them in central Luzon and Mindoro, where the Cathaclism brought about population loss of similar size.

- Ingenieur Rolmops presented his decision to go with the 3"6' gauge all across Luzon, with the 2"6' being limited to Mindoro (as not to waste exisitng stock in that gauge). For sake of unification of rolling stock on the bigger island, even if in some places the smaller gauge was preferable. He hoped to achieve savings on such secondary routes by lighter contruction of track beds ... (big snore from rest of gathering).

- although the main inflow of ACM nationals was to go to Catanduanes, the ACM investments in the Aragon administered parts were expected to bring in further settlers but, as they were to "bring their jobs with them", and of Portuguese origin, thus of same faith and of similar language, they were not expected to create any special integration problems. Their number was broadely guessed at 10 to 150 thousand.

- immigration from the Habsburg lands was judged not be adviseable in the nearest future, this being an issue to be revisted in 1905.

- by 31st December 1903 all Austrian land units were to retire to Catanduanes. Naval units too, unless they needed services which were not yet available at Viraca. Individual Habsburger civil and military officers could be called upon as advisors by the Aragonese authorities.

* Philippinese Railroads

[Borys]

 OOC
I move out from the Disaster in the Phillipines thread. The title is a pun on this Summer's hit and the black berets of the Auslander Freikorps.

Viraca, Catanduanes, 1st May 1903

It was business as usual at the base. Ever since the Skull Takers (1st Marine Infanterie Baon) had arrived, the small port had bustled with activity. Streets were lined out, buildings started, and rails laid towards the interior and beyond, through the hilly interior to Pandan, across the Maqueda Channel from the Mainland.

Things were now quiet, after the "incident" of last Friday. Maat Hadjiyevic decided to observe the evening prayers - this being a Holy Day, and laid out the Regulation Issue Horizontal Religious Practice Aid in a secluded spot. But not secluded enough for local urchins, who spied him with widening eyes and sped away to report to their Elders. The Maat barely made it alive to the encampment, chased by pitchfork and machette waving villagers crying "Los Moros! Los Moros!" after him. The trigger happy Marines had quickly fired in the air, at the ground and were readying for a chest high volley when they were stopped by the intervention of staff which had been on Catanduanes since November. Happily only minor injuries were caused by the shooting. The domiciled Austrians explained to the Marines that something was wrong, as previoulsy the locals had been very friendly. It took them - and the chaplain - some time to calm down the villagers. Holding a non-canonical hour Vespers' Mass for the soldiers and locals helped greately in this. Seeing Mustafa Hadjiyevic in prayer the villagers had decided that this bunch of "Austrians" were actually Muslim pirates in disguise, who had come to sell them into slavery in Brunei.

editied for typos and clarity.

This post has been edited by Borys on Oct 7 2006, 02:37 AM
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 9 2006, 02:38 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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On the rede of Neu Brandenburg, SMS Kronstadt, 2nd of May 1903

Karl-Heinz Baumundziegel patted his stomach. This morning he had to losen up a notch. The lavish entertainment offered by the Brandenburger Kreigsmarine, featuring delicous Schnitzel, Wurst, Speck, Smaltz, Rolmops, Sauerkraut, Wein, Beer, Schnaps - the Nectars and Ambrosiae of the German Heaven - was too good to refuse. Very friendly, those Brandenburgers. Hadn't it been for the palm trees and the heavy tans, he'd have felt like back in Pola.
Now, to Viraca on Catanduanes, which he now knew where it was - at the Embassy they pointed it out on the map.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 21 2006, 05:30 AM


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Yokohama, End of May 1903

Karl-Stefan von Habsburg von Teschen felt satisfied with his visit to the Volksrepublik von Neu Schwytz. No red flags (without the white cross in the middle, that is), and no "eye" symbology of that satanist cult Stefan seemed to have a phobia about. Apparently the core of the Old Republic was left with no fleet and little in way of commercial marine. Before they rebuild, Austrian shipping concerns could make a killing. He already cabled that back home. The locals gave hints that they might be interested in warships, practically of any kind. Warry of showing initiative here, Karl-Stefan claimed that his mandate did not cover the sale of warships, and left that to Vienna. He had a feeling the Manchu's could get excited about this,so better to leave that decision with Stefan.
On the other hand, the Most Favored Nation trade treaty* was as good as signed, pending approval from Vienna (as his original brief did not include the Volksrepublik).


*pending Maddox approval
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 21 2006, 12:05 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Taku, Middle Kingdom, 20th of June 1903

The Imperial Austrian family arrives at Taku.

After whatever festivities at Peking, Stefan and Yelena will leave on 27th, sailing on the SMS Jan Sobieski for Vladivostok. There Their Majesties will board the Russian Imperial train, graciously lent by the Tsar. They are expected at Schonbrun on July the 18th.

   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 22 2006, 02:34 AM


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Subigo (new capital of Aragonese Philippines, now called simply Luzon), July

Ingenieur Rollmops, now better known as Engeneiro-Mor, leafed through stock level reports and sale offers. He much more preferred blueprints, but assi es la vida ...
In light of the 2 month shipping times and associated costs, the offers from the competing Brandenburger companies of Krupp and Thyssen looked tempting. He did not know anything about their quality, however. Yet they must have experience in this area, as they vied for supplying the 1 meter DKB railways in Niu Guini and parts of Australian continent. Surely, ordering a batch of rails and a locomotive or two from each, for testing, would not hurt. If of poor standard, these still could be used as switchers and on non-essential tracks. And if he got them to bid against one another, the prices might be even better than the ones previously offered. He rang the bell for the runner.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 24 2006, 03:48 PM


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Summertime, the seas between Middle Kingdom and New Swiss islands, 1903

Taku, Port Artur, Inchon, Yokohama ... these were almost like home ports to the SMS Prag. Much joy and merriment had been had during the week long stay in Taku when the SMS jan Sobieski had brought the Imperial Couple. But now they were back to "armoured cruiser" diplomacy. With all the little diplomatic games this entailed - wherever they sailed, they pretened that they had come from Port Artur - otherwise oofs and huufs, and icy glares, and the hosts immediately had pressing matters to attend to.
Karl Stefan - at sea since March, was slowly getting tired of this. At least there was some success among the "Big Island New Swiss Mangy Dogs" - as the Manchus called them - he secured a deal for the older type of Mannlicher, and the BINSMD were oggling his ship. But it was too precious an asset to be sold - they had to drool over pictures of the Graz class kleiner kreuzer. Man, these guys must be desperate for any kind of ship!
   
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P3D    
Posted: Oct 24 2006, 04:07 PM


Hegemon
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The PRoNS does have battleships...3 old Orange CDBBs transferred to the elected (thus legitimate in the Orange viewpoint) government - although the fine print of the deal is not well understood.
So I'd guess the PRoNS did spent the last 18 months building like two or three protected cruisers and a lot of TBs.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 24 2006, 04:13 PM


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OOC
Wouldn't "Volksrepublik" be easier than PDRONS?
Borys
   
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Ithekro    
Posted: Oct 24 2006, 05:44 PM


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OOC
That depends of how it would look in Norman. Probably shortened to Republic of New Switzerland as oppose to the United States of New Switzerland. So RNS and USNS. Though since Switzerland, the country, in not independent, it might server to cut the common names down to even just Switzerland instead of New Switzerland. But that would be a item of national pride and that of however is actually having to refer to them a lot.
   
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Desertfox II    
Posted: Oct 25 2006, 08:55 AM


Hegemon
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How about this:

UNoNS=New Switzerland (Hawaii)
PDRoS=Switzerland (Japan)
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 26 2006, 02:30 AM


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Viraca, Catanduanes, Philippines, July 1903

Korvettenkapitan Rezunov of the Marine Infanterie was looking at the brisk pace of work in building the port. The - what to call them - Portugues? Azorians? Ay-Cee-eMM-ers? were preparing "their" part of the port, i.e. the commercial portion. The military portion was still pristine beach and weeds.
He had to admit the swarthy and noisy armwaving fellows really got down to work. They had already laid track from Viraca to the Merengue Passage, passing by most of the promising coal sites. And explained that they will build the causeways from the island side - using the debris from mining.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 26 2006, 03:51 AM


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Der Schwytz Volksrepublik, Summer 1903

- "It really shouldn't be me doing this. It should be some plebian merchant in my place here and now ... " - thought Karl Stefan while trying to sway the Officials into buying Graz class Kleiner Kreuzers. - "It is true that the engines, while new, are of a 20 year old desgn. But that is a good thing, as these ships have excellent modernization perspectives - a new VTE would save 500 tons, and easily double the range and increase cruising speed *. A turbine engine even more - 1000 tons, allowing for stregthening of the main armament. And with the ships being hardly 3 years old an engine change is almost guarantied to give them 30 year long service lives."
He paused for breath, to repeat the main selling point.
- "And they have unprecedented protection for vessles of this size. Ample side belts, topped with upper belt, an armored deck - even a conning tower. Practically the whole ship is immune to small guns fire. And there is room for installing that new wonder - the WT. Combined with good seagoing properties, excellent ships for command vessels of units of smaller vessles, or for patrolling stormy seas, like the Sea of Japan or Okchotsk Sea."

* - I checked that with SS
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 26 2006, 05:57 AM


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Peking, Austrian Ambassador's Residence, August 1903

- "Your Serenity, there is a strange looking clergyman to see you" - the mairodomus reported to Franz Fredinand.
- "Allow him to refresh himself. I will meet him in the garden pavilon in a quarter of an hour".

- "So Stefan IS going through with that crazy plan of his ... " - his mind went back to his brother's visit a few weeks ago.

- "I have plans for you."
- "What do they mean for my family?"
- "That you will be a king!"
- "Stop joking!"
- "I'm serious, listen ... "
And so he had listened to the incredible plan Stefan unvraveled.
- "And I NEED you. The Habsburgs NEED you. You are the best candidate - not only are the others mostly too old or too young, but also you are the only one trained to rule. The others at best know how to administer their estates or comand a regiment. None have your training nor NONE are of your calibre ... "

The monk had black robes of a cut he had never seen before. The cap and close fitting hood hid most of his jet black hair. He had a prominent hawklike nose over his curly chest long black beard. The ornate cross was doing a peek-a-boo act in conjunction with the beard.
- "Gruss Gott ... "
- "God Bless you, my son. I am Father Raban." - the man said in heavily accented French. - "I will teach you your new language and your new Faith."
   
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Borys    
Posted: Oct 31 2006, 01:50 AM


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The South Seas, September/October 1903

The SMS Kronstadt was steaming NW. Father Domeyko was at the same time amused and worried by his experience on the Brandenburger ship. Amused by the reactions of most of the crew. He caught part making some sort of warding signs, he overheard some muttering of "will he put a Bad Eye on us?". As they behaved like he'd give them cooties, he allowed himself a prank - God Forgive me - and blessed and sprinkled some sailors with Holy Water, causing a terrified stampede of Righteous Calvinism. He smiled at the memory - had Counterreformation been that easy ...
What he was worried about the was the Evil Presence he felt on the ship. Even though the splash of goo could be constructed to have been caused by an Exorcised Evil spirit - for had not Our Lord Exorcised Evil spirits into the bodies of swine? - he continued to feel the same Evil as before the accident. Something to be reported to his superior. He did tell the guillable Brandenburgers that he was not sure that his powers had worked - the ship never having been correctly Blessed and all that - and advised them to take further measures. But could Daemons be affected by Heretics? - a good question - the respective department in Rome and then Avignon had been mulling it over since 1631.

The Maoris were not too worried over their two week detour. They'll see more the world that way. With their expanding French they were learning more about international politics by the hour. Some of the Spanish were trying to explain the ideas of "capital" and "exploitation of the workers" to them. Not so successfully. Songs and chants were easier - the chant of
"El peublo,
unido,
jamas
sera
vencido!"
was to become a summertime hit in Maoria that year.


Out of the about 70 "die hards" actually not all were so die hard, and just over 50 disembarked at Davao. The remaining dozen or so revealed their allegiance to be with Aragon-Navarra and king Carlos - a choice they had been denied while in the Solomons. Baumundziege wanted to send them northwards by steam launch, but they declined, saying that the treacherous "red vipers" would keep them back. With no time to go up to Legaspi or Viraca, the Kommendant decided to take them to Maoria with him. A dozen men one way or the other on ship of this size did not matter ... at least this lot did not sing, but spent hours confessing their sins to Father Domeyko. Correction - they started singing as their spirits picked up and their penance was done.

The Maoris drilled the whole Marine-Infanterie platoon in the gentle art of manly chanting, chest thumping, stomping, glaring and snarling. The Matrossen were delighted. Physical Excercise had never been better than this!
In return they, with the help of more musical sailors, taught the warriors various folk dances. Some of the Balkan ones were male only, which easied matters. Some of the officers expressed their worries about the crew fraternizing to that degree with the jungle bunnies, but the Kommandant saw nothing wrong in it.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Dec 6 2006, 07:20 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Viraca, 25th February 1904

The s/s Chica Caliente, a passanger liner which had seen better days, and whose previous reason for fame was involvement in an international incident with New Swiss POWs mysteriously on their way to Gran Columbia, was lifting anchor in the rede.

On board, pigging it out, were the See Batallion and 19th Abteilung Auslaender Legion. Some 2300 bayonets. Their heavy weapons were limited to 10 rapid fire guns taken off Torpedobooten on improvised lafetten, and two 65mm landing guns from the two light cruisers.

The 29th Batalion, composed in large part of Filipino volunteers, had an above-establishment 5th half-company of Maoris. These were the first allowed to sign up with the Austrians. Further recruitment was conditional on at least some these returning home and on what they said. The contingent was 140 strong, this being a "sacred numnber". The Heer had seen things much, much wierder than that ...

There also was a 120 strong half-company of volunteers of Portugues and Azorean origin who came out from amongst the ACM community.

Maat Mustafa Hadjiyevic, the unnoficial imam of the See Batallion, from the buzz among the officers was fairly sure they were heading for "Brasilien", wherever and whatever that might be. Four weeks at see - that was the talk amongst the men.

The s/s Chica Caliente blow her whistles in a farewell and slowly building up marching speed of 17 knots headed East.