KK Wiener Zeiting 2Q1903

[Borys]

 Schonbrun, March 19th
QUOTE
Your majesty.

Speculations and wild rumors are bad guides.
The performance, poorly or badly, by Admiral Dilige at Lisboa is not at discusion.
It is the pure disobeyance of the orders ,given to the French peace fleet escorte under Admiral Geon in the South Chinese sea, as a protector of the French Empire that is under scrutinization.
The speculation that the noxious gas used against the warship Tegetthof is the same as the wargas used against the Portugese communist rebels- equaly disliked by you and your country- is totaly the area of  gosip and rumor mongering.

In all Respect, Emperor Stephane, we, of France, are not intending to make any exceptions for any criminal.

Monsieur Palpaté


Methinks he doth protests too much - thought Stefan. And since when are bungling Admirals "criminals"? "Palpi" is over-reacting, that's for sure. Much ado about nothing. Well, from Goen's viewpoint it's a big deal. And to think all I wanted was to thank the man ...
Well, at least he gets more fresh air and the food got better, if what Paixhaus writes is true.
Interesting, the mixed signals from Paris are ... the whole affair stinks to high heaven. If only I had some sort of evidence to blame the French for the gassing ...
Now, what could we do ... torpedo the Franco-Manchu talks - the Empress might not be so happy about it. And the MK at peace means more trade. That would leave me with two options - either wait for another crises with the French - we live in interesting time, so the next one should happen any moment - or use the cloak and dagger boys ...
OK - let's leave the problem of poor admiral Goen for my return from Peking. Or maybe Zamoyski or that aide of his - the Hungarian guy, Lengyel? will have a suggestion.

Now for the meeting with Zamoyski - I wonder if that bunch of incompetents of his finally managed to establish the name of the Current Caliph in Cairo. Do I really demand that much of them ....


HEAVILY EDITED AND EXPANDED SEVERAL TIMES

This post has been edited by Borys on Sep 29 2006, 10:01 AM
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Sep 29 2006, 05:25 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Fiume, 1st April 1903

The Homemaker Technical Monthly
The Whitehead company, based at Fiume, has disclosed that their research has led to major improvements in torpedo proplusion. You know, the cucumber shaped thingies which make holes in ships under the waterline. The new technology apparently involves heating something inside ...
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Sep 30 2006, 12:47 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Azores, Ponta Delgada, smoke filled room, end of April 1903

Von Lichtenstein looked at the swarthy faces under jet black, sometimes grey streaked mops of hair. And the greed filled, hungry eyes. Their fathers, or at best grandfathers had been negreiros, supplying Brazil or CFA with slaves. He wondered if they had calculated for how much he could be placed on the market for ...
- "Prezados Senores", he began. "Your factories stand idle. You pay through the nose for raw materials, you charge a high price, nobody likes you, and barely anybody buys anything from you."
He could see that by ramming these points home he wasn't making any friends as of yet.
- "I have an offer for you which would change all that. One, the raw materials situation. This can be changed to your advantage in two ways. Firstly, you will be given concessions to open and exploit rich coal and iron ore deposits. The concessions in themsleves are free - for the coal your pay would be providing some for the Austrian Far Eastern fleet. Another sweetener is that the two are 100 kilometers apart. And we provide the railroad. Secondly, within a 600 kilometer radius there are additional deposits of gold, copper, coal, other minerals. And various edible and commercial crops. Transport either by rail or sea. Thus you save on raw material costs.
You will also save on your workforce costs, as the food will be cheaper as well. And space, which I understand is at a premium here, will no longer be an issue. Military forces again will be of no concern of yours, thus leaving more money for you.

I believe I have covered the supply side in full.

So you will be able to manufacture in safety, and for less than before. But you need buyers. Over four million locals, who will buy from you ever more the more you invest there. Then the local Austrian forces - Heer and Kriegsmarine. The hungry markets of the Australian continent, and China - barely 2 days away by slowboat. With slashed prices, Europe probaly will also be a viable market. With the 52 million strong Austrian market being your HOME market. And yes, you will be able to sell under the Made in Austria label, thus avoiding the stigma your products "enjoy" in several countries.

The price? Apart from the coal, which will be nothing to you, you will not make warships nor deal in slaves. You have free reign as to other commodities and commerce. To get all that you simply need to move your factories to Catanduanes island off Luzon in the Philippines. And pay a fixed tithe of 8 thousand gold Talars, and 128,000 silver talars every 2 quarters for 49 years.
In light of all the dismantling, transport, reassembly, sinking shafts and other technical aspects, the first tithe would be at the start of 1905. This is if you accept the offer, of course.

So that's the deal - you move operations to territory under the Austrian flag, be protected by Austrian soldiers and ships, be given a free concession for mineral resources under your shop floors, and pay a fixed price for it.

You know probably better than I do how do your friends who stayed on Malta are doing, and how does Austrian overlordship look like. And you will have more leeway than they do ...


* 1 HBP and 2 MBP
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Sep 30 2006, 01:48 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
various Austrian titles, correspondence from New York and Sankt Peterburg, April 12-13th, 1903


On Easter Sunday and Monday, days Holy in memory of out Lord, symbols of a new begining were visible in the Realms of the Spiritual and the Mundane. Yet again the old adage Tu, Austria Flex, Nube had come to life. In ceremonies spread over two days, Erzherzog Heinrich (23) of the Habsburg-Toskana line wed the Princess Alexandra (19), currently the 1st in line to the throne in the Royal House of Normandy (immediatelly behind her brother, the freshly crowned King Michael). Also bethrowed were two 18 year olds, almost children, the Norman Prince Stefan (2nd in line) and the latest flower of the House of Austria, Erzherzogin Germana.

In a change of policy of both Houses, the Brides changed their Confessions to that of the Grooms. This brough about a major reshuffle of the Order of Succession in the Norman House, as Princess Alexandra was moved to the end of the cue, and Prince Stephan become Heir Aparent until King Michael has issue. Erzherzogin Germana was also pushed back, but considering the over two dozen male relatives closer to the throne than she, this is a minor consideraton.

Well informed sources say that between the two youngest sprouts of the two royal families, Stephan and Germana, it was love at first sight. At the ball held at ....

Due to lack of Catholic aristocracy in the UKA, Germana's bridemaids were her two elder sisters, who made light of the unusual situation they found themslves in - as usually it is the elder sisters getting married first.

The small church of Saint Hugo was filled to the rafters, with well wishers filling the nearby streets ...

At the splendourous Cathedral of St. Michael, the Patron Saint of the Norman dynasty, naval uniforms were well in prominence among the men present, testimony to the Norman race's roots in seafaring. Princess Alexandra's snow-white gown was carried by 12 angel-like chubby girls of the finest blood, from the houses of ...

A new day began in Russo-Austrian relations today, when at the Church of Saint Stanislas, on the Nevskiy Prospect, the Vielikaya Kniagini (Grossherzogin) Yelena Vladymiryevna (Helen, daughter of Vladymir, aged 21) was bethrowed Per Procura to our energetic Kaiser Stefan. The groom in the per procura ceremony was Prinz Eugen of Habsburg-Teschen, the Hoch und Deutchmeister (Grand Master of the Order of the Teutonic Knights)
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 1 2006, 07:25 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
off the coast of Maoria, near strait diving the two big islands, 12th of April 1903

Fregatten-Kapitan Karl-Heinz Baumundziegel watched the launch coming back from the beach. They had chosen this spot as being just beyond visibility of the coastal fortifications guarding a sizeable harbor, just around the promotory. They had backtracked from the harbor mouth, without even entering artillery range - just in case. And their modus operandi was to be different.
He had low hopes for the success of this mission, but the professor of linguistics - Johann Eisenschnit, had insisted on unchaging nature of the Human Character. And lectured at lenght, since sailing from Pola.
Following his plan, they had set up an open-sided tent above the high water mark, with neatly stacked rifles of various marks. Each mark was provided with printed icongraphic instructions as to manner of use, and ammunition. At the last moment Baumundziege had put his foot down and did not allow the landing of the 65mm landing gun. And the weapons' lot included some papers in a language the professor had insisted was Rohirrim.
Now they were to wait out of sight, and come back to check any reaction from the natives tommorrow.
   
Top
Maddox    
Posted: Oct 1 2006, 04:07 PM


Hegemon
Group Icon

Group: Sim Moderator
Posts: 1,160
Member No.: 43
Joined: 6-March 05



   
April 12th 1903, Dusk at the Austrian landing spot nearby the North islands natural harbor (Wellington and Kingston).

The lush, moist foliage trembling and shaking. A loud noise like the singing of 100's of men comes closer. Faintly, but brightning faster, a serpent of fire snakes down to the beach, more flames springing up as if torchbearers fire their torches at a common firepot.
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 1 2006, 04:58 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
SMS Kronstadt, off North Island, 12th Arpil 1903

- "They have come! They have come!" - Eisenschnit yelled and jumped up and down exciteldy! - "This worked in 850 BC and is working now!"
Baumundziege was not that optimistic - and even with the best intentions of the locals, he was worried about the torches and ammunition. He'd have preferred a daytime examination, thus his distance from the shore - they could see the torch waving procession only through their binoculars.
   
Top
Maddox    
Posted: Oct 1 2006, 05:17 PM


Hegemon
Group Icon

Group: Sim Moderator
Posts: 1,160
Member No.: 43
Joined: 6-March 05



   
OOC.

Another santisimma comming up. Opening new Treat.


   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 2 2006, 05:59 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Vienna, 17th of April 1903
OOC - all Austrian newpapers are going bonkers over the wedding. The other weddings exhausted my imagination concerning such boring events, so I focused on a minor detail ...

This week and the next the bird most prominent on the streets of Habsburg lands was the two-headed eagle. Artists were having a field day with double headed eagles - single or in pairs. Some had the two heads of a single bird kissing, interwoven necks or not, others had the two heads of one kiss the two heads of the other - with various combinations of kissing and inteweaving, and some had gone the lenght of producing a four headed super-mutant. Happily, such extreme flights of fantasy were rare.
But the varity of poses was dwarfed by the outpouring of eagles' coloring - black-yellow or red-white-red mixed with white-blue-red in all possible combinations, vertical, horizontal, oblique, quartered or checkered - the "artists" produced them all!
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 6 2006, 10:29 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Yokohama, New Switzerland, 2nd of May 1903

After Inchon, Karl Stefan sailed for the Russian base at Port Arthur to recoal and give his crews a rest. He sent the steam launch to Taku, to pick up diplomatic correspondence from Vienna. He preferred not to go there himself. He might meet Franz Ferdinand and God knows what would Stefan think about such an unnanounced meeting between the ex-Heir and the edest of the Feldherrn line. Karl Stefan liked his ships and naval career, and thus decided against going to Peking without Vienna, i.e. Stefan, knowing about it.

Travelers from New Switzerland and diplomatic reports did not mention any red flag or satanist or "eye" sightings, so Karl Stefan decided to take a look at what was going on there.
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 9 2006, 12:15 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Somewhere in the Mediterraneum, SMS Wien, very early morning, 4th of May

Stefan got up early, left Yelena in bed, and took a stroll on the deck. He could see what Karl-Stefan told him about - this ship should either be rebuilt, or scrapped. What was the term the seagoing Habsburg had used - "rust bucket?".

He wondered idly about the dispatches from the South Seas. The HHU* had some internal problems, but had got over them. He fully sympathized with the exotic Kaiser - culling the aristocracy was a necessary exercise. And could be pleasant - he smiled cruely ...

Maybe he should invite Wilhelm - or was it Friedrich? - for a state visit in the fall? The situation was quite favorable. Of the three countries which could protest, Russia was not likely to do so - Koenigsberg-Sankt Peterburg relations had usually been good. Out of the two possible protesters - France and the Baltic League, the Scandinavians had a severe case of the Red Disease, so who cared about them ... Franch protests, with the troubles she seemed to be in over the Atlantic and with the Caliphate (did those idiots at Ballplatz FINALLY establish who is is the Sultan this month?) could be ignored. Not a casus belli, not even a recall of the ambassador for consultations. Probably some angry noises in the papers ...

How did the HHU family tree look like, he wondered? Anybody in their 20s and eligible? Should I allow for some intermarriage? On one hand good, we are not related, on the other, suspect pedigree and disunion with Avignon ...


* Heretical Hohenzollern Upstarts; the Habsburgs had been Emperors for over 500 years, the Hohenzollern self proclaimed kings for 200, and self-proclaimed Emperors for 30 ....
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 9 2006, 02:42 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Ponta Delgada, Azores, 4th of May 1903

The streets resounded to the beat of heavy Austrian boots. And martial music. To show would-be emigres to the Far East who would be protecting them there, Kontradmiral Unrug arranged with the local authorities a parade of the 8th Freiwilliger Regiment.
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 10 2006, 12:30 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Imperial train making its way from Pola to Wien, 4th of May 1903

While Yelena was taking in the beauty of the mountains of Karnten and Steyermark, so different from the rolling Russian landscape of woods and bogs, Stefan was going through the correspondence which came down with the train from the capital.
- " ... oh, the HHU ... there are two letters ... so it is now Wilhelm, Friedrich passed away ... which is more important ... looks like this one ... what do they want ... oh, Erzsi for the Eitel (is that a name?) Friedrich ... this may do the poor girl lots of good ... those sad blue eyes under that bang of straw blond hair ... she was very close to Max, more a father than grandfather to her ... devastated when I packed him off to the monastery ... good thing she was with her mother, at the estate of Elemér Lónyay von Nagy-Lónya und Vasaros-Nameny when I staged the coup ...
- "Mein schatz" - he grinned at his wife when she turned her face towards him; - "Royal marriages are in fashion this year ... "
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 11 2006, 05:33 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Tisza family estate, morning, 4th of May 1903

Gróf Tisza was sipping his coffe and reading the paper. Idely he passed to the international news section and spat the drink at the paper ....
- "WHAT! FREE TRADE WITH RUSSIA! We are ruined! We are going to the poorhouse! Stefan is MAD! The nobles of Hungary must rise!" - he ranted while running in his gown around the house, looking for male relatives.

   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 12 2006, 04:12 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Ballplatz, May 1903

Graf Zamoyski read the Le Monde article about developments amongst the breakaway New Swiss, and pondered all the possible implications and opportunities presented by:

QUOTE
The Royalist Society of New Switzerland believes that the best form of governance for a sovereign state is by a sovereign! The creation of a United Kingdom of New Switzerland would ensure that the mistakes of our past would remain there.

And we do not need to look far when we choose our sovereign. Prince Edward of the Normans lives amongust us. So does Queen Liliuokalani of Hawai'i, who was illegally and unjustly deposed by the evil and corrupt Associado Comerical du Mundo.


With the current good relations with the UKA - back Edward?
Or back the Lili-something (what an unpronouncable name!)?
Bleh - back the royalists first!
He called the official responsible for the Pacific area and beconed him to his place.
- "Mister Szczebczytrzewski, please use our remaiming diplomatic channels to identify royalist elements within the Insular New Swiss, and hint of possible Austrian support to this Just Cause."

[Borys]

 Ponta Delgada, 5th of May 1903

After receiving new orders from Pola, the Squadron sailed south.
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 13 2006, 12:14 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
KK Wiener Zeitung, 10th of May 1903

Yet another Royal wedding!
Wilhelm Eitel Friedrich Christian Karl von Brandenburg (Hohenzollern) has asked for the hand of Erzherzogin Elisabeth Marie Henriette Stephanie Gisela von Österreich and been accepted.
The daughter of the tragically deceased Erzherzog Rudolf, a blue eyed blond beauty with a sad air ....

   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 21 2006, 05:44 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Schonbrun, Wien, 16th of March 1903
After the stormy, at time lesse majesty meeting with large landowning aristocrats Stefan gave a sigh of relief. The Hohonzollern marriage and accompanying trade treaty had saved his neck - the argument that their grain silos were empty anyway had finally reached even the most belligerent gróf - Tisza.
He looked at his hand and chuckled - at least he did not earn the "Stumpy" moniker ... *

Kriegsministerium, Wien, 17th of May 1903
The lessons of the Spanish war were hastily analyzed and some glaring remedies implemented. The army needed new rifles and machine guns.
The straight-pull action of the Manlicher 1888/90/92/95 family was too delicate for combat. It fouled up and jammed too easily. The turnbolt M03 was much more sturdy in this respect, although some other magazine types were more robust and appropriate for combat than the Schonauer type the M03 had. The final decision was to place an order for 2 million M03 guns, to be delivered over 10 years (50K per quarter), all in carabine length. Experience had shown that conditions for accurate shooting at over 500 meter ranges were quite rare. An improved model - with 60 degree turnbolt and simpler magazine - was built into the contract, and expected to be put in production in 1904 or 1905.

The choice of the M03 in 6,5mm (0,256) inch calibre led to protests from the Kriegsmarine. The previous rifle calibre - 8mm (0,315 inch) had been barely adequate for the machine guns the navy used against small enemy ships. The 0,256 was out of the question. The compromise solution was to manufacture 6,5mm light machine guns for direct infantry support, and something more powerful for the Navy and long range support. The choice went for the 0,43 calibre, used by Austria before the 8mm calibre had been adopted. Schwarzlose and a certain Herr Browning of the UKA (noticed by the Habsburg-Toskana horde when in New York) were invited to submit their proposals for both calibres - 6,5 and 11 milimeters.

The war had shown (or once again proved) the need for recoiless artillery. The designers were ordered to speed up their work on the 8cm gun.

The inflow of volunteers from the Legiones del Liberdad allowed for the reorganization of the Hoch und Deutschmeister Korps into a regular formation. Additionally, Spaniards of different background, volunteers to Spain from other countires, some more Balkan tribesmen, and some Austrians signing up for the Freiwiliger Auslander Korps pointed to the necessity of raising another corps before the year was over.


Pola, 18th of May 1903

The Imperial family were at sea again. This time on the SMS Linienschiff Jan Sobieski, freshly out from repair of damage suffered in the Far East. It could use some seatime. But still they were running a tight schedule - they were to visit the Manchu Imperial Family on the Feast of Saint John, on Summer Solstice.
Stefan wondered if maybe hiring a small passanger liner wouldn't had been a better idea. Maybe order an Imperial yacht? At least the meating at the Militaerkanzelei had run smoothly and fruitfully, giving the Heeres Waffenamt direction for the near and middle future.


Various Austrian ports, from early May onwards
The troopships and freignters incessently brought over the victorious troops from Spain, the first to come home being the Kaiserjaeger and Hoch und Deutschmeister Korps. These were to be followed by the remaining 5 korps, all to be home by the end of the year. They were to be called to Vienna for the great victory parade planned for just before Christmass.



* In the XIVth century a Hungarian Queen - Ersebeth Lokietek - earned the nickname "stumpy" after a justly enraged Hungarian aristocrat - Felician Zach - had chopped off the fingers from one of her hands. The queen had arranged for her brother, Kazimierz, the future King of Poland, to be able to rape Felician's daughter Klara, one of her ladies-in-waiting.

ADDED SOME THINGS

This post has been edited by Borys on Oct 21 2006, 05:01 PM
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 21 2006, 03:03 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Most Austrian newspapers, early July

Our Monarch, when wellcoming back the SMS Tegetthoff to the fleet, decided to renamed her the SMS Frankreich. This gesture is in acknowledgement of the gift made by the Great French Nation which financed the rebuild of the vessles. The now SMS Frankreich had been damaged ...

In related news, in order to maintain the tradition of having a major vessel bearing the name of the Monarchy's greatest Admiral, the SMS Kaiser was renamed the SMS Tegetthoff.
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 21 2006, 06:34 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Fiume, the 10th of July 1903

The Homemaker Technical Monthly

The very same scientists who about half a year ago made torpedos (the underwater swimming cucumber thingies) swim faster by heating something inside them, are all dead. This time they were not happy with firing torpedos from a single tube (like a cigar case open at one end), but stitched two together, like some hunting shotguns. And there was a big explosion. The widows are saying, that ...
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 22 2006, 02:25 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Most newspapers, 18th of July 1903

The Imperial Couple, after an alost two month long absence, have returned to their Lands. Their Majesties arrived at the Brody border station on the Imperial Russian train, so graciously lent by the Tsar. There Their Majesties walked across the border and boarded the Austrian Imperial train, which - by way of Budapest, where they stopped for a day - carried Them to Vienna.
The Kaiser - in an incredible show of benevolence for the Lower Orders - stooped to talk with railwaymen at the border station, asking about details of their work and increased traffic to Russia. Awe struck by the presence of so lofty a personage, few could answer coherently. Those who did were given a gold Talar.
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 22 2006, 02:43 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Vienna, the 20th of July 1903

The kaiserlich-königliche österreichische Staatsbahnen announed today, that in light of the growing traffic with the Russian Empire, the kkOStB are changing to 5 feet gauge. As this is to be the standard gauge used in Habsburg lands, to avoid confusion with the so-called Standard Gauge of 4'8 1/2", this 5 feet gauge is to be known as the "Imperial Guage". The transition is to be made quickly, especially on lines leading to Krakau and Brody. Private lines are free to remain with their existing gauges. However, all future concessions for railroad construction will be in five and two-and-a-half feet gauges.
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 22 2006, 01:16 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Proving ground outside of Vienna, July 1903

Boom! Boom! Hiss! Thud! Boom! Thud! - the grenades thrown by the officers invited to the demonstration produced mixed results. The Oberst in charge of the project explained.
- "After the fighting in Aden and the improvised bombs used by the marines and infanterie, we started working on bombs - or grenades, to use a resurected name - suitable for industrial manufacture. We have narrowed down the choice of possible fuse types to 4. But still, these weapons - after perfecting to degree allowing for mass production - should better be left to combat engineer units - the Pionier Abteilungen - than to ordinary infantry ....
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 23 2006, 02:49 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Schonbrun Palace, July 1903
Stefan once again leafed through the Sapnischerburgenkriegwaffenkomission's findings.
- "Not good, 300,000 M03 carabines by mid 1905 are not enough. But I can't tell them yet WHY we need more. Nor can I order more - the Reichstag won't have it. But what if - let us say the Navy and Colonial Office - ordered 100,000 carabines, with delivery by 31st March 1905? At 25% higher price - to cover Naval modifications, hurhur - that should still be possible and keep everybody - Reischstag, Mannlicher, Kreigsministerium, ME - happy ...
   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 23 2006, 05:30 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Kaiserlich-Koeniglich Wiener Zeitung, other serious Austriam papers - mid July


Uproar in the Reichstag!
The mood of the Parliament before the Kaiser's speech was testy, as the people's representatives had been asked to delay their Summer Recces. In his short speech the Emperor outlined the points of his Tax Reform with the abrubt swiftness and brevity of a master tradesman hammering nails into a board.

The salient points of the plan are:
- Poll Tax for the population, to National coffers;
- House and Land Tax, to Local coffers;
- abolishment of State Monopolies;
- abolishment of Excise Taxes;
- abolishment of Inheritance Tax;
- Regalia on mineral wealth maintained;
- ban on State borrowing in peacetime;
- Tax on Commercial Enterprises shared between Provincial and Central Govt's;
- Tax changes voted two years in advance;

Thus the presented changes, and Tax Rates voted by this Parliament, would fully take effect starting with Budget Year 1906. The speech was several times interrupted by din from parliamentary seats, the noise coming from different politicial options at different places of the speech. It is a gross exagerration that that in the uproar following the speech His Majesty yelled "I will have you shot the whole lot of you sniveling gits!". The Monarch simply stated "If necessary, I will rule by decree."



   
Top
Borys    
Posted: Oct 23 2006, 08:24 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,237
Member No.: 72
Joined: 10-August 06



   
Marineamt, the 2nd of August

Medium level officer reading just arrived DKB newspapers - something caught his in the "talk about town" section. He started writing a memo - "Instruct Naval Attache in Neu Brandenburg to contact fired torpedo scientists and recruit them for Whitehead ... "