KK Wiener Zeitung 1Q1904

Borys · March 24, 2007, 03:53:00 PM

Early February 1904

A Cafe, group of important men from several ministries talking over their coffee and sweets. They are speaking Hungarian.
- So are things? How's the Winterhilfe going?
- Quite good. There seem to be much fewer deaths than feared. Some villages - when there were lulls in the snowing - had to were evacuated into the valley camps. Livestock is suffering, tough.
- But military stocks of fodder were to be released to the peasants? For the horses, mules and oxen? So that they could feed them? What'd they do with it?
- Sometimes its a case of chosing between the horse or the family cow - guess what gets slaughtered then ...
- But isn't that punishable?
- By the Rules As Written - yes. But tell that to the officers in the field. And try to enforce it with locally recruited troops - from same village, or from the neighboring parish. In practical terms enforcement of regulations means killing people to preserve horses or oxen - stupid. And cruel.
- That bad with the horses?
- Yes. And it will get worse before it gets better. Pray for no major war this year. And without MAJOR imports horses we will not return to 1903 levels before 1908 or 1909. Horse breeders have a couple of good years before them.


Top
Borys
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 04:35 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Early January 1904
Wiener Illustriert Bullschitter

Upon their arrival at Mombassa, their Imperial Majesties exchanged gifts with the Brandenburger Imperial Family
.... LIST OF WHO GAVE WHAT TO WHOM - WITH PICTURES.
HIM Stefan presented a fur coat to his exotic antipodean counterpart, explaining: - "You'll need it"

Top
swamphen
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 01:26 PM

Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,298
Member No.: 23
Joined: 29-January 05


22 January
Dar-es-Salaam Times

Kaiser Stefan of Austria was treated today to a tour of the Daimler automobile factory here, followed by the presentation of a pair of specially equipped Mercedes models for himself and the Empress Yelena...

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 1 2006, 02:46 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Ost Afrika, Dar es Salaam, end of January

After the tour of the local selbfartwagen factory, Stefan was going through whatever the officals in Vienna deemed important enough to merit his personal attention.
Zamoyski send a rather disqueiting note. Not only was the Austrian Military Observer Mission to Brasil wiped out, which had been suspected, but the sole survivor had been abducted !!! from Gran Columbian hands. But the main issue was that the French were having their butts in Brasil kicked about. Would that be an opening for a place in the Sun? Even though it was so HOT in the Sun?
Maybe something to be talked about with Willhelm?
He scribled "pass on all information to the Rohanier", for cabling to Wien the next day.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 1 2006, 02:52 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Ost Afrika, Mombassa, 3rd of February

Stefan was seething. The cheek of that socialist scumbag and degenerate! To send assassins after him after peace had been - maybe not signed, but established. Time to squash that bug, that disgrace to the international Royal Family!
Juan had to be destroyed!
By now Carlos should have organized and army of his own. With the regular troops on hand, and mobilization of the units from areas least affected by the Hard Winter - mostly Hungrian - they would smother that Red Filth!
Why bother with the satanists in Brazil if there was something just as bad - if not worse - at his very doorstep in Europe?
Wilhelm IS wrong on this - the assassination was not connected with neither the Satanists, or that degenerate Agrival and his strumpet - it was the red "international" at work. They will all die for this!

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 1 2006, 03:23 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Somewhere in this period, Ost Afrika, during the Imperial Safari

"According to the Laws of the Gran Columbian Republic the 30 year old son became president ... " - LOL! Le roi cest morte! Vive le roi! Why keep up with the bullshit? Why not simply declare themselves a kingdom? Surely they have the Mandate of Heaven, as this would be the third - or fourth? - Alizandro on the throne .... [chuckle] err .... in the presidential seat ....

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 1 2006, 03:04 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Norman Ost Afrika, evening of 4th February

- "Go to sleep. We are embarking early tommorrow."
- "Can't sleep, golubushka. I was at the morgue today. Wilhelm asked me to see the body of the assassin."
Yelena proped herself up on one elbow.
- "And?"
- "Still looked Spanish to me. [shrug] Rather dark, mustachioed. However, the Prussian Abwehr fellows pointed to his tatoos - the symbol of the so-called "eye" was featured several times. And other symbols - which mean nothing to me, but supposedly also identify him as an Anahuac agent."
- "So what are we going to do about it?"
- "I asked the Foreign Ministry to sound out Barcelona about subversive activty from Madrid. They are to dispatch whatever they get from the Aragonese to Aden. I will show Aden off to Wilhelm - even if there is not much to show yet ... anyway, I'll make the final decision when we get to Vienna. But I gave out some orders - useful whatever course of action is taken.

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

Finance-, Foreign- and Kriegs-ministerium joint instruction
to
Austrian ship chandlers, port agents, Naval Attaches:
1 - hire ships capable of transporting troops, at reasonable rates;
2 - buy coal and charter UKA and Orange coaliers; initial sailing orders from UKA - Portugal, from Orange - Uruguay;
3 - buy food and fodder in USA and Uruguay, loco port warehouses, load on freighters, await sailing orders;

Top
The Rock Doctor
Posted: Dec 1 2006, 08:38 PM

Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 463
Member No.: 57
Joined: 4-January 06


Point of note: Rey Alizandro is around thirty or so. Very young for a world leader, but not a teenager.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 2 2006, 02:54 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


OOC
Thank you for pointing out my eror. I've now corrected the original post.
Borys

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 3 2006, 06:30 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Rede of Aden, 9th of February 1904

6 AM

Wilhelm and Stefan on the deck of the SMS Kaiser Barbarossa

- "After reading what the Ballplatz had sent, I'm ready to go with you on this. The Auslaender Legion will start embarking in a weeks time."


Top
swamphen
Posted: Dec 3 2006, 06:54 PM

Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,298
Member No.: 23
Joined: 29-January 05


A nod. "I appreciate your assistance in this endeavour, my friend. It is time we eliminated this evil scourge once and for all." A Sooty Gull flies past. "We expect our ships to arrive at Pôrto Alegre around the twenty-first of March." A pause. "It's possible Palpaté may pressure Uruguay with regard to our recoaling there, I understand you may have colliers in the area? If we could, 'borrow', from them if it becomes necessary, it would be of great assistance."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 3 2006, 07:12 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


- "I gave instructions for coaliers to be arranged. They will be sent to that region. If necessary they will assist your ships. My ships can fall back on recoaling at Orange ports."
Quizical look.
A shrug.
- "Terms of a treaty I inherited.
And the food will come from the USA."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 01:19 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


- "I expect the Kriegsministerium to contact your army people. For advice on operations in such climates. It will be a first for the Austrian Heer. I expect Rohan to do something - they now know enough about the situation."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 07:01 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


13th of February

Request from Austrian Kriegsministerium lodged at respective French, DKB, Rohirrim and Gran Columbian ministries of War.

"Please provide all possible details on known Anahuac tactics and equipment."

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

Prominent notice in all major Austrian newspapers.

"People with experience of Brasilian interior are requested to report to local Military Authorities, to assist the Heer with their knowledge."

Top
Maddox
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 07:11 AM

Hegemon
Group Icon

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


Diplomatic dispatch to Emperor Stefan,

QUOTE
" Your Majesty,

With your countries request trough diplomatic and public channels we have the distinct impression you are planning to invade Brazil with as feeble reason that the small group of Anuhuac refugees sheltered by France are a danger to the world.

We suggest you search for other area's on the world to hunt heathens.

French Premier Palpaté."

Borys · March 24, 2007, 03:53:26 PM

Schoenbrun Imperial Palace, Vienna, 15th of February

Diplomatic Dispatch to Premier Palpate.
"Brazil is not French, Austria on Crusade against Anahuac."
Stefan

Confidential message from "Viennese circles close very to the Emperor", verbally delivered by Military Attache von Fernseher to Paixhans:
- Nuebrandenburg and Austria will move against Anahuac. Both countries will expect compensation. Idea for face-saving solution for France - devolve Brasil to Portugal, which then will accomodate the Crusaders. Open to negotiations.

Top
Maddox
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 07:42 AM

Hegemon
Group Icon

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


Angry Diplomatic dispatch from Palpaté.

QUOTE
"To the Habsburg Empire. Brazil is a French colony, and any kind of agression towards Brazil will be answered for.
If France wasn't civilised, Vienna would have been a provincial French town early 1800's.
France only goes to war when provoked.

French Premier Palpaté "


Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 08:09 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Vienna, Kriegsministerium, 16th of February

Begin quiet mobilisation* of Stellung Korps Malta and of the Navy.

Minister of War
Erzherzog Friedrich von Habsburg-Teschen

*this means that there are no posters on the streets, but letters are sent to individual reservists telling them to show up. Before transfer to Malta this was Stellung Korps Dalmatien, so the reservists are in coastal areas of the Empire

EDITED

Top
Desertfox II
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 12:42 PM

Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 262
Member No.: 76
Joined: 24-August 06


Febuary 20th

"Sir! This just came in from Europe! Our agent reports that the Austraians are mobilizing. We have noticed a number of dispatches between the Austrians and the French."

"What do you think is happening?"

"We suspect a possible conflict between the two countries."

"Quick get me the commander of the Army of Cambodia. Place all units on war footing. Have the Army of Cambodia move into the border fortifications. Have the Army of Laos move behind them. Get hold of the Austrian and German Abassadors. And get me an audience with the King."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 01:51 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Vienna, 17th of February
Koeniglich-Koeniglich Wiener Zeitung

Today the Emperor of the Deutches Kaiserreich Brandenburg, Wilhelm, arrived in Vienna and was greeted wth great pomp by the Emperor Stefan. The Empress, due to advanced pregnancy, stayed indors. The deeply tanned anitpodean monarch braved the cold of Viennese streets wearing a fur coat gifted by our energetic monarch. Due to temperatures falling below regulation figures for parades, thermometers showing 3 degree fahrenheit at noon, at the last moment the 99th IR "Putschers" were replaced with the 4th Kaiserjaeger. This unit, for the first time in the history of the Austrian Heer, marched in sheepskins before a foregein monarch.
The two Emperors took the so called "kaiserwagen", a horseles carriage gifted to our Emperor by Wilhelm of the DKB, for a brief tour of the city, including a drive across the ice bound Donau.
This is the DKBs ruler's first visit to Europe after an exile of 40 years, after the Kingdom of Prussia was destroyed in a war with France.
The Imperal Russian Train is expected to arrive at the Sudbahnhoff over the next few days - another "first", as the Warschau-Wien Railroad had been fully coverted to the aptly named Imperial gauge, as it is now shared by all three Christian realms headed by Emperors.


Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 03:22 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


OOC
Re Saiamese reaction - they must have either a high level mole, somebody in the right department, or have agents following things related to the Maltese garrison. Order given on the 16th, letters sent out on the 16th/17th, deliverd 18th/20th (before the spread of telephone rural England had THREE times a day letter delivery, so why not Dalmatia?)

Top
Desertfox II
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 06:33 PM

Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 262
Member No.: 76
Joined: 24-August 06


OOC, When you have a powerful and imperialistic enemy on your border its always good to know what they are up to. So a mole in the French Goverment is a possibility, and with recent actions by the Austrians maybe one there too.

Top
The Rock Doctor
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 08:17 PM

Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 463
Member No.: 57
Joined: 4-January 06


True, but your "News from Bangkok" thread also contained reaction to Gran Colombian information that is unlikely to have been known in-character...unless Siam has seen a need to infiltrate everybody's governments.

Top
Agrival Mars
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 08:23 PM

Head of State
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 52
Member No.: 67
Joined: 10-April 06


QUOTE
True, but your "News from Bangkok" thread also contained reaction to Gran Colombian information that is unlikely to have been known in-character...unless Siam has seen a need to infiltrate everybody's governments.

OOC:
On the other hand, Rocky, some-one could have taken your signature at heart.

Top
Desertfox II
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 09:28 PM

Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 262
Member No.: 76
Joined: 24-August 06


Took some writer's liberty, otherwise I wouldnt have much for news! I figure its not a problem as long as nobody acts on it.

Top
Agrival Mars
Posted: Dec 4 2006, 09:37 PM

Head of State
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 52
Member No.: 67
Joined: 10-April 06


QUOTE (Desertfox II @ Dec 4 2006, 09:28 PM)
Took some writer's liberty, otherwise I wouldnt have much for news! I figure its not a problem as long as nobody acts on it.

OOC:
I rest my case.

tongue.gif biggrin.gif laugh.gif

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 5 2006, 03:03 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Wien, 19th February 1904

After Mass
- "Here, at the door of the Votivkirche, erected in Gratidue of Divine Deliverance of my precedessor from the hands of an attacker, We declare our support for the Dar es Saalam declaration of Our Imperial Cousin Wilhelm of DKB!"

OOC
The Votivkirche WAS erected on the spot of an attempted assassination. Like the Spas Na Krovi church in Sankt Peterburg. IMO a fitting place for a declaration brought about by the Emperor being shot at smile.gif


Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 5 2006, 03:17 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Wien, 19th of February 1904

- "The Brandenburgers have sent a battalion to protect German settlers in Brasil. We must do same, before we crush the Heart Rippers and make it safe for everybody. WHERE do we have settlers in Brasil?"
- "In the South, Your Majesty. In Laender called Parana and Santa Catarina."
- "So send whatever can be sent immediately there."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 5 2006, 05:26 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Budapest, 20th February 1904

The Budapest Evening Chronicle Illustrated

The winter has brought about much hardship in the mountains and in poorer neighborhoods, and so much joy to children building snowmen and skating on meter thick ice. We have also witnessed a phenomena rarely noted in Chronicles - the Danube has frozen! And the ice has reached never before rcorded thickness.
The ice on the river have caused some delays in the construction of the SMS Afrodite and SMS Hera, the first ships of the reactivated Donau Flottille. The Afrodite was ready for launch in late Junaury, but breaking up the ice took over a week. She was partly towed, partly dragged over the ice to the dry dock. There, under a provisory roof, she is being fitted out. With the work involved in this operation, the laying of the keel of the SMS Hera was put of to early April from the planned early March date.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 5 2006, 12:35 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Pola, 20th February 1904

In the evening the Erste Schlachtgeschwader* sailed for Malta, carrying some military supplies for the garisson, and 1500 reservists for "refreshment training".

* First Battle Squadron. Hint - it has three ships.

Borys · March 24, 2007, 03:54:24 PM

P3D
Posted: Dec 5 2006, 12:36 PM

Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 669
Member No.: 62
Joined: 27-January 06


[OOC]
The Danube was frozen several times in the past, its a rare but not really unique thing. Once every few decades or such.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 5 2006, 12:43 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


OOC
Oh, the Danube at Budapest used to freeze over? I knew the Vistula in Warsaw used to do so every year (but only 2 or three times within my memory, though), but it is much smaller and somewhat further north. I keep forgetting how much colder the previous centuries were. OK if I amend the post to read "new record of thickness of ice"?
Borys

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 5 2006, 06:10 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Wien, 21st February 1904

Anton Gruscha, the Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal, was entertaining his fellow cardinals, as the Monarchy was Blessed with Five of them. They first reminiscensed about the fateful conclave of 1903, where Austria's veto, delivered by Prince-Cardinal Puzyna de Kosielsko - the Archbishop of Kraków, had stopped the frothing liberal Rampolla.
After discussing the upcoming marriage and quietly condemning Stefan's giving away of Habsburg Erzherzogin to schismatics and heretics, they turned to their monarch's latest request. It was a request for the Church to provide 3000 priests, preferrably Portugues, Spanish or Italian speaking, for the Brasilian Crusade. For all of them to be skilled in the Exorcism of Daemons would be too much to hope for, but judging by Fr. Domeyko's report about his observations on the Brandeburger ship, the presence of Exorcists was indispensable.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 6 2006, 11:55 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Pola Arsenal, 22th February 1904

- "Sir! Before the Erste Schlachtgeschwader had sailed, we finished replacing all old Main Battery AP shells. We have now completed this process on the Panzerkreuzers."
- "Good. The next task is replacing the stocks on the PK currently in reserve."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 6 2006, 07:38 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Lisbon, 22th February of 1904

Letter from Stefan to King of Portugal

"My Dear Cousin. I am certain that the fate of Brasil, a Babe torn from the arms of Mother-Portugal not yet a century ago, must weight heavily on Your heart. To protect the Innnocents from the unspeakable horrors of the Satan worshipping Anahuac, Austria offers the use of its hulls to transport across the Atlantic any valiant Portuguese troops You might wish to assign to this Endeavor, and all the Volunteers who surely will step forth for this Cause."

Stefan

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 02:27 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Wien, 22th of February 1904

Representatives of the two Abwehers begin frantic operations directed at a certain section of the French military.

WILL ADD DETAILS LATER IN THE DAY

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 02:34 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Malta, 22nd February 1904

The s/s Sueden Kreuz has made its second run from Dubrovnik, disgorging another batch of 2500 crumpled reservists.

ADDED AFTER EDIT.

The Schlachtgeschwader also arrived on this day. It let off the 1500 reservists, and many crates marked as Eiseneirgranatten.
The ships immediatelly begin to recoal.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 04:31 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Pola 22nd February 1904

The Naval harbor is deserted. After the departure of the battleships on the 20th, today the Panzekreuzer - SMS Innsbruck and Prag have left for Kotor. They are acompanied by the 5th TB Halbflottille. The small cruisers Gravaman and Maximilian also will take station there.
The 1st TB Flottille will procede to Malta.

The 7th Halbflottille was re-based to Dubrovnik, to complete the last week of their working up there.

The only ships at Pola at the moment are the KK SMS Uhlan and Jaeger, completing the second month of their working up.

The oldest ships in the fleet, the Panzer Kreuzers Wien and Pola, are showing more activity than usual. Are they being brought out from reserve?

Malta 22nd February 1904
The 2nd TB Flottille, together with the KK Maire Therese and Ferdinand, have left for Alhucema. They are making their most economic speed, as the trip is close to the maximum range of the small vessels.

OOC
At Alhucema there is an Auslaender Legion regiment (3 battalions), several 100mm coastal defence guns and a bay. In the bay there is a coalier, originaly bound for the Adriatic, but redirected to Alhucema.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 04:39 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


OOC
Due to international tension, Alhucema, Aden, Catanduanes and Malta are on "Altert" status.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 05:18 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Kaiserlich-Keniglich Zeitung, 22nd February 1904

All Habsburg Territories
All French subjects have been subject to quarantine!
At 6 AM Austriuan Police wearing face-masks have rounded up all known French subjects, who are now being transported towards Points of Concentration at major cities.
The Authorities have explained that there is an outbreak of a rare, viral disease of South American origin among French nationals - Ocularis Cerebrolavatis. Contagion calls for extened exposure, so Austrian nationals should not be affected after this timely move of the Health Authorities. The quarantine is expected to last - as stated jokingly by a Viennese Police Officer - "as long as it takes the Frogs to dredge the Suez channel".

No French goods can enter the country, neither as imports nor in transit.

At Malta the building stil held by French Authorities, like the barracks of the Gendermaire, are cordoned off by Austrian infantry with fixed bayonets.

The French Embassy is surrounded by the Police - who give a leaflet on the dangers of viral infections to all people going in.

OOC
Orders to the Police are to be "firm, but courteous, not causing unnecessary hardships" to the detainees.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 06:36 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Aden, 22nd February 1904

The local Cruiser Division received orders to practice boarding. Using French freighters passing the Bab el Mandeb as practice materials.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 06:41 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Ballplatz, 22nd February 1904

Instruction to Diplomatic Stations

Seek out interviews with influential titles, best if in the French language, and present Austria's position on Brasil. Ram home "Brasil is Anuhuac; Austria-DKB fight Anuhuac, not France" - as most journalists are dim witted twits, give them a typed summary, with the main message in capitals.

ADDED LATER:
And of course, a protest on the "harrasment" of Austrian vessels on the High Seas, as well as denied passage through the Suez Channel.

Top
swamphen
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 11:09 AM

Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,298
Member No.: 23
Joined: 29-January 05


KWII: "I believe you are making a mistake, my friend. We have no quarrel with the French people, yet you are interning them?" Shakes head. "If they demand that we pull out of Brazil or face war, the DKB will not go to war with France."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 11:29 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Stefan:
- "You think I was petty? I am rash at times. You think I behaved like a Frenchman?"

- "And on the other matter I might not have a choice."

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 04:01 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Last week of February

23rd
PUBLIC:
- French nationals quarantied the previous day have been released. The trade restrictons have also been revoked. The Authorities expressed their embarassement over the matter;
- On Malta French faclities are gradually taken over; no force is used, but if necessary French occupants starved into submission;

SECRET:
Instruction to Austrian Agents in Africa:
- using supplied information, print and distribute leaflets among units recruited in Brasil about situation in their homeland; use of gruesome illustrations advised;
- use any possible means of reaching Brasilian soldiers, and inform them about what the Anuhuac are doing in their homeland, to their families and kin;
- incite Brasilian units to demand return to Brasil;
- free spending of funds allowed;
- several Austrian agents from Levant ordered to Egypt;
ADDED LATER:
- of the first coaliers to arrive, with "Albion" coal, some are sent to Gran Columbia, some to Danish West Africa;

24th
PUBLIC:
The two Kaisers wave off a batallion of the Auslaender Korps sailing for Malta, where a convoy will be assembled for the journey to Brasil.
With Wilhelm at his side, Stefan repeats that Habsburg-Hohenzollern operations are directed against the Anuhuac, not France. When France will restore Good Governance and Law and order in the colony, the two Powers will retire their forces.
The s/s Sueden Kreuz continues its shuttle between Malta and Dubrovnik, bringing 2500 men for refreshment training every 48 hours;

26th
PUBLIC:
The 1st Schlachtgeschwader, two Panzerkreuzer Geschwader and 2 Kleiner Kruezer. escorting 5500 troops (3 rifle battalions, 1 mountain artilery batallion, half a regiment of cavalry) on four passanger liners, sail from La Valetta for Alhucema. Due to low speed of warships, arrival at the North African base planned for March 2nd
ADDED LATER:
All French officials and personel from Malta, courtesly and with honors, are taken by the s/s ferry "Ultimate Empress of the Seven Seas" to Tunis.

1st March
NOT PUBLICIZED, BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP SECRET:
Reports of the French moving troops into historical Switzerland lead to:
- the two regular corps moving to the Bavarian border, between Passau and Salzburg (24 hours to complete);
- the XIV Tiroler, Landesschutzen and Stellung Korps Sudtirol are mobilized - 5 days;
- Stellung Korps Malta is fully mobilized, with the s/s Sueden Kreuz continuing her shuttle service;
- the remaining corps undergo quiet mobilization, aimed to reach 60% of wartime strenght (6 days);
- evacuation of civilians from the Voralberg and Western parts of Tirol, to Dalmatia (warmer, and food from ports available; the longer, the more will be moved);
- Navy mobilizes, SMS Wien and SMS Pola reactivated;

PUBLIC:
The career details of the President of the Republic of France, Monsieur Palapate are published in several newspapers across Europe. The article gives the names and years of positions. Austrian titles in particular have a field day speculating on the connection between the future president's time in the Anuhuac Empire and the French Gov'ts position on Brasil today.

1st March
PUBLIC
- the 7th Halbflottillen of Torpedobooten is declared operational

2nd March
NOT PUBLICIZED, BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP A SECRET IF SOMEBODY CHECKS
- s/s Sueden Kreuz leaves Dubrovnik with last echelon of letter-summoned reservists; upon completion of this trip the garrison will number 30,000
- the "Brasilian Armada" arrives at Alhucema;
SECRET
- bay in south-east of Malta island mined;

*************
OOC I hope I won't have to change much in light of something I should had known, but didn't

Borys · March 24, 2007, 03:54:51 PM

swamphen
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 04:07 PM

Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,298
Member No.: 23
Joined: 29-January 05


QUOTE (Borys @ Dec 7 2006, 04:01 PM)
PUBLIC:
The career details of the President of the Republic of France, Monsieur Palapate are published in several newspapers across Europe. The article gives the names and years of positions. Austrian titles in particular have a field day speculating on the connection between the future president's time in the Anuhuac Empire and the French Gov'ts position on Brasil today.

(These details spread through Brandenburgian papers over the first week-and-a-half of March; interestingly, the Mombasa and Narobi papers are the last to print them, and they seem to be 'toned down' as opposed to those printed in, say, Neue Königsburg.)

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 06:14 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Alhucema, 3rd march 1904

In the afternoon, after topping up their bunkers, the Brasilian Crusade sailed for the Strait of Gibraltar.
The passage was timed as to be in the evening haze. The Austrian ships planned to make a south side passage, as to hide their grey hulls against the mountains. With deep draught their pink Montecuccoli bottoms were well below the water line.

The speed was 12 knots.
The formation:

KK KK

SS
SS
SS

PK L L PK
PK L L PK

The 10 Torpedooten stayed inshore, and lagged behind a bit, taking a more shorehugging route, but made it up by steaming slightly faster. The TBs are doing all they can to stay invisible, and to maintain station between the Main Body and the shore.

The orders:
- get into the Atlantic;
- do not permit any boarding nonsense by anybody;
- guns and torpedos were to be used as the last resort, speed and big armored hulls were to be the deterrent;
- if fired upon, God help THEM

*******
I forgot to add earlier - the passanger liners carry the troops, their equipment, and some 20,000 Werndle rifles with ammunition; the small cruisers too

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 12:51 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Pola, 3rd of March 1904

Hoch KKK Stab
Telegram to Etappenkommandant Rio de La Plata.
Instruct arriving CHARTERED Orange coaliers to make coal PURCHASED IN ORANGE available to DKB warships. Direct CHARTERED ORGANGE coaliers to port indicated by DKB officer in charge,
When empty send CHARTERED ORANGE coaliers back for more COAL PURCHASED IN ORANGE BY ETTAPENKOMENDANT KAAPSTADT.
IF REQUESTED ALSO PROVIDE FOOD PURCHASED IN USA AND URUGUAY.

Edited to make wording watertight smile.gif

This post has been edited by Borys on Dec 8 2006, 08:40 PM

Top
P3D
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 02:13 PM

Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 669
Member No.: 62
Joined: 27-January 06


QUOTE (Borys @ Dec 8 2006, 09:51 AM)
Pola, 3rd of March 1904

Hoch KKK Stab
Telegram to Etappenkommandant Rio de La Plata.
Instruct arriving Orange coaliers to make coal available to DKB warships. Direct caliers to port indicated by DKB officer in charge,
When empty send coaliers back for more.

If any Habsburg ship appear in Orange ports, they will be recoaled and resupplied. It does not mean Orange will send coaliers to anywhere to resupply Habsburg ships - or fill up Habsburg coaliers automatically.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 07:17 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


OOC
Orange stance is absolutely correct.
Explained in PM.
Reworded post number 7 in this thread to make issue clear.
Borys

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 08:45 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Gulf of Cadiz, 3rd of March 1904

Unchallanged by French forces, the Brasilian Expedition passed the Strait of Gibraltar.
On a signal from SMS Frankreich the 2nd Torpedobootflottille turned around and returned to Alhucema.
The main force slowed down to its economic speed of 9 knots and raced almost due West across the Atlantic. The two small cruisers took a different course and disapeared into the darkness to the South-West.


Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 9 2006, 08:14 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Early March events - to 12th (?)
Mobilization proceeeding more or less on schedule, problems with draft animals for trains and artillery. Cold weather helps movement.

March
Tirol and thereabouts
Mobilization and evacuation proceeding smoothly. Westernmost Tirol is is the hands of local troops, the Landeschutzen. To avid provocation, orders are to stay 5km from the border. Only officers' patrol come closer. Defensive works made, demolitions and avalanches prepared. Using lessons from Spain, some mining made.

2nd Auslaender Korps concentrated in Karsten, close to local ports: Trst, Rijeka, Pula, etc.

Malta-Dubrovnik
on the 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th March the s/s Suden Kreuz delivers further echelons of reservists - on the 9th the garrison reaches 40,000 men;
emergency purchases of foodstuffs made in Sicily and Tripolitania;
heavy patroling of seas around Malta by 1st TB Flottille and 2 small cruisers, stopping and boarding French vessels, then letting them go;

Strait of Gibraltar
2nd Flotille and 2 small cruisers monitor French fleet activity;

Aden
The land forces present - i.e. half of the 1st Auslander Korps* - are split into two:
- half patrols the Tottenkopf Gebeit perimeter, and is in camps there; telegraph lines laid to these camps; camps are a day's march away from Aden;
- half is digging trenches around Aden and Small Aden;

The cruisers are patrolling the area, stopping and boarding French vessels, then letting them go; two vesses always in harbor, one ready to sail, two on patrol; food bought at Zelia, as not to use stocks at Aden. The food supply is being slowly increased. Normal work on port facilities continued.

Pola - the SMS Pola and Wien are working up

Kenyan newspaper article - Ballplatz instruction - "ignore"

Palpate's speech - "With the current information it seems very likely that they also payed for the Portugese uprising."
Official Austrian position - "Lies."

On the 8th of March Military Attaches are invited to the Voralberg and the Grand Duchy of Lichtenstein

12th March
two small cruisers arrive at Freetown and start recoaling from coalier of random nationality chartered by the KKK

The Brasilian Crusade is racing flat out at 9 knots across the Atlantic.
In the Pacific the s/s Chica Caliente is heading for Pitcairn, at twice that speed.

***********************************
1st Auslander Korps before the crisis was divided thus:
1/4th Alhucema - 10000
1/2nd Aden - 25000
1/4th Catanduanes - 15000

Top
swamphen
Posted: Dec 9 2006, 08:22 PM

Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,298
Member No.: 23
Joined: 29-January 05


10 March
Dar-es-Salaam News

The Admiralstab has announced that Fourth Scouting Group, containing the panzerkreuzers Arminius and Herta, will be making a "deployment of indefinite length" to the Austrian port of Aden...

Top
swamphen
Posted: Dec 9 2006, 08:24 PM

Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 1,298
Member No.: 23
Joined: 29-January 05


12 March
Brandenburg Gazette

By request of the Austrian government, Third Torpedo Squadron has been designated for activation and will be deployed to the Philippines...

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 10 2006, 04:57 PM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Austrian Events

After the 9th, I don't know up to what date

Stefan took Wilhelm on a tour of the Alps. Visits Innsbruk, Bolzen, Trent. Gives speech in awful Italian in Trent.

Partly mobilized korps put to use in clearing roads, etc. The village conscripts were mostly superfluous in their villages anyway.

In the fully mobilized conscript corps soldiers with pressing matters in the area are given leave.

All Artic and mountain supplies directed to Landeschutzen Korps - goggles, walking axes (I don't know the English word for it), skis.

Top
Borys
Posted: Dec 12 2006, 05:09 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
*

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


Austrian events, second half of March

After the tense days of early march, and the War scare induced by the fighting words of the blood-thirsty warmonger Mad ... Palpate, life had assumed some form of "normality". In the Alps the Landeschutzen were huddling in their igloos and learning to ski (and loving it), the other mobilized corps were doing more or less the same (digging in, training in new equipment - hand grenades, for instance), the partly mobilized corps were mostly involved in helping clear roads to cut off villages and preparing for the inevitable spring floooding.
There was some muttering of discontent that "the emperor keeps on getting us into rows with the frogs", and hopes that becoming a father will calm him down.