KK Wiener Zeitung 2Q1904

Borys · March 24, 2007, 04:00:10 PM

Borys
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 07:45 AM

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Schoenbrun Palace, 1st April 1904

REJOICE!
The Empress Yelena bore a baby daughter, to be named Olga Therese Maria Heldwig Umtraut Gudrun Brumhilda Astrid. Both mother and child feel well.
Out of joy the Kaiser showed an unprecedented act of clemency, all convicts with Death Penalties will be executed as fast as possible, as to shorten their suffering from uncertainity over their fate. Thus they no longer will be tormeted by hopes of pardon.

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Maddox
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 08:06 AM

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France congratulates the Habsburger family with their newly born daughter.


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Borys
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 08:08 AM

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Cordon around French Embassy lifted.

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swamphen
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 09:49 AM

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Brandenburg sends its congratulations on this joyous occasion.

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Borys
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 09:50 AM

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Hey, you live next door!

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Maddox
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 12:41 PM

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Diplomatic dispatch.

QUOTE
To aid the Deutsche Kaiserreigh Branderburg, and the travels of its Emperor, a temporary passage trough the Suez Canal is ready. Unfortunatly, the size of vessel is restricted to 2000 tons and only 2.5 meter draught.

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Borys
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 12:49 PM

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Stefan to Wilhelm:
- "Seems some diplomatic ice is breaking." (glassy eyed new father, gaga over daughter) - "Nothing like a BEAUTIFUL infant to bring out the best in people, and to put things into perspective."
- "But I can offer you two fast cruisers to get you to your fleet in South Amerika"
- "Speaking of children - your son seems to have got use to ruling. To avoid bad times between the two of you, maybe give him something to rule over. He'll put his energy to good use, instead of driving him to maybe brooding, or intrigue, drink or women?"
- "And while we're talking about your sons and women - isn't your third son also eager to pluck yet one more beauty from the flowerbed of Habsburg womanhood?"
- "Have I already told you that she puked all over me?"

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swamphen
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 02:17 PM

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"I had hoped that France would see reason, perhaps they are starting to see the light. Of course I still hope to gain a little place in the Brazilian sun, but there are options, always options."
"I thank you my friend, but South Amerika is no place for a Kaiser at the moment." Chuckle. "Although I will need something to get through Suez, I'm afraid Barbarossa is a little too large to squeak through the Frogs' restrictions."
"Wilhelm was always strong-headed. There are many times when that is an asset, however I am not sure he is the best choice to be handling the diplomacy of the Foreign Ministry. I do agree he needs some room to stretch his wings, though, perhaps in a few years - assuming we're not all speaking French by then, of course - something might - ahem - become available, yes?"
"I have noticed that Augustus* has taken quite the shine to young Stefanie. They're both still a bit young to be together, of course, but once this Anahuac mess blows over they'll be of age and if it isn't just a passing fancy perhaps another visit can be made..."
"And yes, you have."
( tongue.gif )

Later: "About Kaiser Barbarossa, since he won't fit though Suez would you like to acquire him? Perhaps as a gift to my fellow Kaiser?"

* - Prinz August Wilhelm

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Borys
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 02:38 PM

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- "Maybe make him Viceroy of Afrika? And as to the young ones - in two years time we will visit you in Brandenburg. A pity I couldn't show youn the spring here - very unusual. As to the yacht - I'd gladly accept it, but I have one on the ways just now. And there is one more thing ... "
Stefan took Wilhelm by the arm and looked in his eyes with a fierce expression - "you know that no Hohenzollern had ever been taken prisoner ... "

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swamphen
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 03:04 PM

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Wilhelm raises an eyebrow. "You are concerned that the French may try something?" A grim smile. "We are all experienced with the use of the Luger, and should the very worst happen we know how to 'save the last bullet', my friend."

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Borys
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 03:07 PM

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Stefan just soberly noded his head, indicating that exactly this had been on his mind.

* I'm not sure if the Parabellum was around, as it was 08, but Wilhelm could have the C96, the Broomhandle Mauser. Or a Browning, either from Coltte in the UKA or FN in the Netherlands.

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Borys
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 03:17 PM

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Diplomatic dispatch to UKA and Russia
Sadly, we must inform you that this Quarter Austria will be able to provide only half of the necessary amount of high grade steel for the fast troopships under construction. This is due to Act of God, i.e. a state of international tension bordering on War.
In return the requeriment of end 1st Quarter 1905 delivery is waived, the new delivery date now becoming end of 2nd quarter 1905.

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swamphen
Posted: Dec 13 2006, 08:43 PM

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(BTW, is there a timeframe on this Suez passage, er, pass?)

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Earl822
Posted: Dec 14 2006, 02:56 AM

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QUOTE
Diplomatic dispatch to UKA and Russia
Sadly, we must inform you that this Quarter Austria will be able to provide only half of the necessary amount of high grade steel for the fast troopships under construction. This is due to Act of God, i.e. a state of international tension bordering on War.
In return the requeriment of end 1st Quarter 1905 delivery is waived, the new delivery date now becoming end of 2nd quarter 1905.

when is this?

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Borys
Posted: Dec 14 2006, 05:45 AM

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QUOTE (Earl822 @ Dec 14 2006, 09:56 AM)
QUOTE
Diplomatic dispatch to UKA and Russia
Sadly, we must inform you that this Quarter Austria will be able to provide only half of the necessary amount of high grade steel for the fast troopships under construction. This is due to Act of God, i.e. a state of international tension bordering on War.
In return the requeriment of end 1st Quarter 1905 delivery is waived, the new delivery date now becoming end of 2nd quarter 1905.

when is this?

This message to the UKA and Russa is from early April - I should be paying each of you the final 2 HBP each for the troopships. But I can't make the payment, I can only deliver 1 to each of you- so I move the delivery date.

Borys · March 24, 2007, 04:00:35 PM

Borys
Posted: Dec 14 2006, 08:39 AM

Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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4th April
On Easter Monday the two old Panzer Kreuzer - SMS Pola and Wien - left the port and headed south.

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Earl822
Posted: Dec 14 2006, 09:26 AM

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ok

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Borys
Posted: Dec 18 2006, 05:22 PM

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Ballplatz, 9th of April 1904
QUOTE
Eastern Kingdom-Embassy
NEWS BULLETIN-

The New Swiss have occupied The Eastern Kingdom for some time now in a colony around Anchorage. With a loan to France they now owe the Eastern Kingdom 2 HBP as arranged with the French. The 2 HBP should be forthcoming, and the Eastern Kingdom will be arranging diplomatic talks with France and perhaps ovther willing participants who will hopefully help mediate the matter.

END OF BULLETIN

Imre Nagy rubbed his eyes and again read the note from the Eastern Kingdom's legation. He dictated the note to be sent to the Eastern Kingdom in reply:

QUOTE
The Habsburg Empire is saddened, but not surprised by this treacherous act of the New Swiss. Taking a loan and repaying it with military agression is typical of those commoners without honour. The Imperial Government will express its utmost displeasure to the New Swiss authorities and demand their units leave the Kingdom's Lands, with appropriate damages paid. Hopefuly with other Powers condemning this base act, the New Swiss will reconsider their actions before sterner measures need to be taken.

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Borys
Posted: Dec 20 2006, 02:44 PM

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9th of April, Habsburg Crown lands

Kriegsministerium
- "To help Mannlicher deliver us the already ordered 300,000 karabiner due this year, release all their employees from the ranks. Same applies to all other Ordnance or shipyard workers. And order a further hundered thousand rifles for both this year and the next - so that 300,000 would be delivered next year."

Parliament
- "My party wholeheartedly supports the Throne proposed changes to the Criminal Code - like the bringing back of flogging for minor offences, but taking prostitution off Ordinance would be a bestial golpe at the very foundations of Human Civilization!"
- "But you're in a brothel seven nights a week!"
- "Lies!"

South Transylvanian camps holding Rumanians evacuated from mountain vaillages, and Rumanian villages
Agents accosting youngsters, showing handfulls of coins and pushing papers to be signed:
- "Here, three crosses will be enough. You'll get the schiffkarte in due time, don't worry."

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Borys
Posted: Dec 21 2006, 04:19 AM

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Ballplatz, 9th of April 1904

Communique

The position of the Oesterreich on the so-called Anchorage Issue is that it is a non-issue. The debtor did not return the loan at the agreed date, so the collateral becomes the possesion of the lender. The fact that none of the successor states paid back the loan only points out the inherent inferiority of non-monarchical systems of government.


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Borys
Posted: Dec 22 2006, 04:03 PM

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Kriegsministerium, Wien, 9th of April 1904

Conference on state of trains and artillery
- "Meine herren, it is a catastrophe. Initial reports did not tell the full story, as these corps were only partly mobilized. After the alaring initial reports, I ordered an investigation into the state of draft animals to be called upon at full mobilization. Half have been eaten, and more will die before the first grass is green. Even with army veterinarians ordered into the field, with instructions to use army stock medicine, even with fodder made freely available, our trains and artillery have been delt a more severe blow than the capitulation at Landshutte. Fielding heavy artillery is out of the question, maybe half of field pieces could take to the field, and the PIB would have to carry twice their normal load to make up for lacking supply wagons. Of course, we could fight along rail lines, and lay 2'6" track to bring up supplies from railheads, but that still isn't enough."
- "At present, pooling horses and oxen from various corps, we can put from eight to ten fully operational corps in the field, with a single cavalry corps. Or two weak cavalry corps. This is the situation today. And things will only improve after 3 years have passed. After 6 years we will have half of what we had last year. Full recovery in 10 to 12 years."
- "Ten to twelve years to field the full might of the Heer, unless we import horses like crazy, or unless Oberst von Karborateur will sell us his ... unorthodox vision. He seems fixated on those noisy and breadown prone devices .... "

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Borys
Posted: Dec 24 2006, 03:22 AM

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Ballplatz, Wien, 10th April 1904

Imre Nagy (Foreign Affaires vice-minister) tried to make sense of all the communiques pertaining to the situation in the obscure north-west corner of the Northern American continent. The declarations and acts of the two New Swiss factions, the UKA, the wild and fanciful statments by the EKA Gov't - "we are in a plot to attack the Oesterkoenigreich? My, my ... " - at that he raised his eyebrows and shook his head. Something was going on there, but what exacty was difficult to tell. Not that it mattered that much. Austria had no interests in that part of the world. And had several other, much more pressing matters on her hands than a bunch of gooks going hysterical in some frozen mountains. He wrote "no action" as recomended action to his superior, the Graf von Zamoyski.

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Borys
Posted: Dec 24 2006, 12:37 PM

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Kriegsministerium, Wien, 10th of April

Diplomatic Note to UKA Minisitry of War

At present the Imperial-Royal Army has two officers - Major Hermann Brunner and Hauptmann Johan Kloss - detached to the UKA Army. They are rending assitance as instructors on advanced infantry tactics. Would it be possible for them to accompany - as Official Observers - UKA units assigned to the operations in the Far West of your Realm? Mountain Warfare is of particular interest to the Kairserlich-Koeniglich Heer.
Naturaly, for this mission their duties as instructors would be suspended.


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Earl822
Posted: Dec 24 2006, 12:44 PM

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Reply from the Ministry of War

Your request is accepted, and the officers will travel north by supply train to Calgary, where they will join the 4th Mountain Infantry Division on the 26th of May, ready to move into the Eastern Kingdom

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Borys
Posted: Dec 24 2006, 03:52 PM

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OOC
26th May? But, but ... they are on the spot, and have been in the UKA for half a year or so. I sent them to you as part of the "advance infantry" technology transfer. Bright fellows and Spanish Crusade veterans, they are passing on Austrian expertise and experence to your boys at West Point ...

Borys

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Earl822
Posted: Dec 24 2006, 04:00 PM

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Erm

Sorry

April

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Borys
Posted: Dec 24 2006, 04:04 PM

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Summary of official Habsburg communication on the NS+EK+UKA situation:

Austria
- is not interested in the conflict;
- is saddened that a squabble over money diverted the attention of Powers from the Final Solution to the Anuhuac Question;
- would like to see a swift resolution to the conflict;
- would prefer the said resolution to be without annexation, with recognition of existing boundries, with NS and UKA receiving compensation or mining/trade/fishing concessions in the EK;
- proposes the Riddermark as possible mediator between the sides to the conflict;

(on copy sent to UKA) - beware the NS - treacherous and two-faced

****************
I put it here and in the Meeting Rooms thread, as to make it easier to find by interested parties

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Earl822
Posted: Dec 24 2006, 04:08 PM

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OOC

QUOTE
(on copy sent to UKA) - beware the NS - treacherous and two-faced

True, but they have their uses

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Borys
Posted: Dec 26 2006, 06:54 AM

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Wien, 12th of April

Meeting of emergency "Thaw Comitee"

1 - assign demolition teams, with ample supply of explosives, to protect bridges. The blowing up of ice blocks which threaten to wash away bridges is particularly important in those parts of the country where bridges are not designed to withstand ice floe attacks.

2 - railway troops are to be on alert against washouts; if applicable, any damaged state owned track is to be converted to Imperial Gauge; assistance in repairing private owned Imperial Guage track is free; ex-Standard Gauge is also repaired for free if the repairs are combined with gauge conversion;

3 - medical services are to be on alert against any possible diseases and epidemics expected to thrive in wet conditions;

4 - the Hard Long Winter led to above normal infant and elderly folk mortality rates. No population growth in 1904 should be expected. Check out improbable, impossible, incredible, implausible, inexplicable, illegitimate, incongruous reports of the Hard Long Winter having wiped out population growth from the previous two years, i.e. 1,300,000 people.

5 - bridging troops are to erect provisional bridges wherever needed; provision should be made to construct such bridges on the Sava or Theiss (at least one on each);

6 - none-engineering units are to supply manpower to the specialized formations; this may be done before emergencies arise, for familiarization with tasks at hand;

7 - THINK! - before flooding occurs, evacuate people and livestock from endangered areas; ask locals, parish priests, Kleinstadtundland authorities about - "where did the last big flood reach?" and act accordingly

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Borys
Posted: Dec 26 2006, 07:03 AM

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Marineamt, Pola 12th April 1904

Somebody has a brainway:
- "Let's send supplies to our troops in Brasil on chartered Essylean vessels. And insured at the Lloydheanyrr in Lynndun. That should protect them from potential French or UKA piracy on the High Seas."

Borys · March 24, 2007, 04:01:05 PM

Borys
Posted: Dec 27 2006, 08:27 AM

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Wien, 15th of April 1904

The new Schematismus (army OdeB, and officers' yearbook), with changes to the Inhaber* list was released.
The
KK Infanterie Regiment Koenig von Normanen Harald 13
now became the
KK IR Koenig von Normanen Michael 13

The KK Infanterie Regiment 50 now gained an Inhaber, becoming
KK IR Kaiser der Abissynien Menelik 50

The KK Hussaren Regiment "Tottenkopf" 8 now gained an Inhaber, becoming
KK HR Kaiserin Witwe und Regentin der Mittler Kaiserreich Longyu "Tottenkopf" 8

The KK Kuraiser Regiment 1 now gained an Inhaber, becoming
KR Koenig der Rittermark Theocro 1

The novelty of this years schematismus is that for the first time ever non-Christian monarchs became Inhaber.
The uniforms for the respective monarchs, prepared to the best knowledge of their dimensions, had been despatched in early March, as to reach the new inhabers before the date of Schematismus release. The Kaiserin Witwe und Regentin der Mittler Kaiserreich per special dispensation of the regiment's Uniform Regulations Comission (one of the members vaguelly recalled a press article according to which women in the Middle Kingdom wore trousers) was issued BOTH a skirt and riding breeches.

* Titular "owner"-colonel, or Oberst of the regiment. Visiting monarchs wore the uniform of the regiments they were titular chiefs. In Austria it was very, very rarely for inhabers or other honorifics to be granted in perpetuity.

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Borys
Posted: Dec 27 2006, 05:57 PM

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April 12th-30th
Unless something interesting happens, the Habsburg lands are introvertly coping with the biggest mudbath on Earth - the Thaw after the Long Harsh Winter.

Austrian agents in the USA and Orange, as well as Australia, Gra Columbia or Mezoamerica are instructed to buy food and oxen.

The army is helping out with the thaw, with only half an eye on the French. The assumption is that Glorious France is knee deep in mud as well. And if they want to trigger some avalanches in the Alps, well, the Darwin Prize is for the taking ...
The 2nd Auslaender Legion Korps is close to the ports, and can embark when the troopships come.
Borys

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Borys
Posted: Dec 28 2006, 06:18 PM

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Kriegsministerium, Wien

Among the materials provided by Gra Colombia was a thick book with "Almgumas pensamientos sobre la organizacion y mobilizacion de las reservas en tiempo del paz y guerra" written over the cover. The official who extracted this volume from the crate leafed it though, checking for drawings of unclothed Primitives, sighed at finding none, and dutifuly went about finding a translator.

KKK Arsenal, Pola

- "Sawadee Kaap! Sawadee Peemay!" with bows and smiles could be encountered at various places of the naval facilitiy. The smiling eastern gentelmen from the Royal Siamese Navy were atentively examining gun making workshops. A tour of the Whitehead establishment at Fiume (rebuilt after the latest catastrophe) was planned for next week.
Interestingly, some of the officers were avid horseman, and during the visit to the Monfalcone yard struck an acquiantance with the men of the Dragonerregiment Michael II Kaiser von Rußland Nr.5. While riding together, the officers cheerfully talked shop. While not all the advice was relevant - "during that skirmish I secured my flank with four elephants" - some of the tips on the use of cavlary in hilly and wooded terrain could be applied by the Heer, especially on Overseas Expeditions.

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Borys
Posted: Jan 2 2007, 09:42 AM

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May 1904
An unevenful month. I can copy and paste:
"the Habsburg lands are introvertly coping with the biggest mudbath on Earth - the Thaw after the Long Harsh Winter.

Austrian agents in the USA and Orange, as well as Australia, Gra Columbia or Mezoamerica are instructed to buy food and oxen.

The army is helping out with the thaw, with only half an eye on the French."

Quiet diplomacy is at work with Paris, as well as the capitals most involved - regardless of character of involvement - in the Brasilian Crusade.

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Borys
Posted: Jan 2 2007, 01:01 PM

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Wawel Castle, Krakau, April 1904

Boom! Boom!
Stefan gazed outwards through the crenelage. He looked upon the busy engineer troops. They were setting up and detonating explosives to crack up the ice above the bridges of Cracow. The idea was to clear the water of ice, so that floes coming downstream from the mountains would pass through, not building up against the pillars and sweepeing away the bridges. Hopefully. Due to "difficult to cross frontiers make good neighbors" policy, the nearest permanent bridge was 300 kilometers downstream, in Warsaw. That was Russia's problem ...
He glanced at the man standing next to him. The archbishop of Cracow, Puzyna de Koscielisko, the man who delivered the Habsburg veto to deny the tiara to that socialist mad dog Rampallo. One of the few sensible decisions Maximilain had made.
He turned his head slightly to the left, almost due West.
- "He went there this morning. - Stefan gestured westwards. "To what used to be called the Dreikaiserreicherecke (corner of three empires - the junction of Prusian, Austrian and Russian frontiers). This time this will be the closest he will be to the land where he was born. And was born to rule over. Today might be the closest he will ever get."
The Prince Cardinal nodded, knowing well whom the Habsburg was talking about.
- "Quite a nice man, for a heretic that is" - he remarked amiably about the head of the House of Hohenzollern.
- "Speaking of exiles" - Stefan again referenced Wilhelm, - "there is something I would like to ask of you the next time you go to Babylon, err Avignon. A matter to raise with the Holy Father."
De Puzyna raised an eyebrow quizically and warily - the kaiser was not exactly known for depth of metaphisical thought, or pondering theological issues. Yet he harboured some dangerously radical social ideas.
- "Ask him to make One out of Four." He paused for breath.
His eminence sucked in his breath, his mind racing over the possibilities of exactly WHAT could that mean, what blasphemous idea could that be. After all, Stefan already was pushing mind boggling ideas like aristocrats working for their titles, so now what - adding the Blessed Virgin to the Holy Trinity?

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Borys
Posted: Jan 3 2007, 08:58 AM

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May 1904, Wien

Higher official writing memo to His Imperial-Royal Majesty's attention.

"My participation in the Extraodinary Comitee for Winter Relief makes me come to the following conclusions:

1 - coal; the Empire does not have enough. As new coal field discoveries are unlikely, new sources should be sought abroad, or imports stockiled.

Imports - I recommend keeping a 3 to 6 month reserve of coal in the country at all times. I consider 3 months as possible if stockpiling limited to private concerns - obliged by Law or Edict to keep such a reserve for their operations. 6 months would only be possible with State participation. The Navy should keep such a supply of high quality (best if Cardyff) coal anyway. Without disrupting markets and driving up prices, such a stockpile could be built up over several years. Reasonable relations with Bavaria (Silesian mines) are of paramount importance. Quite acquisitions of stock in Upper Silesian mines seems to be a good idea.

New sources -
Mines on the Catanduanes are being opened, and their full production will not be known for several years. Nevertheless, the distance makes transport to Europe not viable. However, these mines can serve as source of supply for Pacific and maybe also Indian Ocean fleet operations. Development of the Catanduances fields is recommended of making any future Pacific fleet independent on the goodwill of Netrals or stockpiling. Also, Catanduanes can be used as coal source for Aden in case of "disruptions" in Suez Channel traffic, and Orange hostility.

Spitzbergen - I recommend establishing contact with the Norman explorer-industrialist Johannes Munroe Longyear, persuading him to accept Austrian protection of his operations. The climate notwithstanding, the coal is easily accessible and cheap to exploit, and its excellent quality makes transport to Austria viable. Output of 2-5 million tonnes per year is estimated as possible. As the man sees hapiest building mines, it is possible thay an offer to buy everything he mines will be enough to get him on our side. I leave international implications to the Ballplatz, as such matters are beyond my pale.

Other - opportunities for conquest or peacefull means of acquiring territories with coal, or strongly suspected of harbouring coal, should be pursued and acted upon when possible.

2 - gas;
Coal gas is well covered by exisiting publications, so I shall not dwelve into the matter.
The use of gas from petroleum for heating purposes should be supported. Instead of uselessly burning off, it could be used to heat industrial facilities and maybe homes. I suggest using Lermberg as test bed, due to proximity to the Galician oil fields. This makes State organization of the fields - now possible due to classification of petroleum as "minable wealth" - of even greater importance than before (i.e. after the arrangment with DKB on supply of oil was signed). Offering a State Prize for most efficient designs of gas heating devices seems to be a good idea.

This post has been edited by Borys on Jan 3 2007, 11:13 AM

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Borys
Posted: Jan 3 2007, 03:58 PM

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Stefan was in a good mood, as always after a performance of Swan Lake. The visit of the Marinskiy Teater Ansamble was also an occasion for the first public appearance of Yelena after the christening of Olga Therese. He was now alone in his study, waiting for a visitor just returned to Vienna. He hummed the part of the ballet he dubbed the "charge of heavy cavalry" - how he had managed to make a connection between frail, ethereal females and cuirassiers was a mystery to everybody else. His explanation - "I can hear heavy metal there" fell on uncomprehending ears.

He looked at furst von un zu Lichtenstein, freshly back from a mission to northern Europe. The prince looked satisfied as well.
- "I tracked him down in Geoteborg. A hard man. Proud and vain like the Devil himself. He almost threw me out." - Lichtenstein paused to chuckle. - "For most of the meeting he had the "tell me what you want so I can give you the boot" look.
- "But I found a hook which caught him line and sinker. I looked at the map of those islands while listening to him, to put locations and names in their places."
- "So he accepts Austrian overrule?"
- "Yes." A broad smile - "But it will cost you"
- "Bring it on, I'm in a god mood, I can take it."
The smile got even broader, and the prince started counting out on his fingers:
- "One - Austria buys all the coal he digs out, at price comparable to premium Cardyff coal."
- "No problem, that was the idea."
- "Two - he gets exclusive rights to coal mining in the territory. This might entail some friction with other countries, let us live and see."
- "Hmm, he understands that he'll have to fly our flag then? A platoon of the AL? Maybe not - they could freeze there. A platon of the Kaiserjaeger seems more appropriate. And von Zamoyski should cope with the protests of other powers."
- "And now the clincher ...
- "No, you didn't promise him Olga's hand and half the kingdom, did you?!"
- "Almost. Did I mention that the man is proud? He agreed to whole deal only after I offered to put him in the Bandeira Nobilitiatis as Freiherr von und zu Langyeardalen. Yes, the man has started to name places for himself ... "
Stefan chuckled.
- "Speaking of devilishly vain people, how is von Bojna-Boreovic doing?"
This time the Kaiser cracked a mouth splitting grin.
- "In his reports he drops heavily vieled hints that he is the Prinz Eugen reborn, and merits to be at least a count. And when he has taken to entering liberated towns riding an elephant!"

Roars of laughter from the emperor's study caused some apprehension amongst servants, not used to such gaiety from their master.

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Borys
Posted: Jan 8 2007, 07:34 AM

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


Wien, June 1904
Bourse Gazette

The South Banat Railroad company announced that this year it will not build any track in the south of the Banat. Instead, on military contract, it will work on ralroad construction, upgrade and expansion of the railroad leading from Temesvar to the most backward and least accessible corner of the Empire, the Szekeleyfold. The Royal Hungarian Railroads will be doing same from the Northwest, from, Uzgorod, as to bring two double track Imperial gauge lines to the picturesque "Switzerland of Transylvania" by end of 1905.