Iberian News

[Logi]

Madrid, from 1899 to Janurary 1900

It was chaos. It had been chaos for two years now ever since the United States of America soundly defeated the Iberian Navy. Iberia, the proud explorer of the Americas and one of the prime powers, had fallen so low as to lose to the former colonists. To add insult to injury, Iberia had Cuba and it's other Atlantic assets wretched from her hands.

The creative, liberalizing decade of the 1890s crashed and the frustration with the evident decline in Iberian power manifested in the various movements that appeared on the political scene.

One of these was the demand for "regeneration" spearheaded by Joaquin Costa. The demand for the regeneration of Iberian strength and the lack of ability to fulfill manifested itself in the growing regionalism of Catalonia and Portugal which grew less confident in the Spanish system that remained at the heart of the Iberian nation. By early 1899, everyone in Iberia was a regeneratist.

Thus there was all sorts of clamor for a true leader to lead the regeneration. But who? The political parties and the population were so scattered that it was hard, to say the least, to sew the pieces together.

One man was able to bring together the conservatives into a Conservative Union under the name of reformist conservatism, Francisco Silvela. He gave a fiery speech in which he illuminated the path to regeneration as reduction in international involvement, reform and purification of administration and elections (from the cronyism of past years), economic development, tax and fiscal reform, and harmonizing of regional interests. Silvela was chosen by the queen regent to become the prime minister of Iberia.

In the midst of a deeply divided parliament, Silvela delivered. Raymundo Fernández Villaverde, Silvela's finance minister, reformed the taxes of the nation and lowered the overall burden while cutting government expenditures drastically.

Despite all the propose in the parliament in Madrid after a week of discussion they were able to pass a balanced budget, reduce the national debt, and stabilize the currency. The budget poured investment into the construction sectors of the country, giving Iberia a heavy industry growth rate projected to be 7.4% annually. The struggling Spanish economy seemed on verge of a breakout.

On foreign affairs Silvela kept his end against all odds, reducing the foreign deployments and size of military. To ensure the safety of Iberia despite the progress of regeneration, Silvela signed another Treaty of Paris on January 12. This time the Treaty of Paris was not an affair of humiliation but one of pride. All signs seemed to indicate that the Iberian government had, with it's back to the wall, pulled itself into shape.

[Logi]

Madrid, February 21, 1900
It was in the midst of turmoil that the message arrived. Although it could be safe to say that progress had been made and the budget had been finalized, all of the government was incredible busy trying to implement it's new policies.

There was great surprise when the newspapers were read though and many in the parliament commented to each other behind closed doors of the possibility of weakness in the British nation and therefore a chance to put pressure on the return of Gibraltar. Many of these suggestions were immediately put down by the reminder that the British military, though without it's main leadership, still possessed the ability to destroy Iberia while fighting with it's arm tied behind it's back.

The monarchy was much less cynical and opportunistic and it seemed the entire household was in panic. After a few moments of confusion, they sufficiently calmed their nerves to write an official communique and request more information on the situation from contacts in Britain.

[snip]

The reply send in response to the request for information from the Iberian royal family was not exactly like that issued to the general public, but still short of the level of detail provided to the military. The Iberians were made known, under strict shrouds of secrecy, that is was in fact no accident but an intentional act of aggression perpetrated by person or persons unknown. They we also made know, with suggestions to share it with the civilian and military leaderships, that Gibraltar like other important military installations had been placed on high alert following the incident.

[Walter]

February 24, 1900

"Did you manage to find out more about the situation in Britain, Don Ventura?" Prime Minister Francisco Silvela asked

Iberia's Minister of State shook his head. "Nothing since the last meeting. Nothing regarding the vague rumors either."

"I see."

"The Brits might know more, but we don't want to poke around too much and be accused of something we did not do. It's a delicate situation. If they want to share information about the incident with other nations, then we shall listen. If not, then we shall remain silent."

"All right. What of construction?"

Minister of Defence, Marcelo de Azcárraga, got up. "According to the reports I have received, everything is going smoothly. All construction is right on Schedule, inculding the elements needed for Proyecto Estrecho."

As Marcelo sat down, Raimundo Fernández-Villaverde got up. "On paper, everything adds up for the first half year. I am already working with Marcelo regarding financing the projects for the second half of the year. Before July 1, we'll know more and we still have just over 4 months to work things out."

Francisco smiled. "Keeping right on top of things and plan ahead. Good."

"I have a few more ideas," Raimundo told. "... but I still have to work those out with my department. I will inform you when I got somthing."

"Okay. I will close this short meeting now." Francisco tapped on his cheek. "I need to visit a dentist."

[Walter]

March 1, 1900

Today, the Iberian Sports Organization announced the names of men who will represent Iberia at the Olympic Games in Paris which will start in May.

- Basque pelota: José de Amézola y Aspizúa and Francisco Villota.

- Fencing: Mauricio Ponce de Léon, who will participate in the Foil, Épée and Sabre events.

- Rowing, single sculls: Antonio Vela Vivó, who will also serve as cox for the coxed fours.

- Rowing, coxed fours: Juan Camps Mas, José Fórmica Corsi, Ricardo Margarit Calvet, Orestes Quintana.

Pedro Pidal y Bernardo de Quirós will also participate in live pigeon shooting, although this event is not recognized by CIO as an official event.

[Walter]

March 20, 1900

The Bank of Valencia was founded today.



April 3, 1900

Six armed men entered a building of the Bank of Iberia in Madrid yesterday in an attempt to rob it. Police quickly surrounded the building and made several unsuccessful attempts to storm the bank which resulted in the death of three policemen and the wounding of seven others.

An end was made to the situation this morning when a group of soldiers of the Segundo Regimiento Conquistadores under the command of Colonel Alejandro Cortés stormed the bank and killed the robbers.


April 5, 1900

With one policeman dying of his injuries yesterday, an investigation was started looking into the robbery event of a few days ago which resulted in the death of 4 policemen.

[Walter]

April 17, 1900
Several new train services were introduced today.
- Lisbon-Madrid-Zaragoza-Lerida-Barcelona
- Cadiz-Cordoba-Madrid-Valladolio-Burgos-Vitoria-St.Sebastian
- Coruna-Lugo-Leon-Palencia-Burgos-Vitoria-St.Sebastian-Irun-France
- Allicante-Valencia-Castellon-Tarragona-Barcelona-Gerona-Portbou-France


May 10, 1900

The cargo vessel SS Presillas Bajas was wrecked near Bermeo in a storm yesterday. All 23 lives aboard the vessel were lost.

[Walter]

May 29, 1900

Groups of astronomers from the Iberian National Observatory along with French colleagues were in various locations in Iberia yesterday to witness a solar eclipse. Several other teams were reported in Algiers as well to observe the eclipse from there. Various measurements were taken by the various teams during the event as well as a number of photographs.



June 15, 1900
Yesterday's I Coupe Internationale held in France ended in failure for Iberia. The Sociedad Iberia de Automóviles-built car lost control just before Nevers and crashed. Driver Juan Miguel Puertas was taken to the hospital but was allowed to leave today.

[Walter]

July 1, 1900
Work started today at Macau's harbor to improve its facilities. Right now, warships visit Macau now and then, but when the work is done, Macau will be able to properly handle and service visiting warships. Work is expected to last for about 18 months.


19 July, 1900
The first line of the Metro de Madrid is inaugurated in Madrid. The line runs from Cuatro Caminos to Puerta del Sol. Construction is still on the way to extend the line from Puerta del Sol to the Atocha railway station and plans are ready to continue beyond the Atocha railway station to Puente de Vallecas. It is expected that the connection with the Atocha railway station will be completed in 1902 and the connection with Puente de Vallecas in 1904

(OTL it was in 1919, but for news articles, I decided to borrow the Paris Metro date instead)

[Walter]

September 14, 1900

Prime Minister Francisco Silvela was reading through the report from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Several days ago a destructive hurricane tore into the state of Texas, decimating the city of Galveston. No doubt this was God's way of punishing the Americans.

He then turned his attention to the American newspaper on his desk and began to read it to see if he could find out more about the hurricane's destruction.

(just reusing an old wesworld picture ;D )


October  17, 1900
A group of land surveyors arrived in Belyounech today from the port of Ceuta. Rumors are that the Iberian Armed Forces plan to build additional coast defenses in the area which will cooperate with the ones at Benzu, a few kilometers to the east.
(Got permission from Jefgte to move the Ceuta enclave border a few kilometers to the west)