2 July 1907: The Cromwell CitizenQuotePresident Rey Alizandro and Governor Maxwell Butler were on hand at the Cromwell Naval Yard for the keel-laying ceremony of a new cruiser yesterday.
The Westmoreland class protected cruisers* are fast, capable vessels intended to work with the armored cruisers of the Commonwealth Contingent and their counterparts in the Pacific Fleet. Their speed and firepower will be used to defend against hostile torpedo-boat attacks and for scouting and shadowing enemy formations at sea. Four such units have been ordered, one of which, the Trelawny, was laid down in Montego Bay to less fanfare.
The cruisers are the largest vessels to be laid down in the island since the Superb was commenced eight years ago. Although this is in part due to a lack of need for larger construction out of our capable yards, it has also been due to the need to better integrate our local techniques and equipment with that of their mainland counterparts. The ultimate test of this integration will be in the eventual replacement of our indigenous armored cruisers, an event that appears to be a few years off yet.
*In the absence of a naval treaty defining a "light cruiser", Gran Colombia views the Westmoreland class as an evolution in the historical protected cruiser...
15 July 1907: La Prensa NacionalQuoteJust weeks after its completion, the Protestant Church of Saint Paul in central Cartagena has been seriously damaged by a fire that broke out in the early hours of the thirteenth of this month.
Up to seventy firefighters were involved in combating the blaze, which was first observed by passers-by at approximately two in the morning. Although the stone structure remains largely intact, fire, smoke and water combined to destroy much of the interior woodwork and art, and a number of stained glass windows commemorating the work of Saint Paul were destroyed as firefighters sought to gain access to the Church.
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire, but rumors in the street suggest it may have been deliberately set. The Cartagena Constabulary confirmed that it is treating the matter as a criminal act, though it did not identify any possible suspects as of press time.
28 July 1907: Cartagena"I'm pleased to say that the Pimichin Canal opened to traffic four days ago", Industry Minister de Soto informed his colleagues and the president. "The first river steamer, carrying ten tonnes of flour and several passengers, made a southbound passage two days ago."
"Well done!", President Alizandro replied.
"Excuse me – where is this place?", asked Sir Edmund Fitzroy, Minister for Jamaican Affairs.
"It's about eighty kilometers south of Puerto Inirida, just southwest of the Highlands", de Soto answered.
"Ah, so Amazonas del Sur*, then", Fitzroy remarked.
"Actually, no – Amazonas del Norte*", de Soto corrected him. "We dredged some tributaries to the Orinoco and Rio Negro, and where the two are separated by just a few kilometers, we employed a penal labor force to dig out a canal suitable for river steamers and barges. We can now send small craft directly from Puerto Inirida – which is connected to the railway system, mind you - all the way down to the Amazon river."
"Useful for trade and commerce", Fitzroy noted.
"And for settlement and defence", de Soto added. "Settlements have been established at both ends of the canal itself, since there are locks to maintain. We can also expect that some settlers will make their way to the river system and decide to settle along the way."
"And yes, having another route down there is good for defence", Minister Ricardo Alizandro agreed. "We didn't want the Mitu-Amazon Railway to be the only domestic link from the Heartland to Amazonas del Sur. Railways can be sabotaged – canals, not so easily. It also reduces our vulnerability to Iberian interference on the lower Amazon, if something were to come up."
"How far off is the railway?", Fitzroy asked.
"About two years. We're working from both ends now, but the major obstacle is actually building the bridge over the Rio Japura. There's a large wooden trestle being constructed and it's quite the undertaking."
"It will be quite the sight when it is completed", de Soto agreed. "I look forward to eventually being photographed there at the opening of the railway."
"Out of curiousity", Foreign Minister Torres interjected, "What exactly are we going to be doing with the seven thousand New Swiss soldiers we have been using for labor on these projects? I am not aware of any further mega-projects requiring their contributions"
"That's an easy one, Eduard", President Alizandro answered, "We don't know yet. We're contractually bound to keep them for a five year period, but I really don't know how we go about sending them home afterward without pissing off their government. It would almost be easiest just to shoot the lot of them."
"I am certain we can do better than
that", Minister Torres grimaced.
"When you come up with something, you let me know", the president said.
*Amazonas del Norte is the historical Venezuelan state of Amazonas; Amazonas del Sur is the historical Brazilian states of Amazonas and Roraima.
6 August 1907: Cartagena
"According to my officials, there have been at least thirty documented cases of religiously-motivated criminal acts in the past month: all but one targeting Protestents", President Rey Alizandro announced, waving a sheet of paper at Cardinal Juan Rodriguez.
"That is unfortunate", the latter replied.
"Oh, please", Alizandro snapped. "I've been at mass. I've heard you speaking. You're inciting this."
"I'm inciting nothing", the cardinal stated serenely. "I'm speaking about the threat posed by the heretical sect in Jamaica to the mortal souls of our countrymen. If a few misguided individuals make disparaging remarks about the heretics, it will come out in Confession and they will atone for their sins."
"We are not discussing disparaging remarks", the president growled. "You know this. We are talking about acts of arson – including two churches – as well as vandalism, assaults, and one case of attempted murder. This has to stop before it gets out of hand, or it'll fracture the nation."
"So stop it. Outlaw the heretics", Rodriguez suggested.
Alizandro scowled. "Don't be nonsensical. I'm not going to take government action against the Protestants. It's not how we do things."
"Hypocrisy is sinful, Rey. That is precisely what you did with El Dorado."
"We didn't move on El Dorado because of their religious bent, Cardinal. We moved on them because they were a threat to national security."
"We did?", the cardinal exclaimed. "Quaint. I thought we attacked El Dorado because they were devil worshippers on our soil."
"They were a rogue group threatening national security, as demonstrated by their assassination of my father", Rey said.
"Their purported assassination of your father", Rodriquez corrected. "My point stands: the Protestants are creating unrest in the land. You should take the bold action you took against El Dorado and stamp them out before they cause our downfall."
"Cardinal, rest assured that anybody seeking to cause our downfall will be stamped out, whether Protestant or Catholic", Rey said flatly. "Keep that in mind when you prepare your address for this Sunday's Mass."
18 August 1907: The Yucutan Channel, West of Cuba
The patrol sloop Arismendi was plowing south, on route for the island of San Andres, when the call came down from the crow's nest: "Sir! Some debris on the port bow, 'bout half a mile out!"
The sloop's commanding officer, Teniente Isidro Sancho, had already seen a wide variety of garbage on this busy shipping lane, but since the lookout had bothered to comment on it, he called back, "More than usual?"
"Aye, sir! Might be wreckage!"
Sancho considered how to proceed. His schedule was rather tight, a dinner with the governor of San Andres standing out in particular. Poking around some flotsam and jetsam for an hour or two put that timetable at risk. On the other hand, if a ship had gone down, a quick inspection would, he assumed, reveal its identity. That,in turn, would allow him to send a useful report up the chain of command - useful in the sense of identifying him as a dutiful officer with initiative, if nothing else.
"Ring for all-ahead one quarter", he called out. "Senor Lopez, where off the bow?"
"Seventy degrees, sir!", the lookout replied.
"Come round to port, then", Sancho said to the helmsman. The sloop's speed was already falling off as it turned to the east. "Constables – break out the boat hooks. Haul aboard anything that might give us a name." The dozen Naval Constables took up positions, two groups of three on each beam, and waited.
The first item drifted by, a modest crate that was nearly submerged. One of the constables reached out but the boat hook didn't quite reach it. More items came into view: pieces of wood, scraps of cloth, occasional crates.
"Body in the water, sir! Fine on the starboard bow!"
"Stop engine!", Sancho barked. "Bring it aboard."
"Come starboard ten degrees, Sir!", the lookout suggested. The helmsman acted without waiting for Sancho to confirm the order, as the constables readied themselves. A few seconds later, one of the loaders at the forward sixty-five pointed down to the water and the constable extended the boat hook downward.
"Got it!", the man exclaimed, and his two comrades lunged forward to help him. It took six of the men a minute to lift the body three and a half metres out of the water and on to the quarterdeck.
Sancho was waiting when the corpse was deposited in an expanding pool of water on the edge of the wood deck. It was a gruesome sight – made worse by the fact that the body's hands were clearly bound together behind its back. Sancho swallowed back bile and looked forward to the radio shack. In an unsteady voice, he called out, "Sparks, get our position and send in the clear that we're investigating an suspected act of piracy."
28 August 1907: El SolQuoteEl Sol recently received an exceedingly rare opportunity: a chance to meet with one of the nation's little-known treasures, the scientist Professor Mysterio.
We are, naturally, unable to disclose the specific city in which Professor Mysterio's facility is located; national security concerns preclude such information. Sufficed to say, his facility could be closer to you than you might think.
We are greeted by a security agent in disguise, who examines our credentials and conducts a thorough search of our persons. Satisfied, he directs us through another checkpoint into the heart of a top secret research facility.
Professor Mysterio could be your neighbour. With only a white lab coat to distinguish him, he resembles a friendly uncle or elder relative. His handshake is brief; he displays nervous energy in the form of tapping feet and constant humming when not speaking. "Welcome to my facility", he says to us. "Here I am tearing away the veil of ignorance from our world, revealing the previously unimagined secrets of God and nature - secrets we may turn to the greater glory of Gran Colombia."
He leads us through a large room, where attentive technicians probe at devices unlike any we have ever seen. The hum of electricity is a background as the professor ushers us into a colossal vault guarded by stern men in pastel cotton suits. Lining the vault are shiny metallic boxes, each perhaps half the size of a shoe box. "This is the current stockpile of output from Project Mudflap: two weeks for a battleship, two months for a cruiser."
We ask what the contents of the box are; Professor Mysterio purses his lips. "Unfortunately, I can not say; but it will revolutionize the field of naval logistics forever."
He leads us back out into the main room, as the electric lights dim and a massive bolt of lightning leaps from one metallic object to another at the other end of the room. "Project Sideways", he remarks absently. "Still in the early testing phase."
We stop at a chalkboard, where the professor gestures at a stream of text and diagrams. "This is something we term Project Humbug, though to be honest, it's really more of a collection of projects, each directed at one potential enemy of Gran Colombia. The goal of the project is to negatively
influence enemy civilian morale through selective removal of cultural icons." We recognize the icon on the chalkboard; it is, indeed, quite a famous icon, and its 'removal' would no doubt cause considerable confusion in its homeland.
"You'll no doubt recognize this icon. It happens to be of particular interest to me due to its potential relevance to Project Ringworm. Unfortunately, we seem to be on agreeable terms with the current owners of this artifact, so are not likely to obtain it any time soon.", Mysterio comments. "There is really no mystery to removing it - it's a simple matter of physically transporting its components to a new location in Gran Colombia. The real challenge, which requires scientific analysis, is to determine which icon will affect a nation the most. I have devised a mathematical formula, which I can not show you, that does exactly that."
At this point, we ask Professor Mysterio something every civilian no doubt wonders from time to time: "How do you assign code-names to these projects?"
The professor nods sagely. "We have a fool-proof system devised which involves randomly selecting words from a Norman dictionary."
"Why Norman?"
"The premise is that very few Gran Colombians speak the language - so if somebody starts asking around about a project and is pronouncing the name correctly, he's likely a foreign spy."
Enlightened, we move on to where a metallic device looms over a caged rat, illuminating it with a beam of red light. "This is Project Porkchop, our death ray. Well, one of them. As you can see, we have already perfected the ray projection aspect of the technology. We're now moving on to increasing the lethality of the ray such that it becomes quantifiably in excess of background electromagnetism."
"Is such a weapon ethical, professor?"
"Ethical? Does this rat seem to be in any pain or distress?", Mysterio asks by way of response. We concede that the rat does not seem to be perturbed at all. "In the greater scheme of things, it is not for me to question what is ethical or not ethical. I am merely a scientist and inventor. I trust our government to use advanced destructive devices in a responsible manner that betters Gran Colombian society."
We agree with this sentiment, and prepare to continue the tour. Unfortunately, it seems it is about to conclude. "I do apologize. We're about to test Project Earthquake, and it would be better for you to be outside, just in case the effects of the test exceed our predictions. We wouldn't want you trapped in the rubble with us", he says.
We thank Professor Mysterio for his time and his dedication to national security. He shrugs off the praise. "I'm just doing my part", he says modestly, and turns away to continue working for our collective security."
2 September 1907: Southeast of TrinidadThe Armada ponderously shook itself into line of battle.
Three protected cruisers, line abreast, led the Poderoso, Resuelto, Valiente, Insolento, Audaz, and Astuto. Three more cruisers, also line abreast, trailed the battleline. Further back, the battleship Helene followed the Battle Fleet, an observer rather than a participant in today's proceedings.
The last full-scale shooting exercise had been in early 1905, and that had been truncated due to one or another of the many crises that rattled the world that year. Prior to that, the last full length "Shoot-Ex" had been in 1901; the threat of war with Spain and France had precluded such an undertaking, since the exercise area, Punta Waini, was quite a ways from Cartagena and the Canal.
It would be the last Shoot-Ex for Audaz and Astuto. Popular though they were with their crews, the old battleships were virtually worn out, and would be off to the breakers in mere months once Invencible and Irresistible completed their trials. Admiral Morales felt a bit of loss at the thought; on the other hand, replacing eight 27 cm guns with twelve 30.5 cm guns would more than make up for it.
"The Battle Fleet is in order, Admiral", one of his many aides reported.
"Very good. How far are we from the firing range?"
"Approximately three thousand yards from the closest marker buoy, Sir", another young officer replied.
The Battle Fleet was already at Action Stations, but the dozen gun turrets remained trained fore and aft. "Signal the Fleet to train weapons to starboard and prepare to open fire", Morales instructed. A signals officer repeated the order, followed by a muffled voice aft of the bridge. Poderoso's forward turret came around slowly as the overgrown wetlands of the Guyanese coast began to give way to the sparsely-treed mudflats of the target range. Twenty-four large-caliber guns soon threatened whatever wildlife had braved the pockmarked clearings.
"Signal the Fleet to fire as they bear", Morales ordered. His eyes slid over to Captain Escobar, who repeated the order to his own crew. Poderoso's aft turret thundered, followed a second later by the forward turret. Inert dummy shells punched brown geysers into the air above the target range as seabirds erupted into panicked flight. The stench of cordite permeated the bridge as the wind and the battleship's course brought the gunsmoke across the deck and aft. The roar of Resuelto's guns commenced about half a minute later as her guns came to bear; in three minutes, all six battleships had fired broadsides and were now shooting at a relatively intense rate of a round per ninety seconds.
The shoot continued for fifteen minutes. The protected cruisers had nothing to do but hold formation and watch - they were in position to repel torpedo-boats, but none of the latter would be involved in the exercise. On Helene, cadets lined the rails to observe the spectacle as the target range was churned into a wasteland once more. "Signal to secure guns. Hoist to come round to zero-four-five but await my mark", Morales called out. The orders were repeated as he waited. Each battleship secured its guns in due course in the usual fashion - by belching out their contents.
"Execute course change", said Morales, and Captain Escobar gave the order as the signalmen aft brought down the signal from the mast. Morales crossed the bridge and stepped out onto the portside observation platform to watch his battleline. Resuelto made the turn at the appropriate time. Valiente did likewise. Insolento came around a bit slowly...and Audaz and Astuto continued on for a full minute, firing broadsides, before executing the turn they'd been ordered to make.
QuoteTo: Admiral Ruiz
From: Vice-Admiral Morales
Re: Shooting Exercise, 2/9/07
Sir,
As you aware, the Battle Fleet carried out a shooting exercise at Punta Waini on the second day of September. As planned, the exercise was conducted in line of battle, firing inert rounds. The fleet's course was approximately one-three-five at a speed of ten knots. The weather was mostly sunny, with a five knot breeze blowing approximately northwest. The fleet engaged the target for nineteen minutes.
A full report is appended; however, I want to specifically point out the aftermath of the exercise, which was somewhat alarming. I gave orders to come round to zero-four-five after securing the guns. Upon executing the order, the three leading units of the battleline made their turns as expected. The fourth unit turned several seconds late. The final two units in line failed to execute the order, causing the line to be split in two.
Upon further discussion with my captains, I was advised that the aft three battleships had difficulty observing signals from the flagship, on account of the great degree of gun and funnel smoke and the obstruction presented by intervening vessels in line. The fourth unit in line, Insolento, was aware of a course change, but could not read the exact heading included in the signal. The captain of Audaz did not receive reports of the signal at all, and was well past the turning point before realizing the situation. He chose to secure his guns before coming around. Astuto did receive the signal, but her captian elected not to execute until the preceding Audaz had done so, lest a navigational issue be created.
I am not particularly pleased with this outcome, but do not see much fault to be laid at the feet of the captains in question. Low visibility is clearly an issue we will need to address, and I have two recommendations that immediately spring to mind:
1. Introduction of gunpowder that generates less smoke.
2. Changes to signal protocols, perhaps using a cruiser on the unengaged beam to relay signals as frigates once did in the age of sail.
As we are now in the process of steaming from Puerta Espana to Cumana for port calls, it is too late to test the second of those ideas in action at this time. However, it is something I would recommend be tested with the Scouting forces in their exercises later in the season.
7 October 1907: Cartagena
(Note: I'm allowing for some communication lag...)
"What's the situation in the Pacific?", President Alizandro asked.
"Quiet and tense", Benicio Delgado replied. "We have no reports of incidents since the Dutch secured a portion of the Peruvian ships two weeks ago."
"Which doesn't mean there haven't been any", Ricardo Alizandro noted.
"Our people in New Switzerland have been given the access we requested", Foreign Minister Torres stated. "I have received a preliminary report b y telegraph and the sailent points are: the passengers appear not to have been abused. There is an ample amount of gold aboard and appears to be of Caliphate origin, given the stamping. Some of the paperwork associated with the cargo seemed to be missing."
"That could be the Swiss or the shippers", Ricardo sighed.
"Yes", Torres agreed.
Defence Minister Alizandro rolled his eyes. "My naval attache has seen motion pictures taken during the primary clash with the French - other reels from a ship engaged by the Dutch are still being developed. The attache confirms that the French commence gunfire first, but do so at point-blank range. Prior to that, the French appear to be engaged in a blinker light conversation with the Swiss."
"So we're getting a fairly consistent picture of what happened, but not why", the President mused.
"Aside from the missing paperwork, and the ownership of the vessels in question, there is no obvious evidence of piracy on the part of the convoy", Minister Torres commented. "Given the consistent messaging about this supposed Indian cruiser, the Black Pearl, the presence of the gold, my inclination is that the Swiss are, for all intents and purposes, guilty of piracy."
"Did they abuse civilians? Not that I particularly care, in this case, but the question is out there", Rey remarked.
"As noted, our man in New Switzerland says they did not. The Dutch have refused us access - whether out of genuine humanitarian concerns or to protect a lie would be the question."
"The Dutch and Swiss may be sizing each other up", Benicio Delgado noted. "The Kra Canal has been a sore spot for some time, not to mention the failed Triple Alliance. War is not out of the question between those two, even if the French look to be examining alternate means of satisfaction."
"I assume the basic view remains the same: that Gran Colombian interests are not threatened?"
The ministers shook their heads. Minister Escalante helpfully added, "A war in the Pacific should affect commodity prices nicely: rubber futures, for instance, are already on the upswing."
"War is good for business", Minister de Soto smiled. "Speaking of which - should we now be shutting the canal to Dutch traffic?"
"Probably", the President conceded. "They are involved. Otherwise, I'm still not inclined to get involved at this time, even if certain diplomatic personnel are name-dropping isolated and potentially vulnerable colonial possessions in our region."
"You give me heartburn when you say things like that", Ricardo groaned.
Edit: Changed date to reflect Swiss declaration of war later same day.
17 October 1907A notice from the Ministry of Industry, sent to all maritime states:
QuoteThe Republic of Gran Colombia is pleased to announce that a standing offer has been issued for the ships that have reached the ends of their useful lives.
Gran Colombia will pay $0.01 per thirty tonnes [light displacement] of military-grade shipping, or fraction thereof.
For civilian-grade shipping, Gran Colombia will pay $0.01 per one hundred twenty tonnes, or fraction thereof.
Note that the rates assume the ship is undamaged; damaged ships will be of lesser value.
Industry Minister Sebastien de Soto notes, "Consider a UNK D-class protected cruiser as an example. If scrapped, that vessel would be worth $0.34. We'd buy that ship for $0.65, giving the seller a premium of almost one hundred percent that they can then invest on their current priorities, without tying up a precious drydock."
Minister de Soto concedes that this rate is not always going to be competititve, but: "How big is the market for a twenty-year old ship with triple expansion engines when they'll need to be refitted or reconstructed and still be slower and less capable than a modern ship of less size? And do you, the seller, really want more warships out there to defend against? Do you want your name attached to whatever stigma the new owners inflict on those ships? There's a risk in selling arms which can be used against you later.
"Gran Colombia offers cash in return for the security of knowing that these ships have been broken up for scrap. Just contact us six months in advance of your proposed sale, and we'll talk business."
25th October, Marineamt, Pola
Linienschiff Kapitaen Zweitehaendewagenverkaufer read the Colombian Ministry of Industry communique, translated at the Foregn Minsitry in Vienna, rubbed his five o clock shadow and made a thoughtful "hmmm ... " sound.
"More changes to the 1908 program, I'm afraid", Admiral Ruiz informed Vice-Admiral de Irujo.
"At least this time it's you proposing it", de Irujo replied. "What now?"
"I received a letter from Industry: that standing offer for scrap got jumped on by somebody. They're ponying up over [$15], but have convinced Finance that it should come out of the Defence budget since it'll ultimately benefit us."
"Cute", de Irujo remarked. He did the math. "Are we buying somebody's navy or what?"
"Not far off. Anyway, it's the two forts here and at Montego that will get the axe for now. We can bump up some torpedo-boats to use the idle capacity, since the lead-time necessary before construction isn't great."
"I can make that happen", de Irujo agreed. "Are the forts on the books for a later date?"
"I think we can do Cartagena in '09. Depends on how we sequence the scrapping. That remains to be seen."
"Let's hope nobody else sells their navy to Finance", de Irujo intoned.
Quote from: The Rock Doctor on June 05, 2007, 08:11:58 AM
Defence Minister Alizandro rolled his eyes. "My naval attache has seen motion pictures taken during the primary clash with the French - other reels from a ship engaged by the Dutch are still being developed.
OOC: And as i know the conditions ofthat shot, i know that if anything somes out of it, it is a fake.
Trying to get any reasonable resolution on a ship 40-50hm away in front of the raising sun, without tale lens is pretty much impossible with 1907 technology, hell it is bloody hard with the cameras of today. But it makes it quite easy to retouch the images to say show a signal you want to show...
I'll keep that in mind if/when I see that film...
11 October 1907: Cartagena
"So - now that the Swiss have declared war with the Dutch, over an incident far less severe than the one they provoked with France et al, what are out next steps?", asked President Rey Alizandro, watching the downpour of rain outside his window.
Behind him, his uncle said, "Well, I'm sure there's been some shooting since the seventh, but I've heard nothing specific. Nothing in our parts. I've got a battle squadron at Esmeraldas just in case, though."
"With Canal access suspended, we ought not to see much in this region", Benicio Delgado replied. "The Dutch could well send raiders around the continent to target Swiss traders or ships supporting the other canal. The Swiss might send raiders around to attack Dutch shipping in the Caribbean. Either is a proposition that affects only a fringe part of the adversary, while risking intervention from ourselves and other neutral parties."
Industry Minister Sebastien de Soto said, "We implemented the new Canal access restrictions promptly and without incident. The Dutch have requested access to the canal to verify that we're being 'fair' in our restrictions."
"That's rather...uppity...of them", Minister Escalante pronounced. "It's our canal. We'll do as we please with it."
"Yes, but I saw no particular harm in some basic access to transit records and visual observations from Colon. The Swiss can do the same in San Miguelito for all I care", de Soto answered.
"So long as nobody starts demanding inspection rights", the president said. "If that happens, they're persona non grata and their inspectors are on the next boat out."
"Yes sir", de Soto said. "Now, I know we're benefiting from higher commodity prices, since significant portions of the world's trade in rubber and the like come from the war zone. I would think there's also an opening in the market to service Caliphate and Firanji shipping needs..."
"How's that?", asked the President.
"The Caliphate hired the Peruvians, who've not demonstrated that they can protect their own shipping interests. They were escorted by the French, who've not likely impressed the Caliph or Thrawn with their determination to avoid war. And while they may appreciate the Dutch efforts, using Dutch ships for their transportation needs risks Swiss trade warfare."
"Clearly that applies to any shipping carrying Firanji goods", Ricardo Alizandro noted. "The Swiss aren't very fussy."
"Perhaps a SWOT analysis would be in order", Benicio Delgado suggested.
"Sure - make it happen", the President replied.
17 October 1907: Cartagena
The President was...fidgety.
The first couple years of his tenure had been frenetic, exhilarating affairs: facing off with France, defeating the Anahuac, maintaining order while half the world fell off its collective rocker. The last year or so, though...well, there'd been progress. Amazonas del Sur was almost linked by rail to the Heartland, Jamaica and Cuba were being amalgamated fairly well...the thing with the Church was annoying, but the Cardinal had backed off lately.
He'd been looking forward to implementing a creeping takeover of Liberia, but the Foreign Affairs types had concluded that it risked annoying the CSA on account of their historical links to the place. Since the CSA had been a generally good neighbour, it hadn't made sense to throw this away for a couple million people and a handful of cacao plantations. The plans had been dropped. Plans for Nigeria hadn't progressed nearly that far - Foreign Affairs couldn't put together a coherent picture of that place, which suggested a great deal of investment risk.
Nevertheless, he had an urge to do something, and it took some time for the right word to present itself: grow. That was it; Gran Colombia had to grow in order to maintain its status and security. But growth through internal industrialization was not really an option - the Heartland, at least, was amongst the most industrialized areas of the planet. Overall, the policy wonks at Industry had demonstrated that Gran Colombia trailed only the CSA in terms of industrialization.
No, it made more economic sense to add to the population, then industrialize the newcomers. Since it wasn't feasible to bring large numbers of newcomers into Gran Colombia's cities - other than those in Amazonas del Sur - Gran Colombia would have to extend its jurisdiction to external populations and industrialize them where they were.
He rang the bell beside his desk, and his secretary quickly appeared. "I need you to take a few notes", Rey told him. The secretary ducked out to fetch a notepad, returning to sit in one of the big chairs opposite his desk.
"Have Foreign Affairs formulate what they think would be reasonable offers to France and the Netherlands for their Caribbean holdings. I also want their analysis of the Norman colony at Sierra Leone and whether it's worth an offer."
"Yes, Senor President", the secretary replied, making scribbles on the notepad.
"Miscellaneous Affairs had that idea about the Middle Kingdom. Get them to dig out the briefing materials and forward them to me."
"Yes, Senor President."
"Also, get them to do the same analyses for...say...Nigeria and India."
"Yes, Senor President."
"Oh, and have Foreign Affairs brief me on the various leftovers of the Union del Sur America."
"Including the DKB and Rohirrim protectorates, Sir?"
"Yes. Have the protocol office check into the availability of the USA ambassador for the next week, in case I decide to meet with him."
"Yes, Senor President."
The secretary left to perform his errands and the President leaned back in his chair. That was better. He'd put some lines in the water and see if there were any nibbles. Perhaps Gran Colombia could reel something in.
*studies worm, knowing there's a hook in there somewhere*
Nope, just a big, juicy worm. Go on, try it...
(on that note - can't help but notice that Coquimbo has no population, IC, or BP: what exactly is the DKB holding there? A lake?)
I originally had it set up with pop/IC showing in the reports, but, IIRC, I was informed the population there is <1.
24 October 1907: Cartagena
"Five hundred on number six", President Rey Alizandro said.
"I'll take number three for two hundred", Senora Alizandro said.
The First Couple looked over at their guests. "I will place two hundred on number seven", Alexandre Jardan stated. The aide bowed and disappeared from the viewing box to place the bets.
"Have you been to the track before, Senor Jardan?", Rey asked.
"I have, but only infrequently", Jardan replied. "My posting tends to place considerable demand on our weekends - it's rare to have a weekend without a social event of some variety." He didn't bother to mention that he and Louise had been scheduled for a dinner party with several local mining executives this day; when the President of the largest power in South America sent a personal invitation, one re-arranged one's schedule.
Rey leaned back in his seat, waving abstractly at the track before them. "They call it the sport of kings, but it can be the sport of presidents also. The finest horses, produced by generations of careful breeding. The nimble jockeys, trained to get every last bit of exertion and effort from their steeds. The cheering throngs in the stands. My father brought me here when I was just seven. I've loved it since."
"I came to it much later in life", Jardan responded. "Not all of my postings were to locations with such facilities. Our time in Brazil, for instance."
"A shame. Granted, I don't get out here as much as I'd like, either. Too much work when one's running a country, as you'll recall. This business with the Swiss and Dutch, for instance."
"That is a tricky situation", Jardan concurred. After two hours of watching races with the President, he wondered if they were now at last getting down to business.
"I do appreciate the restraint France is showing thus far - especially in limiting the geographic scope of its...escort duties...to Swiss shipping."
"I will pass that on to Premier Paixhans", Jardan noted. "Being a civilized nation, Glorious France does not wish to resort to wanton violence every time events are contrary to our interests. Alternatives can be found. Your decision to close one side of your nation to each belligerent seems an innovative approach for maintaining trade while keeping them apart."
"I thought so", Rey replied. Down below, the crews were still working on the track: the usual October rains had turned the track to mud, and so some maintenance was proving necessary for the safety of horse and rider alike. "I suppose that it may help the Dutch to a point - it renders Surinam somewhat more secure from Swiss raiders."
"Colonial outposts can be difficult to defend if one has to concentrate one's military weight elsewhere", Jardan observed. "Even for a nation of our might, it can be a challenge."
"Yes, I've had that thought", Rey said. "France has several colonies in the region - Haiti, Guyana, and the West Indies islands. They offer no particularly unique exports to France other than, perhaps, sugar, nor is there a substantial mineral and industrial sector. Yet France has to maintain a significant armed presence in the region to defend the territories and their two million or so inhabitants. Expenditures for defence probably equal or exceed the income your government receives from tax and royalties."
He paused, and Jardan decided not to say anything that might distract the President from wherever he was going with this.
"In times of peace, you can purchase commodities such as sugar on the open market. In times of war, you have to defend a trans-Atlantic shipping route against whatever raiders your foe may deploy", Rey continued. "I would suggest to you that these colonies are a liability for France, and as a man with many connections to industry, you know that liabilities are discarded whenever possible."
The two men looked at each other for a few seconds. Jardan finally asked, "Are you suggesting that France discard its Caribbean departments?"
"Not quite. I'm suggesting France sell them to Gran Colombia. Now, recognize that I'm not a salesman, so my persuasive techniques aren't very sharp. Still: France can continue to import commodities in peace and war because you would import them from us."
"Unless we are at war with you", Jardan gently observed.
"True - but with France no longer a land-owner in the region, the likelyhood of this would be much reduced. What would we have to fight over? Furthermore, as our two nations develop deeper economic links and find ways in which to do business, such as those battleships we're buying from you for scrap, it creates greater economic incentive for us to be on good terms in general. In the long term, you will save money on defence expeditures that more than offset the infrastructure you've installed at Port-au-Prince and Cayenne. In the short term, you would no doubt find the purchase price very useful in dealing with national spending priorities."
"Noting that I am not negotiating, but merely seeking information to pass along to my government, let me ask a couple of questions", Jardan requested. "Do you have a proposal in paper? If so, does it include a proposed financial offer and effective date of sale?"
"I have it in my office", Rey replied.
"Then I will contact my government and determine if they wish to receive the offer."
...and a few days later, a Gran Colombian Ministry of Information official in Paris invites the editor of le Monde out for a working dinner to discuss advertising rates...
3 November 1907: Cartagena
President Alizandro ushered Alexandre Jardan into his office, offering him in turn a cigar, a brandy, and a coffee. Jardan was content to accept that last offer, and eased into one of the leather armchairs across from the President's desk.
"I have advised my government of your offer for Haiti, Guyana, and the West Indies", Jardan began. "Curiously, it seems another party has submitted a higher bid for Haiti."
Alizandro let out an exasperated sigh. "Let me guess: the Confederates."
Jardan raised an eyebrow. "I can neither confirm nor deny that, of course. But it is certainly a good guess."
The president waved his left hand, the enclosed cigar leaving an arc of wispy smoke curling through the air. "My foreign minister had been discussing affairs of mutual interest with them. Haiti came up as a place they'd like to acquire, and my people decided it would be a good idea to tell them about our bid, as a courtesy to them. Obviously it didn't occur to them that Richmond would go behind our back, did it?"
"Apparently not", Jardan agreed. "I would suggest that there is some risk in sharing one's foreign policy objectives with potential rivals."
"Good fences make good neigbours, right? Avoids trouble like we're seeing in the Pacific. This is the second time we've mentioned our intentions to Richmond and the second time they've balked at them."
"The first being?"
"Liberia", Rey said. "We had some ideas, mentioned our basic intentions to Richmond as a courtesy considering their historical links with the place, and they objected. So I backed off; no big deal, right? Well, my people brought up Haiti and Richmond objected again. Considering they've not said or done anything about Liberia since that excursion, I wasn't inclined to walk away this time. So they went behind my back."
Jardan nodded. "An unfortunate development."
"Gives me a measure of the man in office over there", Alizandro replied.
"This being the case, I am instructed to ask whether you wish to reconsider a bid for Guyana and the West Indies - with the caveat that there is some resistance within the government to even considering such a bid."
"I'll have my people re-examine the matter and get back to you", Alizandro replied.
*Cartagena, Gran Colombia*
"THEY DID WHAT? WHY WASN'T I INFORMED?" The Ambassador to Gran Colombia thundered to the aide that State had sent him. It wasn't really the boy's fault... he hadn't done anything, but he was the mouthpiece of those who had, and thus bore the wrath of the man who had been wronged.
"Sir, the Department didn't have the time to get a message to you. The Congress acted without informing them, and they then reacted as best they could... that was sending me rather than a telegram."
"Still, I'm made to look like a lier to these men... ruining my reputation and YEARS worth of diplomatic efforts to ensure a stable environment in the Caribbean. I hope to God that the Colombians do not take this as cause for war! They are a proud people- you've seen my wife when she feels she's been the victim of sharp dealing- and that's a damnably likely response.
Send a VERY humble letter requesting an audience with their government... at whatever level might be willing to hear us at this point. I don't care if it's the man who sweeps the floors and empties the spittoons- something MUST be done, and quickly."
From: The Ambassador to the Confederate States of America
I most humbly request an audience with a representative of the Gran Colombian Department of State in order to discuss the incredible turn of events that has recently occurred in the midst of our negotiations. In light of this egregious error and breach of protocol on the part of my Country, I would attempt to avert any further unpleasantness, and if at all possible, to turn what appears disastrous into a situation by which both our nations might find profi
"Find a place in my schedule to meet with the Confederate ambassador", Foreign Affairs Minister Eduard Torres instructed his secretary.
"You're open at three tomorrow, Sir."
"Too soon. Find something next week, please."
*Cartagena, Gran Colombia*
Letter sent to the French Ambassador in CG from the CSA Ambassador:
"Ambassador Jardan,
I was informed by your office that your Excellency might be able to offer your expertise and assistance in this regrettable situation that has arisen between the Confederate States of America and the Republic of Gran Colombia. My office humbly requests such, in hopes that the participation of yourself and Glorious France might lend to our negotiations a portion of the considerable wisdom and honor commanded by both yourself as a man and Glorious France as a nation.
Please reply at the earliest possible moment, time is of the essence.
Pleas consider me to be,
your MOST humble servant,
Archibald James Bulloch, Amb. Ex. & Plen.
The aide sputtered "Next Thursday? That's OUTRAGEOUS. How can they expect us to conduct business like that, Sir? They may as well have refused to see us at all!"
"In the words of God Almighty, boy, 'Peace... be still.' This is the kind of thing that we tactfully omit in our more successful reports to you gentlemen. When trouble arises, the length of time that they force you to wait is in direct proportion to their level of anger. Since they are telling us to wait a week, they are very angry. We must, MUST, bide and we must bide well. No anger or confrontational displays between any of our staff and any of theirs. Hell, if anyone here passes their most junior JANITOR on the street, I want them to tip their hat and let him have right of way.
Just because Richmond has no scruples, people, doesn't mean that we should not.
Our scruples are the only thing keeping us out of a dozen wars a week."
Jeez, even the Swiss have managed to avoid a dozen wars a week - thought not for lack of trying.
This guy is just making the point to his juniors that sometimes, it's the careful words of one man that can save an empire... or doom it.
I know - I'm just kidding. Anyhow...
Next Thursday - say, 12 November 1907
Foreign Affairs Minister Eduard Torres ushered Senor Bulloch into his office. "Coffee? Brandy? Cacao?" The Confederate official opted to stick with coffee, perhaps having heard that Torres had his cacao prepared the old way, with pepper and other spices.
"I do apologize that it took so long to see you", Torres stated as they took two seats at a mahogany table. "The ongoing war requires a certain amount of my attention, as it no doubt also occupies your people. So - how may I be of service?"
22 November 1907: Cartagena
"I need to advise the Cabinet of a recent development in our territorial acquisition efforts", Foreign Affairs Minister Torres stated, looking and sounding distinctly uncomfortable.
"The Confederates give up on Haiti?", Ricardo Alizandro asked.
"...No", Torres replied. "Negotiations continue, with some French facilitation, and it seems the CSA will likely end up with Haiti while we acquire Guyana and the West Indies. That, however, is not the development in question."
"I wasn't aware we had any other programs in place that would produce a development so soon", President Alizandro remarked.
"Nor was I", Torres said wearily. "However, it seems some of my officials interpreted their instructions...broadly. Consequently, we have purchased the Cook Islands from the DKB."
"We what now?", the President exclaimed.
"We purchased the Cook Islands."
The President stared at his foreign minister. "I take it that these are somewhere to the west?"
"Loosely speaking, in the northeastern corner of the DKB maritime boundary", Torres said. "Just south of New Switzerland, and just west of French Polynesia."
"Oh, good. In the war zone", Ricardo Alizandro noted.
"...Yes", Torres concurred.
"Probably why they sold it. Weren't they sniffing around your doors?", Industry Minister de Soto asked.
"They'd been asking about buying our training battleship, which I wasn't going for, but I don't see the connection", Ricardo said.
"Ah. So - dare I ask - what do we get out of the Cook Islands?", de Soto asked of Torres.
"There are modest exports of pearls, fish, and fruit", Torres replied. "It will also be positioned to function as a coaling station for our trans-Pacific shipping."
"Is there a port?", Ricardo asked.
"Not that I am aware of", Torres said. The Defence Minister rolled his eyes. "A modest port is easy enough to construct", Torres added.
"Alright, alright", Rey growled. "Enough. This whole file is not going particularly well, Eduard. Sufficed to say one of your officials is about to be deployed to a new and unpleasant posting. In the meantime, find me a nominee for governor, and get me some options for military garrisons."
29 November 1907: La Prensa NacionalQuoteAn Armada task force has set sail for the Republic's latest territorial acquisition, the beautiful Cook Islands in the central Pacific. The islands were acquired last week from the DKB.
The armored cruiser Campeon led the procession out of Esmeraldas, accompanied by the protected cruiser Guyana, patrol sloops Puerto Berrio and Lerida, tender Malachite, and three chartered steamers bearing a battalion of the V Infantry Corps and the territory's new governor, Arturo Valera.
Valera, former mayor of Quito, told this reporter, "I look forward to this new challenge of bringing this remote island group's native population into the Gran Colombian family. I am certainly thankful for the opportunity, and will do my best to live up to the expectations of our great President."
Valera took the opportunity to introduce his military commanders, Major Benigno Galtieri and Capitan de Fragata Rafael San Martino. Galtieri is a combat veteran of the El Dorado campaign, while San Martino has extensive experience in Pacific operations. San Martino will helm the Cook Patrol Group, consisting of the two aforementioned sloops and tender, plus harbour defences as they are installed.
The Cook Islands are located some 5,400 miles west-southwest of Esmeraldas. The group's estimated five thousand residents are scattered amongst fifteen islands, the largest of them, Rarotonga, being site of the capital town, Avarua. The islands are exporters of pearls, produce (copra, citrus, pineapples and yams amongst them), and fish, and there is an expectation that the islands will be developed as a coaling station for our merchantile fleet.
*Edited to add a tender, since there are no port facilities that I know of.
Hmm those islands had 'conflicting' claims...
Yes, indeed. And I think tight now is the best time for Switzerland to dispute the claim (as they are the only one to do so).
Gran Colombia is not aware of any pre-existing Swiss claim to the Cook Islands, and considers them to be undisputed Gran Colombian territory as a result of the lawful sale by its previous owner, the DKB. Should the islands not fit into Gran Colombian national interests, a subsequent sale may be entertained - but not to a belligerent involved in the ongoing war in the region.
Note to Mods:
The Gran Colombian squadron is expected to arrive at Rarotonga on approximately 27 December, allowing for one coaling stop along the way (probably French Polynesia). The squadron will maintain an ample number of Gran Colombian flags aloft, and the ships will be well lit at night - to avoid any unfortunate incidents of mistaken identity. The ships generally be at a readiness state just below "General Quarters", and live ammunition is aboard all vessels.
(Hmm, the map needs to be fiddled with, as it only shows German Polynesia...)
Korvettenkapitan Hans Strudel, the Naval Attache to France for Brandenburg, was flustered. "Ambassador, let me get straight to the point. That battleship you bought for us. Were you not aware that the Frenchies had already sold him to the Colombians?"
The Honourable Kanryu Takeda, Ambassador to France for Brandenburg, calmly stirred his tea. "Indeed, Kapitan Strudel, I was quite aware of this. And so was the man who sold it to me."
"What?" Strudel couldn't believe his ears. "You know how Latins are about honour! And the Colombians will only see this as an insult. They paid for four battleships, when they only get three and see us get one they might decide to do something about it! We're trying to dangle bait in front of their noses, in case you hadn't..."
"Peace, Kapitan, before you explode like a Filipino volcano." Takeda chuckled. "Formidable will reach Gran Colombia before he reaches us." A fluffy white cat scampered across the room and leapt into his lap. "And one shall become two."
"I don't understand."
The cat purred contentedly under Takeda's stroking. "Not understanding is exactly the point, my friend. Tea?"
3 December 1907
Three men on a nearby yacht stared as the armored cruiser Guardia churned past them at flank speed. Whether they were enthralled with the sight of the warship, or intrigued in the effect its wake would have on their smaller vessel, Captain Ortega could not say.
To the northeast, along the horizon, was the Darien isthmus, the town of San Miguelito, and the Pacific terminus of the Darien Canal. Though nominally based further south at Esmerldas, Guardia and her counterparts were running regular patrols up this way. The reason was rather simple: New Swiss merchant ships were still making port here - one of the few places in the Americas that they could. And while Cartagena really didn't care whether somebody picked off Swiss merchies on the high seas, they most definitely did care if somebody did it just outside Gran Colombian waters.
"That's a Swiss tramp off our port bow, Sir", a look-out informed Ortega.
"Flash 'im. See if it's him that called in the alarm", Ortega replied. The blinker light on the port wing clacked out its signal; the Swiss response came shortly after.
"That's the one, Sir. Says they thought they saw a cruiser to the west an hour or so ago."
"Inquire about his cargo."
"Fruit", the signalman soon reported. "Picking up rubber and lump iron for the return haul."
Ortega grunted. "Helm, come round to two-seven-zero once we're past the tramp."
"Aye, sir."
Ortega didn't really think a Dutchman, Brandenburger, or Hapsburger would be prowling just over the horizon, but it was a possibility. There might also be a Swissman, for that matter, keeping watch on its civilian counterparts. There might, also, not be any kind of warship at all, at least when Guardia showed up. Civilians were not always very good with their Jane's recognition charts.
"Sir - Action stations?"
"No", Ortega replied. "Visibility's good. Nobody's going to surprise us. We'll remain at normal readiness unless we see something unusual. Sparks - send to El Tigre that we're investigating the reported unknown cruiser."
The fortress informed, the Swiss tramp now past the port beam, Guardia heeled hard to the port and steered west to look for ships that shouldn't be there.
4 December 1907: Cartagena
"The Swiss have not reacted to our response on the Cook Islands", Eduard Torres advised the President. "I would presume this means they will not be pushing the matter while they are at war."
"Well, the squadron has its orders just in case they do", Ricardo Alizandro drawled. "But yeah...doesn't seem like a good move on their part."
"It's funny that the Brandenburgers didn't mention the ownership dispute", Industry Minister de Soto observed. "Our officials should have done their proper due diligence, of course, but effectively, the Prussians were selling us damaged goods. It kind of makes we wonder, you know."
"Wonder what?", the President asked. "If the Brandenburgers were trying to set up a conflict between us and the Swiss?"
"Yes", de Soto replied. "They've already made that same kind of offer to us that the Swiss did, the whole 'assistance in return for islands' deal. And...so far as I can tell, at least, the Swiss are holding their own so far. Maybe the DKB is getting a little desperate to tip the balance."
"You think they'd resort to that?", Minister Escalante asked.
"Why not?", de Soto replied. "Bear in mind how picking up the Cooks works for them - it give them a cash infusion far in excess of the short-term tax revenues of the islands, plus they don't have to defend it, plus it puts a neutral in between them and the Swiss whom they might manage to push into the war on their side."
"That sounds far-fetched", Torres said, "Though not impossible."
"Right. So I think we need to watch out in case either of them try to stage an incident", de Soto said. "In fact, I think we should be doing a little preliminary contingency planning."
"Hold on, hold on", the President intervened. "What's in it for either side to risk our wrath in hopes of gaining us as allies?"
"Access through the Canal, for a start", Benicio Delgado said. "Right now, the two sides can only get around the Americas via the Cape. If we join a side, they can cut weeks off a transit and threaten what is otherwise a relatively quiet front for either side."
"Militarily?", Rey asked.
"The Armada is not insignificant, though not nearly as powerful as we'd like. The Ejercito is probably less important, depending on the situation", Ricardo said. "Put it this way: If we joined the Europeans and Chinese, we'd be looking at power projection across the Pacific to Alaska, Hawaii, or the Swiss Home Islands or undertake a trade war. None of those easy tasks, but doable. If we joined the Swiss, the issue's somewhat simpler. Heck, we can walk into Surinam at our convenience. Then there's a heap of little Brandenburger and Austrian enclaves dotting the coast. Those would be ripe for raids or landings."
"We are losing sight of the help we obtained from the Brandenburgers and Hapsburgers in Brazil not so long ago", Torres cautioned. "It would be dishonorable to turn against them for the sake of quick territorial gains."
"In the case of the Hapsburgers, I agree", de Soto said. "They're playing clean pool, far as I know. It's the other bunch that might be playing fast and loose. Keep in mind, also, that the Dutch might start getting persnickity about our exports to the Swiss. So if you don't want to consider ops against the Hapsburgers, fine - I won't belabour the point. But we should consider possible plans for the DKB and Dutch."
"Very well", the President said wearily. "Let me repeat what I've said before - I don't want to get involved in this. But, Ricardo, have your people draw up contigency plans just in case we do."
Count von Bülow playing dirty pool? Perish the thought!! ;D
(ooc: actually I only noticed the dispute after the fact when I went back and noticed the PMs DFox and I had exchanged regarding island ownership - at the time the bumbling now-ex-envoy-now-on-a-fast-boat-to-Ost-Afrika made the deal, I was going strictly by the map.)
I'm sure that's (probably) true, but the Gran Colombians may not be so easily convinced...
6 December 1907: Cartagena
"Naval Intelligence has picked up this tidbit from a source in France", Admiral Ruiz advised Ricardo Alizandro, handing the Minister of Defence a sheet of paper.
The Minister failed to note the expression on Ruiz's face. "The French are planning to build a hundred thousand tonnes worth of battleships", Alizandro read. "Okay, so probably four battleships."
"Er...not quite", Ruiz said. "Perhaps re-read it, Sir."
Ricardo went through the document again, stared, and read it a third time. "The French are planning to build a one hundred thousand tonne battleship?" Looking to Ruiz, he asked, "You're shitting me, right?"
"No, sir - surprisingly, I'm not. The intel is reliable; the French are actually thinking about this."
"But that's ridiculous", Ricardo protested.
"I agree - but you know the French are on the bleeding edge of over-sized national pride projects", Ruiz replied. "I asked Vice-Admiral de Irujo's design teams to suggest a possible springstyle anyway. I'm told they did so over several rounds of beer at The Rusty Anchor early Saturday."
"Uh huh", Ricardo said.
"So the premise is that the French are limited to existing facilities. Length is limited to 270 metres, and draft to 10 metres. The team then estimated the beam at 55 metres, with a bloc coefficient of around zero point seven."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"It means it would be a big, fat, blocky hull, like a barge. The armament is estimated at-", and Ruiz paused to suppress the urge to grin inanely, "Sixteen guns of thirty-eight centimetres in eight twin turrets, two forward, two aft, and two on either beam. The secondary armament is estimated at sixty-four fourteen centimetre guns in hull casemates. Oh, and sixteen submerged torpedo tubes.
"Armor would be as thick as practical - thirty-eight centimetres for the end, main, and upper belts, conning tower, and turrets. Ten centimetres on the deck. This would be thick enough to be impervious to all but the largest naval guns; it's about the thickest armor a mill can roll at present.
"We're estimating a maximum speed of twenty-one knots - with a range of some 22,000 nautical miles. The designers figure this is necessary because the ship would be too large to make port and coal at a number of French ports worldwide; she could probably also top up the bunkers of her escorts."
"Something that big would take a while to sink", Ricardo mused.
"We're ballparking about forty-five torpedoes", Ruiz replied. "The ship's normal displacement is estimated at 104,000 tonnes - about the size of all nine battleships we have in service at this time."
"Could the French actually do this?"
"Theoretically, yes. But the engineering would be daunting - just launching something that size would be a monumental feat. Plus, to be honest, we're looking at a construction time of around nine years." Ruiz looked down to his notes. "Oh, I forgot my favorite part of this: the designers reckon there would be room aboard for a regiment of a thousand ship's troops, plus the boats necessary to land them."
"So a battleship and an invasion force", Ricardo said.
"Correct."
Ruiz could see the mental gears whirling in the Minister's head. "Okay...", Ricardo said. "I'm not going to waste your time asking for our own response. Just feel free to hint to the French that we're all very scared and hope that France never, ever, builds such a thing."
"Your sarcasm is noted, Sir", Ruiz replied.
Quote from: The Rock Doctor on June 29, 2007, 11:54:12 AM
6 December 1907: Cartagena
Looking to Ruiz, he asked, "You're shitting me, right?"
I love the Colombians :)
Borys
24 December 1907: La Prensa NacionalQuoteOn the eve of the Navidad, President Alizandro informed a gleeful nation that the new year will bring with it three hundred thousand new countrymen.
"I am pleased to announce that the Republic of Gran Colombia and the Deutcher Kaiserreich Brandenburg have come to terms regarding the transfer of jurisdiction and ownership of the territory of Coquimbo. We will be welcoming our new countrymen into our great nation on the first day of 1908."
Coquimbo, a former province of the greater Union del Sur America, broke away from that nation in the turmoil of two years ago. The ethnic Spanish population initially sought amalgamation with the DKB, but in discussions with Gran Colombia, it was agreed that the territory would better fit into our great republic's political and cultural framework.
Terms of the deal were partially disclosed. Of note, the DKB was in the process of constructing a railway system in the territory. Rather than having Gran Colombia terminate work and start fresh with our standard narrow guage system, the DKB has agreed to complete the rail system over the coming year. For this the DKB generously agreed to waive the costs, in return for which a surplus protected cruiser will be transferred to Brandenburger control.
A governor has not yet been named for the territory, but is expected to be selected in consultation with the DKB. A small convoy* will shortly transport a modest garrison and naval patrol unit to the city of Valparaiso, the territory's capital.
*That small convoy consists of four passenger ships, transporting a regiment of IV Cordilleran Corps and some diplomatic personnel. It is escorted by two patrol cutters that will be stationed at Valparaiso, as well as the armored cruiser Sentinela, a protected cruiser, and a collier. The convoy was dispatched in order to arrive at Valparaiso on 31 December, in time for a handover ceremony the next day.
29 December 1907: Cartagena
The Cabinet was only meeting once over the holidays, unless some emergency were to take place, so the agenda was light and the meeting went briskly.
"Any other business?", President Alizandro asked.
"One item", Industry Minister de Soto replied.
"Fire away", the President replied.
"I was looking over the naval projections for the coming year and something came to mind. Ricardo, am I right in understanding that two Audaz class battleships are to be scrapped shortly?"
"Yeah", Ricardo Alizandro replied. "The Invencibles have completed their work-ups and are in service. We've technically already deleted Audaz and Astuto from the roster, we just aren't bothering to start scrapping them until after the holidays are over."
"Is that necessarily the best thing to do?", de Soto asked.
"I suppose we can start earlier, but it doesn't make much difference."
"No, no. I mean, is scrapping them the best thing to do?"
Ricardo's eyes narrowed. "We're counting on the scrap value of those two ships to support our 1909 program. If you've got something else in mind, maybe you'd better just spit it out."
de Soto ignored the tone in the defence minister's voice. "I do have something else in mind. The Swiss have been hounding you to sell them ships, right?" Ricardo nodded. "Well, the DKB was inquiring about our ability to build new ships for them. There's obviously a market. Why not make them available?"
"There's that neutrality thing", Ricardo replied. "Which one would you sell to?"
"I don't suggest selling them. I had in mind a public auction", de Soto stated.
"That's prepost-", Foreign Minister Torres began to retort.
"What, cash and carry?", the President asked.
"Open up to any kind of bid, so long as we can attach a value to it: cash, technology, territory, ships...", de Soto replied.
"There's still that neutrality thing", Ricardo noted.
"Who says we end up selling them to a belligerent? Maybe somebody else will want them. Hell, we can always have some small print to the effect that we don't have to accept the highest bid, or whatever."
"This is not a good-", Torres began again.
"It bears thinking about", Rey replied. "I'll get back to you all. Meeting adjourned."