Rome Times January 3rd 1914 -
The Italian Firms of FIAT, Ansaldo, and Caproni today announced the formation of a strategic partnership with the firms of Rapp Motorenwerke, Daimler-Gesleeschaft of Bavaria. The Chief Spokesman of the Italian Ministry of Trade had the following to say: "We have been working very hard to get formalize this Strategic Partnership between all these companies. The partnership will address the needs of all the companies involved and lead to an expansion of the capabilities of all the companies, particularly in the areas of Motorized Engines and we will look forward with great interest to the opening of the 1914 Gran Prix motor racing season and the teams being formed by these companies."
The Imperial Palace Rome – Sometime in Late January 1914.
The Actors:
Gaius Marius Camila Emperor of Italia
Lucius Decumius - Commander of the Praetorian Guard
Gaius Marius "Lucius, you said you had new information concerning the attack on My Family and guest and the murder of the Pope."
Lucius "My Liege, I have some news and have been working hard to verify its authenticity. As you know an attempt to run the finger prints and Bertillon measurements taken from the body of the assailant through the systems of our allies in France, and through the systems of Austria, and Iberia has finally been concluded with no results. The assailant evidently was not arrested in any of those countries in the last decade or so."
Gaius Marius Frowning "Is that all you have to report simply a negative, is there nothing more."
Lucius "As I reported to you last week a Pawn Shop owner turned in a duffel bag of a curious nature. Inside were a Passport with no picture and over a dozen 11mm rounds for a French 1873 Calvary pistol. However, our scientists were able after carefully study and several attempts recover finger prints from a passport and some cartridge casings that were turned in by a Pawn Broker. We can now say definitively that the assailant handled the ammunition and the passport. Interrogation of the flop house owner who sold the goods along with another suitcase and some clothing to the Pawn Broker was inconclusive, after a year he remembers the man who rented the room only as a merchant seamen probably foreign and not much else. We have searched the room but its been used possibly hundreds of times since last year and we found nothing further. The only thing we have is the assailant name under which he registered at the flop house Matteo Umberto and if he was a foreigner the name is false."
Gaius Marius "So we now have a name probably false a passport with no picture what do we have left to investigate."
Lucius "We are running down the entry and exit stamps in the passport the investigators think they can learn more by finding out where the assailant was if he was the one actually utilizing the passport, and we have the country issuing the passport. That warrants investigation as well, but all of this will take even more time."
Gaius Marius "Very well continue to oversee the investigation and forward our findings to date to the Austrian and Iberian Ambassadors as we promised."
Lucius Bowing on the way out the door "As you Command my Liege."
The Habsburg Embassy shows signs of happiness of being given something
The Forum Rome: January 1914
The Actors:Titus Fabia Quintillius - Magistrate for Italia East Africa.
Marcus Tullius Cicero – Senator
Titus Caracus Claudia – Senator
Appius Attilius Scapita – Senator
Vibrus Horatius Quirina – Senator
Juguratha Mastanbal - Commanding General of the Imperial Legions
Senator Cicero "Gentlemen, please be seated. I have called you all here to this briefing to here what General Mastanbal and Magistrate Quintillius have to tell us. You have all raised questions about the increases in military spending and readiness levels in our Province of East Africa for this year."
Senator Scapita "Indeed the proposed increase is quite severe what has prompted this request."
General Mastanbal "My Lords, please I have brought Magistrate Quintillius here to answer your questions but I and the Emperor carefully considered these requests before forwarding them to the Senate for approval, Quintillius will you please explain."
Magistrate Quintillius " My Lords the situation in East Africa is becoming more and more unstable. And the main reason for this instability is the state of New Zion. Since its creation it has held great enmity to the Empire and recently has undergone very radical changes. Last year there was a revolt of some undetermined nature and the Army's of New Zion were mobilized. Now normally this would not be of great concern but we did not find out about this mobilization for days if not weeks after it occurred. If this mobilization had been aimed at either our Colony of Burundi or the Colony of Eritrea the forces there without sufficient time to mobilize might have been over run before they could be reinforced. This is the reason why I have requested additional funding for readiness exercises and for Intelligence assets. We need to have more warning in the event of an attack from what I can only classify as an unstable nation."
Senator Cicero "What was the nature of this revolt do you have any additional information."
Magistrate Quintillius "We have been unable to determine the exact nature of the revolt in New Zion but we have noticed a few refugees from New Zion that have inadvertently crossed our borders. It appears most of them were heading for Egypt. These refuges and a few paid informants paint a very inconclusive and fragmented picture. I have reports of a revolt against the King of New Zion. Another report indicates a revolt by the Muslims or Christians against Zionist rule. I can only conclude that we need to take reasonable precautions to insure that what ever instability is occurring in New Zion doesn't spread across our borders."
Senator Claudia "And these reasonable precautions they are going to cost Italia how much?"
General Mastanbal Handing out some reports "As you can see Senators some of the proposed money would be utilized to improve the Infrastructure of the area and has already been approved in the long range planning section of the Military Budget we will simply be accelerating some already existing plans. The Individual Units in Italian East Africa will unfortunately be receiving an alert upgrade and that will indeed cost more then originally projected. We hope that this will be a temporary measure only until such time as we can identify the cause of the instability within New Zion."
Senator Cicero "Gentlemen, I have discussed this problem privately with Consul Maximus and his opinion is that until such time as we can provide sufficient warning for the Legions stationed in Burundi and Eritrea to match any Zionist mobilization we simply must increase our readiness state in East Africa. His personal recommendations have been appended to the report in front of you. After you've read the report please talk to me if you have any questions. But I feel it will be necessary to approve the Emperor and General Mastanbal's additional funding request!"
So the gist of it is New Zion has been revolting in the past?
Hmm thats not a good attitude for peaceable relations
:)
QuoteSenator Claudia "And these reasonable precautions they are going to cost Italia how much?"
It's amazing howquickly troop costs add up, isn't it ?
Take 1 measly Corp from Active to Mobolized Status and few more from Reserve to Active and low and behold your facing a floor fight in
Congress... the Imperial Senate.
Attention Mr. and Ms. Europe and all Ships at Sea.... news flash Zionists are revolting.
So your saying the above statement is true but in how many differnt ways. ;D
Quote from: Kaiser Kirk on October 25, 2008, 11:21:57 AM
So the gist of it is New Zion has been revolting in the past?
At present too - and in all possible ways ...
Borys
Quote from: ctwaterman on October 25, 2008, 12:34:21 PM
So your saying the above statement is true but in how many differnt ways. ;D
Hmm let me try counting in "Troll"
One...
Too...
Mani...
Unfortunetly, I don't have any spies in the Senate (or do I?), or else there would be a party in NZ after seeing how much money the Italians will be spending.
Well since there no party in New Zion, it is obvious that they do not have a spy in the Senate... or they do have a spy in the Senate and they just have not released the information to the public in order to make it look like they do not have a spy in the Senate. :)
Rome – March 1st 1914 Great North African Cross Country Race
The Empire of Italia in conjunction with the Republic of France today announces the establishment of a Motorized Cross Country Race from Oran to Algiers and on to Tripoli. The race will be established in 200 Mile legs. Each 200 Mile leg will end with a stop where fuel, maintenance, food and water may be obtained. A Purse of $3 has been established for the sponsors or owners of the top 3 finishers.
For more information and registration forms please contact the Italian Embassy nearest you.
Rome Times - April 13, 1914
Emperor Gaius Marius announced today a new treaty formalizing the borders between the Kingdom of Bavaria and the Empire of Italia. In addition the Emperor announced the Engagement of his Grandson Tommaso Cecilo Filberto Giovani Prince of Savoy to Princess Gundelinde Maria Josepha of the House of Wittelsbach.
The Wedding is scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 4, 1915 to be held in St. Peters Basilica Rome.
18 April 1914: Rome TimesQuoteGran Colombian motorcar enthusiasts Ramon Salazar and Angel Ortiz have confirmed that they will be entering the North African race announced in these pages last month.
The pair placed eighth in the last significant international racing event, the 1,100 km Trophaenrennen Afrikanisches that ran from Nairobi to Dar-es-Salaam in 1904.
Senor Salazar noted, "It was a considerable pleasure for us to travel through the DKB at high speeds, running into competitors and locals on the way. We look forward to a similarly enjoyable experience in North Africa."
(Race link: http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=886.msg5818#msg5818)
Swiss Adventurer Baron Munchausen, currently residing in New Zion, will enter the race in a car of his own design. He too is a veteran of the 1904 Trophaenrennen Afrikanisches. Pay no attention to his camera totting assistant...
There are a few Orange participants, two with Rolls-Royces, two with Durban Motors trucks, but all of them private adventurers - the manufacturers were discouraged from official participation.
The myriad of automakers in Greater Bavaria (mostly Wurttemberg) are considering entries, including Horch's Audi (three time winner of Alpine Challenge), Benz & Cie (World land speed holders), Daimler, NUS and Opel.
Quote from: Kaiser Kirk on November 03, 2008, 12:16:21 PM
The myriad of automakers in Greater Bavaria (mostly Wurttemberg) are considering entries, including Horch's Audi (three time winner of Alpine Challenge), Benz & Cie (World land speed holders), Daimler, NUS and Opel.
I believe not all of them are in Bavaria.
Quote from: P3D on November 03, 2008, 12:20:28 PM
Quote from: Kaiser Kirk on November 03, 2008, 12:16:21 PM
The myriad of automakers in Greater Bavaria (mostly Wurttemberg) are considering entries, including Horch's Audi (three time winner of Alpine Challenge), Benz & Cie (World land speed holders), Daimler, NUS and Opel.
I believe not all of them are in Bavaria.
All are in Greater Bavaria. Daimler and Benz & Cie are near Stuttgart, in Baden-Wurttemberg. Audi is in Zwickau, Saxony. Opel is in Russelheim, the part of Hesse Bavaria has. NSU Motorenwerke AG is in Necklarsulm, near Stuttgart.
There are several other motor companies in Greater Bavaria & Swiss- Moterwerke Berna AG, Magirus Feuerwehrwerke, Adolph Saurer AG, A. Horch & Cie, C. Benz Sons, M.A.N. AG, and I think I'm missing some other Swiss companies.
Some of those brands (IIRC) have been appropriated by France or Baltic Confederation, you should do a quick search if they appeared before.
One George M. Hanson of Atlanta is working hard to organize sufficient investment to enter a new prototype of a six-cylinder touring car in the North African race. He hopes that a good showing could be a springboard to more investment to allow him to open a factory for such cars in the near future.
I am sure that Russo-Balt will have an entry or two.
Possible Drivers:
Sergey Dimitrievich
Alexander Alexandrovitch Vetchinine
Possible Cars:
Russo-Baltic C24-58 Ogyretz(1913)
(http://home.comcast.net/~bellerik/russobaltc24-58ogyretz1913.PNG)
Russo-Baltic C24-55 (1911)
(http://home.comcast.net/~bellerik/russbaltc24-55rallimontecarlo1911.PNG)
Quote from: P3D on November 03, 2008, 01:33:34 PM
Some of those brands (IIRC) have been appropriated by France or Baltic Confederation, you should do a quick search if they appeared before.
Ahh I hadn't considered that some might have been appropriated, simply looked for companies within my national boundaries in this time frame.
Quote from: Kaiser Kirk on November 03, 2008, 02:04:12 PM
Quote from: P3D on November 03, 2008, 01:33:34 PM
Some of those brands (IIRC) have been appropriated by France or Baltic Confederation, you should do a quick search if they appeared before.
Ahh I hadn't considered that some might have been appropriated, simply looked for companies within my national boundaries in this time frame.
Brandenburg appears to be the biggest culprit.
With Daimler and Opel of Brandenburg, Benz of Ostafrika, etc. A Benz & Company Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik is listed as introducing the Parsifil. Maybach announced Daimler's Mercedes, etc. Maybach and Karl Benz are mentioned in Brandenburg's news. A Daimler automobile factory is noted in Dar-es-salaam.
Carthaginian mentions a Daimler Manufacturing Company (Long Island City, New York), but that does not seem to be in reference to the Navalism timeline.
All and all I do not see reasons the above can't be subsidiaries and license holders from the parent companies, based where they were in reality. The announcements of the Parsifil and Mercedes can simply be when they pioneered in Brandenberg. This would involve no ret-conning.
BMW is mentioned once, though the company wasn't founded until 1917, Rapp Motorwerke is the current incarnation :)
August Horch was apparently appropriated by Orange in 1890, so Audi and Horch & Cie. are gone.
The various Greater Bavarian companies will enter the following 4 cars:
(Audi is Horch's and thus Orange, NSU...just didn't have a good candidate)
Benz & Cie : 1913 Benz 82/200 driven by Hermann Lange
21.5L 4-Cylinder engine 200hp (same as the Benz Blitzen)
Touring car with 2.8m wheelbase
Daimler : 1914 Mercedes Rennwagen 18/100 driven by Christian Lautenschlager
4.5L 4-Cylinder Mercedes aero engine 115hp
single cam, 4 valves/cylinder, 3100rpm, V Radiator, shaft drive.
5 speed transmission,
Grand Prix car with 2.85m wheelbase and Continental tyres
Daimler : 1911 Mercedes 37/90 driven by Otto Salzer
9.53L 4-Cylinder Mercedes engine 90hp
single cam, 3 valves/cylinder, 1300rpm, chain drive
4 speed transmission
Touring car with 3.38m wheelbase
Opel : 1914 Racer driven by Carl Jörns
12.3L 4-Cylinder Opel engine, 260hp, 4 valves/cylinder
purpose built race car
Ah.... lots and lots of entrants good.... I think the actual race cars will have some trouble as there just arent any good roads were these cars are going.... ;)
This is a cross country endurance race and hopefully we wont loose more then half the cars to complete breakdowns and broken frames. This wont be quite as bad as the 1908 around the world race. But expect the cars to carry tents for shade extra water, extra fuel, Spare Parts, and
The Prize Break Down is as follows
| First Prize | $ | 1.5 |
| Second Place | $ | 1.0 |
| Third Place | $ | 0.5 |
I will be working on the Leg Layouts latter tonight as well as my troublesome budget.
Don't forget the Great Peking to Paris race. Five started, four finished!
Quote from: ctwaterman on November 03, 2008, 09:26:36 PM
Ah.... lots and lots of entrants good.... I think the actual race cars will have some trouble as there just arent any good roads were these cars are going.... ;)
Oh I expect you're right. Thats why I went with the touring cars for most of them, more capable of such a trip. None of the cars- even the racers- are delicate, but such races tend to be about endurance and luck.
France will enter the race with 3 differently modified Panhard-Levassor towncars.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Panhard-Levassor_X18_1912.jpg)
Extra fuel, oil and water reservoirs will be replacing the rear seats.
Further modifications depend on the driver and mechanics insight.
I forward the notion of the BMW being around.
Check what the acronym stands for :)
I'd even throw in Koeniglich, for KBMW.
Or is slapping Koeniglich or Kaiserlich on everything a Habsburg malady?
Borys
BMW- Bayerische Motor Werke.....
In Poland, due to large fan base amongst criminals, also understood to mean: Banditen Motor Wagen :)
Quotebut such races tend to be about endurance, luck, and running other competitors off the road
Fixed.
QuoteDon't forget the Great Peking to Paris race. Five started, four finished!
Too late, I forgot. When did that happen?
*evil Laugh*
Roads.... where were going we dont need roads
The Peking to Paris race was in 1908 in OTL. Surprising results for a race that spanned an entire continent, crossed the largest desert in Asia and the vast forests of Siberia.
Rome Times - February 1st 1914
The Ministry of Military Affairs today announced the formation of two new Army Groups for the Defense of the Italian Colonies in East Africa. These two army groups to be known as East Africa Army Group North [EAAGN] and East Africa Army Group South [EAAGS] will be receiving an upgrade of both there mobilization status and there Equipment Issue.
In addition these units will be undergoing an early summer exercise to test there new equipment and Elements of the 1st Alpine and 22nd Legions will depart Italy to act as the aggressor force in exercises designed to train units to deal with the problems of modern warfare and covering lessons learned from the battles of the recent Central European War.
In addition the Ship Yards of Brindisi and Accona today anounced and agreement to build 3 new 1000 Ton destroyers to drawings provided by Italian Designers to the requirements of the French Ministry of Defense.
Taranto Times August 15th 1914
The Italia Marina today announced the arrival of the first of several submarines purchased from the Confederate States of America for the purpose of evaluating the technology and training purposes. The subs will begin full time training operations with multiple crews in the near future.
The Rome Times August 1914
The Public Affairs Officer for the Italia Legions released the following press release today. "Do due the continued unstable conditions in East Africa the Empire of Italia will be extending the duration and scope of the maneuvers scheduled for this summer in the Empire East African Territories. The Empire would like to stress that these training maneuvers are defensive in nature and involve the troops stationed in East Africa preparing to defend the territory of the Empire of Italia."
Rome Times - October 29th 1914
The Empire of Italia would like to welcome to Historic Venice the CSN Overseas Squadron under the Command of Admiral Joseph Wainright CSN. The City of Venice will be turned out and a holiday declared to welcome Italia' Allies on there Historic around the world tour. The CSN Overseas fleet consist of the Battle Ships Oklahoma, and Arizona, the Cruisers Hatchitigbee, Bukatunna, and Opelika and the Protect Cruisers Charlotte and Nashville. The warships were accompanied on there around the world tour by the CSN Fleet Oiler Spruce.
Diary of Private Enrico Salvatore 1st Squad, 2nd Company 3rd Cohort VIII Legion Imperial Infantry.
July 1st 1914 I know I signed up for adventure and to see foreign places but this is outrageous. I thought the legions would be about marching and drill and well maybe exotic dancers and drinks in North Africa. Instead I'm somewhere in the misbegotten hinterlands of East Africa. And instead of more training with the Machine gun or the rifle which might at least be interesting the new Sergeant has a practicing what he calls the basics of real soldiering. That is digging foxholes, bunkers, trenches and privies. In the last week since the exercises began our unit has spent more time marching and digging in then we have firing our weapons. I should describe our new Sgt. He has to be at least 6 feet tall and coal black. His name is Sgt Dubako and he is supposedly from the North African colony of Tunis. Evidently his father was in the Legions and now he's in the Legions and heaven help the man who does something that embarrass Sgt Dubako or his precious Legion. Because as the good Sgt says on Sunday our Souls belong to the Chaplin and God but the rest of the weak or Ass's belong to him.
July 14th 1914 Oh how I envy the pilots flying about in their planes. I spent the afternoon today watching them sailing effortlessly over our lines it broke the tedium of sentry duty. Well at least it did until Sgt. Dubako caught me as he called it malingering again watching planes instead of the ground for a supposed enemy. Well at least the surgeon says I will be restricted to light duty for a few days while the blisters heal. So perhaps I will get a chance to watch the planes fly over us again tomorrow there are so many different varieties of them and it appears such a carefree life up in the morning breakfast a brief flight along the lines back for lunch and another flight before dinner. I think I'll look into a transfer to flight school, I mean how hard could it be to learn to drive one of those kites around the sky and it certainly has to be cooler up there then down here. Besides if the Sgt catches me malingering again he promised to let me dig the command bunker and the latrine all bye myself instead of just the latrines. It seems the good Sgt. is upset by the Legions outlawing of the lash.
July 31st 1914 I understand that Sgt Dubako and Capt. Cornelius Quintus Spurius want to keep our training realistic but realistic Chemical Warfare training that's going to far. It seems an order from someone up the chain of command instituted the practice of using an Old bunker to get "us" troops ready in case someone uses chemical weapons is just torture. Something called a tearing agent was burnt in the hut and we had to stand there for 10 hole seconds before putting our masks on. Maybe the training will prevent casualties in the future but what about the casualties now. I mean myself and at least half the squad spent an hour puking our guts out and nearly blind. Once that was over Capt. Spurius spent the rest of the afternoon lecturing us on what the different chemical weapons were, what they smelled like and what one should do besides getting a Gas Mask on. I am not completely sure which was worse the actual gas or the lecture.
Ave Dubako! Moritari te salutant!
Absoloutely Not they need permission to die... and Dubako isnt going to waste all the effort hes spent beating common sense into these troops by letting them die quickly and easily..... And he better not catch any of them Salutant-ing him hes a Sgt and works for a living not one of those effiminite officer types. :D ;D ;)
The Rome Times – December 1st 1914
The Great North African Cross Country Race will tentatively be scheduled for August 1915, official notification of acceptance into the race and of official rules will be sent to applicants no later then June 1915.
Across the World –
In embassy and diplomatic enclave the world over but even more at the Royal Palaces of the Worlds Monarchy' simple Cream White Envelopes begin arriving with simple gold trim and hand calligraphy addressed to the Royal Families in question.
The Letter contains a card and a return addressed envelope - The Card says "You are hereby Invited to the wedding of Princess Gundelinde Maria Josepha of the House of Wittelsbach to Tommaso Cecilo Filberto Giovani Prince of Savoy. The Wedding is to be held Sunday April 4th, 1915. It will be held in the Pauline Chapel in St. Peters Basilica Rome. Please RSVP."
The Imperial Palace Rome – Early December 1914.
The Actors:
Gaius Marius Camila Emperor of Italia
Lucius Decumius - Commander of the Praetorian Guard
Gaius Marius reading from a report and is apparently very angry. "Lucius is the information contained in this document valid."
Lucius "My Liege, my investigators have checked into the validity of the accusations and the statements included. While we cannot confirm the complete validity of the statement we have no evidence or reason to doubt the information!"
Gaius Marius shaken "So the conclusion is that the attack was deliberate, why would they do something so fundamentally stupid?"
Lucius "We simply don't know why they did what they did simply that it is logical that they were involved. I have a plan to get more information and my agents are currently trying to find a more reliable source of information but this will take time. Do we have that time?"
Gaius Marius "No,
still visibly angry we don't have a lot of time. Continue the investigation and get me pen and paper I have some personnel letters to write and send for the Publius Rutilius Rufus, he has some messages to send as well. But the results of the investigation can await the results of these more critical actions! I will not tolerate this affront!"
Lucius Bowing out the door while scribes and secretaries scramble into the room "As you wish my Liege I will take the necessary actions."
Jose Alizandro will be thrilled - he won't have to attend another wedding with that bratty little Hapsburger girl.
Technicly New Zion IS a monarchy, but I would assume said invitation got 'lost' in transit?
Hmm... so apperantly they did manage to pin the blame on New Zion. No wonder the Iberians are upset.
The Rome Times- December 26th 1914
After Roman News Papers copied the Headlines from Several Prominent Habsburg newspapers yesterday crowds gathered across Rome to demand answers from the Imperial Government and the Senate. Several less savory crowds began to gather near many of the Synagogues, Shuls and Temples within the Roman Empire only to find that units of Police, or Army had already been dispatched. Some violence against Jewish Citizens and residence within the Empire occurred and many of those responsible have been arrested. This has marred the usual festive Roman Christmas season.
A Spokesperson for the Imperial Senate had this to say "The Government of Rome is aware of the evidence and the accusations made against the State of New Zion and is taking appropriate action. However, Rome will not tolerate attacks against its loyal Jewish Citizens or Residents they are not at fault and anyone moving to harm them in the security guaranteed them in their persons or property under Roman Law will face the full might of the Government of Rome. In addition the Emperor has dispatched Consul Spurius Valerius Maximus to a meeting of Governments in Paris to state the position of Rome on this matter. Your Government asks you to return to your jobs and homes and to remain calm and to refrain from violence against your fellow citizens."
In other News –
Yesterday celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the Assassination of Pope Pius X and still no news as to who is responsible. There we memorial masses and morning across Rome and Italy today following the news out of the Habsburg Empire that New Zion may have been responsible for the attack on the Pope.