Kaap Kourier, January 2 1917
With the new year begins the "hot phase" in this so far rather quiet political campain.
The last law and resigning of the currently absent government left the established fractions in turmoil. Several parties might not make it into the new Senate while new fractions emerged from the crowd of the "kaffirs" and others who want to use their newfound right to vote.
Wednesday morning, 10th January 1917
Beira military harbor drill ground
One hundred and five Romanian seamen and officers were lined up in the middle of the large sqare between the barracks and the docks. The air was glittering in the sun which stood already high in the north.
Three men, two of them wearing light Orange Navy tropic summer uniforms, were coming towards them from the administration building.
"Seems like noone told them it's summer here right now", mumbled Clemens Cornielje, the medium sized man not wearing a uniform just before they all saluted.
"Welcome to the Orange Republics Naval harbor of Beira. I'm Commandeur Mircea Geoan?, your Liaison officer and translator for the next few week." began the tall slender 'leader' of the Orange group in nearly flawless Romanian and continued: "This is the former chief engineer of the K20, Luitenant Al Zuckerman" addressing the rather short but strongly build man to his left "and yard forman Clemens Cornielje."
"I'm Captain Morris", began otherwise unobtrusive rather in-Romanian looking officer with striking bright blue eyes. "This is Commander Smith, my first officer and this is my engineer Lieutenant Commander Boc. We are glad for this unexpected invitation to familiarize ourself with the new ship beforehand. May we have a look at our 'new baby' now?"
Cornielje tapped his pocketwatch and Geoan? said: "Of course Captain, I guess it would be best to head to the Dock now and continue our introduction there." Turning to Cornielje speaking in dutch: "You lead the way!" and to a young ensign who seemed to have emerged out of nowhere: "Make sure the tailor is prepared to make a few 'more suitable' uniforms for our guests."
Then he followed the rest who were already marching towards Beiras larger drydock.
to be continued
OOC: critique welcome, since this is my first attempt to write a story
Looks good to me, except I doubt there were to many "Smith's" or "Morris'" in Romania in 1917.
On a side note, it good to see the Romanian's continue to alienate all their friends. First they piss off RRC by joining my side in the war, even though we don't trust them. Of course this also pissed of the Leipzig Pact members. Austria was already pissed from the Balkan war, as was Russia. Now they're making noise about Ukraine and dealing w/ Orange, which will only piss DKB, Italy, and Austria off more. Way to go TexanCowboy.
New Switzerland has no problem with the way Romania has been acting, no sir, no problem at all...
Which New Switzerland are you referring to?
New Swiss national anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIiArYI5ass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIiArYI5ass)
I have an inkling that the Colombian national anthem would sound like the Macarena...
But I digress...
Quote from: Sachmle on October 06, 2009, 06:07:57 AM
... except I doubt there were to many "Smith's" or "Morris'" in Romania in 1917.
Not my fault - those two were his choice his choice (the others are mine).
I was hoping for bit more feedback, e.g. should I continue to write in past tense or would it be better to use present tense?
Like I said, good read...flows..nothing major to fault, and really not much minor. Good 1st story. BRAVO!!
Yay! I make people mad!!!
Quote from: TexanCowboy on October 06, 2009, 03:18:50 PM
Yay! I make people mad!!!
when one is a very small fish in a pond full of very large fish it is not good to celebrate making the Very large fish angry young Grasshopper
Saturday and Sunday January 13th and 14th
Election days.
The participation rate is as high as expected. The result however are not expected within the next ten days because of the difficult plutocratic system.
Sunday January 28th
The election committee released the election results.
The Orange Republican Party won the election with 34.4%. Surprisingly the Libertarians came out second at 31.6%, and rumors say that they might have received outside help. The Democratic Union too became a strong political force reaching 25.5%. The remaining 5.5% of the votes went to different smaller or local fractions.
This means that the new Senate will consist of 31 ORP members, 28 Libertarians and 25 Democrats as well as 5 free members. However this is by no means a victory for the reformers of the democratic ad liberal partys, as there are still the 36 wealthiest citizens and 20 represents of the leading religions and academic experts - 145 seats in total.
Thursday 2nd February
The K20 now renamed "Matrocitisve" is handed over to the Romanians after finishing her after overhaul trials.
So a coalition government of sorts will be necessary - could be interesting...
Thursday March 1st
After long behind the scene talks between the 'power blocks' in the senate, Dr. Bloemendal of the ORP was determined as the new chancellor in secret election.
His first decision was to simplify the Orange flag to tree horizontal orange(gold) and two white(silver) stripes. He also increased the readiness for parts of the army especially near the Congo border. On top of that he ordered that the L22 a 16 inch gunned battleship and the second of her class to be layed down immediately.
Monday April 2nd
The ex-Russian Sweaborg enters Orange Service after her overhaul.
Monday April 30th
The ex-Russian Kronstadt is handed over to her new Romanian crew after finishing her overhaul.
Friday June 1st
A new Fleet Tender begins it's sea trials for the Orange navy.
QuotePlease accept my congratulations as you begin your term as chancellor.
The long-standing relationship between our two republics has decayed in recent years, but it is my hope that we may be able to mend fences. Accordingly, please consider yourself to have an open invitation to meet with me in Cartagena at any time, or in June at Matadi, Zaire, when I make my first visit to Gran Colombia's African territories.
(signed)
Rey Alizandro
President
Quote from: Nobody on October 21, 2009, 05:05:36 AM
His first decision was to simplify the Orange flag to tree horizontal orange(gold) and two white(silver) stripes.
I believe that heraldic gold is yellow, not orange.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_tincture
Borys
Interesting Borys.
I don't know the reason for that choice of color, I just used the same words that were already used in the previous description (see here (http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=640.msg4067#msg4067)).
And there different colored gold alloys.
OK then - I missed the names of the flag colours.
Borys
Message to the Gran Colombia embassy
We are sorry but under the current circumstances we would not be able to ensure the chancellors safety on a visit to Gran Colombia's territory. A visit of the newly elected chancellor Bloemendal can therefore not be permitted.
I can however offer a meeting on more neutral ground or between ministers.
Chief secretary of State Security
Jean Kreutzer
The mid 1917 cabinet meeting discussed plans for the year to come and made a few immediate decisions:
The Minister's for Law and Justice, Reuber, propose for changing the election process for the president to purely democratic one vote per person was approved to gain support from large parts of the population. It was noted that no actual power would be transferred to the people - except during war.
The minister for State Security Kreutzer, complained that there was not enough steel to found all necessary projects and that the aircraft were outdated and even worse outworn with no replacements in sight. He also reported that the army was upgraded slowly and that the building of the navel vessels continued. He especially pointed out the new troop transport ocean liners which would join the fleet in November and the question about naming the new Battlecruisers and Battleships.
He was also happy to announce the possibility to build two entirely new sea exploration vessels and a series of small minelaying/-sweeping crafts beginning the second half of 1917.
The minister for home affairs pointed out that the low population growth rate needs attention as well as the low number of immigrants, and advised additional founding in this area especially to low infrastructure areas.
Minister Sorgenfrey, responsible for Treasury, Trade and Industry reported that large sums have been allocated to increase industry production. The infrastructure of less developed regions will also be founded as advised by the minister for home affairs and he was proud to announce that the Cahora Bassa dam, the largest single infrastructure project in recent years, was successfully completed.
The minister for Research and Education proclaimed that major breakthroughs in fire-control and gun technology by his department seem possible if financed as requested. He criticized however the low number of founded projects and the limitations of his budget.
But we're in H2/1918... ;D.