Den Helder 1st March 1916:
The first four submarines of the O2-class are starting operations fitted with telescopic air supply pipes, allowing the boats to run with diesel engines while trimmed down ( "getrimd dieselen" ) and the deck awash. The benefit is that it will cut the diving time for the submarine by about 2/3. During 1916 and 1917 all submarines will be fitted with those systems.
An added advantage that has been found is that it allows the ship to run with closed hatches in rough weather, making the boat much drier.

Image used without premission from  the Dutch Naval Museum, Den Helder

Royal gun foundry, Liege 2nd March 1916.
The workers started re-lining of the first set of guns in 38cm calibre from the Kingdoms latest class of frigates. After in some cases exceeding the general service limit of 300 full charge equivalent* firings per gun during their first year in service they were in need of replacing. The actual change took place about three weeks ago, and thanks to the fact that the Wilhelmina's was designed from the start for the Marine´s intense high stress gunnery practice, the change of barrels took less then 1/3rd the time compared the changes to the older 30 and 35cm armed ships (except Inverness which was the testbed for the later design). 
However, some of the guns will be fitted with an experimental loose liner, it is hope that it will allow for even faster barrel changes and lower costs if the future. 

* Actual number of rounds was more then twice that as a ¾ charge have only about ¼ the wear of a real full charge.

5th of August 1916:
Due to the acts of war and aggression committed by Siam, The Kingdom of the United Netherlands regrets to report that state of war exist between the Kingdome of the United Netherlands and the Kingdom of Siam.

More to follow...

To the international community:
All waters in the Bay of Thailand west of 103 degrees east is mined. All waters within 6nm of Siamese land is mined. Entry by neutral or others shipping into mined waters are at own risk.

All Siamese Ports are under blockade, neutral or other shipping will be turned way unless carrying contraband, in which case the cargo will be sized and the ship taken to a Dutch port for unloading.  Neutral shipping attempting to leave Siamese ports will be have their cargoes sized and taken to Dutch port for unloading. Owners of neutral ships re-routed to Dutch port will be compensated for the costs of the travel such as wages and fuel and average charter fee.
Ships north of 12 degrees north in the bay of Thailand after the 10th of August can expect to be attacked and destroyed without any warning.
Ships trying to break or run the blockade will be attacked without any further warning.

Warships of any nation in the Bay of Thailand west of 103 degrees east will be at risk of attack without any warning. Warships of any nation manoeuvring aggressively in proximity to the warzone will risk being seen as hostile and attacked. To avoid the risk of mistaken identities and intentions warships of uninvolved countries are advised to stay at least 25nm from the Siamese coast, maintain steady courses and travel with full lights at night.

Open letter to Siam:
The Kingdom of the United Netherlands has long hoped for stable and friendly relations with Siam (and all other neighbours). It is therefore sorrowful for us to see that Siam no not shares that vision, but instead seeks a road of painful and bitter confrontation.
The Kingdom of the United Netherlands has several times been willing to overlook the most outrageous, provocative and hostile behaviour from Siam; such as the violent repression of the faithful Muslims in the by Siam occupied sultanates, aiding and supplying pirates as well as Swiss forces during the pacific war and seeking means to undermine pace in the Malacca peninsula. All this and much more the Kingdom of the United Netherlands have stoically tolerated and forgiven in an hope that showing a good example of restraint and tolerance would convince Siam that it was time to leave the path of antagonism and embrace friendly and cooperative relations for the benefit of all mankind.

Alas this hope that Siam would seek pace over war, and life over death have proved futile, as the Government of Siam even now seeks sinister collaborators in its plots against the Kingdom of the United Netherlands and it loyal Malaysian subjects. This final provocation were Siam and its dire accomplishes seeks to create the conditions to bring death, fire and destructions to the good Muslim and Christian peoples of the book living under the protection of the Kingdom of the United Netherlands in Malaya and elsewhere has been the final straw.
It is these constant, relentless and senseless provocations that have finally forced the Kingdom of the United Netherlands to declare that a state of war exist with the Kingdom of Siam.

Despite the unreliable and hostile nature of the leadership of Siam the Kingdom of the United Netherlands have note given up hope that talks will be able to resolve the issues, and offer a cessation of armed confrontation in return for a few minor concession from Siam:
-The abandonment of the occupation of the Pattai regions; and its restoration as a free, sovereign Muslim sultanate.
- The total and complete demilitarisation and disarmament of the Kra peninsula, and its adjacent islands for all time.
- The abandonment and destruction of infrastructure intended sorely to facilitate war against it neighbours. As well as refraining from ever undertaking such project again.
- The destruction and abandonment of all costal fortifications and naval bases except for Bangkok.
- Allowing Dutch advisors into the workings of the cabinet, keep them informed, and seek their advice in all matters relating to foreign affairs.
In return; the Kingdom of the United Netherlands offer to become the protective power of Siam abroad, as well as guaranteeing the future territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Siam.
We hope for an answer before the 15th of August 1916.

New Zion condems this blatant act of aggression by the Kingdom of the Neatherlands against a much smaller and weaker neighbor.

"Gran Colombia acknowledges word of the conflict between Siam and the Netherlands, and will adopting a position of neutrality.  Both parties are reminded that Colombian shipping continues to make use of international waterways in the region.  Siam and the Netherlands are asked to take care to avoid unfortunate incidents as a result of mis-identification of neutral shipping in international waters."

QuoteThe Empire of Iberia has received word of the current war between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Siam.  The Iberian government is saddened by the outbreak of yet another war in the region so soon after the recent conflict in Burma.  Might it be possible for a negotiated settlement for this conflict? 

With the above said the Iberian Empire is a neutral party to this conflict.  The Iberian Government reminds the belligerents that a large number of elements of the Iberian Navy are in the area.  Any hostile action against Iberian military units will be responded to at once with deadly force.  The Iberian government also expects the belligerents to respect neutral rights in this conflict.

Diogo Freitas do Amaral
Iberian Foreign Minister

For Public consumation.

QuoteGlorious France deprecates the Dutch Declaration of War to the Soevereign Siamese.

Glorious France wishes for a swift and non aggressive solution for this situation, and hopes strongly for a peacefull solution.

The Reformist Republic of China finds it unfortunate that conflict is breaking out between two friends. The Reformist Republic can not guarantee it will remain neutral should peace not be declared quickly. Until such time, the Reformist Republic of China is neutral and the belligerents are obligated not to sink neutral shipping in international waters.

The nation of firanji is concerned as to the pattern of conflicts in the area and will wait and see 

Bavaria recognizes the state of war and stands ready to honor Article IV of the Treaty of Leipzig (1).


(1) OOC : to sum up article IV : provide requested support to the Dutch, none to the Siamese, become actively involved if it spreads to Europe.

Quote from: Kaiser Kirk on June 14, 2009, 02:25:22 PM
Bavaria recognizes the state of war and stands ready to honor Article IV of the Treaty of Leipzig (1).


(1) OOC : to sum up article IV : provide requested support to the Dutch, none to the Siamese, become actively involved if it spreads to Europe.

If the Siamese manage to invade Europe I'll be impressed.  :o

You speak too quickly, you just have yet to find out that the penguins are helping Siam. *ninjas away*

The Habsburg Monarchy deplores and condems this act of brutal agression and the bullying of smaller Nations by Major Powers.

Quote from: Sachmle on June 14, 2009, 07:42:57 PM

Quote from: Kaiser Kirk on June 14, 2009, 02:25:22 PM
Bavaria recognizes the state of war and stands ready to honor Article IV of the Treaty of Leipzig (1).


(1) OOC : to sum up article IV : provide requested support to the Dutch, none to the Siamese, become actively involved if it spreads to Europe.

If the Siamese manage to invade Europe I'll be impressed.  :o

So will the Bavarians. However, a simple and clear statement at the beginning of things may serve to avoid misunderstandings later.