QuoteDo we Inter them Huh?

My P.O W. ,you intern them for the duration off the conflict,at least it is what I would have done (e.g. Graff Spee  1939).

Quote from: ctwaterman on August 28, 2009, 08:06:36 AM
Oh I know the difference between Intern and POW but the current rules mean I would have to pay them :)  And being a naturally Cheap SOB....  :o

Actually I am not so sure about that, as a neutral country still have relations with the soldiers home country I think i got some memory of the home country still paying their wages.

But otherwise such things could be a bilateral agreement.

Well yes a Bilateral agreement could be reached.

But realistically this is an opportunity worhty of Exploitation. :)

Charles

The Empire of Italia in Order to secure vital shipping lanes necessary to the Empire are announcing that it will be increasing its Patrols of the Sea Lanes around its Colonies of East Africa.   These Patrols will consists of the the Cruisers, Destroyers and Battle Ships of the 1st and 2nd Battle Squadrons and the 2nd and 3rd Patrol Squadrons.

In addition the Imperial Airforce will begin reconisance flights along its coasts in this region to a distance of 50 Nm.   

These actions are taken to secure the rights of Neutral Shipping to use these waters free of the threats of war.  Any neutral shipping in these waters may call upon the services of the Imperial Marina for help in any emergency in these waters.

Office of Consul Maximus Rome, Mid December 1916.

Maximus sat at a conference table with many of the senior members of the  Aeronautica planning boards.  They were currently planning a reorganization of the structure of Imperial Aeronautica and the assignment of Aeronautica Squadrons to operate as part of individual Corp of the Legions.

Maximus:  Commander Caesar, so what is this request from the Commanding Officer of the Escardon Garibaldi? 

Casear : its simple really the first part is a report on how poorly the wooden and fabric aircraft assigned to the Escardon preformed during their assignment to Kolkata.

Maximus:   Would you care to explain that to all the officers here, those aircraft were the newest and best aircraft the Empire could produce what was wrong with them?

Caesar:   It wasn't the performance of the aircraft which performed quite well when the weather permitted it.   It was the monsoons native to the region.   The constant rain and humidity simply caused problems we have not seen before while operating from our bases here in Italia, or in North Africa or even Ost Africa.  The humidity and rain caused many of the aircraft to develop mold and mildew on the fabric of the wings and on the wooden parts of the aircraft.  These fungus's severely weakened the aircraft and we were lucky to not loose more pilots then we did.

Maximus:  And solutions to this problem have they been found yet??

Casear:  I have forwarded the information to the design teams but better oil based sealant for the fabric surfaces and better design of the hangers will start to deal with the problem.  Over all however I am not sure that such problems can be completely overcome while operating aircraft in a Tropical Environment??

Maximus:  And the 2nd part of the request ???

Casear:  Oh, that is a request for new aircraft which we will be sending and a request to accompany some French troops on a deployment to the Former French Colony of Indochina for a large scale exercise?

Maximus:   Really? That's a warzone what are the French up too??

Casear:  It appears the new Indochinese government is concerned about its ability to repulse a naval invasion.  They want to have the French play the part of an aggressor force who has landed and is attempting to Invade.  Our forces would be operating from temporary airfields established ashore just as they would have to do in the event that we were to invade someone.   It is a chance to gain valuable experience and test that aircraft in yet another environment.

Maximus:   Looking at a new report? Were we not supposed to be rotating these pilots home in a few months?

Casear:  Yes all the surviving pilots we lost 3 killed in landing accidents and 2 injured were due to transfer home as soon as the new volunteers finished transferring to Kolkata sometime in January.  The men appear to have volunteered for the extension and we could send the other 2 Escardon to meet up with them and then transfer the old Escardon members out after they have taken a little leave time in Saigon.

Maximus:   So  we will end up with  3 Escardon worth of Pilots a mix of French and Italian Aviators all in Indochina.   I want extreme care taken transferring them to the Pacific but I agree it's a valuable lesson we need to learn and if the Indochinese want to pay for the exercise I see no reason not to send the aircraft.   I  think however given loss rates we will have to increase the number of aircraft we are purchasing in the next budget cycle simply to keep up with aircraft losses particularly in the training squadrons.

Imperial Palace Rome – December 22nd 1916.

Present -  Emperor Armedo
                 Lucius Decimius
    Mario Decimius – Lucius's Son


The Emperor was studiously sitting at his desk reading from a large stack of reports trying to get some work done before he had to attend yet another Christmas Ball or Mass.  He waved Lucius and his son into the room as soon as the knocked.

Armedo:  Lucius, Mario... come in come in and have a seat.

Lucius and his Son:  *bowing* thank you your Majesty

Armedo: So what brings both of you here just before another one of these endless balls.

Lucius:   We need to talk about world affairs and about my retirement.

Armedo:   I hate to here of you leaving us the Empire needs dedicated men like yourself. 

Lucius:  I understand your concern but Mario has been your fathers personal guardsman for many years as I was your Grandfathers before him.   He has had as much training as we can provide and well only Experience will improve him. 

Armedo:  I had hopped you would stay on to help provide him with that experience.

Lucius:  Oh I do not intend to simply go away but I do need to spend a little less time in the office.  Maybe spread my duties out to Mario and a few of my other assistants.

Armedo:  You have been awfully quiet Mario what do you think of the matter.

Mario:  I of course have concerns but my Father has assured me I am ready for this task.

Armedo: *smiles* Ok you have convinced me.   I will approve the changes, but what of world affairs?

Lucius:  Ah the World Affairs I am talking about is the Pacific.   There is a real potential for a repeat of the 1st and 2nd Pacific Wars going on out their right now.   

Armedo: How so I thought it was the Dutch, the Siamese, and the DKB not China, Japan, and the New Swiss as well?

Lucius: It is for now but we have indication of much more going on nothing concrete yet accept that their appears to be some sort of Civil War going on in New Switzerland.

Armedo:  What? But we just started talking to them last year they appeared to have a strong stable Monarchy that appeared to be trying to correct the mistakes of the Old Socialist regime?  What is going on with those people must the be constantly at war even if only with themselves?

Lucius:  I do not have full information but it appears to be serious troops rioting ships crews choosing sides or fighting over control of the ship executing the officers they have sworn to obey.

Armedo:  And our Embassy and Consular offices?  Did not my Grandfather not receive their ambassador and send one of or Magistrates to set up an office in their country.  Do we not have business interests that were looking to invest in New Switzerland?

Lucius:  We do your Majesty!

Armedo:  Ok, have the Consul of Foreign Affairs issue a warning concerning both the War in the Pacific on merchant traffic.  And issue a warning through our offices in New Switzerland to warn all Imperial Subjects of the danger of this Communist Rabble.   Do you think we should start evacuating the Embassy Staff Dependents?

Lucius: Normally I would wait but given the war and difficulty getting shipping into the area I agree we should start doing it immediately.  Also we might want to contact the Rebels who ever they are and see what we can learn.  If they loose we have risked nothing if they win they will have to form a new government and we want to be sure they recognize the Embassies of foreign governments.  If they can not even manage that much diplomacy we will have to take steps to ostracize them.

Armedo:  That is accptible I will inform the Consul of Foreign Affairs of our decision.

Rome Times:  December 16th 1916.


RRC Joins Pacific War:
Forces of the RRC Declared war and launched agressive invasions the Kingdom of  Siam, the DKB Colony of  Nord Indochina and the fomrer French Colony of South Indochina.   Is this a move by the RRC to inact its declared desire to drive all foreigners from Asia???

Habsburgs Declare War on the Kingdom of the the Netherlands.
Stating their treaty obligations the Kaiserrich of Austria declared war on the Dutch.  In addition they stated  a clear desire to keep this war located off the European Continent.   

Senate Chairman:   Consul Maximus could you please explain to us these increases in the requests from Naval units for Increased spending for the purchase of both Coal and Oil.

Consul Maximus:  Yes Chairman,  Its simple really the Empire depends a great deal upon imports of Coal and Oil to run both the Military and Civilian sides of our government.  Coal  to heat the houses of the people and to provide electricity to the factories.  Conversion  of Military ships from Coal to Oil began roughly 5 years ago in an effort to reduce maintenance and the ease of loading and shipping oil.   However the war in East Asia has caused a massive spike in insurance rates on all shipping not just shipping going to that region.

Senator Gracus:  But how is that effecting our military units and how is that effecting our economy.

Consul Maximus:  It is really very simple.  We allocate funds to individual naval units and even army units for the training and operational tempos we expect them to maintain.  In the case of Naval Ships that requires them to purchase Oil and Coal to operate their ships.   Oil and Coal cost more due to the interruption of supplies from East Asia and due to the increase in shipping costs.  As an example Dutch oil supplies from East Asia are threatened by commerce raiders in the Indian Ocean.  Therefore Dutch Merchants are competing with our Merchants to purchase supplies from local sellers like the UNK, Romania, Russia.  This may change with  the Romanian Entry into the War.

Senate Chairman:  Your explanation makes sense Consul but what can we do to reduce these expenses.   *Consults are report on his Desk*  according you the Military Affairs report increased shipping costs, and increased maintenance cost will consume in HY1 1917 a shocking 1.65% of  the Empire total economy?

Consul Maximus:  There is very little we can directly do to reduce these costs.  The costs of running a modern military are dependent upon the forces of the free markets.  Unless we can gain complete and total control over our own sources of Oil and Coal enough to meet the Empire's needs I don't think we can actively do anything.  And I remind the Committee that this does not effect the Navy alone.  The Empires new Motorized Corp require substantial amounts of Gasoline and oil to run properly as well.

Senate Chairman: But I thought  ???

Consul Maximus:  I wasn't finished Senator!  I said we cant Actively do anything unless you are contemplating war and I guarantee that will cost you more!   Now passively we are taking steps to actively patrol and discourage raiders in the Red Sea, Rift Sea and Western Indian Oceans.   These are the supply routes critical to the needs of the Empire.  Access to the Black Sea through the Dardanelles is also crucial.  Locally are Oil comes from Russia and Romania with some from Egypt and we have contemplated purchasing more from the UNK and the CSA but that requires and investment in large long range tankers and the Cruisers to protect them in the Atlantic if necessary.  We will begin directing some military funding to supplementing the Insurance costs of shipping delivering military necessary cargos.  

Senator Gracus:  Will this work ?

Consul Maximus:   I am not totally sure it should mitigate the impact the war is having on our economy I am not convinced there is anything short of ending the war in some fashion that will totally prevent the disruption.  And further I caution the Senators not to be optimistic this disruption will last for some time after the war ends no matter what !!

Senate Chairman:  I think its time to break for Lunch.  When we get back I would like to take up the topic Critical Infrastructure upgrades necessary for the growth of the Civilian Economy!

Actors:
Commander Caesar
Lt. Commander Francesco Baracca

The Weather was fine this winter morning the sky was blue and flying weather was nearly perfect.   Commander Caesar had come from Rome to discuss the Italian Entries into the first ever Caldera Cup.   

Commander Caesar:    So Francesco how goes the development of the Flying boats what do we have to report to Rome.

Lt. Commander Baracca: Well Julius there are some significant progress on two of the Prototypes.  Do we have to choose only one aircraft or can we opt to enter more then one aircraft?

Commander Caesar:  I never really asked the Prize Committee and I do not know if we have to only enter only one aircraft why do you want to enter more then one.

Lt Commander Baracca:  Yes actually I do, the New Float Plane Prototype is coming along very quickly we might even be ready to begin production of it by this summer.

Commander Caesar:   Really ???  Is it better then the pure flying boats.

Lt. Commander Baracca:   Yes and know we designed it to carry a payload of around 1000 Lbs a distance of up too 300 Km roughly Three to Three and a Half hours of endurance.   So far it has nearly met all those requirements but sacrificed speed to accomplish this.   Its average speed is not significantly greater then the pure Flying Boats but if we sacrificed some range as the Proposed Race is on a 150 Km long course then we might easily exceed 150km/hr.   Most of the Strait Sea Planes will be slower then that.

Commander Caesar:   That is excellent, but if that is your plan why more then one entry?

Lt. Commander Baracca:  Because the planes are all subject to engine faults and while the Float Plane will undoubtedly be faster it is all unproven technology.  The other two entries would both be Flying Boats variants off the ones we purchased for evaluation from the Curtis Company in the CSA in 1913.   All Excellent Planes with improved engines and both  designs will be competing for the Naval Patrol Aircraft that you wanted.

Commander Caesar:   Ah... so you are hedging your bet Francesco if nothing goes wrong the New Float plane what are we calling it should win but if not we still have two other strong entrants.  I will speak to the Sponsors about this.

Lt. Commander Baracca:  We decided to name the new Float Plane after Caldedra  to whom the race is dedicated!?

Commander Caesar:    Excellent pick the best pilots and begin training immediately on all three aircraft I will return to Rome and make my report.

Actors:Lucius Decumius - Commander Praetorian Guard.
Marcus Aquila Camila  Duke of Savoy
Cardinal Dominico Ferrata Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office.
An assortment of Southern Nobles & Notibles.

Lucius Decumius waited patiently for the 4 Senators, Several magistrates and roughly 2 dozen minor nobles all from the South of Italia and Sicily to be seated in what was usually used as a training or briefing room for large numbers of Praetorian agents.  The Gentlemen from the south as Lucius liked to think of them were all extremely nervous about the presence of Marcus Aquila.

Titus Caracus Claudia leader of the Southern Coalition in the Senate was the first to speak.   Lucius why did you summon us all here in some cases in the dead of the night?  *Looking nervously at Marcus Aquila* What exactly do you intend to do here?

Lucius *Held up his hand to forestall more demand from the gathered crowd* You Gentlemen were brought here in secrecy not as some of you quietly fear to punish you for your recent actions but provide you with the evidence you have all been so very vocal in demanding over the years about what happened to your precious children at the Abbey  where they all died!

Senator Caracus quickly silenced those around him.   You  are going to provide us with an investigation why after all this time and why should we believe any evidence you have to offer?

Lucius smiled and looked over to Marcus Aquila.   Because My Lords the evidence has been held by the Church for many years under the seal of the confessional.  And only now will that seal be lifted.   *Angrily silences the chattering and nervous southern nobles* This is a one time offer, all of you will sign this paper swearing to never speak about what you learn here today.  If I ever hear of any of you breaking your word well this matter involves not only State Security but the security of your own families!

Lucius waited patiently while several of his aids were summoned and passed out some very impressive looking legal documents and while the Southern Nobles discussed read, and then one by one in agreement signed the documents.   Once the papers were signed and witnessed the aids collected the documents and left the room.

Once all was quiet and the aids had left the room Lucius nodded to Marcus Aquila who went to the back of the room slid aside a Curtin and knocked at the door.   Shortly their after the door opened and 3 priest entered the room bearing Three large wooden chests.  They were followed by the elderly Dominican Cardinal Dominico Ferrata Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office - Or under its older name the Inquisition!?!

Cardinal Dominico Ferrata was 70 years old and in failing health he slowly moved to the Podium and looked out at the assembled Nobles and Notables.  Genteel' and Nobles of the Empire I have been asked to come here before you today and present the evidence gathered by the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office some 11 years ago.  The Evidence is all in those Boxes catalogued by the Name of the Condemned!  These boxes were sealed by my Predecessor in this office, Mariano Cardinal Rampolla. The Confessions of the Investigative officers and of Prince Marcus Aquila were instrumental in preventing these charges not being brought forward at the time.  I will not review these documents with you it pains me even today to have to think of what went on in that Abby.  The Signed Affidavits taken from the few surviving Nuns and the Abbess are also in that box.   In conclusion you sent your children off to school in Paris and something their turned them into the abominations that had to be destroyed in that Abbey!!!!

With that he turned and left the room helped by two of the Priests who had carried the boxes into the room.   The Third Priest stayed and began to unlock the boxes and set on the table alphabetized file folders all bound with a black ribbon.

Marcus Aquila turned to the gathered people silently looking on with dread as the Cardinal exited the room.  "I do not personally care what your opinions are of me" He said.  "However this incessant bickering between your families and the Imperial Crown needs to stop and stop now.   Look at what your children did become familiar with the reality and not your own desires.  And then let us never ever speak of this again."

Each Folder Continaed Pictures of the Youn Noble or Notible in Question sworn affidavits and pictures so horrible therye like had not been sceene since the sacking of El Dorado.

The Forum: January 10th 1917

With a Peace conference called in the Empire of Japan the writers here at the forum are speculating will the Empire send a representative.  And with the allegations of atrocities occurring in DKB will the Empire call for an international investigation into the occurrences of such barbarities.

The Rome Times January 15th 1917

With the public announcement by the Republic of Indochina of the need for Green Cross Aid the Empire is asking all it citizen to donate food, clothing, blankets and money once again to help those displaced by the horrors of war.

The Rome Times:  January 16th 1917
The Senate of Rome today announced that it will begin debating the issue of the 3rd Pacific War and its impact on the Imperial Economy.   A Source highly placed in the Senate indicated that the war is having very adverse effects on the price of heating oil, coal, and as anyone know Maritime Insurance rates.

Rules of the 1st Caldera Cup

The 1st Caldera Cup will be held at Taranto Italy starting  in July 1917.
Exact Date to be announced.

The Race is a timed race over a 3 Legged Triangle Course measuring a total distance of 150km.  The Aircraft must be able to take off and land on the water and must remain afloat over night prior to the race and for atleast 4 hours after landing upon completion of the 150km course.

No Flying Club or Sponsoring Nation may enter more then 3 Aircraft with the same number of alternates.  Registration shall be completed no latter then March 15th 1917.

The Winner shall be aircraft and pilot that maintains the highest average speed over the length of the entire course.

The Club or Nation winning the Cup shall hold the cup for 1 year and be the sponsoring nation for the next race in 1 years time.

If any Club or Nation wins the Cup in three consecutive years the cup shall be retired in the possession of that Nation and Club.

January 21st Rome Times and The Forum- Healines.

Peace Declared in Third Pacific War
In Two Unilateral Agreements one between the Deutscher Kaiserreich Brandburg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the other between the DKB and its Allies and the Reformist Republic of China peace is reached in the Far East.

Kyoto Peace accords achieve success
Once again the the Diplomacy of Gran Columbia brings peace to warring nations.
The Kyoto peace conference sponsored by Gran Columbia and hosted by the Empire of Japan has succeeded in bringing another peaceful resolution to a war in the Pacific.   The Editors must ask how long will this peace last without some moderating influnce in the region?

Anonymous letter to the Time and Forum:

QuoteIf a moderating influence in Asia is needed, perhaps the diplomatically savvy Colombians needed to be invited into the region.  It's just a question of where and how.

The Confedrate Navy in partnership with the Lougheed Brothers of Santa Monica, California announces that it will enter three aircraft in the Caldera Cup.