SDN World 3 Story Thread I

[Thanas]

co-written with Master_Baerne


Strasbourg, Elsaß-Lothringen
City Hall
28th August 1925

The 23 days since the end of the war had been trying ones for Sänger. The demobilization had to be planned and carried out, including a rough sketch of the integration. The military of the Union and of Germany had to be demobilized or integrated with each other, a task that was still not complete. Indeed, Sänger still awaited the final report of the joint staffs. The Reichstag had to deal with the sudden influx of Dutch delegates, to which a special election in the netherlands and Belgium had to be carried out. And of course, the question of territory had to be settled. Which was why he was now situated once more across the table from President Dupont, once more dealing with the question of Alsace-Lorraine.

Dupont and he had come to a rough agreement earlier on, one that Sänger thanked the stars for the Kaiser, overcome with joy at the success of the German army and of his son ascending to the thrones of Belgium and the Netherlands, had signed without too much protests and name-calling. Now all that was left was to sign the treaty, which lay on the great banquet table of the city hall.

Sitting across the table from Sänger, Alan Dupont felt an odd sense of kinship with his German counterpart. Despite their differences, despite the decades of enmity France and Germany had only recently put behind them, both men had spent their careers serving their respective nations. That duty had gotten a great deal more difficult in the last few weeks, what with the whirlwind of treaties, mobilizations, and wars. Still, the task of appeasing the French people was about to get much, much easier, all thanks to the uniquely reasonable viewpoint of the Reichkanzler.

The minor parties in the Senate, the last remnants of the Bonapartists, the Conservatives, even the right-leaning Simonists had demanded that the government do something about the layers of humiliation France's neighbors had heaped upon it. And now he would to so.

Treaty between the Republic of France and the German Empire regarding the former Union of the Low Countries and other territories

The German Empire recognizes and respects the lawful claim of the Republic of France to territories in Belgium, Luxemburg and parts of Elsaß-Lothringen.

The French Republic recognizes and respects the lawful claim of the German Empire to the territories of the Union of the Low Countries and the right of Prince Eitel Friedrich to the throne of both the Netherlands and Belgium.

In order to guarantee a peaceful coexistence between the French Republic and the German Empire the following terms are accepted by the German Empire:

1. The German Empire will cede the Western Africa territories formerly belonging to the Union of the Low countries to the French Republic, to be theirs and to keep for as long as the German Empire and the French Republic exist.

2. The German Empire will also cede parts of Belgium to the French Republic, to be theirs and to keep for as long as the German Empire and the French Republic exist.

3. The German Empire will also cede parts of ELsaß-Lothringen to France, to be theirs and to keep for as long as the German Empire and the French Republic exist.

4. The German Empire will also cede Luxemburg to the French Republic, to be theirs and to keep for as long as the German Empire and the French Republic exist. All German noble houses hereby renounce all claims to the throne of the former Duchy of Luxemburg.

5. The German Empire will cede the former Dutch African Fleet to the French empire, composed of five Pantserships and 15 Wolf-class destroyers. The German Empire will also cede five armored cruisers, 30 Wolf-class destroyers and 10 submarines to the French Republic, as well as half the Union support fleet with a total of 300.000tons.


In order to guarantee a peaceful coexistence between the French Republic and the German Empire the following terms are accepted by the French Republic:

1. The French Republic recognizes the lawful possession and claim of the German Empire to all other Dutch territories named and unnamed in this treaty

2. The French Republic recognizes the right of the German Empire to all military and civilian assets of the former Union of the Low Country unless otherwise specified in this treaty

3. The French Republic guarantees the same terms as outlined in the Treaty between the German Empire and the Union of the Low Countries regarding the treatment of the civilian population.

4. The French Republic guarantees a demilitarization of the european territories gained in this treaty.

5. The French Republic will pay for German fortifications to protect their new border in the remaining territories of Elsaß-Lothringen.

The following terms are recognized by both nations:

In the event of one of the signatory nations being destroyed or otherwise ceasing to exist, the surviving nation will become the legal and rightful heir of the other.

Signed on the 28th August of the year of our Lord 1925,

President Alan Dupont,
on behalf of the French Republic

Dr. mult. Johannes Sänger, Reichskanzler
on behalf of the German Empire

Results:
New borders between the two nations:

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

"What? The war is already over? The Germans are absorbing the Dutch? What of Yogyakarta? To have another foreign presence on our soil is unacceptable! Send this note to the German Emperor at once," Alexios IV Komnenos instructed Exarch Korolev.

From Imperium Romanum to the German Empire
To Reichskanzler Johannes Sänger,
To His Imperial Majesty Wilhelm II., von Gottes Gnaden Deutscher Kaiser und König von Preußen, Reichsverweser von Österrreich und Ungarn etc.

The Emperor Alexios IV Komnenos, would like to send his ambassador to the German Empire to discuss the issue of the Dutch enclave of Yogyakarta, a region and city populated by a million or so Dutch citizens. He is prepared to negotiate the purchase of the city, in exchange for possible concessions. We await your generous reply.

Signed,
Exarch Ignatius Korolev,
Foreign Minister for Roman Emperor Alexios IV Komnenos

[Siege]

Fortress Zion
Jerusalem



The grand hall of the great fortress-palace was buzzing with voices in a dozen languages and dialects. Hailing from three empires controlling the entire east of the Mediterranean basin the ambassadors, representatives, nobles, courtiers and other hangers-on could be native speakers of Greek, Yiddish, one of three Arabic dialects, or any of the bewildering number of Balkan languages, and so for the most part they availed themselves of one of the eighty translators present, or spoke in a shared language: mostly English or French, in a few cases German or Italian, and in one peculiar instance two academically inclined representatives found it easier to simply converse in Latin.

A trumpet blast and the booming voice of a herald announced the arrival of the heads of state, and the gaudy storm of uniforms, medals, exquisite gowns and expensive three-piece suits died down abruptly. Three of the four doors to the grand hall opened simultaneously to grant access to the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Emperor of the Balkan Confederacy and the Sultan of Egypt and All Arabia. The entrance sequence had given the masters of ceremony headaches for weeks, as diplomats quarreled ceaselessly over who was to enter first, second or last. Finally it was decided that the three heads of state should enter simultaneously, which meant the meeting had to be moved to a hall with at least three entrances. And of course the entrances had to be of equal standing – it would simply not do to have the Emperor of Byzantium come in through a side door – which meant some last-minute remodeling had to be done to the palace.

This however had not put a stop to the quarrelling: about whose name the herald should announce first, about the food that should be served, about the drink that should be served, about the music that should be played. Diplomats had argued endlessly about the seating arrangement, about the placement of flags and about the decorations of the hall. Months of preparations had gone into this moment, and the meeting was only just beginning.

The monarchs of the three empires took their seats – which looked rather more like thrones, each ornately carved with the heraldic imagery of their respective nation – at one side of the triangular table. The master of ceremonies – in fact the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps of the Yishuv, chosen for his presumed impartiality – stood up. “Your majesties, excellencies and eminences, I bid you all welcome to the Zion Fortress for this historic meeting between the emperors of three Great Powers.” He continued for a while, extolling the virtuous and peaceful relation the three states had shared for so long, before yielding the floor to the Sultan.

“As-Salaam-Alaikum” the ruler of Egypt spoke after he had stood from his seat. “My brothers and sisters, we have gathered today for a most just and noble undertaking, a pact between nations that surely will stand the test of time. My great ancestor, the Sultan Salah ad-Din once said 'hold one hand out in friendship, but keep the other on your sword', and the Sultanate has lived by that saying for a great many years. But now our world is changing, and we must change with it if we are to survive. So today I wish to change this saying. From now on I will keep one hand on my sword, but I will hold the other out in friendship. Today I extend that hand do you, my brothers, in the hope that we can accept that we are different, in order to transcend those differences and see that what unites us is both far greater and far more important.”

The Sultan motioned, and aides produced draft versions of the treaty that would be under discussion today.

Treaty between the Balkan Confederacy, the Eastern Roman Empire, and the Sultanate of Egypt

THE PARTIES TO THIS TREATY

REAFFIRMING that, while seeking means to preserve peace and prevent armed conflicts between nations, it is likewise necessary to bear in mind the possibility of the appeal to arms;

DESIRING to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that any of them stand alone;

DESIRING further to stand by and cooperate with one another in their efforts in the regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia;

RECOGNIZING that in doing this it is their prime purpose to establish and maintain a new order of things, calculated to promote the mutual prosperity and welfare of the peoples concerned;

RECOGNIZING further that it is the desire of the three Governments to extend cooperation to nations in other spheres of the world that are inclined to direct their efforts along lines similar to their own for the purpose of realizing their ultimate object, world peace;

THEREFORE DECLARE AND AGREE as follows:

ARTICLE 1. The Contracting Parties to this treaty declare to coordinate their efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security.

ARTICLE 2. In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty the Parties separately and jointly by means of continuous and effective help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.

ARTICLE 3. The Parties will consult together whenever in the opinion of any of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.

ARTICLE 4. Each Party recognizes that an armed attack on any of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety. They further undertake to assist one another with all political, economic and military means if one of the Contracting Powers is attacked in order to meet the common danger.

ARTICLE 5. With a view to implementing the present pact, joint technical commissions, to be appointed by the respective Governments of the Balkan Confederacy, Eastern Roman Empire, and Sultanate of Egypt, will meet without delay.

ARTICLE 6. The present pact shall become valid immediately upon signature. The pact shall remain in force indefinitely. Any Party may cease to be a member one year after notice has been given to the Governments.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.

SIGNED at the city of Jerusalem, 22 August 1925.

FOR the Imperium Romanum:
Alexios IV Komnenos

FOR the Balkan Confederacy:
Alexander I

FOR the Sultanate of Egypt:
Abu Khalid Musa'ed Hashim al-Din bin Abdulmuin

The Sultan looked around the room, his hawkish eyes scouring the assembled dignitaries like a searchlight. “Is there any comment or criticism to what has been proposed?”

[DarthShady]

Fortress Zion
Jerusalem



Emperor Alexander I stood up from his seat, on his face a great smile. He took a step forward and looked at the Sultan. He knew that this day was coming, what he didn't know was, that it would come so fast. But the Prime Minister had assured him that this, was the best thing for the Confederacy, and so he was here now - ready to usher in a new era of history.

"First of all, I wish to thank the great Sultan for his most generous hospitality." He took a deep breath and began. "You have welcomed us, as brothers, and for that we thank you. The truth of the matter is that from this day forward, we are brothers - and as brothers and allies, I am sure, we shall accomplish many great things together. History shall be written here today, and the future determined, a better and brighter future for our three nations."

He paused for a moment, and looked around the room at the assembled dignitaries - making eye contact with Emperor Alexios IV and Sultan Abu Khalid, a smile spread across his face. In the background another man grinned and stroked his goatee, his goal accomplished, far sooner than he had anticipated.

"Our three great nations, have long been friends who helped each other in various ways." Alexander began anew. "That great friendship has grown over the years, and today, on this most special day - that bond of friendship has matured into something new, a bond of brotherhood. We have taken a great step here today, and from this day forward, none of us shall walk alone, we step forward together - stronger than ever before, and the very earth shall tremble before our mighty footsteps...It will be a great honor for me, to sign this Treaty and make official, that which we have known in our hearts for a very long time. Let us beseech the blessing of almighty Allah, on this great and righteous undertaking."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

Fortress Zion, Jerusalem

The Emperor Alexios IV Komnenos rose, "Friends, I also thank the Sultan for his esteemed hospitality, and many thanks to Alexander for being present as well. This is indeed a momentous occasion. Centuries ago, two great faiths, Orthodox Catholicism, and Islam were at war with each other. Yet, common cause united us against a common enemy. Be it the Crusaders, or the rampaging hordes from the East. We have had our differences, our conflicts, yet, together, we have produced wonders. The Suez canal stands as a marvel to the world. Byzantium was also ever an ally to the Slavic peoples, especially those in the Balkans. Much history has gone between us, and much aid we have given to each other.

We have been united as one for centuries, and this agreement solidifies the covenant between our three peoples, and hopefully, will stand the test of time against our enemies. Most ironically, we stand at the confluence between three faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam where this agreement will be enshrined. May God, or Allah to the Muslims, be witness to this covenant, and may he strike us down, should we break it. Amen, and As-Salamu Alaykum."

[Thanas]

Semi-unreal time:

Mombassa
The German fleet halted in front of the harbour, awaiting the reply of the former Dutch Garrison to the request to let the German fleet enter.

At the same time, a second, harsher note was sent to the Congo:

From The German Empire to The Congo
The German Empire requests that you cease all advances into Kenyan territory immediately and state your intentions. If the Congo continues to refuse a diplomatic solution, there might be unfortunate consequences.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler
Generalleutnant Alexander von Falkenhausen, Commander of all German Forces Far East

Tel Aviv
The SMS Gneisenau steamed into the harbour to be handed over to the Jewish authorities. Before this happened, however, German Marinesoldaten marched a procession of the captured brownshirts over to the site of the New German Naval base. Under the eyes of several soldiers with MGs, shovels and other work material were handed to the prisoners. The Hauptmann in charge then addressed the prisoners.

"By the grace and mercy of his Imperial Majesty, our beloved Emperor Wilhem, you are hereby spared the dance on the gallows. Indeed, his majesty has seen fit, upon the advice of Reichskanzler Sänger, to commute your sentence to spent the rest of your life at hard labour. You will start by building the new naval base and the new port facilities. Those of you who exaustion has not claimed by then will continue work on the fortifications. The rest of your days will be spent working for the instruments of improving Yishuw - German relation. May your wretched souls mean prosperity for these lands."


Marinekabinett, Berlin
Admiral von Scheer looked at the assembled admirals and asked Admiral Georg Alexander von Müller, chief of the Marinekabinett, the German office tasked with the Organization and Administration of the Navy, to start his briefing.


This he did. "Herr Großadmiral. The topic of this meeting is the incorporation of the Dutch Navy into the German Flotten. As we all now, the Dutch Navy was for a large part severely outdated, except in a few areas. First, let us review the general situation. The Dutch Navy was the part of the Dutch armed forces that was most loyal to the Communist leadership. As a consequence, only 40% of the men have taken our offer of joining the German Navy so far, we do expect a small boost from the upcoming coronation but one thing is clear - we will not be able to man all the captured ships, especially not if we are to use mixed crews on them to ensure the loyalty of the crews."

After he had finished, the atmosphere turned more somber. Then, the head of the Reichsmarineamt, the department concerned with the design and construction of the warships, spoke up, even further souring the mood. "My team has conducted a thorough investigation of the surviving elements of the Dutch fleet. I shall now present them.

The Dutch battleships are outdated, with their main weapons only being 12" guns. They are less armored than our Nassau or Helgoland classes - and we planned to put those into reserve at the start of the next year, mind you. They are further only coal burners, though their range of 10000 nm far exceeds that of the Helgoland or Nassau class. They also posses a more efficient gun layout. Their value is very, very limited. The Reichsmarineamt therefore suggests that either they or the Helgoland class battleships are to be decommissioned and placed into reserve, to serve as convoy escorts in the time of war, or to be scrapped.

The armored cruisers are coal-firing, have a heavily outdated gun layout that makes half the armament useless in anything but calm seas and to top it off, are almost 30 years old and only armed with 6 inch guns as main armamement. To compare, a Hamburg-class light cruiser could take them on and win. Their hulls are worn out. The Marineamt strongly suggests that they be scrapped entirely.

The Pantserships captured are outdated and ten of them are outmatched by a single modern German battleship. Their limited armament of only 2 11" guns makes them very useless and only of use when used in coastal battles. We therefore suggest they be scrapped completely.

The Dutch carriers on the other hand are state-of-the-art and we strongly suggest they be kept and maintained. However, they lost nearly their entire air wings and thus it will take some time before we can use them. The dutch submarines are in good condition, however their small size means they are limited to coastal operations. The dutch minelayers and minesweepers are modern, however they are only coal-firing. Still, they are very well designed for their job and therefore would make a valuable addition.

The dutch destroyers are split into two groups. In the one group there are modern V-class destroyers copied from a british model, in the other are outdated and obsolete Roofdier class destroyers. The first group should be kept, the second one sold or scrapped."

When the designer had finished, the mood was even more sour. "So in short, aside from about three capital ships and some small forces, the dutch naval forces are unsuitable for our needs and should be scrapped?" Scheer asked. After the designer nodded, Generaladmiral von Hipper formulated the opinion of everyone in a curt and sarcastic manner: "Outstanding"



Reichskanzlei

Sänger's office was once more flooded with calls and documents, either due to the new treaty with France or the integration of the dutch. And he also had to handle a coronation. Sighing, he once more enquired to Elise when the new secretaries will get there, only to be informed that the selection process would take time and she did not think enough qualified candidates would come forward until the coronation and the election, as the atmosphere among the dutch was still very, very hesitant. Still, slowly, process was made. The coronation was slated for October the first, the election for October the 3rd and of course, on the 20th of October the Emperor celebrated his 30th year on the German throne.

Organizing had taken a heavy toll on the chancellor, who had not seen the outside of the Building since he had arrived back from Strasbourg. His secretaries unofficially referred to him as the "night terror" now due to his habit of wandering the halls at night, trying to find anyone who could type a memorandum or a communique. The unlucky secretary who was still there would then find herself roped into a night shift - and definitely not the good kind of night shift.

Still, business got done and the following Communiques were sent out:

From the German Empire to all nations
Your excellencies,

The German Empire would like to invite your heads of states and/or respective ambassadors to the coronation and investiture of His Royal Highness, the crown Prince Eitel Friedrich of Prussia. The investiture as King of the Netherlands will take place in the Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam on Ocober the 3rd, 9:00 AM. His Majesty will then board a special express train together with the honored guests and then take the oath of office as King of the Belgians at the Brussels Town Hall at 8 PM, night.

Please coordinate with the office of the Reichskanzler with regards to your attendance and entourage.

Signed,
Wilhelm II., von Gottes Gnaden Deutscher Kaiser, König von Preußen, Reichsverweser von Österreich und Ungarn etc.
Sänger, Reichskanzler

From the German Empire to the Byzantine Empire
Your Imperial Majesty,

The German empire is prepared to discuss the sale of Yogyakarta.

The German Empire would be prepared to sign over the province if the following conditions are met:

- The Byzantine Empire guarantees and provides for the relocation of any citizen who wishes to return to the European or colonial territories of the German Empire. Anybody who does so shall receive compensation at 120% of the market price from the Byzantine Empire.
- The Byzantine Empire will give the same guarantees to the population as Germany did in the peace treaty with the former Union of the Low Countries
- The Byzantine Empire will provide funds and/or raw materials like oil and concrete equal to the value of the colony to the German Empire. The Byzantine Empire, if paying in raw materials, will transport these to a destination of the German Empire's choosing.
- The Byzantine Empire promises not to use the area gained as a military base.

Shall the Byzantine Empire find these terms acceptable, the German empire suggests the signing of such a treaty and the non-aggression pact during the train rides between the coronation ceremonies.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

A second communique was also delivered to the Grand Dominion of the Indies. The contents of that message were secret, but some guessed it had something to do with Kenya.


Results:
- German troops enter Mombassa, Ultimatum to the Congo is delivered.
- Invitations to the Coronation made
- Brownshirts are aeduquately punished
- The German Navy is less than impressed with the state of the dutch Navy, recommends to the chancellor the majority of the tonnage be scrapped or sold
- Favorable reply to offer of the Byzantine Empire to sell Yogyakarta sent
- Sänger is a bit overworked

[Ma Deuce]

Unreal time, immediately following the conclusion of the German-Dutch war in Europe

The Madagascar Tribune
Prime Minister refuses to address Kenyan Question

Prime Minister Randriana today dodged questions concerning the status to Dutch Kenya, reiterating Madagascar's neutrality in the Dutch-German war, including the status of the colonial territories of the Union of the Low Countries, which recently surrendered to the German Empire following a brief but decisive war which has resulted in the dissolution of the Union and the incorporation of it's nations as members of the German Empire. Although many nations around to world have acted to seize what they can from the Union's overseas territories, Germany contends that these territories are the rightful possessions of the successor states to the Union, which are to be members of the German Empire. This includes Kenya, which recently opted to place itself under the "protective custody" of The Congo. The Germans reject this arrangement, thus are in the process of attempting to sieze Kenya by force.

The opossition Liberals decried the government's silence over the "protective custody" arrangement, which would grant the Communist nation a port and naval base close to Madagascar, though the Prime Minister countered that even discounting the government's neutrality on the matter, there is little Madagascar can do on it's own to affect the fate of Kenya, lacking the expeditionary forces necessary to invade and secure Kenya. He also expressed confidence in the Merina Navy's ability to defend Madagascar's territory against any Congolese naval incursion, even if launched from Mombasa.

Merina Navy Times
HMMS Binara returns from extended trials

Today, the experimental 6,800 ton scout cruiser Binara returned to Antisiranana for maintenance and structural evaluation after completing an extended regimen of fleet exercises and trials. The radical new cruiser was launched last year and immediately began rigorous trials to test the techniques employed in her construction for feasibility in future designs. The Binara incorporates some of her armor protection into her hull structure to save weight, allowing the carriage of a main battery of six 16 centimeter guns, compared to the six 14 centimeter guns carried on the current class of scout cruiser, allowing her to fire a broadside 50% heavier without sacrificing any other capability compared to her predecessors, despite displacing the same tonnage. Another innovation is a flush deck, as well as the inclusion of the main battery in fully enclosed and powered twin gunhouses with integral ammunition hoists, allowing a higher rate of fire and better accuracy than would be possible in conventional deck mounts. The results of the evaluation is likely to remain secret for some time, though will probably be known by the time the Navy orders any new design of cruiser. Though two current design scout cruisers are scheduled to be laid down by the end of the year, their construction was already scheduled and had no relation to the results of Binara's trials.

Mobile Fleet to patrol of outlying islands

The Ministry of the Navy today announced that the entire Mobile Fleet is being prepared to make an extended patrol of the island territories. This patrol will not only assure local island residents of the Navy's ability to defend them, but will also practice the fleet's ability to operate in force for extended periods away from base on the high seas. The patrol is scheduled to begin in October and continue through the end of the year. The precise route of the patrol has not been announced, but is also expected to include forays up the African coast. The Mobile Fleet currently consists of 5 battlecruisers, 14 smaller cruisers, and 35 destroyers, in addition to non-combat support vessels.

____________________________________________________

Prime Minister's Residence, Antananarivo

Randriana stared across his study, absorbed in deep thought. The "Kenyan Question" as it was being called was weighing on his mind as of late, and despite his public statements to the contrary, the fate of Dutch Kenya was of great concern to Madagascar due to it's proximity and possession of a major port and naval base. He had just attended a secret, but very frank briefing hosted by his foreign minister, and none of the possibilities seemed attractive. But there was nothing Madagascar could do, at least not alone. Perhaps with some help he would be able to affect the least-worse option, but it might take a proverbial "deal with the devil".

An idea formed in his head. He got up and looked out the window across the well-lit night skyline of the mountainous capital. His eyes settled on the Rova, the royal palace of Madagascar's monarchs, which was just visible atop one of the distant hills. The current King was only eight years old, and represented by a regent. He had been crowned as an infant after his aunt Queen Ranavolana III had died in 1918 with no direct heir. Although the monarch had long ago been reduced to a figurehead in practice even before the democratic reforms, the child-king was still by law the sovereign of the land, which meant that technically he (or rather his regent, until the king was an adult) authored all official communiques to other governments, even if in reality he only ceremonially signed them with no real power over their contents. He could not inform the Regent of what he had in mind however, at least not yet. In any case, what he was writing was more of a personal letter, even though it's contents would normally merit an official communique. The prime minister sat down and began to write. He couldn't send the letter through normal channels though. He had never before written a personal letter to his intended recipient, so he was certain if any foreign intelligence service was reading his mail that alone would grab their interest.

He would only inform his senior ministers of what he intended, to minimize the chance of a leak. He also decided he would need a way for the letter to be delivered by hand to ensure it would not be read before it reached it's intended recipient. He was certain the foreign minister could recruit trusted diplomatic staff for that task, and given the content of their last meeting he was quite certain he could count on the foreign minister's support. He finished writing the letter; he'd proof read it tomorrow, but right now he needed some sleep. In the meantime he hid it in the bottom drawer of his desk and locked it, to make sure none of the servants saw it when they cleaned the room. He made his way to his bedroom, where his wife was already asleep. Tomorrow would be a long day.

[OOC: The plot thickens! ]

[Siege]

Three emperors form Aegean Axis



JERUSALEM - The Governments of the Balkan Confederacy, Eastern Roman Empire and Egyptian Sultanate today signed a historic agreement to form a grand triple alliance and work together to further the cause of peace in Europe, Africa and Asia. In a magnificent ceremony at the highest peak of Jerusalem the Emperors of the three Great Powers affixed their signatures to the treaty that will entwine the fates of their three States more tightly than ever before.

According to the published terms of the treaty, as well as the proclamations made by high representatives of the respective governments, the signatory States plan to cooperate on mutual defense as well as the development of new weapons of war. The Aegean Axis, as the alliance is already being called in the halls of power, controls the entirety of the eastern Mediterranean, the territories under its protection stretching from the borders of Hungary in the north to Suakin deep in the Sudan, and from Byzantine Sardinia in the west to the Shepistani borders in Persia.

The terms of the treaty are as follows... [treaty terms are published]

[Minister of Pigeonry]

Spain
Palacio Real de Madrid

When word reached the Palace CCC that the Union in Europe had surrendered to the Germans and all colonial territories owned by the former were now under the formal control of the latter, cheers broke out through the room. Celebrations amongst the military staff and their aides continued as the German treaty arrived by courier ceding the Dutch Caribbean territories to the Empire. Dutch Guyana, Curacao, Bonaire, Sint Marten, Saba and Sint Eustatius, roughly 170,000sq kms of new land, had just been gained without a single shot fired by Spanish forces in anger, excluding the “volunteer” squadrons sent to aid the Germans and French against the Union. With enthusiastic speed, the Battlefleet was informed, the Assault fleet was ordered to leave port in Puerto Limon and set sail for the newly acquired territories with their Marines aboard. Two Flotillas of Submarines were recalled to the homeland as well, SC-108 and her crew were going home, their deployment to SACDeF cancelled and traded to other units.

As the Palace CCC went to work with the various loose ends; planning out the civilian side of the new acquisition, ordering the CDCU in Uruguay down to RedCon Yellow, smoothing out the formalities with the Germans and hammering things out with the Portuguese, Her Majesty formalized the treaty and made a statement on the subject.

Treaty between the German empire and the Kingdom of Spain regarding the former Dutch colonies of the Caribbean

The German Empire will hand over the former Dutch colonies in the Caribbean to the Kingdom of Spain.

In return the Kingdom of Spain will guarantee a steady supply of natural resources and allow anyone who so wishes to relocate to the European or Colonial territories of the German Empire.

The Base-sharing agreement shall be extended to those territories gained by both nations in the recent war.

The Dutch fleet originally stationed in the Caribbean shall become the property of the Spanish Empire.

Signed,

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Marian Alfonso Francisca

Prince Eitel Friedrich, designated King of the Netherlands and Belgium
Gustav Stresemann, Vorsteher des Auswärtigen Amtes, on behalf of the German Empire

“Citizens of the Empire, today our German allies and French friends have secured the surrender of the Union of the Low Countries. We must congratulate them on such a swift end to the conflict and, despite the briefness of the fighting, offer our hand in helping them recover and rebuild. As you know, elements of the Grand Fleet were deployed to the Caribbean Sea sometime before the conflict began in distant support of the German and French effort. As the German Empire has graciously ceded those former Dutch Caribbean colonies to our Kingdom, these ships are now poised to sail peacefully into their harbors and formalize annexation. As of now, all former Dutch territories in that region are, from here forward, possessions of the Kingdom of Spain, all acquired without a single shot fired in anger by our forces, all pristine and undamaged.

We now welcome the peoples of Dutch Guyana, Curacao, Bonaire and the other Dutch Antilles into the empire. They have endured much under the crushing fist of Communist oppression and now face a bright future of freedom enjoyed by all Semi-Autonomous territories of the empire. I call now upon the Ministry of Colonial Affairs, the Armada, Naval Infantry, the Colonial Improvement Corps and our Merchant Marine, there is much to be done. We shall pull our new brothers and sisters, new Citizens of the empire, up and offer to them all benefits, opportunities and rights that they are now entitled to. While we shall endeavor to make transition as painless as possible, I and the Ministry Council are well aware that some living in the newly acquired territories may not wish to become citizens and may seek to return to the former Union in Europe or set out to seek their fortunes elsewhere. We sympathize and shall provide those peoples with transportation and the legal approval to do so, no man or woman shall be forced to remain where they do not wish to.

While this is a great triumph for the empire, the Caribbean region remains in turmoil as Mexico and Colombia continue their conflict. Though we did permit Mexicans forces to move through Costa Rica, enabling the attack, and remain bound by that agreement, I hereby offer the Hospital Ship Santa María, her full crew and medical staff to Gran Colombia for the duration of the conflict. It is.. the least that can be offered to those suffering due in part to our actions.”


Southeastern Caribbean
Battlefleet

With several seaplanes buzzing about in the air, lazily circling over the Guyanese Coast, the Guadaljara and several Destroyers made to sail up the Suriname River to Paramaribo. Hopefully the Dutch soldiers who’d seized control of the territory were willing to follow their counterparts in Europe into surrender. So far, no hostile actions had been attempted, but, just incase, the majority of the costal fortifications had been identified by seaplane recon runs and the rest of the Battlefleet off of Dutch Guyana sat at the ready to shell the positions if the need arose.

In Curacao, Bonaire and Sint Maarten, the scene was repeated, though, on a much smaller scale as Spanish ships sailed into the former Dutch ports, their horns and whistle blaring in triumph.

While their comrades on the surface celebrated, two Flotillas of Submarines, one of D-Type Minelayers and the other of C2 Types turned for home accompanied by one of the Sub Tenders.


Costa Rica
Puerto Limon Naval Station

The Assault Fleet set out quickly toward the newly acquired territories, their Marines ready to take up the task of guarding the new lands and assuring they remained secure and at peace. The ships were cautious as they left port, sailing northeast for a time before turning southeast; giving the Mexican-Colombian conflict zones a wide berth on the way by.

Still in port at Puerto Limon, the Hospital Ship Santa María and her single Destroyer escort sat awaiting a reply from the Colombians as per Queen Marian’s offer.


Cisplatina
Florianopolis
Presidential Office (Unreal Time)

"My dear Mr ambassador come into my position for a moment. All of a sudden your country goes on full alert and as you say yourself Chilitina closely follows your lead in moving troops in support of your own movements to their northern regions. Along with mobilizing their fleet, your squadron has already taken to see. Now who would be the logical target of your actions? Obviously not Chilitina since you are acting in concert. Obviously not Brazil. You don't border Brazil... Cisplatina lies between Uruguay and Brazil and the chances of Brazil overrunning us are non existent. Not when we outnumber their whole army by something in the order of 70+ divisions and outgun them even more. Therefore who is left by such simple deduction as the sole plausible target of your actions?

“Your Excellency, I do understand how these actions may appear at a glance, but given a more thorough look you will see that they are not offensive in nature, the forces arrayed in Uruguay are not assembled in a fashion that facilitates an advance. I am no military man myself, but there is, in my opinion, a significant difference between men and materiel reinforcing a defensive line and forces being amassed and assembled for a strike across a border. If your own intelligence sources cannot detect mass Chilitinian fleet deployments, that, to my knowledge were not conducted in concert with our deployments and exercises then I must ask; how can they determine the disposition of Spanish and Uruguayan forces along our Northern Defense Line?

Furthermore, by your logic regarding the strength of Brazil, which we in Uruguay do not share, how could our defensive forces in Uruguay possibly prove a threat to Cisplatina? Given our peaceful history since Uruguay rejoined the Spanish Empire, I cannot see how you can so easily deduce our actions are aimed at harming your country with whom we have enjoyed a peaceful relationship for so long. If you must know, your Excellency, the twelve Submarines deployed from SACDeF in Montevideo are bound for the Caribbean Sea. Those submarines make up the whole of forces deployed from Uruguay beyond standard Stage Three Alert patrols within our territorial waters. Sir, I can only offer you what I know and you must agree Spain and her overseas provinces have nothing to gain from threatening a people we have significant respect for.”


Semi-Autonomous Overseas Province of Spanish Uruguay
CDCU (Real Time)

Orders soon arrived to dial back the Readiness Condition and, as the news sunk in that Spain had gained new land in the Caribbean, the Province quietly downgraded from Readiness Condition Orange-Full to Readiness Condition Yellow. Units were slowly withdrawn from the Northern Line, Railway Guns hauled away and returned to their usual places of storage and the general mobilization alert was dropped returning the Province to its usual quiet routine.

In Montevideo, the two replacement Submarine Flotillas arrived and filled in the space left by the two that had been sent to join the Battlefleet. A message was also sent off to the Chilitinians declaring the RedCon reduction.

[Akhlut]

Diplomatic Telegram to Mongolia

TELEGRAM

REPEAT BACK

People's Republic Afghanistan is grateful for Mongolian assistance in war stop Request send men across sea and then on railroads to Kabul stop Request four divisions to shore up defences stop Afghani forces not combat ready stop Signed Minister Al-Ludd stop

Diplomatic Telegram to Afghanistan

TELEGRAM

REPEAT BACK

Mongolia is willing to help stop Unable to send across sea due to hundreds of kilometers of China being in way stop We have many transport planes to bus in troops stop Do you have proper air fields for us to land stop Khan Angarag stop

[Raj Ahten]

Diplomacy: Germany

Chilitina announced that it would be sending delegates to the Coronation Ceremony being hosted by Germany. The head of the delegation would be Philip Becarra, a career diplomat. Other members of the delegation included firebrand members of parliament including Jesus Lopez Revera, who characterized the German led war effort against the Dutch as, "The greatest killing of communists yet!"

Diplomacy: Cisplatina

In light of seemingly worsening relations with his Northern neighbor, Chilitine Prime Minister Morales announced his intention to visit Cisplatina on a mission of friendship. The Prime Minister is quoted as saying, "Peace between the truly democratic people's of South America is too important to leave to chance. I intend to travel to Cisplatina to find the best way for our two nations to live in harmony."

[Lonestar]

The Gold Palace

Word of the advance in Manchuria pleased Lord Fairfax. Dominionite arms, after the humiliating standoff with Germany and the slipping away of the Dutch Kenyan Fleet the entry of the IVA along the main front in Manchuria gave the Grand Dominion some much needed prestige. Already the press was crowing it from the rooftops. It was a good thing that no one had looked too closely at the logistical effort, which could charitably be called a snafu. The Dominionite army simply was not an expeditionary one, and supply train had been one clusterfuck after another, right down to the truck cabs and truck trailers moving on different ships, to different ports. In spite of the inanity at times(one infantry regiment received 30 pallets of peanut butter, but no ammo. Or bread.) Enough had come together to send the IVA into the field, where the battle-hardened Dominionite "volunteers" finally marched into the cauldron.

Still. It was a small political triumph that was overshadowed by the German situation. Both the Right and the Left were crying out for some kind of action to check Germany. The Left for revenge for their socialist brothers, and the Right because of the perceived encirclement that the Grand Dominion was undergoing. Lord Wythe had came in stomping around insisting that VADM be relieved and placed on Half-pay, and it had been all he could do to prevent that from happening. Runnels was an outstanding officer, even if he was a coolie.

To add to the trouble he had received a note from an unlikely source. After reading through it, a letter of wishy-washiness and maybes, Lord Fairfax snorted and sent a response back to the originator. The Grand Dominion would work with the originator, but only to a point.

Finally, he turned to a letter that he had been putting off. The proud Dominionite in him wanted to tell Sänger to immediately back away, but he knew that such a tone would put the letter firmly in the circular-filing cabinet. And that was if he was lucky, the way the Germans were acting right now they might take the letter as a personal insult and a justification for war...a War that the Grand Dominion simply could not afford. He needed to be honest, and he thought, frank with Sänger.

Letter to the German Empire:

Reichskanzler Sänger,

I wish your Emperor good health.

If I may be frank with you, there is a perception within the Grand Dominion that the last 15 years has seen Germany asserting itself as a Hagemon in Europe. While this was fine before for must Dominionites, the recent expansion into the Indian Ocean by way of seizing Dutch colonies has been disconcerting, to say the least. The act of ignoring the decision of Kenya to enter into an agreement with the Congolese has been upsetting. I recognize the immense irony involved with myself saying it, as I know well the reputation that the Grand Dominion has gained over the decades, but there it is.

I would like a clear statement as to the German Empire's longterm goals in the Indian Ocean.

[Akhlut]

Reserve Activation Order No. 1, 1925

As of today, I, Khan Angarag, hereby order the mobilization of the reserve mountaineer divisions as follows for use in the defense of Afghanistan as soon as possible, to defend Central Asia from the depredations of outside forces.

The 92nd Baruun-Urt Aimag "Big Sword" Division
The 110th Dundgovi Aimag "Wolfpack" Division
The 83rd Khövsgöl Aimag "Wild Stallions" Division
The 84th Khövsgöl Aimag "Silent Hunters" Division
The 85 Khövsgöl Aimag "Golden Banner" Division

Mobilization Order No. 1, 1925

As of today, I, Khan Angarag, hereby authorize and order the shipment of the following divisions to Kabul as quickly as possible for the defense of Afghanistan.

The 45th "Icemen" Mountaineer Division
The 46th "Iron Lords" Mountaineer Division
The 47th "Old Guard" Mountaineer Division
The 48th "Ogodei" Mountaineer Division
The 49th "Peaksmen" Mountaineer Division
The 50th "Thunderers" Artillery/Infantry Division
The 51st "Lightning" Artillery/Infantry Division
The 1st Engineers Brigade
The 2nd Engineers Brigade
The 3rd Engineers Brigade
The 4th Engineers Brigade
The 5th Engineers Brigade
The 6th Engineers Brigade
The 7th Engineers Brigade

The usage of all transport aircraft is authorized for this deployment. Furthermore, the usage of the airforce is hereby authorized to provide support in this conflict.

[RogueIce]

Department of the Navy - Washington, D.C.

Secretary of the Navy Curtis Dwight Wilbur was happy. His request to modernize the Navy had been strongly supported by President Raynor, especially in light of the numerous conflicts that had exploded around the world. Already, the first fifteen new Bainbridge class destroyers had begun construction. While essentially just a modified Clemson, they would go a ways to replacing many of the older classes still in service. A new destroyer design was also in the works, this one leaps ahead of the current classes in service. This destroyer, class name still undetermined as anything other than DD1926, would be ready for building next year.

In other news, the finalization of the Tampa class Heavy Cruiser design. These ships would begin construction in October. Originally meant as an answer to the Cascadian Lightning class Large Cruiser, they had ended up being cut in weight and armor, yet their main armament was equal and their speed was - ever so slightly - faster. In truth, SECNAV Wilbur considered this an interim design, and the sacrifice in weight had been done to see the cruiser in service faster. The current Memphis and Tennessee designs were reclassified Armored Cruisers, which had entered service in the early years of the century. The Saint Petersburg class Light Cruisers would also begin construction sometime early next year, and complement the Omaha class in replacing the older designs still in service out of need.

The Navy was still working on a new battleship design to replace the South Dakota class. While the final two SoDaks wouldn't be finished until 1928, they were already outclassed by the various 55,000-plus ton battleships being fielded in other navies, or already constructing. And of course there were the two Lexington class ships; former battlecruisers - until the superior Cascadian Lightning had rendered them obsolete before they were built - being converted into aircraft carriers. Right now, no new plans were on the boards for new models, with the Lexes slated to serve alongside the smaller Langley. But SECNAV Wilbur knew there was a small - but increasingly vocal - contingent of Naval officers who would want to see that changed, and soon.

Over in the War Department, things were happening as well. The activation of two Reserve Divisions was being joined with considerable research into the new technologies that had been so brilliantly displayed by the Germans during the recent Four Days War. Also in the works was the modernization and expansion of the US Army Air Service; to mark the nation's committment to the endeavor, it was widely believed - though not yet officially confirmed - that they would be redesignated the United States Army Air Corps at the beginning of the year.

---

Results
Essentially, just some housekeeping stuff to catch up on my build queues and other things IC.

[loomer]

Diplomatic Telegram to Mongolia

TELEGRAM

REPEAT BACK

Apologize for unclear communication stop Afghani atlases horridly out of date stop Date back to eighteen-seventy-five stop Airfields available for priority landings in Kol-i-Karasu Port along Inland Sea, will shuttle men via airships stop Also available if transports of sufficient range are following stop Zibak District Airfield comma Shiwa Lake Airfield stop Deepest gratitude from Minister Al-Ludd will discuss repayment after war stop

Kabul, People's Republic of Afghanistan

Leaning against the balcony, Fahad took a sip of his coffee, freshly brewed. "Al-Ludd, less cardamon next time. It is overpowering the coffee itself." It was a frosty morning in the capitol, but already the air was full of sound as a combat detachment of the First Kabul Volunteers Division practiced in the street in front of the Ministerial Palace and the chaotic roads were filled with speeding trucks and squabbling pedestrians alike. Bayonet drill was first on the order for each morning, and the sheepskin hatted, wool coat wearing men were getting the hang of it.

They were interrupted by a new noise and a new sight rolling down the main street of Kabul - Soviet tanks. "Here they are. I had thought they would send more." With the Soviet-Manchurian war raging, resources were stretched thin further North, but assistance would be paid back with assistance. The total? Fifty Renault FT-17s and five of the far heavier Mendeleev tracked tanks. They were joined in turn by the Afghani answer...

Three old, noisy, slow and clumsy British Mark 1s. The entire Afghani Armoured Corps. But there was one thing that hadn't been considered by Russia in this lend-lease of forces. Fahad had no intention of sending all the Renault Russkiys back. Not when his own army didn't even understand how to build an armoured vehicle even approaching modern standards.

Conclusions:
-The Russian tank forces, accompanied by the Afghani divisions sent to Russia, sweep into Kabul for deployment further south.
-Airfields with rail access are cleared for Mongolian forces.

[Beowulf]

Northern Manchuria
Unreal Time (~D+40-D+45)

The Soviets were being pushed back, slowly, by the massed army of nearly half a million men of the Manchu/Chinese Army Beiyat. Unfortunately for the Soviets, the push was merely to keep their attention focused to the south. From the east came the other Army: Beiyi. Formed from six Manchu Army Corps, the majority had been ferried up to the front on ferry boats to the north side of the river. It proceeded to sweep around the much less well manned positions supporting the soviet salient, trapping hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops, and smashing apart several divisions that stood in their way. The attack occured so quickly and with such overwhelming strength that it proved impossible to disengage from the Beiyat Army in order to defend against the attack.

A breakout attempt was soon tried, but it only managed to get half the troops that were originally in the pocket out. Those that did make it out were too broken to form a coherent line of defense, and kept running all the way back to Chita.

Further south, the combined Manchu/Chinese force designated Army Xiyat, nearly three quarters of a million strong were assaulting the Soviets southern salient, managing to push them back almost 10 miles. The Chinese forces had been increased by four corps that had travelled up to Hailar, before debarking and marching to the front. But they weren't the most damaging part.

The real damage came from the Chinese Army Xiyi, formed of six corps plus attachments, which first ran over five soviet infantry divisions in the gap between Lake Hulun and the Hailar He. It then proceeded northwest to Zabaykalsk, where the army managed to hold onto the rail line for several days, long enough to prevent rail traffic and to heavily damage the line, through both warping the rails with fire and brute strength, as well as dynamiting the rail bed. It would take months to repair the tracks, assuming the Chinese force could get dislodged far enough south to be able to keep them from shelling the repair crews.

--

Results:
Soviet Northern Salient smashed - 120k troops captured, 300k troops escape, some 80k troops dead or wounded in the fighting (wounded being brought back to Chita). 500k troops involved in the fighting in total
Combined Chinese/Manchu losses: 35k casualties
1 corps disbanded to make up losses in other formations. Remaining troops to come from other sources.

Soviet Southern Salient pushed back 10 miles - 45k soviet casualties, 18k manchu/chinese casualties. Front is now 25 miles in front of Hailar He

Soviet ability to support Southern Salient reduced by 50% from cutting of southern rail line supporting said salient. Northern rail line supplying southern salient still in use. Total casualties: 12k chinese, 40k Soviet

Relative losses at different battles are roughly proportional to the square of the force ratio.

Soviet POWs: ~150k (includes captured and wounded left behind that were captured)

[Thanas]

Berlin, Reichskanzlei

Sänger had just signed the report for the scrapping of the Dutch fleet and was now looking at the minister of finance. "Please give me some good news." The minister twitched. "Well, Herr Kanzler, I am afraid there are none. As you can see from my report, the Dutch industry and infrastructure is in serious need of upgrade. I have formulated a program to bring them up to German standards, but as you can see this will take some time."

Sänger looked at the massive program, comprised of several hundred pages. "I'll read that later. The rough breakdown, please." The finance minister twitched. "To be blunt, Sir, we will have little to no gain from the Dutch war at the moment. It will take at least six years before the industry will be wholly integrated. The proportion of industry currently available that we can use without stopping integration is miniscule. In short, sir, at least for the next years, the proportion of funds spent on the Netherlands, especially if your construction projects go ahead, will exceed the amoung of funds we will gain by one third at least. Only after two years will we break even, although that will only be due to the biggest projects being finished then. Only at the start of the seventh year will we receive a real boost."

The finance minister swallowed. "I have to admit our early projections failed to take into account the money and industrial capacity needed to improve the quality of living of the Dutch, which thanks to the inefficient communists and the unnecessary war of Hammer actually declined since 1910. Furthermore, there is the non-trivial matter of switching from a command to a market economy. The German state will take over most centralized industries, like the shipyards or weapon manufacturing, but this is not a feasible choice for say, consumer products. And even in the government-run industries we'd like to keep state-owned, we will at least need minority partners."

Sänger accepted the news with a grim nod. "Very well. Thank you, Minister."

Showing the minister to the door, he once more noted the utter chaos in the outer office. I really need the new secretaries soon.

Walking back into the office, he then took a look at the other pressing diplomatic issue of the day - the Kenya situation. It seemed as if the Dominion had once more decided to make its presence known.

Letter to the German Empire:

Reichskanzler Sänger,

I wish your Emperor good health.

If I may be frank with you, there is a perception within the Grand Dominion that the last 15 years has seen Germany asserting itself as a Hagemon in Europe. While this was fine before for must Dominionites, the recent expansion into the Indian Ocean by way of seizing Dutch colonies has been disconcerting, to say the least. The act of ignoring the decision of Kenya to enter into an agreement with the Congolese has been upsetting. I recognize the immense irony involved with myself saying it, as I know well the reputation that the Grand Dominion has gained over the decades, but there it is.

I would like a clear statement as to the German Empire's longterm goals in the Indian Ocean.

"Immense Irony indeed.", Sänger mumbled.

After he had scribbled a few notes on the paper - and found someone to deliver it over to Streesemann, he went back to read the massive document prepared by the finance ministry.

From the German Empire to the Grand Dominion of the Indies

Lord Fairfax,

our beloved Emperor is indeed in good health. I trust the same applies to you and your nation, which our Emperor much admires.

As the successor state to the Union of the Low Countires, we are of the opinion that every former Union and now German citizen deserves the utmost protection of the German Government, which is the reason for the German intervention in Kenya. I trust you will not begrudge Germany the right to fortify and protect her new territories. I shall remind you that Germany's fleet and army deployments in the region are vastly outnumbered by the forces of other Nations, including your own.

The German Empire, in order to quell any rumours of German Aggression being directed against the Grand Dominion of the Indies, or for that matter, against any other state in the region, is willing to arrange for a sale of surplus military material to the Grand Dominion of the Indies or any other state that might, for whatever reason, feel threatened by Germany.

As for Germany's long-term goals in the Indian Ocean, our long-term goals have and will always be the security of shipping lanes and the safety of German commerce. We feel that our recent acquisitions primarily serve this purpose and not the implied purpose of preparing for a war against any other power and indeed we are already negotiating with other powers who have voiced similar concerns in order to ease those concerns. I am sure the Dominion and the German Empire will manage to do so as well.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler
Gustav Stresemann, Vorsteher des Auswärtigen Amtes

Results:
- Germany responds to the message of the Dominion
- Integration of the dutch industry will be slow, taking at least six years before the industry is up to German standards and fully integrated there.

[Lascaris]

Berlin, Reichskanzlei

Johannes Drücker, Cisplatina's ambassador to Germany looked quite different from the usual stereotype of a Latin American. Someone not knowing would describe himself as an ordinary upper class German. After a fashion he would even be correct as Drücker's parents had been born in Germany and come to Cisplatina with their parents in the great wave of German immigration to the republic fleeing the failure of the 1848 German revolution.

"Ah herr Reichkanzler. So freulich von ihnen to spare a little of your time for my visit." he start in flawless and fluent German.

"The reason of my visit has to do with the aftermath of your annexation of the Low Countries. As you probably know our country is descended from Dutch colonists not unlike South Africa. Thus we have a keen interest to the well being of our Dutch cousins. Further our country is a country of immigrants and more that just any kind of immigrant. We took in the European liberals fleeing the 1848 revolutions, Jews fleeing the pogroms, Russian liberals fleeing both the tsars and the communists, Italians unhappy with the fate of Italy ypu name it we have welcomed them.

No matter how good your intentions with the people of the Low Countries and I'm certain of their benovelance, there will be people, probably a lot of them who will not like living under German rule. So on behalf of president Sneider I would like to extend to you a proposal. The republic is willing to welcome any Dutch that would prefer to start a new life in Cispatina to living under Berlin's control. We would think such a proposal to be to your advantage as well since it would remove from your new territories a lot of potential troublemakers and malcontents..."

[loomer]

Shepistani Border, People's Republic of Afghanistan
While Kabul had been woken by the rumbling of Soviet tanks, no one had been woken along the border, because no one had slept. Tensions were too high, especially in the outdated, undermanned, gas-defence lacking forts of Reg Alaqadari, Spin Buldak, Gag Ghar, and Sulaimani Chauki. Hasty construction was being undergone, shoring up decrepit walls with fresh coats of concrete and brick, with the same urgency as the half-built Akmar fort in the Kandahari desert and the fort of Sursurang, in the same disarray. The Afghanis were sinking much of the fort into the mountains they were built on themselves - ammunition dumps, food storage, even barracks, were all safely ensconced by twenty feet of stone, at least where they'd been able to blast out the initial workings.

Even with the fresh arrival the day before of ten whole divisions - six had been intended to arrive the day before that, but chaos slowed their progress to a crawl - the line was dangerously thin. Two hundred thousand men, with all of a thousand artillery pieces, had been tasked with defending the entire border, a thousand mile long stretch. The only thing keeping this from being utter madness was the mountainous nature of it, channeling likely approaches into just a few main passes.

These passes could be held. At Fort Akmar were 15,000 infantrymen, 30,000 cavalrymen - skilled cavalrymen at that, not mere reservists or Kandahari volunteers - and around a hundred and ten artillery pieces, half crewed by reservists. Reg Alaqadari had received 15,000 bright faced reservists from Kandahar. At Spin Boldak, the locally based reservists had been activated as soon as tensions spiked - half spent their days manning the fort anyway -and bolstered the total numbers there to around 17,000 men (coupled with some local volunteers of dubious quality), with artillery on the way from Kandahar.

Further North, at Gag Ghar, 30,000 men had freshly arrived, all reservists, with a single detachment of artillery from Ghurian scheduled to arrive the next day. Sulaimani had received the same, with artillery scheduled to arrive in three, and Fort Sursurang now had 30,000 dedicated infantry troops, with artillery being rushed there from Obe.

Full-scale activation of the reserves had begun throughout the nation, and within two more weeks Afghanistan would have a million men and all of those thousand guns would be in place. The factories were already turning from manufacturing cars and pipes to more big guns, to more rifles, to more trucks and transports.

The thin line just had to hold until then.

[Thanas]

Berlin, Reichskanzlei

Johannes Drücker, Cisplatina's ambassador to Germany looked quite different from the usual stereotype of a Latin American. Someone not knowing would describe himself as an ordinary upper class German. After a fashion he would even be correct as Drücker's parents had been born in Germany and come to Cisplatina with their parents in the great wave of German immigration to the republic fleeing the failure of the 1848 German revolution.

"Ah herr Reichkanzler. So freulich von ihnen to spare a little of your time for my visit." he start in flawless and fluent German.

"The reason of my visit has to do with the aftermath of your annexation of the Low Countries. As you probably know our country is descended from Dutch colonists not unlike South Africa. Thus we have a keen interest to the well being of our Dutch cousins. Further our country is a country of immigrants and more that just any kind of immigrant. We took in the European liberals fleeing the 1848 revolutions, Jews fleeing the pogroms, Russian liberals fleeing both the tsars and the communists, Italians unhappy with the fate of Italy ypu name it we have welcomed them.

No matter how good your intentions with the people of the Low Countries and I'm certain of their benovelance, there will be people, probably a lot of them who will not like living under German rule. So on behalf of president Sneider I would like to extend to you a proposal. The republic is willing to welcome any Dutch that would prefer to start a new life in Cispatina to living under Berlin's control. We would think such a proposal to be to your advantage as well since it would remove from your new territories a lot of potential troublemakers and malcontents..."

Jesus Christ, where the heck has that person learnt German? It is freundlich, not freulich.... Was Sänger's first thought when the garbled German flowed out of that persons mouth. And his tone...how undiplomatic.

But the Reichskanzler smiled and shook the ambassadors hand. "Why, thank you for that offer. I shall take it into consideration and reply to it once a decision has been reached. Take note, however, that I have already many such offers on the table. For example, we already allow emigration to the former dutch colonies of Suriname and the assorted territories and, if the Congolese and the German Empire come to an agreement, we will also allow emigration to the colony of Kenya. I am also in negotiations with another communist country for allowing dutch citizens to move there."

Sänger stopped for a bit and then offered the ambassador a glass of scotch. Alright, I can do undiplomatic just as well. Time to throw it out there. "But, like I said, I thank you for your offer and shall consider it carefully. Maybe there is something Cisplatina could do to convince the German Empire that it truly is a friend to the German Nation? For example, our allies in Spain are worried about your military presence on the border in Uruguay. Maybe Cisplatina would sign a non-aggression pact with them to assure us that Cisplatina shares the same values as Germany does?"

[Lascaris]

Jesus Christ, where the heck has that person learnt German? It is freundlich, not freulich.... Was Sänger's first thought when the garbled German flowed out of that persons mouth. And his tone...how undiplomatic.

OOC In Athens some 17 years ago. But unlike English I haven't seriously used German for over a decade. So I suppose I'm allowed a slight misspell when writing at 2AM in the morning.

But the Reichskanzler smiled and shook the ambassadors hand. "Why, thank you for that offer. I shall take it into consideration and reply to it once a decision has been reached. Take note, however, that I have already many such offers on the table. For example, we already allow emigration to the former dutch colonies of Suriname and the assorted territories and, if the Congolese and the German Empire come to an agreement, we will also allow emigration to the colony of Kenya. I am also in negotiations with another communist country for allowing dutch citizens to move there."

Of course herr reichskanzler. All we ask is letting the Dutch have the same freedom of choice German citizens have. If they want to leave Germany for Cisplatina why all we ask is let them do so without hindrance.

Sänger stopped for a bit and then offered the ambassador a glass of scotch. Alright, I can do undiplomatic just as well. Time to throw it out there. "But, like I said, I thank you for your offer and shall consider it carefully. Maybe there is something Cisplatina could do to convince the German Empire that it truly is a friend to the German Nation? For example, our allies in Spain are worried about your military presence on the border in Uruguay. Maybe Cisplatina would sign a non-aggression pact with them to assure us that Cisplatina shares the same values as Germany does?"

Ah an interesting question that herr kanzler. How can Cisplatina prove being the Reich's friend? Is Cisplatina Reich's friend in the first place? We are asking to take in your enemies. We have already given refuge to a lot of your enemies like Italian unioninsts. Before that a lot of the German immigrants in Cisplatina were fleeing the very governments that came together to form the German empire. What is this making us in the view of Germany?

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

From the German Empire to the Byzantine Empire
Your Imperial Majesty,

The German empire is prepared to discuss the sale of Yogyakarta.

The German Empire would be prepared to sign over the province if the following conditions are met:

- The Byzantine Empire guarantees and provides for the relocation of any citizen who wishes to return to the European or colonial territories of the German Empire. Anybody who does so shall receive compensation at 120% of the market price from the Byzantine Empire.
- The Byzantine Empire will give the same guarantees to the population as Germany did in the peace treaty with the former Union of the Low Countries
- The Byzantine Empire will provide funds and/or raw materials like oil and concrete equal to the value of the colony to the German Empire. The Byzantine Empire, if paying in raw materials, will transport these to a destination of the German Empire's choosing.
- The Byzantine Empire promises not to use the area gained as a military base.

Shall the Byzantine Empire find these terms acceptable, the German empire suggests the signing of such a treaty and the non-aggression pact during the train rides between the coronation ceremonies.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

To Reichskanzler Johannes Sänger,
To His Imperial Majesty Wilhelm II., von Gottes Gnaden Deutscher Kaiser und König von Preußen, Reichsverweser von Österrreich und Ungarn etc.

The Emperor Alexios IV Komnenos regards these terms as acceptable, and will use oil and possibly other raw materials if requested as barter. The Emperor is willing to offer attractive discounts on future purchases of oil from the Byzantine Empire, and will comply with German desires to not use the area gained as a military base. The Emperor looks forward to being present at the coronation and investiture of His Royal Highness, the crown Prince Eitel Fredrich of Prussia, as well as signing the said agreement during the train rides between the coronation ceremonies.

Signed,
Exarch Ignatius Korolev
Foreign Minister for the Emperor Alexios IV Komnenos

[Thanas]

Berlin, Reichskanzlei

Ah an interesting question that herr kanzler. How can Cisplatina prove being the Reich's friend? Is Cisplatina Reich's friend in the first place? We are asking to take in your enemies. We have already given refuge to a lot of your enemies like Italian unioninsts. Before that a lot of the German immigrants in Cisplatina were fleeing the very governments that came together to form the German empire. What is this making us in the view of Germany?

Sänger smiled at the diplomat. He is not really even trying to be evasive. "Not somebody who Germany would be inclined to do any favors unless they convince us that helping Cisplatina would not do any harm to our allies. Now - " he held up a hand to stop the amabssador from answering - "Now I have already told you what we would require in exchange for allowing Cisplatina to receive immigrants. I am certain communists would be just as willing to emigrate to other territories. In short, your services, ambassador, are not needed and it would be us who would be doing you a favor, not the other way around. So maybe you could do us a small favor in return and affirm that you have no designs on Uruguay by signing a non-aggression pact with Spain? Or do you mean to tell me that you want to wage war against the allies of Germany and thus, by extension, Germany itself?"

[Lascaris]

Berlin, Reichskanzlei

Ah an interesting question that herr kanzler. How can Cisplatina prove being the Reich's friend? Is Cisplatina Reich's friend in the first place? We are asking to take in your enemies. We have already given refuge to a lot of your enemies like Italian unioninsts. Before that a lot of the German immigrants in Cisplatina were fleeing the very governments that came together to form the German empire. What is this making us in the view of Germany?

Sänger smiled at the diplomat. He is not really even trying to be evasive. "Not somebody who Germany would be inclined to do any favors unless they convince us that helping Cisplatina would not do any harm to our allies. Now - " he held up a hand to stop the amabssador from answering - "Now I have already told you what we would require in exchange for allowing Cisplatina to receive immigrants. I am certain communists would be just as willing to emigrate to other territories. In short, your services, ambassador, are not needed and it would be us who would be doing you a favor, not the other way around. So maybe you could do us a small favor in return and affirm that you have no designs on Uruguay by signing a non-aggression pact with Spain? Or do you mean to tell me that you want to wage war against the allies of Germany and thus, by extension, Germany itself?"

"I'm hardly certain we would be willing to accept communists immigrating to the country in the first place. The communist party is of course legal but that doesn't mean we are neccesarily interested in allowing foreign communists in. Liberal nationalists is a different matter, after all our country was established on the very values of liberal nationalism. And to be completely frank somehow I doubt you have a practical dumping ground for these. Spain won't do since in their view it is just one more of the occupying powers. Communist havens won't do for the simple reason they are not communists. And they are going to be much more of a problem in holding down the Netherlands than any communist.

As to the question of Spain. The republic has never de jure recognized Spanish control of Uruguay. One reason, perhaps the biggest is that our public since independence has considered ourselves intrinsically connected to our Uruguayan cousins across the border. It was widely thought that Uruguay sooner or later would unite itself with the republic. Any government that tried changing this would cease being the government under the storm of public protest in short order. The other reason is that Cisplatina agrees to the American concept of the Monroe doctrine. We tolerated Spanish intervention in Uruguay back in 1903 only because we were tied up with the Brazilian civil war. In the name of maintaining peace we have de facto accepted Spanish control of Uruguay since then. But that is as far as we are going to go. As long as the Uruguayans remain content with their lot we will continue de facto recognition of Spanish control. And to remain undiplomatically frank recent Spanish expanshionism do not exactly incline either our government or our public to a change of our foreign policy towards greater recognition of Spanish claims.

[Steve]

Portland, Federal District
2 August 1925

The Friday after Sophie had come home from the hospital, Stephen assembled senior Senate leaders to the Presidential Residence to discuss the preliminary treaty proposal outlined by the Germans through Ambassador von Spee. The treaty was a final resolution to the entire mess of the Dutch War, containing the renouncement of claims against the Top End by Germany acting as the successor state authority of the defunct Union of the Low Countries and further ceding Bakaheuni and Banda Aceh to Cascadia. For thse "concessions" - primarily issues of legality as the facts on the ground made the ownership of the territory mentioned rather plain - Cascadia would guarantee German access to natural resources, emigration into the German Empire would not be barred, and both sides would enact the terms of their 1899 Naval Accord in their new holdings.

Another way of putting it, as both Rachels (that is, his wife and SecState MacKenzie) had pointed out with varying amounts of humor, Germany was recognizing a territorial distribution it had no real power to alter or even desire to and in exchange it was getting precisely what it already got from Cascadia, just written into a treaty.

Senate Minority Leader Paul Ruckers, a Nevada Senator, was the lead Conservative in the room and also function as their lead member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which could end up discussing the treaty if the Senate sent it to them before ratification. He made an open snort at the terms and would repeat what Stephen had heard from other sides, just in a less... charitable tone.

"I admit this seems overdone, but it does tie everything up in a legal framework," Cadbury remarked. As Vice President and thus the man who presided over the Senate, Cadbury had been called into the meeting and was generally defending the treaty. "I see no reason to oppose this treaty. Frankly all the terms are already being followed in practice."

"That's not the point," Ruckers grumbled in retort. "The point is that the treaty presumes that those territories are Germany's to do with as they please, when the Top End has been Cascadian by right since the First Australia Treaty!"
"If I may, Senator..." MacKenzie lifted a copy of the treaty and placed her finger against the relevant term. "The language of the treaty does not presume German ownership of the Top End, it merely states that the German Empire, now that it contains the successor states of the defunct Union, is relinquishing any claim upon it through that succession."
"The Union claim was a legal dead letter," Ruckers spat. "It was an act of theft, pure and simple, and this has been this government's position since the Dutch first seized the land!"
"The common law tradition does recognize that settlement and a failure to resist it can provide such settlements with legal power," MacKenzie retorted. "The Dutch have long argued that Darwin was terra nullius when they settled it..."
"Ignoring plainly the port facilities..."
"....and that Cascadia, by not immediately working to expel them, gave them legal ownership. I'm not saying this is right, as over the years the various Administrations have taken various and many steps to settle the issue, but we were never able to effectively resort to military force until now so the basis of the Dutch claim, now German, holds some weight." She looked at Cadbury a bit glumly, though the ice between them had melted a bit as it became clear that military force was inevitable as a consequence of the Franco-German invasion. "And then there are the Sumatran ports. Need I remind you, Senator, that we did recognize those as Dutch zones in exchange for their recognition of Cascadian claims elsewhere in the East Indies? We actually have no real legal basis to claim them, simply force and an argument, somewhat dubious, of national security. Germany is well within their rights to insist their return to Dutch or Belgian authority under the newly-forming Dutch and Belgian Kingdoms; that they're not and only asking for us to codify our trade and emigration policies regarding the German Empire in a treaty as compensation is quite reasonable and friendly of the Germans."

Ruckers' expression remained stern, but he spoke no further. Discussion gravitated toward finer points - was Germany open to reciprocation of the emigration rights? How would the term regarding the guarantee of resource exports be enforced in Cascadia's free market? - with some discussion on whether Congressman Ghandhi's public insistence on Cascadia taking an initiative with Germany on Bali becoming an "autonomous Hindu state" within the German Empire was an appropriate thing to do or an unwise act of interference in internal German affairs. Soon the meeting adjourned and, for the President, it was none too soon, as he had a weekend getaway with his family and a recovered Sophie to get started.

Hours later, the "Presidential Express" - the train explicitly for the use of Cascadia's President- left Portland, bound for Astoria and a weekend "back home" for the family that had so narrowly avoided tragedy in this summer of turmoil. It was to be a "getaway" in name only, of course, because even as the train pulled away from the station, guns were thundering and troops marching far to the south in the land of Panama, and depending how things developed the duties of President had the potential to trump the desires of a relieved father.