[Forum Game] - Crisis in the Reichstag

Maxwell500 said:

People of Germany, I know I have made mistakes, and for that I am sorry, but I am only human! I only do what I think is best for Germany and her people, I strive to make Germany a stronger and better land, where everyone, even those that hate me, can be happy! I want to serve you, the people, allow me to do so!

~His Imperial and Royal Majesty, the German Emperor and King of Prussia, Wilhelm III

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And so you do this by holding one election in the middle of a war, and then when the government is completely destroyed, you call another?

This is not serving the people. This is participating in machine politics, and it will only end badly if you keep attempting to game the system to get a result you like. If you wish to serve the Empire, Your Majesty, then do so.

I cannot, in good faith, serve under such a buffoon as this man, nor can I allow any other buffoon to wield as much power as this one does. Therefore, I resign any cabinet posts that may have been assigned to me, for due to the chaos I am not truly certain if I even possess one or not, and I resign from the National Liberal Party in order to join the German Democratic Party. You may have your puppets that refuse to so much as think of dissenting against you, but know that I am most certainly not one of those puppets!

The Chief of the General Staff says the Kaiser has the full support of the military. That is not true, I for one do not support him and I believe I can speak for many other soldiers. I support the position of Kaiser but I do not support the current one. I wish to reveal something that my predecessor, Albrecht von Schlieffen discovered just before his murder. He had sent investigators to investigate the murder of previous investigators. Two of those brave men were found dead, the other two returned with their tongues cut out, unable to speak. They had however written on a piece of paper two words: "Kaiser's men"

General Alfred von Roon, commander of the Eighth army

Spectre17 said:

The Chief of the General Staff says the Kaiser has the full support of the military. That is not true, I for one do not support him and I believe I can speak for many other soldiers. I support the position of Kaiser but I do not support the current one. I wish to reveal something that my predecessor, Albrecht von Schlieffen discovered just before his murder. He had sent investigators to investigate the murder of previous investigators. Two of those brave men were found dead, the other two returned with their tongues cut out, unable to speak. They had however written on a piece of paper two words: "Kaiser's men"

General Alfred von Roon, commander of the Eighth army

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Are suggesting the Kaiser abdicate to another member of the house of Hohenzollern or should a new house asume the Imperial throne?

People of Germany, you see now how inept a monarchy is? Eye must say that the Emperor himself has been most helpful in sharpening my point. Eye will bee eyeing the fallout from these constant election bombs that he keeps dropping, and I must say that as of right now they do stink. Now, moving on from describing the fetid aroma of his oh so mighty imp-erial travesty, I must say that the red parties are not much better, in its own unique ways of course. The SPD has been sitting inactive on its chair, and like a potato it has buried its head in the earth. If it cannot dig itself out of its ditch, then I shall unbury its chest and break it open by what means would be necessary. If I then would happen to discover that the SPD has already been decomposed beyond recognition then I shall have to use other measures, and if I must then also utilising what is still left.

Now, the right on its side is not quite right either. It stubbornly either clings to the belief of a monarchy or wants to "reform" the system. It is my belief that these "reformers" mostly want to remake the system into something that would favour them, although they would of course be called out on it so they are obviously not going to do so. Not exactly, by any means. What I mean, is that they cannot be trusted to be left to their own devices, especially not the meaner wrighters, and I do mean that. Of course, the right consists of more than just monarchists, and that isn't not good. However, if one were to measure the exact makeup of the rite then I think one would discover that the oh so "kingly" side is largest in quantity.

- Kavehe Kalemburer

I believe we should keep the House of Hohenzollern. We must remember that it was the House of Hohenzollern that united Germany. Despite the evil's of following rulers we cannot throw that aside so quickly.

General Alfred von Roon

"I concur with General von Roon. We cannot simply clamor for deposing the entire monarchy. It was the monarchy - the Hohenzollerns - that united Germany and created this great Reich. Should we disregard that simple fact, the Reich might very well see its end very soon.

However, I do believe that His Majesty Wilhelm III is quite inept at filling his father's position as Kaiser."

~ Minister Friedrich von Weiss
Naval Ministry

If the Kaiser wishes to abdicate for the good or the Reich, let him hand the throne to his uncle Prinz Henrich if needed, although I hope it does not come to that.

Is it the outlaw of the Commies my Kaiser?

People of Germany, the current situation in Germany is very unstable with its frequent elections, fighting in the streets and calls for revolution. However, now is not time for such a change. A change of such magnitude should only occur when we are at peace, not war.

Germans, I remind you that we are besieged by the French in the West. The very butchers of Belgium have pushed back into that benighted nation once again extracting a heavy toll on its inhabitants. We can not allow them to do so unchecked. We must drive them back, not only for our own protection or that of Belgium, but for that of the world. We must stand united against such an insidious threat to peace. We mustn't lose to the French or their fifth column.

Zentrum has fully supported the war effort. Supplying the Veteran Scholarship Act increasing recruitment and granting many soldiers the opportunity to earn a college degree. Zentrum is also responsible for the renewed friendly relations with our partner across the sea Great Britain. Zentrum is also responsible for the Victory bond issue which will aid in our eventual triumph!

However, I must note that thus far the behavior of the German Democratic Party has been admirable, especially in comparison to that of the more radical factions that have impacted our nation. They have been slowly gathering influence through more normal political channels such as newspapers, in stark contrast to the violence displayed by other groups. Furthermore, their actions and positions have revealed a genuine care for the future of the nation and its people. However, I will remind voters that many of the policies that they endorse are quite similar to that of Zentrum, and as such I encourage you to vote Zentrum.

Domestically, Zentrum has also made great strides for the German people. Zentrum lead the charge on increasing investment in the very infrastructure that enables easy travel between not only the far-flung corners of the empire but also between the towns of Germany. It is also responsible for increasing government efficiency. It has worked to increase welfare. And, perhaps most importantly for the futures of the young, The Higher Education Act of 1914, which helps ensure an education for our best and brightest.

We must also keep ever in mind that a nation such as ours can exist only by virtue of the orderly liberty which comes through the equal domination of the law over all men alike, and through its administration in such resolute and fearless fashion as shall teach all that no man is above it and no man below it.

So, people of Germany, Vote Zentrum!

~Reinhart von und zu Birkenfeld, Zentrums Partei

Why should we vote for Zentrum, though, when as von Birkenfeld himself has said, the German Democrats have many of the same policies they do?

Zentrum is far too supportive of the Kaiserreich, an institution which has done nothing but oppress them until fairly recently. Were Chancellor Bismarck's actions not embraced and encouraged by the Kaiserreich when he instituted Kulturkampf? Were the German government's unfair and unethical treatment of Poles and Socialists not also supported by the Kaiserreich? Why, exactly, should an institution that has done naught but cause political instability and oppression be allowed to continue to exist?

We need a Germany that belongs to the Germans! Not to some inept fool whose blundering mistakes have destroyed German unity and continue to threaten the war effort against the French! Deutschland über alles!

Finally, von Birkenfeld, for some odd reason, continues to tout the Veteran Scholarship Act as a Zentrum creation, even though it was I who wrote and proposed it. I graciously ask you to stop taking credit for my work, thank you.

During these last few months, Germany has suffered tremendously; at all times, I feel I could do more, fight more, give more. To help alleviate the suffering of the German people, I am donating 4,000,000 RM to charity to aid the poorest memebers of our society, and I call upon all other members of this agust body, which I have been give the honour to represent and govern by our Kaiser, to join me in my efforts to help the most downtrodden and forgotten members of society.

However, I have not made this announcement only to ask my compatriots in the Reichstag to aid me in my plight for the poor, but also to call upon all Germans; we MUST stand united today; we are not imperialists or republicans, we are not rich or poor, we are not Prussians or Saxons, WE ARE GERMANS! We must continue our noble and valient crusade against the French invaders! We must stand united in our desire to make our nation, and the world, a better, safer, more prosperous place! Join me, and the National Liberal Party, in making those dreams a reality!

I finally must say this, concerning the Kaiser; I count him among my friends, and my kinsmen, and wish no ill to befall him; should he choose to abdicate in favour of another member of our family, I will support his decision. I will not ask for him to stand down, for I am certain he has heard enough of those calls already these turmoiled filled weeks. I ask only this; Germans, most noble and brave Germans, let us stand united against the coming storms of radicalism, socialism, communism, and reactionism! We must have pragmatic, benevolent governance, not die hard extremists who would rather bring Germany to ruin and subjugation than to surrender their power!

WE MUST STAND UNITED! FOR THE FATHERLAND!

Name: Oberst Felix Jäckel
Age: 44
Party: Unaffiliated
Biography:
Felix was born in Potsdam, Prussia. Though his origins were far from aristocratic, his father had secured sufficient connections as a prominent civil servant to see his family set up in high society. Felix enjoyed private tutoring and regular excursions to Berlin and his father's estates in East Prussia. Though he was groomed for politics, he instead signed himself up for the Reichsheer at the encouragement of his friends. There, through a combination of genuine talent and polite patronage, he ascended up the ranks. Soon, he was promoted to the rank of Major and posted to the imperial province of Elsass-Lothringen. The Reichsheer ran the province like a personal fief, and he was much praised in high command for his efforts to suppress Alsatian unrest. His success saw him promoted once more, to Oberst, and then recalled to Berlin for a staff position. At the outbreak of the Great War, he managed to obtain a front-line post and demonstrated distinguished service on the Eastern Front. Fresh from battle, and increasingly perturbed by civil unrest in the heartland, he resumed his position at staff headquarters in order to stay close to events in Berlin.

"Following in the wake of Chancellor von Hohenzollern, I shall be donating 5 million Reichsmarks of my own personal fortune - approximately one-fourth of it, I would like to add - towards charity, to better the lives of Germans across the Reich; to assist in giving to them stores of shelter, clothes, and a constant supply of food and water.

I hope that this move will help to open the eyes of the German people up; to better the standing of the Reichstag; and to better the position of the poor, unfortunate, and homeless across the nation.

We cannot call ourselves a nation if we refuse to assist those less fortunate than ourselves."

~ Minister Friedrich von Weiss
Naval Ministry

I ask all Germans to vote for Zentrum or another moderate party such that peace and order may be maintained during this most troubled hour. We must stand up against the tyranny of the radicals, but we must also strive to achieve a government that is stable and able to govern effectively, as seen during the previous elected government. I will stand behind Von Hollenzollern's pledge and pledge 5,000,000 RM of medical equipment and supplies to the people of Germany.

I ask the German people, which part has stood up for you? Who has increased access to education for all? Who has improved the roads and railroads used by all? Who made it easier to stay in contact with not only you neighbors but the far-flung corners of the empire? Who has increased the welfare provided by the state? Who has placed the needs of the people and the nation above those of special interests? ZENTRUM!

In these areas the Zentrum has succeeded in making Germany a better nation, a true shining beacon unto the world. Furthermore, we have worked without pause to improve the economy of our nation. These improvements not only brought new jobs but also increased wages, bringing a higher standard of living to all Germans, not only a select few! And on this I ask, whose policies have enable such economic growth? Zentrum!

Zentrum is willing to work with other moderate members of the Reichstag, as it has historically, for I fear that the election of a radical party will only lead to the gridlock that so paralyzed the last government. A fear that was remarkably prescient with regards to the last election. It is this threat, and the threat it poses to the German nation and its people that I campaign so hard against. So people of German rise up and vote Zentrum!

We can keep our government on a sane and healthy basis, we can make and keep our social system what it should be, only on condition of judging each man, not as a member of a class, but on his worth as a man. It is an infamous thing in our German life, and fundamentally treacherous to our institutions, to apply to any man any test save that of his personal worth, or to draw between two sets of men any distinction save the distinction of conduct, the distinction that marks off those who do well and wisely from those who do ill and foolishly. There are good citizens and bad citizens in every class as in every locality, and the attitude of decent people toward great public and social questions should be determined, not by the accidental questions of employment or locality, but by those deep-set principles which represent the innermost souls of men.


If Herr Thaumen desires to challenge my authorship of the bill, I will release the minutes of the meeting that bore genesis to the Veteran Scholarship Act to the press. As you did indeed propose the bill, it was at my suggestion and with most of the wording and conditions written by me.

"Following suite of the Chancellor and Naval Minister, I will be donating 2 million Reichsmarks, a quarter of my wealth to charity, to improve the lives of Germans. I also hereby declare I will be helping in homless shelters and soup kitchens all around the German Empire for the following two weeks, to help the volunteers who spend their lives helping others.

We are a nation that is united and help one another, and we should show the world what we are."

- Gabriel Ofterlehner, Postmaster General, Zentrums Partei

There are many who now speak of unity, but there are unfortunately few willing to put it into practice. As the Reichstag now stands, it is still possible for a government to be formed, provided it transcended factional lines to incorporate all those loyal parties who have upheld the great institutions of the Empire. Yet no man steps forward to assume the helm. There cannot be unity without leadership - and what we currently lack is that. Someone must step forward to assume command. A national government must be proclaimed. Without a stable hand to guide our nation and a united parliament to see us through, the war shall surely be lost.

- Oberst Felix Jäckel, Großer Generalstab des Deutsches Heer

Go ahead and release forged documents if you must, von Birkenfeld, but having the press on your side won't make your claims any more true than they would be otherwise. I will admit, you helped construct the bill, but to claim that it was entirely or almost entirely your work is an abominable and false claim.

Gentlemen, calm yourselves; the authorship of some bill is of little concern when compared to the matter of the will of the people and the future of the constitution of this country. By persisting in this argument you trouble making politics look ineffective and petty, thus opening the door for violent revolutionaries. The public has asked for real political change at the last election, and I hope will continue to support such at the coming one also. If we do not want the country to collapse into armed militias and angry mobs, we should provide that change. We should remove ultimate power from one man. We should give the choice of the head of state to the people, not to fortune and blood. We should not squabble over such petty matters as whose hand penned a bill of little consequence. I hope you two gentlemen will move on, in the interests of reform, the people and the country.

Since General Von Roon has decided to become a politician, I will relieve him of his command of the 8th Army and wish him well in his political endeavors.

-Erich Von Falkenhayn, Chief of the General Staff.