Edge of Europe - A Belgian Interactive AAR

atomicsoda said:

I would encourage M. Loewen to reach out to the Conservative League to continue the succesful coalition. I would oppose any coalition with the anti-reform capitalists of the NDP and with the CA who seem to be moving against social reform and embracing the liberal economic policies of the NDP. The BSU and Conservative League are the two parties most commited to reforms for the common man. We must work together against the liberals who seek unregulated capitalism and social darwinism.

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Deputy Giroux's painting of the NDP as consisting of "anti-reform capitalists" is a caricature, and a bad one at that. We are not opposed to reform; we are opposed to bad reform. A minimum wage helps the average worker little; businesses' labor costs remain constant regardless of a minimum wage law, so if we prop up a wage floor for some workers we deprive others of their jobs. The net gain across society is minimal. By contrast, a twelve-hour work day restricts the labor market far less, considering worker productivity tends to sharply drop off after that point, in exchange for a much greater improvement in quality of life. The NDP also remained adamant in its demand for the abolition of the aristocratic Senate when the BSU put it by the wayside to appease their Conservative puppet-masters. We are, or at the very least I am, not against reform but rather against bad reform, something this government has pursued in an extremely headstrong fashion. We can preserve the market and the living standards of the working class; Monsieur Giroux would have you believe one must be sacrificed for the other. I, for one, have a bit more faith in our great nation than that.

On the other hand, Monsieur Vanderhoof's campaign fills me with optimism for the future of liberalism in this country. It is time that we once again had a true moderate liberal party in this country, and I feel that our platforms will be quite compatible.

Attention everyone. I am old, very old. I have outlived my friends, and my enemies. I have seen Belgium rise from a third-rate power barely clinging to survival to one of the Great Powers of Europe, ruler of Africa. We have managed to unite the cultures, separatism is at its lowest rate in many years, and the people have never been more prosperous and free. However, we must not fail to advance further, to keep pace with the new threats of this upcoming century, of the future. New military techniques have made large-scale war deadlier should it ever come to Europe, electricity and oil may be used for good, but they may also kill. Communism, this new Reactionary movement, while the shadow of separatism lurks, as well as militarism and even colonialism has taken on some ugly turns in the Congo. We must be a peaceful and loving nation if we are to be a prosperous and good nation. I will not run for the leadership of the Central Alliance, or the Prime Ministership. I have known a number of great men in my time. From Brabant and Daret to Poisson and Harfleur, I am proud to have met these great men. And I am proud to have led Belgium democratically for longer than any other, stewarding this great nation along the way, and changing myself a great deal. The world is changing around us men, and maybe someday there will even be women here too, and I would not mind that one bit. I think that even the Africans will one day soon stand side by side with us right here. Ahh, how things can change....

My son, Johann Wolff, has chosen to follow me into politics, and may he be as productive and long-lived as I. ((Character bio up soon.)) And it is with that that I bid you....Wolff begins to grab his chest and flail, eventually falling off of his podium and onto the floor of the Chamber of Deputies. All across Parliament chatter spreads that the Big Bad Wolff has finally perished, at the age of 79. ((And there goes the oldest character in order of creation in this AAR and the first character I have ever created! Will put a bio up for his son Johann shortly )) All eyes then gaze up at the portrait that Wolff put above his MPs seat when he first moved in, his own face beaming down at them, so young, as if it was sending a message from so long ago that this, this was meant to happen.

Scrapknight said:

Deputy Giroux's painting of the NDP as consisting of "anti-reform capitalists" is a caricature, and a bad one at that. We are not opposed to reform; we are opposed to bad reform. A minimum wage helps the average worker little; businesses' labor costs remain constant regardless of a minimum wage law, so if we prop up a wage floor for some workers we deprive others of their jobs. The net gain across society is minimal. By contrast, a twelve-hour work day restricts the labor market far less, considering worker productivity tends to sharply drop off after that point, in exchange for a much greater improvement in quality of life. The NDP also remained adamant in its demand for the abolition of the aristocratic Senate when the BSU put it by the wayside to appease their Conservative puppet-masters. We are, or at the very least I am, not against reform but rather against bad reform, something this government has pursued in an extremely headstrong fashion. We can preserve the market and the living standards of the working class; Monsieur Giroux would have you believe one must be sacrificed for the other. I, for one, have a bit more faith in our great nation than that.

On the other hand, Monsieur Vanderhoof's campaign fills me with optimism for the future of liberalism in this country. It is time that we once again had a true moderate liberal party in this country, and I feel that our platforms will be quite compatible.

Click to expand...

I detest the continued insinuations of Mijnheer Savarin that the BSU is the CL's "puppet". In no way was the BSU just following the CL told it to do. There was productive discussions between myself, Prime Minister de St. Sebastien, and Minister de Lannoy as to what social reforms should be presented and passed by Parliament. I myself am supportive of the abolition of the Senate in its current state and the creation of a democratic upper house, however, there is nothing I could have done to convince the CL to support it, as the members of it adamantly defend keeping the Senate the way it is. The abandonment of Parliament by the radical parties also did little to raise the prospects of passing any Senate reform, as it led to the CL holding a majority of the remaining seats. As to Mijnheer Savarin calling the minimum wage reforms that have been passed as "bad" reforms, I must first note that there were large popular movements for the implementation and raising of the minimum wage. I believe it would have been wrong to have ignored these movements in favor of what Mijnheer Savarin sees as "good" reform, such as the limitation of the maximum number of hours a worker can work for. Secondly, the implementation of a minimum wage ensured that the capitalists could not pay their workers measly amounts of money that were inadequate for them to use to feed and cloth themselves and their families. I do not deny that this would increase labor costs, as it most certainly would. However, Belgian industry is growing and with it an increasing number of jobs become available.

This does reveal that there is a need for the government to help support those workers who find themselves unemployed and need to be able to feed themselves and their families as they search for a job. While this would not be a big issue should the economy be doing well, we must remember that economic downturns happen and that we must ensure that workers do not starve simply because they are actively seeking a job.

~ Christiaan Loewen, Minister of Justice and Leader of the BSU

NDP’s party congress, 1881

Delegates of NDP!

I have to admit that it took a lot of my courage to announce what I am going to announce. But I have decided, and I feel it is the right thing to do for both NDP and Belgium.

Our party is in recess for years now. Long gone are the days when NDP was the kingmaker in Belgian politics, and when our ministers ran the strategic ministries under liberal cabinets. The infamous coup of 1864 left us shattered, and it took a huge effort of every single member of this party to take us all the way to this very moment. All the polls indicate that our support is rising at an incredible rate, and today, NDP should prepare itself to nominate some of its best to the future Belgian government, or maybe even send its member to Number 16 for the first time.

Leading the party to the next battle, which may be crucial for Belgium’s future for decades, maybe centuries, will be a huge burden for any man to bear with. Yet, there are those who are brave enough to face it, and fulfil their destiny, and tonight, I will join their ranks. I therefore announce that I’ll run for NDP leadership in the primaries.

Belgium does not need some changes. Belgium needs only one, major change – a whole new beginning. A new beginning, where the freedom of man will not be questioned by his birth or social status, but where every single Belgian, no matter if he is rich or poor, man or woman, will be given the chance to participate in democratic system and where the relics of Ancien Régimes like peerage or the superiority of one Church over other denominations will remain only in the history books. A chance for everyone to live in a just world, respecting the individuality of men and giving everyone a fair chance to make his dreams come true. This is what true liberalism is, and this is what will make Belgium the United States of Europe one day. American people are no better than Belgians, but unlike us, they grew up in a system that gives them opportunities that remain closed to us. I have been to the United States many times, I saw the cities growing into the skies, the factories booming and even the poor people of the States are living a life comparable to the local middle class. The importance of a democratic, decentralised democratic system can’t be stressed out enough. To achieve the same, there are a few pillars we need to construct first, so the palace of Belgian democracy may stand still for thousands of years:

First, Economy. Belgian economy is in a good shape, and I wish I could award this to the competence of our government as frequently as their official do. Yet, none of these Harfleur’s fools realizes that they’re not the ones running the economy – It’s the big and small industry owners alike, who give jobs to our people and take the risks necessary to build a company able to survive and compete. Belgian industry belongs to the best, and no one but our capitalists and industrialists, together with their workers, deserves the credit. Yet, this unholy alliance of Conservatives and Socialists keeps trying to run the economy as they see fit. Maybe they think they could do better, maybe their elections funds are empty, who knows. Yet, the conservative protectionism is outdated and outlived for decades – Britain only became so rich when Protectionism was finally abolished – and the socialist ideas of state – or worker – run economy are tragically disastrous and show no understanding of economy at all. Therefore, even though certain state influence on economy isn’t necessarily negative as my father thought, it’s NDP’s quest to struggle for economic liberalism and free trade policies.

Second, free society. Society which is not only free of oppression based on ancestry, religion, wealth or political beliefs, but also an educated and healthy society that takes the responsibility for itself. I understand the idea of healthcare and education are generally frowned upon, but those will benefit everyone, and mostly the industry owners. A healthy and educated worker will be a benefit for everyone, and only a society of educated and healthy people can reach the stars. Consider this an investment – there may be costs in the beginning, but the results will come, and Belgium’s wealth will grow. Very cautious progress must be done regarding other reforms demanded, and such reforms have to be made with a plan. Right now, thousands of Belgians can’t find a job and support their family because Harfleur and Loewen’s only concept of a reform was to pass anything the crowd called for. Yet, the economy is a delicate thing, and as those two gentlemen cared to show, incautious approach to reform is a disaster, no matter what these well-off deputies of BSU claim. The democratically elected institutions must ensure that our rights are protected, and the presence of a Monarch and appointed Senate must be destroyed. Senate has its place in Belgium, but it must be a body elected by people, not appointed by Arenbergs.

And the third, security. Not the type of security Citizen Lannoy has been showing us, using the Secret Police to intimidate anyone not sharing his reactionary ideology, but the type of security that guarantees our citizens that no Lannoys or Beaufforts will force their will on others. And while army is essential to keep us free and safe, it has clearly been enjoying too much power without control, and, what’s even worse, is full of people still loyal to Beauffortism. I saw my country being taken by a bunch of psychopaths, who did not hesitate to start a civil war to keep their power, and I will do everything I can to prevent seeing this again.

Main topics:

Republicanism, elected president and Senate
Limited and cautious social reform
Freedom in economy and society
Equality for women
Public education and healthcare
Limited army spending and colonial expenses

Platform:

Economic Policy: Laissez-faire
Trade Policy: Free Trade
Religion: Secularism
Citizenship: Full Citizenship
Military Policy: Anti Military

Name: Johann Wolff
Born: 1850
Party: Central Alliance
Beliefs: To Be Revealed

I wish Citizen de Graaf luck in his candidacy; may the best candidate win. I will also say that as the two of us advocate extremely similar platforms except whether to abolish or reform the Senate, I think either of us would be fine candidates to run the party. I would submit, however, that as I have more experience in the Chamber than my honorable colleague, I might be better suited to its management; nevertheless, Monsieur de Graaf is a great man and I wish him the best.

((This must be the most contested primary session yet, merely every party has 3 or so people running with only about 10 different people posting since the start of primaries...))

Oh the NDP is back to participate in government like civilized people now, very intriguing. Now the really question will the other dissidents come back to actually semi productive governmental debate or continue to shout loudly at the government for arbitrary reasons? No matter if they would rather yell aimlessly then be useful citizens let them do such a thing, as is their right granted by the constitution.

Christian stops talking for a bit and then gets up to speak again.

Now that we are back to actually doing semi productive things and not the insanity of a single coalition government, then politcs should soon be back to normal and Belgium may continue to grow as an international powerhouse. This must start internally though I think the best way to do this is to ensure only the best members of parliament hold cabinet positions post elections and I hope all parties agree with me in this, partisanship is silly in the grand scheme of things because it just impedes a government whose job is to ensure the country functions properly, excessiveness in anyway is a bad idea but, holding back on something's in the face of mass popular approval is as foolhardy. Sometimes one must embrace something that goes against most of their beliefs in order to keep the peace ((and stop everyone from moving to America) and ensure prosperity.

With this in mind I ask all candidates for all parties to follow this principle, meritocratic cabinets not partisan cabinets. It would make nonsense for an NDP government not having Heer Aerts as Foreign Minister, or a Conservative League Government to not have Heer Leowen as a cabinet member ((Forgot you last ministry)). Doing such a thing is the way to success for Belgium and will continue to lead us to prosper.

- Christian van de Velde, Count of Ypres, Minister of the Interior

I must say that I am glad that we are now back to parliamentary discussion, in accordance with the democratic standards that should exist in any civilized country.

However I must note that the way Monsieur Pierre Savarin, who has quite productively spent these five years forsaking his constituents and yelling in the streets, decided to share his wisdoms with us are quite interesting. He declares that the Belgian people did not want and need the reforms we passed. A worker in Brussels or Bruge, according to him, craves for an elected Senate, but does would not need or want neither safety regulations (preferring to work in the conditions that could lead to damage to his health and even untimely death), not minimum wages (preferring to receive a few meagre coppers the employer would be ready to offer him) nor other labor reforms. But of course, rights of the Beninese and senatorial reform are much more important for a common Belgian man that the fact whether he has enough money to feed his family or will live long enough due to labor conditions… And the fact that existing popular movements and analysis of public opinion show the very different picture means nothing to Monsieur Savarin.

Many deputies in the Right snigger

I must say that many stances of the new NDP platform alarm me. What would we get, if the wishes of NDP were implemented fully? A nonconstitutional prosecution of so-called «Beauffortist collaborators» (a very vague definition indeed) – of people who already have either been served their sentences, been pardoned or found innocent. A rollback of passed social reforms, wishing to force the workers once again to slave in their factories in abominable conditions, without adequate pay or security. A weak and inefficient army, unable to guarantee our security, that would make us an easy prey for external threats. A puppet republic, run by masters of the purse, where money would dictate everything. A strangely-put colonial reform (for it calls for the rights of the Beninese, but somehow ignores the inhabitants of other colonial regions like Gabon or Congo), which could easily make our overseas domains unmanageable – if it is, as I strongly suspect, in any way similar to the one that was proposed by Monsieur Savarin Sr. long ago.

I must note one interesting thing. All of our movements – be it socialists, conservatives or liberals – evolved with time. We learned to accept new things, new approaches, to work together. However only NDP still endorses the antiquated ideals of a borgouise-run republic and dictatorship of the wallet, created by French revolution.

I am a businessman myself and I value ideals of private initiative and developed market very much. We have seen respectable members of commercial community, for example, venerable Minhjeers Vanderhoof and Wolff, support the passed labor programs. But I am aftaid that the path NDP wants us to choose will lead to destruction of bridges between the employers and employees, class strife and chaos in the country.

- Alexandre de Lannoy, Duc d'Anjou-Brienne, Minister of War

Clubs​

A Guide to Common Abbreviations

AA – Athletics Association
AC – Athletics Club
AS – Athletics Society
FC – Football Club
RC – Racing Club
SA – Sporting Association
SC – Sporting Club
SS – Spoting Society
SU – Sporting Union
UW – United Workers' Club


Antwerpen Royal Naval FC
Matricule Number: 1
Honours: Military Shield – Winners: 1874, 1876, 1878, 1879, 1882, 1884, 1887, 1888; Challenge Cup – Winners: 1894, 1898 Runners Up: 1886

De Haan Gemeente FC
Matricule Number: 2
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1886

Liège United FC
Matricule Number: 3
Honours: Challenge Cup – Runners Up: 1894

FC Kruibeke
Matricule Number: 4
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1895 Runners Up: 1893

Mechelen AA
Matricule Number: 5
Honours: Challenge Cup – Runners Up: 1890

Bruxelles Royal Army FC
Matricule Number: 6
Honours: Military Shield – Winners: 1875, 1877, 1880, 1881, 1885, 1886; Challenge Cup – Winners: 1896 Runners Up: 1889, 1891; First Division – Winners: 1897

Ghent FC
Matricule Number: 7
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1888; First Division – Winners: 1898

SU Bruxelloise
Matricule Number: 8
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1889, 1892; First Division – Winners: 1896

UW Sint-Gillis-Waas
Matricule Number: 9
Honours:

SC Charleroi
Matricule Number: 10
Honours:

Westerlo FC
Matricule Number: 11
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1890 Runners Up: 1888

FC Leuven
Matricule Number: 12
Honours: First Division – Winners: 1891

SS Namur
Matricule Number: 13
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1893

FC Mons
Matricule Number: 14
Honours: Challenge Cup – Runners Up: 1897; Second Division – Winners: 1898

AC Tournai
Matricule Number: 15
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1891 Runners Up: 1892; First Division – Winners: 1895

Arlon English FC
Matricule Number: 16
Honours:

Daring Club de Luxembourg
Matricule Number: 17
Honours: Second Division – Winners: 1896

SA Bruges
Matricule Number: 18
Honours:

Ypres Athletics Society FC
Matricule Number: 19
Honours:

Antwerp-Zurenborg FC
Matricule Number: 20
Honours:

FC Spirmont
Matricule Number: 21
Honours:

Genk AC
Matricule Number: 22
Honours: Challenge Cup – Winners: 1897

Nivelles St. Gertrude
Matricule Number: 23
Honours:

Ardennes Forest FC
Matricule Number: 24
Honours:

SC Brecht 92
Matricule Number: 25
Honours:

Brussels-Schaerbeek AA
Matricule Number: 26
Honours: Challenge Cup – Runners Up: 1896

SC Kortrijk
Matricule Number: 27
Honours:

Boussu-Bois FC
Matricule Number: 28
Honours:

RC Lommel
Matricule Number: 29
Honours: Second Division – Winners: 1897

FC Walcourt
Matricule Number: 30
Honours:

RC Colmar-Berg
Matricule Number: 31
Honours:

SC Bastogne
Matricule Number: 32
Honours:

Competitions​

Military Shield:
Contested each year by the football clubs of our military's two branches – Antwerpen Royal Navy and Bruxelles Royal Army – the Military Shield is Belgium's oldest competition, first played in 1874. Matches are often closely fought and very competitive, with each side looking to win bragging rights over the other.

Challenge Cup:
Founded in 1886 by Jacques Dieric, Jean-Luc Poisson, 2nd Duke of Benin and Sir Jean-Camille Van der Wyngaert, 12th Viscount of Sint-Niklaas, the Challenge Cup is contested on a yearly basis by all member clubs of the FA.





Football League
Inspired by the English Football League founded in 1888, the Belgian Football League was founded in 1890. An initial group of 16 teams compete (those who had played in that season's Challenge Cup,) playing a total of 30 matches across the season. A second division was added in 1896.

Britano-Belgian Cup
Set up in 1891 in an effort to further the development of international football, the Britano-Belgian Cup is a biennial round robin tournament that sees the Belgian national team face the British Home Nations' respective teams – i.e. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The first competition was held in Britain in 1892.

Results​

Military Shield:

1874: Antwerpen RNFC
1875: Bruxelles RAFC
1876: Antwerpen RNFC
1877: Bruxelles RAFC
1878: Antwerpen RNFC
1879: Antwerpen RNFC
1880: Bruxelles RAFC
1881: Bruxelles RAFC
1882: Antwerpen RNFC
1883: Bruxelles RAFC
1884: Antwerpen RNFC
1885: Bruxelles RAFC
1886: Bruxelles RAFC
1887: Antwerpen RNFC
1888: Antwerpen RNFC
1889:
1890:
1891:
1892:
1893:
1894:
1895:

Challenge Cup:

1886
1887 (No competition due to the Belgian-Dutch War)
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898

Duke of Benin Cup:

1888: Peter van Dalen (Ghent FC)
1889: Frank Gascon (SU Bruxelloise)
1890: Patrice Allard (Westerlo FC)
1891: Johan van Zuylen (Westerlo FC)
1892: Frank Gascon (SU Bruxelloise)
1893: Luke Roberts (Arlon English)
1894: Midshipman Pierre Linville (Antwerpen RNFC)
1895: Midshipman Pierre Linville (Antwerpen RNFC)
1896: David Leclerck (Brussels-Schaerbeek AA)
1897: Charlot Pape (Daring Club de Luxembourg)
1898: Midshipman Pierre Linville (Antwerpen RNFC)

Chairman's Cup:

1888: Marietje Schaake (Leuven FC)
1889: Lt. Pierre Lamberte (Bruxelles RAFC)
1890: Marietje Schaake (Leuven FC)
1891: Mark Lee (Arlon English)
1892: Chief Petty Officer Lucien Lavoisier (Antwerpen RNFC)
1893: Warrant Officer Jules Marchand (Bruxelles RAFC)
1894: Hans Dahl (FC Leuven)
1895: Hans Dahl (FC Leuven)
1896: Benoît Janvier (SS Namur)
1897: Calle Vroom (Mechelen AA)
1898: Lucien Malfois (Daring Club)

Football League First Division:

1891: FC Leuven
1892: Arlon English FC
1893: Bruxelles RAFC
1894: US Bruxelloise
1895: Tournai AC
1896: SU Bruxelloise
1897: Bruxelles RAFC
1898: Ghent FC

Football League Second Division:

1896: Daring Club de Luxembourg
1897: RC Lommel
1898: FC Mons

Britano-Belgian Cup:

1892: Scotland
1894: Belgium
1896:
1898:
1900:

Members of the Chamber,

I appear before you a final time. However, I cannot begin my valediction without first expressing my sorrow at the passing of Franz Wolff. Of the three Prime Ministers whom I have served, his tenure was the longest and I mourn the passing of a great man of Belgium. I trust he has gone to the peaceful rest with our Heavenly Father which he had earnt the right to enjoy in his retirement on Earth.

After 20 years as Minister for Commerce, I have decided to retire. I do so in the satisfaction that I have overseen, through the cabinets of three successive governments, the Phoenix of Belgian Industry rise from the ashes of the Beauffortist desolation to a pre-eminent position amongst the industrialised nations of the world. For a country of our limited natural resources, placed in a position of vulnerability, hedged in by larger neighbours on all sides, the fact that we have not just survived but in fact thrived is a miraculous and proud achievement of not just the hard working men of my ministry but also the armed forces who have kept Belgium and its Empire safe, the Foreign Office which has protected and promoted our industries overseas and the Interior Ministry which has maintained general peace and stability in our society despite the disruptive efforts of the lunatic fringe.

As I have recently stated in my report to this Chamber, I acknowledge that the task is not completed, that there is more work to be done as we face a rapidly changing world. As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the coronation of King Prosper Louis, I reflect on how much the world has changed since the time of my father, Patrice Burke, who sat in this Chamber during that first Parliament. And I am prompted think how much it will change again in the next 50 years during the time of my son, Frederic, and my grandchildren. It is for this reason that I have decided to step aside. It is a time for younger blood to take the lead and guide us into the rapidly approaching 20th Century. Whilst I do not share my son’s more fervent beliefs, I can not but feel pride at the urgency of his desire to follow in the footsteps of my father and me in serving Belgium to the best of our abilities.

Therefore, I take my leave of you all. I ask God to guide you and our fair Nation as He has so benevolently done to date, that good judgment and tolerance win the day over rashness and hatred, and that you remember me kindly from time to time.

Edmund Burke
Minister for Commerce 1866 to 1886


((The new character of Frederic Burke to follow soon.))

Scrapknight said:

I wish Citizen de Graaf luck in his candidacy; may the best candidate win. I will also say that as the two of us advocate extremely similar platforms except whether to abolish or reform the Senate, I think either of us would be fine candidates to run the party. I would submit, however, that as I have more experience in the Chamber than my honorable colleague, I might be better suited to its management; nevertheless, Monsieur de Graaf is a great man and I wish him the best.

Click to expand...

I am honoured Mr. Savarin, I am sure you are a man of honour as well. Yet, I believe there are more issues we disagree with. Even the Senate is a core issue - While I understand many of you hate the institution, upper chamber is essential for democratic countries. Yet, "democratic" means that Senate must be elected, not appointed. But as I said, there is more - the prosecution of Beauffortists should have happened a long time before, but it should have been done by the judiciary, and it is not our business to determine who will and who will not be prosecuted. I agree that the Attorney General's office has failed miserably by letting the worst criminals go free, but if the politicians promise to prosecute someone, it usually ends up in a bloodshed and more trials would only open old wounds of Belgian society. Yet, even I shall not tolerate the presence of some traitors in our Army.

Moreover, you are calling fro equal rights for Beninese. While this is a noble idea indeed, it is unrealistic. Belgian rule over that land is a very short one, and I remind you that the society of Benin was an uncivilized tribal monarchy with no idea of basic human rights, freedom as we know it or education, except for religious indoctrination maybe. The basic human rights of Beninese are respected, but giving them political or social rights at this point is premature and dangerous, mostly for Beninese themselves. The next generation of young Beninese is raised in Belgian spirit in the colonial schools, and when this generation is ready to take their share of responsibility, I'll be the first one to support them.

Also, I once again have to stress out the priority of education and healthcare before any other reform, even though I do not oppose them - I actually welcome some of these as I mentioned in my candidacy speech. Though, these two are the key to succeed. I would also like to say that I'm in no way unexperienced, I have been serving in a Provincial Assembly for two terms, and I believe I have the necessary qualities to lead NDP and Belgium forward.

NDP is a democratic party, and its members will indeed choose the one they find more competent to lead. Whether it's you or me is not that important. What truly matter is to see NDP restored to its former glory and to see Belgium embracing democratic regime.

Later that day, a courier delivered a note to Pierre Savarin's hotel room:

Pierre,

Please do not take my candidacy personally, I do not imply that I find you unfit to lead us in any way. I have known you since I was a boy, I remember you coming to our house with your father sometimes, and I always wanted to be like you when I grow up. Yet, I feel like I'm doing the right thing. No matter who wins in the end, we have a task much greater than our ambitions to do. Regards,

Willem

Click to expand...

The Union Sportive Bruxelloise wishes to apply for membership of the Royal Belgian Football Association. We have an stadium and grounds in the west of the city which we believe would meet the standards of the Assocation. We hope our application is successful, and look forward to both the friendly and competetive matches such a membership would entail.

Marschalk said:

I must say that I am glad that we are now back to parliamentary discussion, in accordance with the democratic standards that should exist in any civilized country.

However I must note that the way Monsieur Pierre Savarin, who has quite productively spent these five years forsaking his constituents and yelling in the streets, decided to share his wisdoms with us are quite interesting. He declares that the Belgian people did not want and need the reforms we passed. A worker in Brussels or Bruge, according to him, craves for an elected Senate, but does would not need or want neither safety regulations (preferring to work in the conditions that could lead to damage to his health and even untimely death), not minimum wages (preferring to receive a few meagre coppers the employer would be ready to offer him) nor other labor reforms. But of course, rights of the Beninese and senatorial reform are much more important for a common Belgian man that the fact whether he has enough money to feed his family or will live long enough due to labor conditions… And the fact that existing popular movements and analysis of public opinion show the very different picture means nothing to Monsieur Savarin.

Many deputies in the Right snigger

I must say that many stances of the new NDP platform alarm me. What would we get, if the wishes of NDP were implemented fully? A nonconstitutional prosecution of so-called «Beauffortist collaborators» (a very vague definition indeed) – of people who already have either been served their sentences, been pardoned or found innocent. A rollback of passed social reforms, wishing to force the workers once again to slave in their factories in abominable conditions, without adequate pay or security. A weak and inefficient army, unable to guarantee our security, that would make us an easy prey for external threats. A puppet republic, run by masters of the purse, where money would dictate everything. A strangely-put colonial reform (for it calls for the rights of the Beninese, but somehow ignores the inhabitants of other colonial regions like Gabon or Congo), which could easily make our overseas domains unmanageable – if it is, as I strongly suspect, in any way similar to the one that was proposed by Monsieur Savarin Sr. long ago.

I must note one interesting thing. All of our movements – be it socialists, conservatives or liberals – evolved with time. We learned to accept new things, new approaches, to work together. However only NDP still endorses the antiquated ideals of a borgouise-run republic and dictatorship of the wallet, created by French revolution.

I am a businessman myself and I value ideals of private initiative and developed market very much. We have seen respectable members of commercial community, for example, venerable Minhjeers Vanderhoof and Wolff, support the passed labor programs. But I am aftaid that the path NDP wants us to choose will lead to destruction of bridges between the employers and employees, class strife and chaos in the country.

- Alexandre de Lannoy, Duc d'Anjou-Brienne, Minister of War

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((I will respond in full later, but I will point out that I imagined "Beninese" as a generalized term for Belgian Africans in the same sense that everyone in British India were called "Indians" or even "Hindus" despite there being Burmese, modern-day Pakistanis, etc.))

The Board and myself are delighted to announce the acceptance of SU Bruxelloise' petition for membership of the Association. We look forward to having Lord Poisson on the Board, and also to the many fine fixtures I am sure we will see played between the club and Belgium's existing teams.

I am also deeply privileged to announce the creation of a new Belgian national football team. The team shall allow eleven of our best sportsmen to pit themselves against the best in other nations. Affairs shall be handled by the Football Association, and we are currently in the process of establishing fixtures against the English and Socttish national sides.

DensleyBlair said:

An Official Notice from the Football Association of Belgium​

The Board and myself are delighted to announce the acceptance of SU Bruxelloise' petition for membership of the Association. We look forward to having Lord Poisson on the Board, and also to the many fine fixtures I am sure we will see played between the club and Belgium's existing teams.

I am also deeply privileged to announce the creation of a new Belgian national football team. The team shall allow eleven of our best sportsmen to pit themselves against the best in other nations. Affairs shall be handled by the Football Association, and we are currently in the process of establishing fixtures against the English and Socttish national sides.

The Hon. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Jean-Camille Van der Wyngaert, POR CMG FPS FBCAS
Chairman of the Board

General Jacques Dieric
Vice-Chairman of the Board​

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On behalf of the club, I would like to thank the Honourable Gentlemen on the Board of the Football Association for welcoming the Union Sportive with such open arms.

More personally, I also welcome the announcement of an international football team; since we are now an international footballing nation, perhaps it is only fitting that we have a formal national competition to complement this along similar lines to the Football Association Challenge Cup which has been organised for some years between the reputable English clubs, towards the organisation of which I would be more than happy to bestow some funds.

I must also petition for the Football Association to implement some rules regarding the non-politicisation of Football, which should always be regarded as a game for all.

~ Lord Jean-Luc Poisson, the Duke of Benin
President of US Bruxelloise