[Forum Game] - World in Revolution: 1900

It is with great pleasure that, as King of Spain, I present to the People of Spain and the World the new Spanish Constitution of 1911.

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IN AGREEMENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SPANISH PARLIAMENT OF 1911 AND OF THE SPANISH MONARCH, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY ALFONSO XIII,

The Members of the Spanish Parliament and His Royal Majesty Alfonso XIII, premier figures of government in the Kingdom of Spain, to protect the naturally-born rights of man, to institute a just democracy among men by the word of their Creator, and to ensure that the people of Spain shall be now, thenceforward, and forever free, to defend upon their last actions for the betterment of all Spaniards, do hereby establish this Constitution for the Kingdom of Spain.

ARTICLE ONE - On the Structure of Parliament and Parliamentary Elections

I) There shall be a Spanish Parliament.


II) This Parliament of the Spanish Nation shall be a bicameral legislature, divided into the two sections of the lower house of the Court of Representatives and the upper house of the Congressional Senate. All members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister, serve a total of 4 years. After each cycle of 4 years, a new election cycle shall take place.

III) Members of the Court of Representatives shall come to office through the carrying-out of a popular vote by the citizens residing within their respective Municipality, during which a ruling party for this Municipality will be chosen. The majority (that is to say, 50 percent plus 1 vote) shall win the Representative for that Municipality.



IV) Members of the Congressional Senate shall come to office, likewise to the Members of the Court of Representatives, through a popular vote in their respective Province, carried out by residing citizens, during which citizens shall select a ruling party for that Province. The party that wins the majority shall win control of that province, and the Party Council shall select a Senior Deputy Senator and a Lieutenant Senator for that province.


V) Bills and laws created in either house of the Spanish Parliament must pass the house in which they were formed with a majority of 50 percent plus one vote, after which they will be passed to the other house and must undergo a similar process. If a bill is passed by both Parliamentary houses, the bill is presented to the King of Spain and the Prime Minister, the latter elected during the same general elections as members of Parliament.


ARTICLE TWO - On the Position of Prime Minister

I) The Powers of the Prime Minister warrant that he shall preside over the whole of the Spanish Parliament, but these Powers shall only be superseded by that of the King.

II) The Prime Minister shall be chosen by the majority party of the Congressional Senate with consideration from His Majesty the King. The Prime Minister shall serve as the de facto leader of the Spanish Parliament, especially in the absence of His Majesty the King, working in the best interests of the King, the Parliament, and the Spanish People.

III) In the absence of the Prime Minister due to sickness or other personal matters, their position shall be filled by a man chosen by the members of the Congressional Senate, chosen through a snap-vote, among their own number, for a short periodic term, until the Prime Minister is fit and ready to resume his duties as Deputy Minister.

ARTICLE THREE - The Powers, Among Others, of His Majesty the King

I) On the order of His Majesty the King, snap elections may be held in situations that warrant it, including domestic and international emergencies, an ineffective, deadlocked Parliament, or Members of Parliament that refuse to do their utmost in defending this Constitution and, by extension, the peoples of Spain, her properties, governmental, pronvincial, and private, and her territory.

II) Snap elections shall not act as a full election term of 4 years; the snap election is intended to forestall government collapse, redirect government policies to a moderate stance in the event of a threatening of Spanish democracy by extremists, and the maintenance of peace and prosperity for Spain at home and abroad until the beginning of the next election cycle.

ARTICLE FOUR - Obligations and Capabilities of the State Government

I) The Government of the Kingdom of Spain, chiefly the Parliament and (in conjunction with) His Majesty the King of Spain, shall apportion taxes, including primarily income tax, among the People of Spain, as the economy and the financial situation of taxed people see fit.

II) The Government of the Kingdom of Spain must maintain a capable Army and Navy, as well as any future military branches to be formed, to act as a defensive arm of the Spanish People to act against foreign aggression and domestic insurrection.

III) The Government of the Kingdom of Spain must respect the powers and rights of the Provinces and Municipalities of the Nation, and must not overpower the successive states, for those states must retain their rights as what should be considered semi-autonomy, though they are ultimately subservient to the central government.

IV) The first elections for the Spanish Parliament under this new Constitution shall take place on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November (upon the establishment of this Constitution, the date for elections shall be 7 November, 1911.

ARTICLE FIVE - THE CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

I) All citizens of Spain, regardless of ethnicity, national background, or gender, are, as citizens of Spain, naturally born and remain free with the rights to equality in that all are entitled to freedom of speech, a freedom of religion, a freedom from oppression, a right to liberty, a right to property, and a right to security.

II) All citizens of Spain are entitled to a fair, speedy, and public trial, in the presence of a jury of Spanish citizens, whether or not their actions warrant them as guilty or not guilty; those that are perceived to break the law, whether guilty or not guilty, are to be treated as innocent until proven guilty in the court of Spanish law.

III) All citizens of Spain are, regardless of guilt, or lack thereof, in an ongoing investigation conducted by government officials or the local or government police, have the protection from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement, unless a warrant is provided on grounds of probable guilt in the case in which they are involved.

IV) All citizens of Spain are, in the event of imprisonment, regardless of time being served and on what grounds they are accused, are prohibited from being subject of excessive bail as well as cruel and unusual punishment, which applies as well if the imprisoned is found guilty for high crimes against the state.

V) All citizens of Spain, as well as members of local government and their Representatives and Senators allocated in Parliament, have the right to life as human beings in the Spanish Nation, and the rights and lives of these respective peoples cannot, under any circumstances, be violated by either the pronvincial, municipal, or state governments.

VI) All citizens of Spain, as well as the provinces and municipalities in which they reside, receive all powers not delegated to the central state government in this Constitution, and any powers not delegated to the state government shall be viewed as unconstitutional or, at the very least, not an obligation of the state.

VII) All citizens of Spain, regardless of race and gender, if older than the age of 19, have the right to vote in local and state elections.

VIII) All citizens of Spain, regardless of race or gender, may petition the government freely without oppression or persecution, and shall receive the full attention and equality that can be bestowed by the state and local governments.

IX) All citizens of Spain, though they may not be specifically listed and given in this Constitution, are entitled to other rights, as protected by the state and local governments, as natural rights of men and women as citizens (native or not) of the Spanish Nation.

SIGNATORIES

Protecting the rights of all citizens under the flag of Spain and their fundamental and inalienable rights as a member of the human society, we do hereby sign this Constitution into law, with consent of the Parliament and the blesses of the People.

[X] His Royal Majesty Alfonso XIII, King of Spain
[X] His Excellency José Canalejas, Prime Minister of Spain

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I would also like to take the time to reflect on the past year for Spain as a nation and as a people. Having sent delegates to the New York Economic Conference, hosted by the United States in their grandest city, the nations of the world have discovered ways in which to improve the world economy in such an economically and financially troubling time such as this. We are in the midst of this Great Depression, testing whether any nation so dedicated and so conceived as the Kingdom of Spain, the United Kingdom, or the United States, can long endure. Our greatest economics and theorists have devised ways to improve out economy and get more of the citizens of Spain back to work and to bring back the income surplus for the government.

Now, under the policies of a new Parliament, working in conjunction with myself, we have achieved the first stage of rebuilding ourselves. Millions have now been put back to work as we expand our navy as I institute the pre-announced Four Year Plan of naval expansion and upgrading, which will make our nation among just several others in possession of mighty warships like dreadnoughts, submarines, and other large, powerful, swift, and heavily-armored warships. Hundreds of industrial centers have been constructed with assistance from the government, and many thousands more are now back to work in the places where they worked just one year ago. Our Parliament is rebuilding the government's monetary surplus, and unemployment levels are rapidly lowering. In just a few short years, our grand Nation will have climbed out of this economic depression that has so weakened the power and resolve of every nation, and we shall climb out of this abyss not only economically powerful but also militarily capable with one of the largest, strongest, and technologically advanced navies in the world. Our standing army is larger than many other armies on continental Europe, and they shall defend our borders and colonies from insurrection from extremist groups as well as invasion from foreign nations. We shall soon see a new, glorious dawn for the Spanish People. I, as the leader of you great People of Spain, intend to bring you there. The Promised Land is not far; we must just make one final step.

~ His Royal Majesty Alfonso XIII, the King of Spain

The year of 1911 was filled with both trials and successes for our great nation. We saw the failure of the Tennessee Valley Authority due to red tape, and the collapse of Union Pacific, a matter soon to be rectified. We saw the completion of the Panama Canal, the successes the New York Economic Conference, the foundation of new colleges, and the passage of the 16th Amendment providing for the direct election of senators. Yet, it is clear that our nation has made great strides towards recovering from the travails brought on my the global economic collapse.

In terms of our failures, the failure of the Tennessee Valley Authority is unconscionable. To hold back an effort that will bring thousands of new jobs and improve the lives of every American due to partisan bickering and red tape is deplorable. It is clear that those who worked against such efforts only seek to aggrandize their own power and cast out their fellow citizens. While, the collapse of the Union Pacific Railroad is something that go unanswered. It is the job of government to protect the citizen, in this regard, we have failed. We must act quickly return this railroad to operation such that the follow of commerce and be quickly resumed.

The completion of the Panama Canal is something that will be remembered throughout the ages. The completion of this canal shaves thousands of miles off the trip between our nation's two great coasts. The Canal is symbol of progress and marks the triumph of man and his ability to shape the world to his whims. It heralds a new age, an American Age! Pax Americana!

The successes brought by the New York Economic Conference, help bring light to the darkness of the worldwide economic darkness. The deliberations of this august body of learned gentlemen will help guide our nation to recovery, a recovery that will make our nation even stronger!

The foundation of the new National Colleges will help make the United States on the leading nations in the world. One without peer in scientific and intellectual achievements, coupled with an economy stronger than the world has ever seen! America will be the engine that drives the world!

The passage of the 16th Amendment is something to be lauded. It will strengthen our nation's government and truly place the people in control the nation not entrenched interests. May the passage of this new law serve to reinforce and reinvigorate American Democracy!

In international affairs, we saw the United States dollar surpass the pound as the primary unit of international exchange, deepening conflicts in the Middle East, tension between Germany and Russia, and South American Crisis centered on Uruguay.

The replacement of the pound sterling by the dollar is something that will greatly aid American commerce the world over. The conversion of my nations towards the dollar will streamline overseas commerce and work to increase the flow of American exports.

While the deepening conflict in the Middle East is troublesome, it is hoped that peace may soon be achieved in the region and the normal flow of business and commerce return...

On the South American Crisis, we are appalled by the actions of Brazil. We will support Uruguay's continued sovereignty and independence. We also demand that Brazil withdraw its forces from the border region, else the United States will be force to act.

For the coming year, there are several items on the national agenda, designed to spur growth and return our nation to prosperity. These efforts include a modernization of the Army with trucks and other motor vehicles, efforts to support our nations infrastructure, deepening trade relations with our allies, and a concerted effort to restart the nations industry.

The United States Army should be the best equipped force in the world, and it is believed that by embracing this technology our nation will better equipped to meet the enemy and be more secure in its supply. As such, I believe it in our nation's best interest that General Motors and other automobile manufacturers be contracted to produce trucks and other motor vehicles for the Army. Furthermore, this effort will supply thousands of new jobs in our nation's factories as these vehicles.

The nation will also take steps, as noted earlier to support our nation's infrastructure. For we must support the very arteries through which goods, commerce, people, and ideas travel across our country. As such, we must work to restore the Union Pacific to operation and protect our nation. To accomplish this goal, we must seek to work with private actors to protect the basis of American Capitalism.

I am pleased to announce, preliminary talks are being held to create a single trade area and a reduction of tariffs between the United States of America and the United Kingdom, its Dominions, and its colonies. This new trade area will greatly increase opportunities for American merchants and lead to a resurgence of American industry.

Finally, there is work to be done in rekindling the fires of American Industry. As with our infrastructure, we must work with the private sector to return our nation to prosperity and protect the basis of American Capitalism. Furthermore, this program will lead to hundreds of thousands, if not millions of jobs, return our unemployed to the workforce and return them to comforts previously enjoyed.

Friends, I believe that taking these steps will lead to an economic resurgence for our nation and rekindle the fires of our nation's industry. May this year mark the full resurgence of America, make it an engine for global growth!

On the matter of politics, taking into account the current economic situation and following several private chats, I lend my support to John Piermont Morgan to be the next President of these United States. Friends, this is no rash action, but one made with a firm conviction. One that desires to see our nation grow and not stagnate or loose its global standing. One that desires the best of you, my friends, the American People!

In our discussions, Mr. Morgan has both counseled and provided advice for returning growth to our nation, but has also laid out a plan by which to continue our nation's growth, long after this depression is a long distant memory. Furthermore, Mr. Morgan has also proven willing to champion several of progressive reforms to ensure that our nation stays on the right track, one where every one gets a "Square Deal." One such reform is women's suffrage, a reform that is necessary of the growth and maintenance of democracy in our nation.

~President Theodore Roosevelt

The Emperor of the Qing Ruler of all under Heaven has decreed that due to American brutality the treaty of Shanghai is now null and void. A number of small print clauses have been violated including ones concerning treatment of the local population and the changing of the areas name all of which now make the treaty void. Also mistakes on the part of the American delegation in court etiquette and in failing to name enough of the Emperor's titles in the original treaty means that the treaty is no longer considered valid. The Roosevelt Archipelago should now be return to China with all speed or the fools who run the USA will be made to pay. This is an official message from the Chinese Emperor.

The recent acquisition of the Congo and Angola mark the beginning of a new era for America. One where the American Eagle will stretch out its wings and carry the light of democracy to the darkest and most remote parts of the world!

The efforts of Governor Pershing (MG) are exemplary and a mark of true progress for the region and for America. Furthermore, the efforts to expand private industry in the region will help our nation recover from the depression and lead to thousands of new jobs and opportunities for Americans, in areas that were never before available. the influx of Americans from across the country into the Congo and Angola is proof enough of this.

Furthermore the vast improvements in the infrastructure of the colonies is truly uplifting. Africa will no longer be the "Dark Continent" but instead one of progress. Though much work has already been done, there is still much more do, both at home and in our colonies.

I also feel I must reiterate my previous support of Mr. Morgan, over that Mr. La Follette. I believe that in these economic times, one as experienced as Mr. Morgan in economic matters is a must. Particularly as he has indicated his enthusiasm for continuing to reform our nation.

~President Theodore Roosevelt

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The United States is appalled by the recent messages coming out of China. Their actions and pronouncements are unfounded and obscene. The United States of America will not surrender land that if fairly acquired, especially when the demand is made so soon after the treaty was signed. We call upon China to honor its diplomatic agreements and furthermore to restore order and return sovereignty of the concessions and the International Settlement of Shanghai to their rightful nations.

The reasons behind the Chinese demands are laughable, these objections raised about the treatment of the people and the naming of the land are baseless. Furthermore, the treatment of the people of the Archipelago is far superior to that of those on the Chinese mainland, and the only reason for the use of military force was the actions of the Chinese! Additionally, the American delegation made no faux pas to the Chinese Court, indeed they have been withdrawn to the Archipelago for their own safety following the violence in recent years due to the actions of the Chinese Emperor. And finally, on the issue of titles, a frankly trivial matter, the decision to sign as such was made by the Chinese Imperial Court and the Emperor himself, surely he must remember this?

The United States of America will remain firm on its commitments in the region, and will not turn over control of an American Territory, and further demands China to honor its diplomatic agreements and furthermore to restore order and return sovereignty of the concessions and the International Settlement of Shanghai to their rightful nations. Until these conditions are met, Article 4 of the Treaty of Shanghai will remain in abeyance.

~President Theodore Roosevelt

The Emperor of the Qing Ruler of all under heaven is most annoyed by the Arrogant remarks of the American President. Firstly they blatantly ignore important court rules and then state that they did not, every member of the court saw you miss a sizable number of the Emperor's titles and fail to even refer to him as the Emperor and simply as a Chinese Representative it was all the court members could to simply ensure it described him as Emperor before he saw and signed it. As for the naming has Italy not always been called Italy by most peoples for over 2000 years. Of course the name has changed Slightly from the earlier Italia but that is fairly common. The most drastic change of a regions name in Europe seems to be the renaming of Gaul to France but that seems to be more down to a change in people living there, from Gauls to Franks and happened over several hundred years. Yet you blatantly change the name in a day. I assure you we did not give you the Roosevelt Archipelago and as such you have no rightful claim to it. As for the treatment of the Chinese people, we may not always rule with the agreement of the people but we do not slaughter innocents at will. From fleeing women and Children we've heard tales of people being rounded up and shot, of massacres of women and children, of unarmed civilians being shot seemingly at random and of the Island being washed with the blood of innocents. True there were a few armed Chinese of the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists on the island but they clearly did not make up anywhere near half of the dead Chinese on the Island. As for the various illegal international settlements and concessions we feel no reason to intervene. You can either suppress the rebels yourself or you can return the land to us. We can't send men into your lands to suppress rebels can we. After all it's according to these illegal treaties that you own them in the first place. Perhaps we should cancel them all return all the land then negotiate new treaties from a position of equality. That's what fair and civilized people do is it not. Except it seems in the west. In the west people seem to negotiate with force of arms and from always a position of strength or inequality. Do fair negotiations mean nothing to you? We shall do nothing more in this matter article 4 is of little value to us China can defend itself thank you very much. Don't underestimate Chinese strength. Our Empire has lasted thousands of years how many of yours can say the same?

I must find I agree with President Roosevelt on this matter between the United States and the Qing State. The Qing Emperor screams and pouts of American arrogance and disregards for Chinese customs, yet the Chinese Emperor himself is angered that the American representatives and ambassadors have not used his full title. Is my title not simply King of Spain, and yet it is all that I use in correspondence and accords and treaties? The Chinese Emperor is the one who wishes to make such a big geopolitical deal out of such a small mistake or misgiving. The Emperor's anger is unfounded, and I shall stand by our American friends in this dispute.

~ His Royal Majesty Alfonso XIII, King of Spain

The situation in China remains deeply troubling and given the statements of the Chinese government, I urge all Americans in Chinese territory to return to return to leave China, for their own safety.

Furthermore, I find deeply troubling that the Chinese claim the United States has no rights on lands lawfully acquired by treaty. We are concerned by the statements by the Chinese government and their refusal to pacify their own people or claim responsibility for their own actions.

The United States of America will remain firm on its commitments in the region, and will not turn over control of an American Territory, and further demands China to honor its diplomatic agreements and furthermore to restore order and return sovereignty of the concessions and the International Settlement of Shanghai to their rightful nations.

~President Roosevelt

"The events of 1911 have been disheartening to say the least. The Depression rages on, markets remain empty, factories closes and the hope of a bright future for all seems to be revealed as nothing but a charade. Even Fortune herself seems to have turned her face against us, as heavy rains only made the agricultural situation worse.

Naturally, all this economic malaise creates fertile ground for the immorals that thrive upon the degradation of democracy. All around the world we see them in action, instituting cults to personality replacing God with the State, reducing freedoms and spreading ideologies that will only bring further chaos and death. They say that modern, representative democracy is dead, that it is dull and that all we need are strong, new man to come forth and take charge; that this will be way forward for all nations. Lies I say, nothing but lies designed to deceive the people.

Many things can be said about what we have done in the past year, but none can argue that we have done nothing: we have worked on our crops, we have worked on our banking system, we have sought new business ventures abroad and most importantly, we have taken actions to make sure that none suffers from the human degradation that is the lacking of housing for himself and his family. All but inaction.

Look at what happened in Russia regarding the communism; a country ravaged by war and crisis where this new movement emerges, promising the equality of classes. None can deny that the idea of an equal society is not noble, but achieving that through an all out struggle between the social classes brings nothing but blood, death and pain; it can only end with the suppression of all classes with the exception of the victor. Please stop for a moment and consider this key element, the suppression of the other, of the different. We are an heterogeneous society, made by both criollos and immigrants from the far corners of the Earth, all bounded together by the love of this soil that we call our own, we are all different, and praise be to the Lord for that. Suppressing the other would be the death of your friend, of your neighbor, of your fellow worker, even of your own family! To the communists I say, when you praise for the class struggle you are praising the death of those around you, in the end, the death of all of us.

To class struggle, we oppose the idea of class conciliation, where we acknowledge the differences that make society for the achievement of a balance that benefits us all. It is the hard way, but it is the right way. Democracy does not enslave, it frees; democracy does not colonize, it frees, democracy takes time, but its fruits last forever.

Achieving a stable society at home is only the first part of the task, for there is a need of a stable international order if a society wants to strive and be peaceful. During the past century our continent was ravaged by wars over land and over ideology; we will never know to what heights we could have soured if we hadn't been engulfed in 60 years of internal struggle between the provinces.

When the new century started, the main powers of the continent decided to come together and set aside their differences for the greater good. A new spirit of brotherhood was born between ourselves and our neighbors and we even marched together during the hours of the Great War. It seemed that the era of fearing your neighbor were past and that the south American community was finally able to march on and join the concert of nations with a single voice, for the greater freedom and wealth of men.

Therefore, we must react accordingly to the Brazilian move against our brethren across the Plate, in the Republic of Uruguay. Any person with the slightest knowledge of the history and nature of both peoples would have agreed that the idea of an annexation of the later by the former is impossible. Already it happened in 1818 and it resulted in 10 years of war.

Let it be known that this is nothing but a betrayal, the lowest of all sins, to which Dante in his art gave the lowest of all circles of hell; as betrayal is the lowest of actions, taking advantage on the other party's trust to deliver the blow. The move against Uruguay goes against all agreements and conventions held between Brazil and ourselves, be it the American Co-operation treaty, the ABC Pact and the Treaty of Brest, for it threatens the situation in South America. As we condemn this blatant act of expansionism, we state that any action taken against either Uruguay and Paraguay will be taken as an action against ourselves. Do not mistake our love of peace for weakness, we will not hesitate to take all measures necessary to safeguard them, our honor and their freedom, and we call upon all our friends and freedom-loving men from the world to do so."

Hipolito Yrigoyen, President of the Republic

The Qing Emperor Ruler of all under heaven firmly believes that Americans should leave China. All of China. Including the occupied Roosevelt Archipelago. When this has been fulfilled we may be convinced by Western good will to encourage to Society of Righteous Harmonious fists to withdraw from some of the Occupied concessions awaiting further negotiations on there final status. Until that point we can do nothing. We have no way of sending troops into the Boxer held concessions and if you lack the will to drive them out perhaps they should be Chinese.