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1875: A liberal peace with conservative support

Although interest in the trial of Ferdinand von Hohenzollern continued to grow, 1875 was one of the quietest years in German history. Exhausted from fighting both the British and Poland, not to mention the socialist rebellion, the people of Germany needed a break, and the rule of second term Chancellor Konrad von Schwaben and President Frederick Carile promised exactly that. No German government in years had boasted an almost total majority in the Assembly. Even the UAI's decision to pull out of the coalition (or, more accurately, Ludwig Andersen's unilateral decision to do so) was simply replaced by the HUN. A brief Supreme Court struggle over the appointment of HUN leader Friedrich von Hohenstaufen as Minister of the Interior was resolved by a one-time proviso permitting the concurrent possession of offices, although it would never be permitted again.

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The first major moves of 1875 were the announcement of ground breaking ceremonies for six upgraded naval bases to join four others already under construction. Minister of War Hals Gutfreund promised that the German Navy would never lag behind their foes again, and this commitment to expanded infrastructure guaranteed exactly that. Rumors of new warships scheduled for production as soon as these naval yards were upgraded showed that, no matter how liberal the new government might be, they would take military expansion seriously.

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Yet the NLPD government remained true to their liberal roots, as the Ministry of Education approved a program of investigating the key texts of revolution published over the years in an attempt to understand why people rebelled and how this might be counteracted peacefully.

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The combination of a statue to glorious Germania and the announcement of a minimum wage for all working Germans contributed to almost total domestic peace, only interrupted by a brief attempt by Hungarian officers to mobilize support for a separatist movement: the Commander of the Gendarmerie wasted no time in arresting them.

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Commander van Kloetinge remained true to his own liberal principles, providing a group of women with an escort as they spoke out against the institution of slavery in other countries.

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Perhaps the only degree of unrest in Germany was among a group of capitalists who reported that multiple factories had gone out of business. Despite these factories closing their doors, however, unemployment was insignificant -- not even 2000 German factory workers lacked work.

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A modest tax increase to the poor, 3% (to 43%) helped ensure a positive balance to the treasury and funded a program of making foreign goods cheaper for German industry as well as the average consumer.

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The people of Germany, grateful for the opportunity to rebuild, but demanded justice, one way or the other, for Ferdinand von Hohenzollern's crimes against his family and his country. Without a final judgment, all of the good work accomplished by the NLPD in 1875 could be undone.
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LatinKaiser, you will need to update your interior plan to account for a new National Focus once Revolution/Counterrevolution finishes next year.

TJDS and Warlord Skorr, look over your respective new department plans and make adjustments as you think necessary. Please indicate whether you want to make changes.

Other departments don't need to make changes as of yet.

TJDS, it's also your job to put forth the opening arguments for the prosecution. DutchGuy, have your defense ready.

Everyone else, feel free to propose any amendments you like for the next 48 hours (until Tuesday at 10 PM, -6 GMT). Do not vote until all ballot measures have been approved by the Supreme Court. We cannot pass any social reforms at this time.
 
May I speak your Honours?

It is my duty to lay before you evidence in support of the indictment of treason against the Republic concerning the person of Ferdinand von Hohenzollern, and to make a statement to you from that evidence in regard to the facts upon which they rely on behalf of the prosecution. Each and every one of you know that the charge against the prisoner at the bar is that he was member, leader and supporter of militant socialists, who during the turbulent months of 1874, took control of Nurnberg to end the established order of democracy and justice in the Republic, and it would be idle in me to suppose that each and every one of you do not know something of the specialness of Herr Hohenzollern's surname - and the alteration and complication it created in the Reichstag - either by means of the Press or in other ways, and that probably you have discussed the matter, but I know equally well that now is not the time to differ from the path of law and justice, precisely because of the specialness of Herr Hohenzollern's surname, let me ask you a question to clarify my previous statement. If the law is not upheld in one case, because of his family name, is it just to uphold the law in another case, a case of a lowly servant? [...] Herr Hohenzollern is a criminal, a traitor to this democratic Republic, and he should be prosecuted and treated as such, he should not recieve special treatment, and I suppose, knowing his ideology, he would want to be treated no different than other members of the militant socialists who took Nurnberg during one of the most turbulent years for our Republic in living memory.

Many newspapers, including Die Volkszeitung and Der Kaiser, the two largest and most respected newspapers in Germany, have claimed that Ferdinand von Hohenzollern was a member and leader of one of the most prominent militant socialist organisations during the rebel occupation of Nurnberg, however, they used only a few sources, some did not even use sources, they just copied other newspapers - that is modern press for you - [The gathered people laugh] thus, as one could hopefully understand, it was hard to find hard and most importantly enough evidence to successfully prosecute Herr Hohenzollern, however, one cannot mistake this as innocence, Herr Hohenzollern is far from innocent, he was, as confirmed by various members of the militant groups and various civilians who lived in Nurnberg at the time, who wished to remain unnamed in the publicity of the Courtroom, but were more than willing to testify, if their names were only shared with the Gentlemen of the Jury and members of the Supreme Court, a leader of the militant socialist ring in Nurnberg. Therefore it is cannot be denied - which Herr Hohenzollern has not donw - that Herr Hohenzollern was indeed a leader of the militant socialists who took Nurnberg, who sought to the established order of democracy and justice in the Republic and radically change the social situation in the Republic. If the Right Honourable members of the Jury are not convinced that being a leader of militant movement is enough to be prosecuted for treason, which I sincerely doubt, I wish to remind not only the Gentlemen of the Jury but all who are gathered here that this movement, under the command of Werner Trunk and Herr Hohenzollern, in Nurnberg alone, killed 12 000 German soldiers, who were trying to restore order in Nurnberg. It is unacceptable that a man, who is undoubtedly one of the leading members of a movement which is responsible for the death of 12 000 German Soldiers, more than 146 000 civilians casualties and caused major damage to the ancient city of Nurnberg, is pardoned and acquitted for his crimes against not only the Republic, but the people of Germany. Thank you for your time.
 
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The Liberator proposes a bill:

Citizenship and Religion Act

I. All persons born in the Republic of the Germany are to be considered German citizens
II. All persons born to at least one parent with German citizenship are to be considered German citizens
III. Persons who live in the Republic of Germany and are not German citizens can obtain citizenship if:
a. They have committed no crimes
b. They have lived in the Republic for at least ten years
c. They have the consent of their Conclave representative
IV. All German citizens have the right to practice any religion or practice atheism without fear of discrimination or arrest
 
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As was proposed earlier:

The Government Indocrination Bill

I. All public literature, communication and broadcasts funded by public funds - or made by the civil service - must be impartial, giving no undue weight or endorsement to any political ideology or single political party.
II. Anyone found to be wilfully using public funds or the civil service bureaucracy to encourage a particular political ideology or party may up to five years' imprisonment.
III. (( Supporting [Ideology] National Foci are illegal from now on.))
 
Herr Adimari's proposal is acceptable and will be added to the ballot. Herr Meningen, as the Head of the House of Hohenzollern is also still head of the German Catholic Church, it is the court's opinion that a state-supported religion already exists, which makes Article V of your proposed law invalid. You may amend the law as you wish.

With Herr von Bavel-Timmermans' opening address, the time has come from the prisoner to address the prosecutor's charges.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
 
Ferdinand von Hohenzollern rises from his seat, after clearing his throat he starts talking with a calm voice :

Gentlemen,I admit.I have betrayed the Republic.But not the one I am still loyal to.I betrayed the corruption, decadence, and nepotism that is this cabinet and what remains of the republic instituted by my forefather.I never ever WISHED for it to go this way, with thousands of citizens sent to their graves.I rebelled, to defeat corruption, and get more influence for the people in politics.And now I stand here.Being judged by those I fought against.In the little time I have been imprisoned, yet another corruption scandal comes around.But one with Amnesty cannot be judged for the crime of High Treason.

He gives all the judges a copy of the book of German Law , with one line in a single article marked

''Those rebels who stand down will be given amnesty to the crime of High Treason but, not to lower crimes that they have committed.''

He then starts to speak once more

Such says the law.I cannot be judged for High Treason.For all the other crimes I have been sued with,I plea Not Guilty. I had no way to controll the mad ramblings and murders of my once friend Herr Werner Trunk.I lead the people of Nürnburg, not the Army that send so many thousands to their graves.I shall give every family that has lost someone a small token of grief (Small amount of money)For the damages done to the city itself,I shall solely fund all restoration programms, using the funds I recently inherited from my long dead father ''Prince''Albrech von Hohenzollern.Money earned by my forefathers from extorting peasants shall now be used to help those along.

He sits down again, the crowds giving a resounding applause.


 
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((I see no reason to change the budget. Thanks for the screenshot by the way))
 
While I intend to continue the development plans of Stadtholder von Bavel-Timmermans as far as the research into the current Revolutionary movements and the limited implementation of point-defense systems are concerned, I believe the energies of German capitalists, engineers, and scientists should be diverted to improve our transportation systems both on land and sea. I propose, after the inquiry into point-defense is completed, to form a committee to codify, share, and enforce standards for the railway system that our industrialists are so eager to invest in. Once bidding is opened for the rights to construct the new railroads, I intend to collaborate with our naval office to fund and support more specialized ships to more effectively protect our maritime trade in the open ocean or along our coasts. Should my services be further called upon after that, I would further develop our commercial and industrial interests.

((Revolution and Counter Revolution, Point Defense System, Steel Railroad, Blue and Brown Water Schools

I realize that enforcing standards on railroad construction is a rather illiberal idea, but I recently finished reading about all of the problems unregulated construction of railroad caused for the Ottoman Empire and I wanted to provide an in-story reason why we won't have those problems))
 
Herr Adimari's proposal is acceptable and will be added to the ballot. Herr Meningen, as the Head of the House of Hohenzollern is also still head of the German Catholic Church, it is the court's opinion that a state-supported religion already exists, which makes Article V of your proposed law invalid. You may amend the law as you wish.

With Herr von Bavel-Timmermans' opening address, the time has come from the prisoner to address the prosecutor's charges.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
I was not aware that the House of Hozenhollern was a representative of the state, or that in fact any of his views were necessarily represented by the state. I would like clarification that this is the case by the current Chancellor/Reichprasident.
Axel Wouters
 
Strictly speaking, the House of Hohenzollern holds the hereditary position of Stadtholder von Nürnberg. It is the sole remaining hereditary position within the Republic's government, and the final relic of the former Hohenzollern estate.

This means, therefore, that the head of the House of Hohenzollern and of the German Catholic Church is by law a representative of the state, thus rendering German Catholicism a "state-supported religion" within the Republic.
 
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I applaud Herr Herwig's research plans. Once the appropriate research has been successfully implemented, the Ministry of War will propose additional base expansion. Until then, no changes to existing plans are contemplated.

Hals Gutfreund, Minister of War

((Could I please have 1. numbers and composition of our existing fleet, and 2. ditto for the largest 3 fleets of our competitors))
 
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Herr Meningen, you may either remove Article V from your bill or the entire bill is invalid and will not be carried to a vote. Please inform the Supreme Court as soon as possible so that voting can begin on time.

You have until 10 PM this evening (-6 GMT) to submit new ballot initiatives.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

((Our fleet, 9 commerce raiders and 4 transports.

Ethiopia has the largest fleet at 103, the Byzantines #2 at 80, and Japan has 73. Obviously, I can't get composition information without cheating and tag swapping, so that's the best you'll get. :)))
 
Then your bill is acceptable and will be added to the ballot along with Herr Adimari's this evening. Other initiatives may still be added until 10 PM this evening.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

((I'm not going to stop/slow down the update schedule just for the trial -- if it takes us years, it takes us years. :)))
 
((I think we should set a certain time for DG to respond. He has to write a paragraph at most so it's not like this should be too time consuming. I definitely agree that the update/voting schedule should go on as planned, though))

((Sorry for being indisposed .I had a knee dislocated and had to go and am still going through various treatments for it.I am finally (fully) back.))

((Edit : Its done))
 
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(( Can I get a citation on ''Those rebels who stand down will be given amnesty to the crime of High Treason but, not to lower crimes that they have committed.''? It's not on the first post and Google isn't finding it (or rather, it seems to, but only goes to the first post). ))
 
(( Can I get a citation on ''Those rebels who stand down will be given amnesty to the crime of High Treason but, not to lower crimes that they have committed.''? It's not on the first post and Google isn't finding it (or rather, it seems to, but only goes to the first post). ))
((Yes you can it is a verbatim copy of clause 4 of the Internal Security Act. When Avidian recodified the parts pertaining to the game were kept and incorporated into the OP and the fluff was trashed))
 
((So is the jury meant to discuss a potential verdict and make a joint decision or just vote individually without discussion?))