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((Sorry about the delay in voting. 
I totally forgot that today was Tuesday, what with finals week and all for my students. Final exams are much like Christmas gifts: far better to give than receive.))
The Supreme Court, given that the trial has proceeded without a definitive sentencing verdict by the jury over two years, rules that Ferdinand von Hohenzollern will be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole. Until the child's mother has answered the Court's summoned, Albrecht Müller is hereby named a ward of the state. He will be placed under government care until such time as his mother has spoken on behalf of the child; the Court will consider applications from responsible members of society early next year. ((After this coming update.))
Regarding outstanding ballot initiatives:
1. The proposal to allow any and all unions to be opened, regardless of political affiliation, is defeated. While it passed in the Assembly, 265 votes to 107, it failed in the Conclave, 22 votes to 23.
2. The Minorities Act is also defeated, failing in the Assembly 64 votes to 284, but passing in the Conclave, 59 votes to 11.
That concludes our business for the 1877 session of the Reichstag.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
((I will play and update tonight; as nobody has spoken up about alterations to the various plans, we will continue with those plans which presently exist.))
I totally forgot that today was Tuesday, what with finals week and all for my students. Final exams are much like Christmas gifts: far better to give than receive.))The Supreme Court, given that the trial has proceeded without a definitive sentencing verdict by the jury over two years, rules that Ferdinand von Hohenzollern will be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole. Until the child's mother has answered the Court's summoned, Albrecht Müller is hereby named a ward of the state. He will be placed under government care until such time as his mother has spoken on behalf of the child; the Court will consider applications from responsible members of society early next year. ((After this coming update.))
Regarding outstanding ballot initiatives:
1. The proposal to allow any and all unions to be opened, regardless of political affiliation, is defeated. While it passed in the Assembly, 265 votes to 107, it failed in the Conclave, 22 votes to 23.
2. The Minorities Act is also defeated, failing in the Assembly 64 votes to 284, but passing in the Conclave, 59 votes to 11.
That concludes our business for the 1877 session of the Reichstag.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
((I will play and update tonight; as nobody has spoken up about alterations to the various plans, we will continue with those plans which presently exist.))
((What kind of exam are you writing that involves questions on the glorious Archaeopteryx? Alternate German history?
))
((What kind of exam are you writing that involves questions on the glorious Archaeopteryx? Alternate German history?
((GCSE Biology, of all things!
))
((GCSE Biology, of all things!
((They must intend to clone/resurrect the Archaeopteryx. No other logical explanation.
))
((GCSE Biology, of all things!
(( Well, we know who's heading up the next botanical expedition. ))
((Hey guys, slight change of plans -- I'm going to play soon, but I won't get to update until tomorrow. Got an early day [for me] tomorrow. I appreciate your patience!))
1877: An opportunity arises
"... and therefore, he will be sentenced to life in prison, with no possibility of parole. He will be guarded 24 hours a day, lest he try to escape."
As the final gavel struck the judge's podium, all of Germany breathed a sigh of relief, not least among them Ferdinand von Hohenzollern. He had stirred up just enough confusion to prevent his execution. Most importantly, it ended a long trial, and the people of Germany had little patience for such long acts of jurisprudence. Indeed, an Imperialist newspaper said that "If he was any sort of man, Fritz von Hohenzollern would have shot Ferdinand himself, and damn the consequences."
As Foreign Minister, Fritz had other obligations. He negotiated a conclusion to the war with Benin and intimidated Poland after a German merchant's cargo was seized without legal recourse.
Minister of the Interior and Chief of the General Staff Friedrich von Hohenstaufen was busy too. He shut down yet another socialist trade union while patiently waiting out sympathy strikes that sprung up in response.
As Chief of the General Staff, Hohenstaufen eagerly joined Hals Gutfreund of the Ministry of War in testing new artillery, while steam turbines installed in the largest factories in Germany greatly improved electrical generation and overall productivity.
Money poured into German coffers; by the end of 1877, they had more recouped their losses from the war with Benin. Although the German army had yet to truly recover from the war against Poland and the British, the drums of war began beating again when a representative from Brittany approached the Foreign Minister with an incredible offer: if Germany supported them, they could seize control of territories once thought lost, crippling France permanently.
This idea was doubly attractive because the Byzantines, for the first time in decades, shared a common border with Germany.
Fritz von Hohenzollern agreed, in principle, to take the matter before the Reichstag. The Breton ambassador gave him until November 1883 to commit to an offensive. In the meantime, the Foreign Minister put in a public appearance at an anti-Wallachian rally, denouncing the former German ally for harboring slave traders and even allowing slavery within her borders.
The more cynical Germans noted that an election was coming up soon in early 1879 and speculated that Fritz might seek to regain what his brother had taken from him.
========================================================
We have three items presently on the ballot, and more may be added:1. Shall we permit Socialist trade unions to operate with the same protections as other unions?
2. Shall Germany voice open support for a Jewish homeland in the territory of Syria, who has signed treaties of economic convenience? ((Syria is in our sphere.))
3. Shall Germany permit the industrialist Friedrich Krupp a special place among German entrepreneurs, granting him special favors and government contracts in exchange for his support in overhauling the German academy system? Experts suggest in all areas except the navy we would see considerable improvements in both the quality and quantity of research. ((It's the special German tech school that gives bonuses to the Army and Industry, a slight bonus to Culture, no bonus to Commerce, and a penalty to Navy techs.))
Item #1 is the concern of both houses. Item #2 is strictly a matter of foreign policy, and therefore only the Assembly will vote on it. Item #3 affects both the military and domestic industry, so it will require passage in both houses.
The ballots will be open for new initiatives for 48 hours; the Supreme Court has ruled that, if the trade union proposal is defeated again, it may not be introduced again until the new Reichstag elections. Please do not vote at this time.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
((So what exactly is going on with Brittany? Is it just an event that creates more tension in the area for a potential crisis?))
((I forgot I left that out of the picture. It gives us two different CBs which expire in November 1883 -- Cut Down to Size and Free Allied Cores.))
((I'm sorry, is there a particular part of "Please do not vote at this time" that you are finding difficult to understand?
))
Germans, we must help our oppressed brethren in Brittany! Their people have been oppressed and brutalized for too long. Let us use our tremendous power for the cause of freedom on behalf of Brittany!
I also denounce the vile Wallachians for their cruel slave-driving practices. Slavery in this day and age is unthinkable and barbaric. I suggest our armies intervene if the Wallachian government will not listen to reason and cater to human decency.
-Herr Liberator
I also denounce the vile Wallachians for their cruel slave-driving practices. Slavery in this day and age is unthinkable and barbaric. I suggest our armies intervene if the Wallachian government will not listen to reason and cater to human decency.
-Herr Liberator
I must agree with Herr Liberator. The people of Brittany have asked for our help and we must give it to them. Not only will we be freeing them from French tyranny, but we will be creating a valuable ally on the continent. I understand that our army may not be at its full potential yet, but it would be wise to aid the people of Brittany before the French crush them under their heel.
- Wilhelm von Vandenburg
- Wilhelm von Vandenburg
Whilst I am not altogether opposed in principle to the establishment of a Jewish nation state, I have concerns about the proposed implementation of a Nation of Israel right in the centre of modern-day Syria. The proposed area would - as far as I can tell - take almost the entirety of the Syrian land, leaving the native Syrians only the most barren desert regions around the outside. I do not see how Syria could possibly agree to this proposal.
And consider that that area of the world is already a complex political and religious melting-pot, between the eastern-orthodox Byzantines and the currently-ruling muslim Syrians*. I do not see that the establishment of an a priori nation state in that region is even desirable, were it even politically possible.
Furthermore, I am given to understand that, aside from David's geographical Kingdom, there are several other proposed sites for the Nation of Israel - in uninhabited areas of the world, such as Africa or South America, for example. Personally, I believe a Jewish homeland in Byzantine South America has a certain poetic ring about it - it was the Eastern Roman Empire that caused the diaspora in the first place, and so the so-called Eastern Romans can make up for it.
*Based on the only religious map I could find in the whole AAR, dated "1552".
---
I am wholeheartedly in support of the proposed industrial and educational plans of Friedrich Krupp. As far as I can see, this sort of central government industrial-planning is just the sort of thing that the Republic needs to return to!
I suspect that the plans will not gain much further traction, though, considering the present established Liberal ideals of Free Markets and Invisible Hands and uninformed rich men and so forth. But one never knows...
---
Furthermore, I believe further study is required regarding the proposed independent Breton state. What proportion of the French population resides within the new nation's boundaries? It would make little sense to prepare armed assault to, ah, "help our oppressed brethren in Brittany" - and open ourselves to retaliation from France's Scottish allies - if it turns out that the entirety of the self-identifying Breton people merely consists of two men and one dog.
And consider that that area of the world is already a complex political and religious melting-pot, between the eastern-orthodox Byzantines and the currently-ruling muslim Syrians*. I do not see that the establishment of an a priori nation state in that region is even desirable, were it even politically possible.
Furthermore, I am given to understand that, aside from David's geographical Kingdom, there are several other proposed sites for the Nation of Israel - in uninhabited areas of the world, such as Africa or South America, for example. Personally, I believe a Jewish homeland in Byzantine South America has a certain poetic ring about it - it was the Eastern Roman Empire that caused the diaspora in the first place, and so the so-called Eastern Romans can make up for it.
*Based on the only religious map I could find in the whole AAR, dated "1552".
---
I am wholeheartedly in support of the proposed industrial and educational plans of Friedrich Krupp. As far as I can see, this sort of central government industrial-planning is just the sort of thing that the Republic needs to return to!
I suspect that the plans will not gain much further traction, though, considering the present established Liberal ideals of Free Markets and Invisible Hands and uninformed rich men and so forth. But one never knows...
---
Furthermore, I believe further study is required regarding the proposed independent Breton state. What proportion of the French population resides within the new nation's boundaries? It would make little sense to prepare armed assault to, ah, "help our oppressed brethren in Brittany" - and open ourselves to retaliation from France's Scottish allies - if it turns out that the entirety of the self-identifying Breton people merely consists of two men and one dog.
I agree with the idea of establishing Israel in South America. It would do well for the Jewish people. As well, I can support the musings of Herr Krupp, but I seek any bills be amended to allow the government to rescind his special status if need be. We shall not tolerate injustice in factories.
My son never had a claim.Neither do the rest of the von Hohenzollerns.The wealth they sport is just a tool of their apparent still oppression.My husband was the first to break free from those inbred, aristocratic oppressors.I assure you, more will follow.But now I must go.I have a train leaving for Amsterdam in a hour, then a boat to Cornwall, German England.I have heard my husband has been moved there,such I will move to that area.
Fredericka von Hohenzollern-Mauer
((She does not recognize the claims as she sees the whole system invalid in a good democracy.))
((Sorry Avindian if this is a bit out of line,I want to get her and Albrecht out of the way so I can truly take a pauze from this AAR. Since Cornwall is one of the far corners of Germany,Its perfect.))
Fredericka von Hohenzollern-Mauer
((She does not recognize the claims as she sees the whole system invalid in a good democracy.))
((Sorry Avindian if this is a bit out of line,I want to get her and Albrecht out of the way so I can truly take a pauze from this AAR. Since Cornwall is one of the far corners of Germany,Its perfect.))
I must agree with Herr Adimari, creating a Jewish state in the area can only create conflict. If they are given land in Syria we are doing nothing but painting a target on their backs.
On a separate note nothing but good can come from supporting Krupp. It will help modernize and centralize our industry.
On a separate note nothing but good can come from supporting Krupp. It will help modernize and centralize our industry.
The Jews have been a persecuted race and they deserve their own homeland to practice their religion freely, removed from oppression and fear.
Has anyone actually asked the Jews whether this would be desirable to them? No?