Edge of Europe - A Belgian Interactive AAR

[Noco19]

I must urge the government to consider the consequences of unregulated Free Press. Whilst "Freedom" is often spoke of as always beneficial, we must take into consideration all results, including the apparent negatives. Our national stability is the responsibility of our government, and stripping them of press regulation could result in future chaos, with papers plastering false information or news that the general public just cannot handle. Censorship is our first defense against this sort of printed attack.

- Bishop van Buskirk

 

[Fingon888]

First, I must thank the King for selecting me for such an honor as serving as the Chief of the General Staff. I pledge to serve Belgium to the best of my abilities and so I will announce the Generals of our Military.

I will personally command the 1st Infantry Division in Brussels. The 1st Infantry Division numbers 12,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades and 1 artillery brigade.

Phillipe de Bertrix will command the 2nd Infantry Division in Spa. The 2nd Infantry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades.

Prince Charles de Ligne will command the 3rd Infantry Division in Bruges. The 3rd Infantry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades.

Aaron van der Goltz will command the 1st Cavalry Division in Liege. The 1st Cavalry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 cavalry brigades.

I look forward to working with all these men and Monsieur Aerts to maintain a strong military.

- Field Marshall Damseaux

 

[Jako473]

First, I must thank the King for selecting me for such an honor as serving as the Chief of the General Staff. I pledge to serve Belgium to the best of my abilities and so I will announce the Generals of our Military.

I will personally command the 1st Infantry Division in Brussels. The 1st Infantry Division numbers 12,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades and 1 artillery brigade.

Phillipe de Bertrix will command the 2nd Infantry Division in Spa. The 2nd Infantry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades.

Prince Charles de Ligne will command the 3rd Infantry Division in Bruges. The 3rd Infantry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades.

Aaron van der Goltz will command the 1st Cavalry Division is Liege. The 1st Cavalry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 cavalry brigades.

I look forward to working with all these men and Monsieur Aerts to maintain a strong military.

- Field Marshall Damseaux

I thank the Field Marshall for my appointment, I shall depart immediately to Liege and take command of my soldiers. It has been a pleasure, my lords.

Aaron bows and exits

-Aaron Van Der Goltz, Sergeant major general, Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division

 

[Somberg]

I am pleased to see the impact of my cooperation with Minister Savarin on encouraging greater employment within our factories has been positive. Production has generally improved and unemployment remains zero. Our factories are now operating at nearly full capacity. Soon we will need to encourage greater investment into industry so that we can continue to expand our industry. I also join my colleagues in urging Prime Minister van Brabant act and give the people the truly free press that they demand.

~ Willem Loewen, Minister of the Interior

 

[Marschalk]

First, I must thank the King for selecting me for such an honor as serving as the Chief of the General Staff. I pledge to serve Belgium to the best of my abilities and so I will announce the Generals of our Military.

I will personally command the 1st Infantry Division in Brussels. The 1st Infantry Division numbers 12,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades and 1 artillery brigade.

Phillipe de Bertrix will command the 2nd Infantry Division in Spa. The 2nd Infantry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades.

Prince Charles de Ligne will command the 3rd Infantry Division in Bruges. The 3rd Infantry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 infantry brigades.

Aaron van der Goltz will command the 1st Cavalry Division in Liege. The 1st Cavalry Division numbers 9,000 men and is made up of 3 cavalry brigades.

I look forward to working with all these men and Monsieur Aerts to maintain a strong military.

- Field Marshall Damseaux

I must thank Field Marschall Damseaux for this honor. I will immediately travel to Bruges, in order to inspect my division, and then start working with it. I will do my best to serve the King well.

I am rather worried about this Free Press initiative, sirs. We have passed a very liberal Constitution - and now some people are already demanding amendments. Such reform will cause anarchy and chaos, it will give way to dangerous and criminal propaganda. Such "freedom" will lead to terrible consequences, people will be able to call for rebellion and advocate hatred and violence. they will be able to spread vicious slander and lies - and the government will be powerless.

I must also say, that there are dangerous loopholes in the Bill of Rights - in the part that regulates the restrictions of the press. At the moment we cannot censor such things as blasphemy, pornography and lese majeste, which is absurd. Do you understand, that at the moment, in our god-fearing and Catholic country, a newspaper may write, that we all should worship Satan or insult Jesus? And that obscene pictures and indecent books can be sold now, ruining our morals? And that any journalist can call our King most vicious names - and will be allowed to do this? Such happenings will turn us into Soddom and Gommorah, all European countries will mock us, our youth will be corrupted. We need a new act on regulation of the press, that will protect the society and our faith.

- Charles, Prince de Ligne, Lieutenant General, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division

 

[Tapscott]

((Is there a position of Deputy PM? I ask because I am yet to properly form a shadow ministry ))

This campaign for the free press is a rather dangerous thing. The Belgian Constitution allows clear limits on the rights of the press, so as to prevent abuses from occurring from either the government or the press. Personally, I feel that the current situation is quite acceptable and that this is an issue that will simply die away. In any case, the points raised by Monsieur de Ligne are correct, that the Press can indeed publish things that many of us would find disgusting. I personally would not rather read the paper if it was advocating sexual congress with animals on its front cover. But I digress. The situation with the press is a mere temporary thing, that will eventually go away. Let us not forget that the Bill of Rights was forged with compromise and good-will. It is a monument to how both the right-wing and the left-wing can put aside their differences to allow for what is best for the Belgian people. Let us not forget our cooperation, lest we go into excess.

~ Sébastien Delcroix, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels

 

[Plutonium95]

I must also say, that there are dangerous loopholes in the Bill of Rights - in the part that regulates the restrictions of the press. At the moment we cannot censor such things as blasphemy, pornography and lese majeste, which is absurd. Do you understand, that at the moment, in our god-fearing and Catholic country, a newspaper may write, that we all should worship Satan or insult Jesus? And that obscene pictures and indecent books can be sold now, ruining our morals? And that any journalist can call our King most vicious names - and will be allowed to do this? Such happenings will turn us into Soddom and Gommorah, all European countries will mock us, our youth will be corrupted. We need a new act on regulation of the press, that will protect the society and our faith.

- Charles, Prince de Ligne, Lieutenant General, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division

You seem paranoid Monsieur de Ligne. What you are looking at is not a loophole, it is the intended interpretation of the Bill of Rights and where the limit of the press ends. If we are truly a god-fearing and Catholic country how long do you think a newspaper that publishes such ideas will last? That is the benefit of a capitalist society, businesses will reflect what the people want. And if this is what they want it is not our place to deny them it, though I highly doubt that worshiping Satan is the people's desire. For now I am willing to work to maintain the limited restrictions of the press as a gesture of good faith with the conservatives. It is clearly working as intended with our noble friend being unable to block the news about him, and will protect us from talk of secession.

- Michel Daret, Minister of Finance

 

[Gen. Marshall]

((There is no Vice-PM. That's solely reserved to presidential systems.))

While I am personally in favor of a completely free press, this amendment would most likely upset the Conservatives. Since Minister Wolff has the best view on this subject, I will listen to his advice; though overwhelming support for Free Press from within the legislature may convince me to introduce the amendment myself.

Under normal conditions I will be loathe to use the power of the Prime Minister to block Constitutional Amendments, unless there is something inherently wrong with an amendment. With this in mind, a vote may be called on the following proposals:

[post=15833403]Delcroix Alteration of Article I. Clause II. of the de Merode Executive Proposal[/post]
[post=15835357]The Belgian Proclamation on Trade[/post]
[post=15835357]The Regency Council of Belgium[/post]​

The following proposals will be blocked:

[post=15835357]The Defense of Private Industry Amendment[/post]
Prohibiting the government from ever seizing business property, under any circumstances, restricts Justice too much. Furthermore, the proposal is vaguely worded and might have caused confusion in the future.


- Prime Minister Maximiliaan van Brabant

 

[Fingon888]

Excuse me Prime Minister, but the Regency Act is for the circumstance of a regency. Not to establish one. It is merely a model of a future one.

 

[Gen. Marshall]

Excuse me Prime Minister, but the Regency Act is for the circumstance of a regency. Not to establish one. It is merely a model of a future one.

In that case, I'll put it up for voting.

((It's early morning here :sleep)

 

[Tapscott]

((There is no Vice-PM. That's solely reserved to presidential systems.))

While I am personally in favor of a completely free press, this amendment would most likely upset the Conservatives. Since Minister Wolff has the best view on this subject, I will listen to his advice; though overwhelming support for Free Press from within the legislature may convince me to introduce the amendment myself.

Under normal conditions I will be loathe to use the power of the Prime Minister to block Constitutional Amendments, unless there is something inherently wrong with an amendment. With this in mind, a vote may be called on the following proposals:

[post=15833403]Delcroix Alteration of Article I. Clause II. of the de Merode Executive Proposal[/post]
[post=15835357]The Belgian Proclamation on Trade[/post]
[post=15835357]The Regency Council of Belgium[/post]​

The following proposals will be blocked:

[post=15835357]The Defense of Private Industry Amendment[/post]
Prohibiting the government from ever seizing business property, under any circumstances, restricts Justice too much. Furthermore, the proposal is vaguely worded and might have caused confusion in the future.


- Prime Minister Maximiliaan van Brabant

((Huh, in Australia we have a Deputy Prime Minister. Then again, Europe is a funny place. ))

A reminder to those who are to vote on the Delcroix Alteration. My amendment is to close a loophole that was revealed and recognized during the convention. While the bill was passed, it was due to a technicality that it was never implemented. The amendment seeks to properly define why a King could be blocked from ascending to the Throne, rather than leaving the system as it currently stands, which allows for the King to be blocked for political or personal reasons. Even something as ridiculous as hair length could be stated as the sole reason why the King must be kept from office!

As for the regency act, weren't there a number of them at some stage? Not just this singular act?

~ Sébastien Delcroix, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels

 

[Jako473]

Once ariving in Liege, where the 1st Calvary Division was stationed. Aaron quickly gotten around to organizing and getting familiarized with his new officers and commanders. But he made it clear to them that the 3 divisions were under his command now, and that they each would be taking a new name.

The 1st cuirassiers shall now be knows as the Hölle Sturms (German for: Hell storms)

The 2nd cuirassiers shall now be knows as the Laden Maschine (German for: Charging Machines)

and finally, the 1st Dragoons shall be known as the Witwe's sich sorgen (German for: Widow's worry)

Aaron then sends them off to tell each and every soldier this is their pride, this is their new identity. They may say the words in whatever language they like, but in the General's Presence, it shall always be German.

-Aaron Van Der Goltz, Sergeant Major General of The Royal Belgium Forces

 

[Fingon888]

Announcement to the Entire Military Staff

In order to ensure the strength and ability of our Armed Forces we must expand our current numbers. It is because of this reality that we shall be recruiting, training and outfitting a new brigade of artillery which will upon completion of training join the 3rd Infantry Division, under the command of Lieutenant General Charles de Ligne.

Field Marshall André Damseaux, Chief of the General Staff​

 

[Plutonium95]

In the face of our booming economy and increased taxes, I propose an increase to spending. I believe that we should increase military spending to 35% and our land stockpile to 35%, to ensure our military can protect us. I would also like to see the education budget increased to 40%, to ensure that our people remain competitive with other European nations. I am, as always, eager to hear your opinions, specifically my fellow ministers.

- Michel Daret, Minister of Finance

 

[Scrapknight]

I, for one, approve of Monseiur Daret's budget changes. I also authorize the purchase of 20 tons of cotton, dye ((and whatever those ammunition components are)), for the purpose of allowing our major industries to continue to run in the event of a national emergency. If, at such a critical moment, we sold such resources to the highest bidder, we would allow our industries to continue while avoiding creating market inefficiencies from picking winners. Should another nation violate our rightful freedom of trade with a blockade, we must be able to preserve them with a strategic reserve. I add that the government shall be prohibited from accessing said reserve except in times of war, such that our industries may continue to prosper unabated.

And prosper they have! Over the past 15 months, we have seen unemployment kept at virtually zero, while new workers have flooded in from the country to improve their livelihoods. At the same time, our industries are strong, profitable and reaching ever more of the world market. Why, I received a message today all the way from the far reaches of the Ottoman Empire inquiring about purchasing several tons of flour and other supplies from my company! Our government's liberal policies have brought wealth and progress to Belgium in such a short time already; imagine what we could do in the next three and a half years. The others can say what they like, but the results are undeniable: where liberty goes, and its guardians the PLM and PND go, prosperity follows.

I am pleased to see that railroad fever has come to Belgium in full swing. With the help of the iron horse, our industry shall remain some of the most competitive and well-connected in Europe. We can move people and goods faster and farther than ever before. I have had the opportunity to work with some real visionaries in my stint as a financier who had big dreams about linking all of Belgium in rail lines, and we've managed to do it faster than anyone thought possible. Some of my colleagues have discussed the role of railroads in upsetting the old estates and bring people into the cities. I can only reply that that is true. But this "unrest" has produced fifteen months of genuine economic success, and under the stewardship of Monsieurs Loewen, Daret, and me, we shall make that five (and hopefully more) years.

As for the free press, I can say at the time that I am in favor of an amendment to Article 5. The National Democratic Party's annual staff meeting is in a few days ((read: in the morning)), and I shall present a statement on the matter and a formal proposal at that time. I invite Monsieur Van Brabant to consider it at that time. Until then, may our economic success continue unabated!

- Georges Savarin, Minister of Commerce

 

[jeeshadow]

Announcement from the Ministry of War​

After discussing with the Chief of General Staff, and some of his most senior generals, we have decided to implement several changes to the Royal Belgian Military. First in Charleroi we shall create an officer training academy. The Académie Royale Militaire belge (Royal Belgian Military Academy) will train our officers how to command, and well help our military keep up with new strategies and technologies. Lastly, their has been some confusion in the military over ranks. Some units use different ones than others. This new system of ranks proposed by Lieutenant-General Van Der Goltz shall serve the Royal Army:

Flag Ranks:
Maréchal de cam (Field Marshal)
Lieutenant-general
Général-major (Major-General)
Général de Brigade (Brigadier-General)
Officer Ranks:
Colonel
Lieutenant-colonel
Major
Capitaine-commandant (Captain-Commandant)
Capitaine (Captain)
Lieutenant
Sous-lieutenant (Sub-Lieutenant)
Non-Commissioned:
Adjudant-major (Chief Warrant Officer)
Adjudant-chef (Master Warrant Officer)
Adjudant (Warrant Officer)
1e Sergent-major (1st Sergeant-major)
1e Sergent-chef (1st Master-Sergeant
1e Sergent (1st Sergeant)
Sergent (Volunteers Sergeant)
1e Caporal-chef (1st Master-Corporal)
Caporal-chef (Master-Corporal)
Caporal (Corporal)
1er Soldat (1st Private)
Soldat (Private)​

These reforms should help the Royal Belgian Army become a great fighting force

-Aimeus Aerts, Minister of War

 

[Fingon888]

I would like to announce the ranks of the men leading our armies for clarification.

Aaron van der Goltz has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Prince Charles de Ligne has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Phillipe de Bertrix has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Congratulations on your promotions and your assignments. Long live the King.

- Field Marshall Damseaux

 

[Marschalk]

The memo on 3rd Infantry Division «Wallonia»​

Branch: Belgian Army

Type: Infantry

Size: three Infantry Brigades, 9000 men, all Walloons

Part of: Land Forces

Location: Bruges, Camp Mountain

Nickname:

Engagements:

Motto: We Will Prevail

Colors: National Wallonian, red and yellow

Сurrent Commander: Lieutenant-General Prince Charles de Ligne:

Current Chief of Staff: Colonel Simon de Vernay

Current units​

7th Infantry Brigade «St. Lambert (1)»: 3000 men, all Walloons from Liege region.​

Nickname:the Holy Squad

Current commanding officer: Major-General Louis de Mentoil, Vicomte de Pontet-Caret

Consists of:

4th Regiment of Chasseurs «De la Marcke» (2) (сommanding officer: Colonel Jean Trubeux)

7th Regiment of Grenadiers «Lions d'or» (3) («Golden Lions») (сommanding officer: Colonel Armand Gustuyon)

5th Regiment of Chasseurs «Notger» (4) (сommanding officer: Colonel Erard Buschet)

8th Infantry Brigade «Belgae» (5): 3000 men, all Walloons from Spa region.​

Nickname: the Centurions

Current commanding officer: Brigadier-General Renaud Dumas

Consists of:

10th Regiment of Fusiliers «Ambiorix» (6) (сommanding officer: Colonel Comte Anne de Beauffort)

11th Regiment of Fusiliers «Chantikleer» (7) (сommanding officer: Colonel Guy Bureux)

12th Regiment of Fusiliers «Le Rapide» («the Quick, the Rapid») (сommanding officer: Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Dupont)

9th Infantry Brigade «Arlerland»: 3000 men, all Walloons from Arlon (Arlerland) region.​

Nickname:

Current commanding officer: Brigadier-General Arnaud de Borchgrave

Consists of:

13th Regiment of Fusiliers «Waleran» (8) (сommanding officer: Colonel Phillipe- Francois de Paule, Baron d'Harscamp)

14th Regiment of Fusiliers «Eagles» (сommanding officer: Colonel Deni Menroux-Pascales)

8th Regiment of Grenadiers «Mains de Fer» («the Iron Arms») (сommanding officer: Colonel Alexander des Mazis)


Annotations

1. St. Lambert of Maastricht - a Roman Catholic saint and a martyr, one of the most revered in Liege. His relics are located in the present Liège Cathedral, the main shrine of the city.

2. House de la Marck was a very important family of the Middle Ages. They owned vast lands, including Boullion and Sedan - and for centuries influenced the politics of Liege, many times holding the offices of Prince-Bishop and Provost of this territory.

3. Golden lions are a part of the Belgian coat of arms.

4.Notger of Liège was a Benedictine monk, bishop and first prince-bishop of the Bishopric of Liège. He turned the episcopal city into the capital of an ecclesiastical principality, built a new cathedral, seven collegiate churches, including St. John's in Liège, several abbeys and a city wall. In 1512 Notger was beutified.

5. Belgae were group of Gallo-Germanic tribes living in Gaul, between the English channel and the west bank of the Rhine. The Belgae gave their name to the Roman territory of Gallia Belgica, and then to the modern Belgium.

6. Ambiorix is a Belgian national hero, a leader of a Belgic tribe in north-eastern Gaul, that defended the territory from Julius Caesar, and then organised uprisings against the Roman conquerors. His brave warriors managed to slaughter several republican legions, and Caesar had to admit in his major work, "De Bello Gallico", that "Of these [three regions], the Belgae are the bravest." ("...Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae...").

7. Chantikleer - a rooster from the medieval fables about Reynard the Fox, an old poetic name for a rooster. It must be noted, that flag of Wallonia is called the bold rooster (French: coq hardi) or Walloon Rooster (cok hardi). It features a red bold rooster, bold meaning its right leg is lifted and its mouth is closed, on a yellow background.

8. Count Waleran of Limburg, called Udon, was a medieval noble, that from 1052 to 1065 ruled Arlon as an independent ruler. Later he inherited the county of Limburg, and two counties were merged.

((With time I will amend the info - maybe there will be new regiments, maybe some nicknames will appear, and certainly commanders will change. By the way, if some of the player military chars, who did not get a generalship, want to join my division, please apply))

 

[Harpsichord]

((Huh, in Australia we have a Deputy Prime Minister. Then again, Europe is a funny place. ))

((So does the UK.))

I urge my fellow Liberals to support the establishment of a free press in our nation.

 

[SirkTheMonkey]

I have to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the current proposals on the table and the recent developments with regards to the armed forces.

The Delcroix Amendment would effectively put the parliament's veto of the monarch in the hands of the courts.
Vanderhoof's Belgian Proclamation on Trade would, as written, create a private quasi-legislative branch with power over a cabinet position.
Vanderhoof's Regency Council of Belgium would leave us at the behest of a committee at a time when the nation would need a single voice to ensure stability and continuity. I had previously proposed rules for a single-man regency during the previous crisis but I do not feel that proposal fits our situation any longer.
Expanding the freedom of the press must come with sensible limits, such as prohibiting the publication and distribution of pornographic materials or materials detrimental to the moral fabric of our society.

The situation with our armed forces concerns me as a resident of Flanders. Despite rules governing the bilingualism of our nation, the upper echelons of the army will give orders in French and they will be educated at a French-named institution in French-speaking lands. The army will effectively be run by French-cultured gentlemen. Any right-thinking Flemish man, no matter what their political persuasion, should find this concerning.

- Leopold Percival Willems